Brett Favre Won't Go Away

Brett Favre is back in Green Bay, but now the new question is how long will he stay there for? Head coach Mike McCarthy said that Favre "didn't arrive in the "proper mindset", meaning that the Packers QB job still belongs to Aaron Rodgers, and if Brett Favre wants to play in the NFL this year, he won't be doing it in Packers green and gold. Favre himself said that "best thing for this team is for us to part ways."

So where will he go? The Bucs and Vikings appear to be the early favorites, but as we now know with Mr. Favre, we're just going to need to wait and see.


-quotes from espn.com

New Guys Come Up Big

Saturday night belonged to the "new guy" as several deadline deal acquisitions came up with big hits to help their respected teams win.

Xavier Nady had his first real breakout game with the New York Yankees as he went four for five including a double, homer, and six RBI en route to a 14-9 Yankees win over the LA Angels. New comer Pudge Rodriguez also homered for the Pin Stripes.

Elsewhere in the American League, Jason Bay continued to swing a hot bat for the Boston Red Sox as they defeated the Oakland A's by the score of 5-2. Bay had a pair of hits
in a winning effort for the Sox who have now won three in a row.

In the National League Manny Rodriguez went four for five, including his second homerun in as many days, to lead the LA Dodgers to a 9-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Manny has been red hot since leaving the Sox going 8 for 12 with two homeruns in three games with the Dodgers.

Aaron Rodgers Can't Be A Happy Guy

It happened. He's back. Brett Favre is a Green Bay Packer, Again. NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell has reinstated 38 year old who will show up at Packers camp on Monday. The big news, reported by ESPN is that there will now be an open competition for who is to be the Packers starting Quaterback for the 2008 season. The starting job, which belonged to Aaron Rodgers after Favre "retired", will now be a showdown between the gunslinger and the kid who just wants a chance.

If I were Aaron Rodgers, I would want out of Green Bay. It seems like Favre has this organization wrapped around his finger. In Green Bay, what Favre wants Favre gets. If you think Rodgers will win the starting job, think again.

Agree? Disagree? Waybackemail@gmail.com

Smith Out For Two

Carolina Panther's star wide receiver Steve Smith has been suspended for the first two games of the 2009 season following an altercation with cornerback Ken Lucas at training camp on Friday. While the starters were resting following a series of drills at Friday's practice Smith struck Lucas in the face leaving him with a broken nose and a black eye. The two have always had a little rivalry in practice, according to coach John Fox, but it had never been more than a little taunt here and there until now. The incident will cost Smith roughly $200,000.

It is not uncommon for little skirmishes to break out during training camp. In fact, last week at Dolphins' camp first round draft pick Jake Long and second round pick Phillip Merling got in a pushing and shoving match following a few intense one on one drills. Things like this happen. Some coaches actually like to see a little fire out of their players at camp, but what Smith did went too far. A little pushing and shoving is one thing but sucker punching a guy is another story. The sad thing is that it will cost the team as much as it will cost Smith, as they will now be with out their top offensive threat for the first two games of the season.

Are You Ready For Some Football?

The USA Today has released its College Football pre-season top 25. Leading the list is Georgia, lead by the QB/RB tandem of Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno. Moreno looks to be an early favorite for the Hesiman Trophy. Behind Georgia is perennial powerhouse USC, whose week 2 match-up versus pre-season #3 Ohio State could be a potential game of the year. The big 12 is represented with Oklahoma as the #4 team in the land, who is lead by sophomore QB Sam Bradford, who threw for 36 touchdowns last year. Rounding out the top 5 are the Tim Tebow-lead Florida Gators. Tebow, who was the Heisman last year, is trying to join Archie Griffin as the only two-time winner of the award.

The rest of the top 25:
6. LSU
7. Missouri
8. West Virgina
9. Clemson
10. Texas
11. Auburn
12. Wisconsin
13. Kansas
14. Texas Tech
15. Virgina Tech
16. Arizona State
17. BYU
18. Tennessee
19. Illinois
20. Oregon
21. South Florida
22. Penn State
23. Wake Forest
24. Michigan
25. Fresno State

I look for Texas Tech to turn some heads this year with QB Graham Harrell and his top WR Michael Crabtree being a tandem that will create havoc for CB's all year long. Fresno State and BYU look to be this years Hawaii, while Kansas and South Florida try to prove they weren't a one year wonder. Clemson will battle with Virgina Tech for the ACC crown, though the Tigers have a knack for blowing big games. Did your team not crack the top 25? Don't worry about it, it's just the pre-season. Think your team got snubbed? Lets hear about it! waybackemail@gmail.com

Packers-Farve "Lets make a deal"

The Green Bay Packers might have just made Brett Farve an offer too good to pass up. The Packers have reportedly offered Farve $20 million to retire as a Packer and stay that way. Should Farve agree to the deal it would put an end to the two month long saga that has been going on between the two sides.

