Done Again

For the 2nd time in less then a year QB Brett Favre has called it a career. Favre notified the Jets this morning that he was done. Many people still think that Favre will still play again in the NFL, however in all probability he is done.

The loss against the Giants in the 2007-2008 NFC Championship game destroyed Favre and the thought of getting back to that point was overwhelming to him, hence his retirement last year. A few months had passed and his normal aches went away and he decided he wanted another shot. There was one problem with that idea, the Packers had moved on to Aaron Rodgers and wanted no part of it. This led to bitterness between Favre and the Packers and Green Bay traded Favre to a terrible Jets team, who finished 4-12 the year before. If you are going to trade somebody of that talent, I can understand not trading him within the division or even the conference, however I can't understand why Green Bay made the deal with the pathetic Jets, that was just an insult.

Favre then had a chip on his shoulder when he arrived in camp. Favre was out to make sure the Jets would finish with a better record then the Packers. He had to meet his new coaches and teammates, learn a whole new system and most importantely get himself back into playing shape.

When it was all said and done, Favre did a pretty good job considering all of the circumstances. New York finished with a 9-7 record in a very competitive division, while the Packers finished just 6-10 in a terrible division that included the 0-16 Lions. At one point in the season the Jets were 8-3 and looking like a contender before losing 4 out of their last 5 to miss the playoffs. Favre had much to do with the 8-3 start and the 1-4 finish. He rejuvinated the Jets and made them believe they could win, then Favre hurt his throwing arm and was terrible the last 5 games.

Favre is done not because he wants to be done, he is done because he has no other choice. The man that started 291 consecutive games (including postseason games) is breaking down physically. Favre is smart enough to know that at his age, he has to committ to the game full time in order to be Favre. At the end of the Jets season, I believe the injury was severe enough that Favre knew that he couldn't make that kind of offseason commitment and knew it was time to retire for sure.

Favre also didn't ask the Jets for his release, making it impossible for Favre to seek out any other teams. Brett Favre will not play in the NFL next season for sure, however maybe he could come back after taking a year off if he still has the passion for the game. The idea seems rediculous, but when you are talking about Favre nothing remains out of the question.

If this really is it, Favre is the NFL QB All-Time leader in passing yards, attempts, completions and touchdowns. Favre played the game like few others, with his passion and joy for the game. Favre is without a doubt a first ballot Hall of Famer, unfortunately he falls into the one year to many category. Favre in a Jets uniform now falls into the category of Montana in Chiefs gear, Joe Namath in a Rams uniform, Johnny U wearing the Charger lightening bolt, and Franco Harris pounding the rock for a bad Seahawks team. Favre still is easily one of the top 10 quarterbacks of all-time and one of the top 3 most entertaining to watch play. Say what you want about Favre, but when you look back on his career down the road you will miss watching him play.

Other Notes.....

An ex-congressman says that official charges are coming soon against Roger Clemens. Maybe Roger can use the term "misremembered" as a defense.

Did anybody catch the end of the Cavs/Pacers game last night? The Pacers were up by 2 with .08 left to play and the refs callled a foul on an ally-oop attempt. The call was terrible. Lebron James then made his two free throws to tie the game at 95. After an Indiana timeout, the Pacers ran the exact play Clevleand did with .04 left and again the refs blew the whistle, making another terrible call. Danny Granger made his first free-throw for the Pacers and then intentionally missed the second with .01 left, giving Indiana a 96-95 win. When there is less then a second left, unless there is obvious hard contact, swallow the whistle and let the teams play to decide the game. The Cavs and Celtics are in a dog fight for home court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference Playoffs and the refs whistle may have cost Cleveland a very important win. No whistles should be blown with less then a second to go in the NBA.

The Picks....4-0 last night and I'm now 10 for my last 10 and 38-19-1 overall.

A very difficult board tonight, but I will throw out a few. I'm not touching the UNC/Duke game, North Carolina is better but the game is in Duke where anything can happen. UCONN should cover the 12 against Syracuse, but the rivalry could play a factor in the outcome. Xavier and Wake Forest could also be upset tonight. Here is what I will go with for tonight.......

NBA

Denver @ Orlando UNDER 210
@Detoit -2 1/2 Atlanta

NCAAM

@BYU -18 Colorado St.