Running on E

16 years in a Packers' uniform and a Super Bowl ring should have defined Brett Favre's NFL career. Instead he's going to be remembered for simply not going away.

At the end of the 2007 season, he gave Green Bay fans a teary farewell and entered retirement. A few months later he decided to play for the Jets. After finishing 3rd in the Tom Brady-less AFC East, Favre decided to hang it up and retire. Yesterday, Favre signed with the Packers' biggest rival, the Vikings.

Brett Favre has ruined his image. He was an outstanding QB in his prime, and had the opportunity to bow out gracefully. But after playing for the Jets and now for the Vikings, he is running on empty. Sure, he's got a lot of good tools in Minnesota, and yes they'll be a tough team this season. But, is some faint chance of glory really worth alienating every fan who has ever cheered for you?

My thought would be no, especially for someone with a following like Brett Favre. He says he can still play. He sure showed us last year in New York. Why should Minnesota be different?

Know your limits, otherwise you'll be pushing the car to Mississippi.

More Money Than God

Tom Brady is a man's man.  He is a 3-time Super Bowl champ, volunteers his time for Best Buddies, and is married to a beautiful woman.  On top of all of that, he is a multi-millionaire.  So, I find myself asking why I'm reading a story about a man who just underwent brain surgery to pay back a $4,000 debt to number 12.

David Paiva is a 61-year old convicted bank robber.  He took planters he found behind Brady's Boston condo he believed were put out with the garbage and sold them for $450.  He was arrested after surveillance tapes showed him taking the planters.  As part 

of a plea agreement, Paiva agreed to pay Brady $4,000 restitution for the stolen planters.

But following brain surgery, Paiva was forced to panhandle to repay the New England Patriots' star.  After reading Paiva's story in The Boston Herald, a local businessman came forward and paid the debt in full.  Paiva called the generosity, "...a dream come true."

A spokesperson for the Patriots said he doubts Brady is aware of the situation, and I 

want to know why he hasn't been made aware.

Brady has been hit hard on the field turf of Gillette.  He can afford the small hit to the wallet to help this man turn his life around.

"Let's Go Red Sox!"

In two consecutive games at Nationals Stadium in Washington, DC, the Nationals have set new record attendance for their ballpark. There is just one downside...most, if not all of the fans are there to cheer for the visiting team...The Boston Red Sox.

It seems that wherever the Sox travel, they always seem to have a very strong following (maybe with the exception of Yankee Stadium). There are fans in Florida, California, Texas, and even Canada! I don't really know the mass appeal of the BoSox outside of New England. Is it just because they're a good team? Or is it deeper than that? Maybe I'm getting too philosophical. Either way, it seems like Red Sox Nation really does stretch from sea to shining sea.

Yet it seems odd that with the crowds at opposing stadiums chanting "Let's Go Red Sox!" followed by rhythmic clapping, Boston is only 19-17 on the road this season. Their home record is an MLB best 25-10 (tied with the LA Dodgers).

Maybe this streak of selling out stadiums will catch on for the Sox. 500+ games in Fenway, 2 games in DC...

Let's just hope for the sake of Red Sox Nation that it gives them home field advantage with a new twist.

H8 Being a Yankees Fan?

The Boston Red Sox have had an interesting season thus far. David Ortiz has taken forever to get into the swing of things, their starting pitching has been off and on, and they have a pretty good winning streak over a certain team.

In fact, the New York Yankees haven't beaten the BoSox since the first game of a double header at Fenway on September 28th of last season! The Sox have taken the first 8 games of this season, and the final game of last season. I'm proud to say that I've been present for 2 of the 9 total wins over the Evil Empire. I was at the 2nd game of that double header in the rain, and was at Fenway again to see Jacoby Ellsbury steal home.

Red Sox fans have waited a long time to see their team put such a beating on the Yanks. The last time the Sox won 8 in a row over the NYY was back in 1912 when Fenway Park was brand new. Boston also added a shiny World Series trophy to their collection that year. Maybe it's a sign of things to come? I guess we'll have to wait and see. The rivalry doesn't start up again until August! Hopefully Red Sox Nation can go that long without chanting at A-Rod.

Mr. Harrison Doesn't Go to Washington

The champion from every one of the four major sports in the U.S. get certain perks.  They're on the cover of Sports Illustrated, all over ESPN, and they are even honored at the White House.  But, one Steeler has decided that last item isn't all that impressive.  Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison didn't travel with his teammates to Washington, DC to visit President Obama.

"This is how I feel — if you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don't win the Super Bowl. As far as I'm concerned, he would've invited Arizona if they had won," Harrison said.