In an interview with ESPN yesterday Farve had the following comment regarding the offer.

"There isn't a perfect solution to this, but Mark Murphy is at least trying. We know what they want and where I stand. His solution, although awkward and unsettling for most, may be the best in the end."

Getting $20 million to never have to take a hit again sounds like a pretty good deal to me. Then again, I'm not Brett Farve. I suppose you can't put a price on competitive drive, but the Packers sure have tried. Bret has made it clear that he wants to play again, but the Packers don't want him back and he is not going to make a team an instant Superbowl contender via trade. His chances of winning another Superbowl, whether it be with Green Bay or elsewhere, are slim. He might as just take the money and hang them up. No sense risking injury to, at best, finish in the same position he did after last season.

A Night of Standing Ovations

Last night marked the first night with their respected new ball clubs for several big names in MLB.

Jason Bay's 13th inning triple set himself up to score the game winning run on Jed Lowire's infield single. Bay, who got standing ovations several times throughout the game, finished 1 for 3 on the night and scored both runs in the Red Sox 2-1 victory.

Elsewhere in the American League, newly acquired White Sox outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. went 2 for 3 with 2 RBI to lead first place Chicago to a 4-2 victory. Griffey nearly added more to his total as he just missed a home run in the fourth inning.

In the National League, Manny Ramirez made his debut as a member of the LA Dodgers. Manny had a pair of singles in the game, finishing 2 for 4, but it was not enough as the Dodgers fell 2-1 to the Diamondbacks.

New World #1

I realize that for the average sports fan in the United States, tennis is not a very popular topic. It may not have the flash or recognizable figures that baseball or basketball have. With that said, something will happen next week that deserves some recognition. Roger Federer has been on top of the tennis world for the past 235 consecutive weeks. Thats over four year as the best in the world at one particular sport. Thats over 1600 consecutive days. That is amazing. Next week, however, that will all change. With Federer's first round lost and Rafael Nadal's 32 match (and counting) win streak, the next time the world rankings come out (Aug, 18th) it will be Nadal, not Federer, whose name will be next to #1.

Here's to a great run by a hell of an athlete. It will be very interesting to see how this motivates Federer. As an ocassional tennis fan, the matches between Federer and Nadal over the past few years, particularly in majors, has been something special to watch. These guys are some of the best athletes in the world. If you have never seen these two play head-to-head before do yourself a favor and give it a chance one of these days. You may be surprised at what you see.

Deadline Recap

No Manny was not dealt for Brett Farve, but he was dealt in the closing minutes of the July 31st trade deadline. In case you missed the crazy past 7-10 days of endless rumors and several trades, here is a recap of all the major trade deadline deals that went down.

The big one: Three-Way Deal

To Red Sox
Jason Bay (OF, from Pirates)

To Dodgers
Manny Ramirez (OF, from Red Sox)

To Pirates
Craig Hansen (RP, from Red Sox)
Brandon Moss (OF, from Red Sox)
Andy LaRoche (3B, from Dodgers)
Bryan Morris (AA SP, from Dodgers)

Others of Note:

Marlins acquire Author Rhoades (RP) from Mariners for Gaby Hernandez (AA, SP)

White Sox acquire Ken Griffey Jr. (outfielder) from Reds for Nick Masset (AAA, RP) & Danny Richar (2B)

Yankees acquire Ivan Rodriguez (C) from Tigers for Kyle Farnsworth (RP)

Angels acquire Mark Teixeria (1B) from Braves for Casey Kotchman (1B) & Stephen Marek (RHP)

Dodgers acquire Casey Blake (3B) from Indians for Jon Meloan (RP) & Carlos Santana (AA, C)

Yankees acquire Xavier Nady (OF) & Damaso Marte (RP) from Pirates for four minor league prospects
Diamondbacks acquire Jon Rauch from Nationals for Emilio Bonifacio (AAA, 2B)

Brewers acquire Ray Durham (2B) from Giants for Steve Hammond (AA, SP) & Darren Ford (AA, OF)

Phillies acquire Joe Blanton (SP) from A's for three minor league prospects

Cubs acquire Rich Harden (SP) & Chad Gaudin (RP) from A's for Matt Murton (OF) & three minor league prospects

Brewers acquire CC Sabathia from Indians for four minor league prospects

Ramirez Out In Boston

ESPN.com is reporting that the Boston Red Sox have traded LF Manny Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers as a part of a 3-team trade.

In return, The Red Sox aquired OF Jason Bay from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Pirates recieved 3B Andy LaRoche and P Bryan Morris from the Dodgers. In addition to that the Pirates also recieved 2 prospects from the Red Sox, OF Brandon Moss, and P Craig Hansen.

It seems to me that the Red Sox gave up too much for Jason Bay, while the pirates make out like bandits solidifiing their future by adding the other LaRoche brother at 3B.