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View from the Cheap Seats
by Jeff Vernetti
by 7/8/2008
Football training camps are now an amazing three weeks away. It is amazing that football is here again and this offseason has been filled with free agent news, hirings, firings and tons of gossip. All of those things of course will be affecting our fantasy football rosters this season.
One of the most interesting rumors has involved the future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre. After Green Bay’s exit in the NFC title game last winter, Farve decided to step away from the game after 17 magical seasons. With tears in his eyes, Farve would walk away from the game he loved and straight into football lore. There is no doubt that if you are putting together a list of the great quarterbacks of all time, Farve belongs somewhere near the top.
The interesting thing was Farve was stepping away seemingly on top of his game. From a fantasy perspective, Farve was a real bonus last year as he racked up 4,155 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and just 15 INT. Favre was coming off two sub-par seasons and slipped towards the bottom half of available fantasy football quarterbacks. Owners got Farve late and many used him to get their teams deep into their league playoffs.
Recently, numerous reports have serviced that signal the possible return to the NFL for Farve, just a few months after his “retirement.” Favre’s representatives have talked to the Packers about a possible return, he has never filled his retirement papers with the NFL and his locker remains intact at the Packers training facility. All pretty good signs that Farve may play some more.
While this is not a HUGE development, it will change the fantasy landscape for sure. Favre was 4th in the NFL in passing yards and passing percentage and 6th in touchdown passes and QB rating. While he wouldn’t slip up into the first couple of rounds in any drafts, Farve would go as one of the top 5-7 quarterbacks in the majority of leagues out there.
One thing is for certain, Favre would defiantly go higher than current Packer starter Aaron Rodgers. The Packers’ fourth-year quarterback is entering his first year as a starter in the NFL and the majority of fantasy analysts don’t see him making too much of an impact. With Rodgers at the helm, the Packer offense will be more balanced, leaning on the running game for certain. Rodgers also has the tough task of filling the shoes of a legend, which will add to the pressures of the position. In early season mock drafts, Rodgers is one of the last regular season quarterbacks drafted, mostly as a backup.
I for one am hoping Favre comes back. As a football fan, I love watching Farve do his thing on the frozen tundra. As a fantasy fan, I always loved having Farve on my team because he was continually passed over due to his age or surrounding cast – but he just put up numbers. You could get him late and he would help you get into the playoffs.
That’s all for now. Email me questions or comments at vern@footballdiehards.com Make sure you check out our weekly podcasts for all the latest football news. Until next week, this has been my “View from the Cheap Seats.”
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Our latest Cheat Sheets updated constantly through September.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr1')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">GM: Aaron Rodgers Is Packers' Starter
(7/12 1:25 PM PT)
The Facts:
The ongoing saga continues. ... Refusing to rule out the possibility of Brett Favre playing for the Packers this season, GM Ted Thompson admitted Saturday that he was dealing with a messy situation. "This is a very difficult spot we're in. It's a very volatile situation and we don't have all the answers yet." Asked if there was a chance Favre could be on his roster this year, Thompson said, "Sure." As a starter? "I don't know how to answer that," he said. "We have moved forward. So we'll see where it goes. ..." Then he said, "Rodgers is our starting quarterback."
Diehards Line:
Although he declined to answer which quarterback gives the Packers the best chance to go to the Super Bowl, Thompson admitted that anything could happen between now and the start of training camp and that though the team will discuss the possibility of Favre coming back, it will do nothing until Favre signs reinstatement papers. ... Meanwhile, Greg Aiello, an NFL spokesman, told the Journal-Sentinel he was not aware whether Favre had officially petitioned commissioner Roger Goodell for reinstatement. ... Those not already sick to death of this story will want to stay tuned for more.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr2')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Broncos Unaware Of Travis Henry's Positive Test
(7/12 1:21 PM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on a previous item. ... The Broncos were not aware the NFL had ruled Henry again tested positive for marijuana prior to the team releasing the running back on June 2nd, two NFL sources said.