That's kind of the point, James.  To the winner goes the spoils.  The Steelers won, so they visit the president.  I wonder if he stopped eating Wheaties too?

Harrison's move isn't any kind of political statement. He skipped the visit to the White House to meet President Bush when the Steelers took Super Bowl XL.

"Why is it a big issue now that I'm not going if it wasn't a big issue the last time?," he asked.  

I think the big deal here lies with the fact we have a new president, one that has a relationship with owner Dan Rooney.  Rooney, who is a lifelong Republican, openly supported Obama during the Pennsylvania primary, and through the general election.  So, I think the overlying issue here isn't about Harrison not showing up in DC.  The real issue is the lack of respect he has shown to one of the best owners in the NFL, and to the Office of the President of the United States.

Too bad they don't give a trophy out for that...

John Nathans

This story was posted in today's edition of The Boston Globe. It details the recovery (or lack thereof) of former Red Sox catching prospect John Nathans. Almost two years ago, Nathans was struck in the head by a bat wielding Jose Offerman. He hasn't been the same since. This story simply breaks your heart.

A dizzying turn - The Boston Globe

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Blue Jays Aim High

Here's a report I did fron Toronto Blue Jays Spring Training in Dunedin, Florida. Last month I traveled throughout the Grapefruit League with WEBN Sports.

Rain, Rain, GO AWAY!

Team USA

USA KO'ed

March 22 --The United States has been knocked out of the WBC. Team USA fell to defending WBC Champion Japan in a 9-4 effort at Dodger Stadium.

The U.S. got off to a quick start with a Brian Roberts solo homer in the top of the first. David Wright added another run in the second when he doubled deep to center, bringing Jimmy Rollins around to give the U.S. a 2-1 advantage over Japan. Rollins was 4-4 on the night.

Yet, Oswalt couldn't hold the Japanese bats at bay. Japan scored 5 runs in the bottom of the 4th inning. The Astros' star went 3.2 innings with 4 earned runs and 1 strikeout. Team USA would attempt a comeback in the top of the 8th, coming within two runs. However, Japan shut the door on all hopes of a comeback in the bottom of the inning by scoring another 3 runs.

Japan advances to the championship round to face South Korea on Monday.


Oswalt Gets the Nod

March 20 -- Team USA has named their starting pitcher for the semi-finals. Houston's Roy Oswalt will take to the mound to face Japan. Oswalt pitched four scoreless innings in the U.S. 9-3 victory over the Netherlands to evade elimination.

Japan's manager, Tatsunori Hara did not name the starter for his team. However, Red Sox ace Daisuke Matsuzaka is due up in the defending champions' rotation.

Last season, Oswalt posted a career worst 3.54 ERA, but still managed 17 wins for the Astros.


Ray of Hope

March 20 -- The Tampa Rays' third baseman, Evan Longoria is coming to the rescue! Longoria has been named to Team USA to replace the injured Chipper Jones. Jones played four games in the WBC, but a muscle strain in his right side will keep him from going any further.

Longoria was on the original 43-man provisional roster in January, but didn't start with the team at the beginning of the tournament.

Last season, Longoria hit .272 with 85 RBI's and a .343 OBP in 122 games.

Injuries continue to be a major concern for the U.S. During the second round the team lost Dustin Pedrioa, Kevin Youkilis, and Matt Lindstrom all fell victim to the injury bug.


Youk 'otta be kidding me!

March 19 -- The Boston Red Sox must be pulling their hair out! Last week the reigning AL MVP, Dustin Pedrioa hobbled back to Fort Myers after being injured in the WBC. Now Boston's first baseman, Kevin Youkilis has been added to the list of the walking wounded.

Youkilis has undergone an MRI and has been diagnosed with a high left ankle sprain and mild Achilles' tendinitis. He will miss the remainder of the tournament. Youk was reportedly bothered by the injury for the last several days. The Sox slugger homered in Tuesday's comeback win over Puerto Rico.

Injuries to Boston's two infielders and Chipper Jones will have Team USA scrambling to rearrange their roster before the semi-final round versus defending WBC Champion Japan.



Not Dunn Yet

March 18 -- Venezuela got past Team USA in Miami to conclude the 2nd round of the WBC. The 10-6 loss falls squarely on the shoulders of first baseman Adam Dunn. It was his wild throw that resulted in four unearned runs for the Central American opponent in the 10-6 loss.

Team USA managed 12 hits, but stranded 11 runners. The red, white, and blue used 7 pitchers in the game and gave up 15 hits, including a 3 run homer to Max Ramirez.

Both the U.S. and Venezuela have already qualified for the WBC semi-final round in Los Angeles. The game was to determine the seeding for the semi-final round.


I like to be in America!

March 17-- Team USA beat Puerto Rico in a rumble that didn't involve singing or ballet, just some last minute heroics. After a dismal 10 run mercy rule beating from the little island on Saturday, today the U.S. came from behind to stamp their ticket to the WBC semi-finals with a 6-5 win.

In classic, dramatic baseball fashion, David Wright hit a two run single with the bases loaded in the bottom on the 9th to finish a three run rally for the win. He was instantly tackled by his teammates when the winning run scored (Officer Krupke was on hand to keep things in order.)

The loss knocks Puerto Rico out of the tournament.

America's got a feelin' that something's coming, somethin' good.

B's Announcers Get an A

I don’t particularly care for hockey. When I do watch, I root for the Bruins. Last season’s 7 game playoff series against Montreal was tremendous. But for me, watching a bunch of men with long names that appear to be made up only of consonants (except for the “i” on the end) chase a piece of rubber up and down a sheet of ice with sticks before beating the tar out of one another doesn’t really appeal to me.

However, while I sat at home last night, flipping through the channels (trying to avoid endless hours of Oscars coverage), I stumbled upon the Bruins game on NESN and decided to watch. They were playing the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The game itself was exciting, but the announcers only enhanced the feeling. Andy Brickley and Jack Edwards did a great job of pulling me into this game. When there was a good play or a hard hit you could hear it in their voices. The puck would get close to the goal and their voices would speed up and get a little higher. Their excitement kept me excited and interested in the game. The play-by-play was more than just borderline yelling every time something happened on the ice. I also got an assortment of facts that helped me learn the players and the game, like Andrew Ference tied the game at 2 with his first goal of the season.

Brickley and Edwards also make the audience use their imagination. After the Lightning scored back to back goals only 15 seconds apart, the two announcers began speculating as to what the conversation on the bench was. I thought this conversation did a nice job of including the viewers at home by making them use their knowledge of the game and players to draw their own conclusions as to the talk amongst the players after lightning struck in the same place twice…in the Bruins’ net.

There was one thing about Brickley and Edwards that did bother me, and that was the fact that they work for a broadcasting company that is partially owned by the team they’re covering. During the post game analysis, Andy Brickley said he found the Bruins’ 4-3 loss to the 13^th ranked team in the Eastern Conference “encouraging”. He seemed to be playing the role of a public relations worker instead of a sports commentator. I don’t mind listening to a “homer” give his commentary during a game. I love listening to Gino during Pats games and Remy in baseball season (I am aware the Sox also own NESN). But, it even appeared as though the Bruins had dressed the announcers too. They were both wearing black suits and bright yellow ties! Why not just put jerseys on them?

Overall, their matching ensembles did not detract from my enjoyment of the game. Brickley and Edwards find a good balance between facts and fun. It may have been enough to convert me into a regular hockey fan…maybe.

The Dynasty Will Live On

It is what it is.

The New England Patriots have built their dynasty throughout the 21^st century. They have won 4 AFC titles and 3 Super Bowls this decade. People point to the outstanding players as the key. Others applaud Robert Kraft’s stupendous ownership. But, in the end one man holds the blueprint for the Patriots’ success. That man is Bill Belichick. His history and future as a coach are now brighter than ever.

In 2001, he led a team with the 199^th overall pick from the 2000 draft to a Super Bowl victory over the “Greatest Show on Turf”. He repeated his team’s championship glory in 2003 and 2004. In 2007 scandal rocked the Patriots franchise and the NFL with “Spygate”. Without flinching, he looked past the media distractions and gave the rest of the league a whooping it wouldn’t soon forget with the first 16 and 0 regular season.

Last season the Patriots looked to overcome a disappointing loss in Super Bowl XLII.

Bill Belichick coached the Patriots to an 11-5 record with a second string QB that shouldn’t have made the squad based off his lack luster performance during training camp and the pre-season, and had not started a game since high school.

Yet, the Pats still put the franchise tag on Matt Cassel. On the surface it would appear as though the team may be concerned about Brady’s recovery from re-constructive knee surgery. Could they really be looking for the second coming of Tom Brady?!

Not even close.

Cassel is no Brady. Number 16 made the team because Belichick saw something in the young quarterback that the rest of us failed to notice. Love him or hate him, there is no denying that the man in the torn up hoodie knows the value of a player.

Bill Belichick is acutely aware that his backup quarterback is not worth 14.65 million dollars. He knows the position is secure with Brady waiting in the wings to make his return in time for the ’09 kickoff. Cassel is the Patriots’ 4^th franchise tagged player for two reasons. 1: Nothing is free. 2: Belichick now controls where Cassel will play next season.