Diehards Line:
The team had planned to open the season with Henry at running back, but that changed in late-May when Henry pulled his hamstring prior to the team's offseason mini-camps. He then came up with numerous excuses why he couldn't attend treatment ultimately forcing HC Mike Shanahan to release him. At the time, Henry knew what the Broncos say they didn't know: That the league said he again tested positive for marijuana. ... If Henry is found guilty of testing positive, it would be his third offense, which in turn would result in a one-year suspension. The latest offense could well end Henry's NFL career.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr3')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">GM, HC Confirm: Brett Favre Welcome As No. 2
(7/12 12:21 PM PT)
The Facts:
The Packers' general manager and coach told the Associated Press this morning they don't plan to grant Favre's request for his release. GM Ted Thompson and HC Mike McCarthy said Favre was welcome to rejoin the team but would have to be a backup.
Diehards Line:
It was their first public comments since Favre demanded his release this week, four months after announcing his retirement in a tearful news conference. Thompson and McCarthy did not want to discuss a possible trade. Thompson said he had not received any inquiries as of this morning. ... This latest news confirms the report posted here Friday. ... And the beat goes on.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr4')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Matt Jones Denies Drug Possession... Sort Of
(7/12 8:41 AM PT)
The Facts:
On advice from an attorney, Jones isn't speaking about being charged with felony possession of cocaine. But his father, Steve Jones, issued a statement in which the receiver denied having any responsibility for the six grams of cocaine that were found in a sport-utility vehicle and ultimately led to his arrest early Thursday morning. "We want to make it clear that Matt was not in possession of any drugs," the statement read.
Diehards Line:
The elder Jones conceded there were drugs in the vehicle and were located in the closest proximity to his son -- but "he does not claim any responsibility for the drugs. ..." As previously noted, police spotted Jones in the backseat of a parked car when an officer on foot patrol saw him with a "white powdery substance and in his hand, a credit card that he was using to chop up and scrape the powder." When asked by the officer if the powder was cocaine, Jones said, "Yes. ..." Jones has a court hearing set for Aug. 11. The Jaguars have declined to comment on the matter until they receive more facts concerning the case, but Jones now faces punishment from the NFL.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr5')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Agent: Kevin Jones Still Waiting To Hear From Bucs
(7/12 12:12 AM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on a previous item. ... Tony Fleming, Jones' agent, said the Bucs are one of five teams interested in his client. However, Fleming said despite published reports stating Jones will visit Tampa Bay next week, they have not scheduled anything yet. "I saw that on TV last night and it's not true," Fleming said. "Unless something happens today, I don't know that report to be true. "
Diehards Line:
Fleming said Jones is still intrigued with the opportunity to play for Tampa Bay despite its crowded backfield. The Bucs currently have Earnest Graham, Michael Bennett, Warrick Dunn, Kenneth Darby and rookie Cory Boyd ready for action (Cadillac Williams' return from knee surgery remains uncertain). "Tampa Bay is definitely one of the teams interested in him, but we're still waiting to hear back from them," Fleming said. ... Stay tuned. More if/when developments warrant.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr6')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Packers Won't Let Brett Favre Become A Viking
(7/12 12:10 AM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on the ongoing drama. ... The reason the Packers will not release Favre is simple. His team of choice is Minnesota, in SI.com insider Peter King's opinion, in large part because Vikings OC Darrell Bevell is a good friend of Favre's dating back to the three years (2003-05) Bevell was his quarterback coach in Green Bay.
Diehards Line:
If Favre and agent James "Bus" Cook, who asked the team for Favre's unconditional release, believe that the Packers will allow him to go free so he can sign with Minnesota, they're crazy. According to King, Ted Thompson is an old-time GM. He would rather be hated by Favre and by Packers fans than he would in allowing the No. 1 rival in his division to steal his QB without compensation. So, King summed up: "Unless Favre agrees to some sort of handshake, gentleman agreement that he'll steer clear of the NFC North, there's no way the Packers will allow him to go free. ..." We agree. For what it's worth, King suggests Favre's desire not to "screw" Aaron Rodgers is one reason Favre wants to move on. Not sure we're buying that one.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr7')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Redskins, Rookie WR Malcolm Kelly Agree To Terms
(7/11 6:23 PM PT)
The Facts:
The Redskins today announced that they have agreed to terms with second-round selection Kelly, the 51st overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Diehards Line:
The receiver is the seventh and highest of the Redskins' 10 draft picks to sign or agree to terms. While at the University of Oklahoma, Kelly earned second-team All-Big 12 honors as a sophomore and junior, before opting to enter the draft with one year of eligibility remaining. He ranks second to Mark Clayton all-time in Sooners history with 144 receptions, 21 touchdowns and nine 100-yard receiving games, and is fifth in school annals with 144 receptions. The 6-4, 219-pound Kelly will be given every opportunity to become an immediate contributor.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr8')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Latest Brett Favre Rumors Include Fins, Panthers, Bucs
(7/11 4:23 PM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on today's big story. ... There is speculation that Favre and his agent, James "Bus" Cook, already have a team picked out. A client of Cook's recently told a friend that Miami and Carolina were the teams that were Favre's most likely landing place, and probably the only way he would know that is if discussions had already taken place with those teams.
Diehards Line:
The rumors persist despite the increasingly apparent fact that Packers officials have absolutely no intention of turning Favre loose. As for the latest rumors, Panthers GM Marty Hurney was caught off guard by last week's reports first suggesting Favre might be interested in Carolina. Meanwhile, Tampa Tribune staffer Anwar S. Richardson advised readers this afternoon that if Favre becomes available, "Jon Gruden will be first in line to beg Favre to sign with Tampa Bay." Gruden is familiar with him. Gruden coached Favre in 1992 when he was an offensive assistant at Green Bay, plus was around him as a Packers receivers coach in 1994 and 1995. ... Guess what? More to come.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr9')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Eddie Kennison Hoping To Hear From Tampa
(7/11 4:22 PM PT)
The Facts:
Kennison is still waiting on a return call from Tampa Bay. Kennison, who was hindered by a torn hamstring last year, worked out for Tampa Bay last month, but has yet to receive a training camp invite. "He's very interested in being a Buc and has made that clear," said John Hamilton, Kennison's agent. "He would love to play for Jon Gruden and hopefully we'll hear from them soon."
Diehards Line:
Kennison, 35, has 548 career receptions for 8,345 yards and 42 touchdowns. He was originally a first round draft pick by the St. Louis Rams in 1996. However, last season's injury slowed Kennison, who had only 13 receptions for 101 yards and no touchdowns. The Bucs have a need, but we're not sure it's that great a need.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr10')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Report: Packers Will Welcome Brett Favre Back... As No. 2
(7/11 3:20 PM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on the latest flareup. ... Favre asked the team for his unconditional release on Friday, but the organization has no intention of granting that request, FOXSports.com insider Jay Glazer has learned. If anything, sources say, the team is prepared to welcome Favre back as a backup to Aaron Rodgers.
Diehards Line:
According to Glazer, Green Bay would likely trade Favre before releasing him. ... Also according to Glazer, this isn't the first time this offseason that Favre has made such a request. In late March during the NFL Owners Meeting, Favre informed the team he wanted to play again. Not only did he insist he was returning, both HC Mike McCarthy and GM Ted Thompson agreed that he still had something left and they would welcome him back. In fact, team brass went as far as chartering a jet to fly to Mississippi to make it official later that week. The group was set for this huge move when Favre suddenly phoned the team two days before the meeting was to take place and informed McCarthy that he had changed his mind yet again and was staying retired. While team officials were stunned by Favre's reversal, they made the decision to move on. And that's where we're at. ... Stay tuned.
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