The Patriots understand more than any other team that football is a business. It was a business decision to trade Drew Bledsoe to the Bills in exchange for a first round pick in 2003. They used the pick to move up and draft defensive end Ty Warren…not a bad move. If a team wants to sign Cassel they’re going to have to dig deep and cough up some draft picks. There are teams right now that need a quarterback (I’m looking at you Minnesota!), and they will do what it takes to get a Belichick coached and Brady mentored player. Simply giving him away would be a waste of the coaching staff's hard work with Cassel over the last few seasons. The lesson for the rest of the NFL? You don't get something for nothing.

If New England did not place the franchise tag on Cassel, I would be willing to personally guarantee he’d now be wearing a green and white Jets jersey. Patriot fans should be breathing a sigh of relief over Cassel’s new lable, especially now with Brett Favre’s most recent retirement. This tag gives Belichick the competitive edge over New York in what is without a doubt the most storied rivalry in the AFC East. Who needs cameras and super secret spy gear to gain an advantage when you can simply dangle a franchised player over your rivals’ heads before sending him off to the middle of nowhere? The AFC East was surprisingly close last season. This move and what I ultimately expect will be a Cassel trade to an NFC team will keep the Patriots the dominant team in the division next season.

In 1975, Coach Belichick graduated from Wesleyan University with a degree in economics. It is his business like approach to the game of football that has built the Patriots’ dynasty. His latest move with Matt Cassel will be the economic stimulus needed to get New England back into championship form for the seasons that lie ahead. This football dynasty will only continue to grow in Foxboro as long as Bill Belichick is the head coach of the New England Patriots.

Breaking Down the Breakdown

The Super Bowl is a spectacle on the world’s stage. It is seen around the globe, is etched into our pop culture, and is covered by sports journalists from almost every angle imaginable. Super Bowl XLIII was no different.

I’ve selected the following three articles on the “Big Game” to compare and contrast reporting styles: Don Banks’ “Super Bowl XLIII Snap Judgments”, Gene Wojciechowski’s “Sixth sense: Steelers do it the right way”, and Reuters reporter Larry Fine’s “Late touchdown gives Steelers sixth Super Bowl”.

All three of these reporters get a clear message across to their readers; the Steelers are world champions for the 6th time. Each reporter conveys the game’s exciting, intense, and at time stressful 4th quarter. However, each goes about describing the same events in different terms.

Reuters shows its newswire style of reporting by giving just the facts about the game’s final drive. “Pittsburgh marched 78 yards with receiver Santonio Holmes capping the drive with a sensational six-yard touchdown catch from Ben Roethlisberger with 35 seconds left.”

ESPN’s Wojciechowski makes the final seconds sound much more poetic and epic. “Of the 78 yards covered on the drive, Holmes caught 73 yards' worth. But it was his final catch -- that 6-yarder in the corner of the end zone, where his toes somehow stayed put on the turf -- that won him the MVP, and the Steelers their sixth Super Bowl.”

SI’s Banks’ take is more fan-like and excited about the events he’s just witnessed. “It had the most amazing game-winning touchdown ever, in Santonio Holmes' six-yard work of artistry in the back corner of the end zone with 35 seconds to play.”

Each author saw the same game and is writing about the same play. However, their accounts of that same toe-tapping finish appeal to vastly different audiences. Fine’s article for example would most likely appeal to casual sports fans, or those who really aren’t invested in sports (as blasphemous as that may sound). Wojciechowski would probably attract readers that have followed the NFL for a long time and have a passion for the game instead of one particular team. Banks’ piece would be waving a Terrible Towel and screaming out to all of the Pittsburgh fans out there. His piece is fun and light-hearted while still providing some outstanding facts for the die-hards.

The reporters’ styles also shine through in determining this Super Bowl’s final place in history. The wire service completely avoids making any judgment. Wojciechowski tip toes (no pun intended) around the subject by saying, “They beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 in arguably the best Super Bowl game ever...” Banks does not mix words when he exclaims, “We just witnessed the best Super Bowl in history. Pittsburgh 27, Arizona 23.”

You may want just the facts, or maybe you prefer insight on the game, or maybe snap judgments are more your thing. These stories from the biggest sporting event of the year show that no matter what kind of sports fan you are, there is a style of sports coverage for you.

No Softy

Tom Brady is a Super Bowl hero, an NFL MVP, and a pop icon. He is everywhere. But since Tom's injury in the first quarter of the first game this season, the sports world seems to have forgotten all he has done throughout his career. A slew of anti-Brady storylines have been found around the country this week. The last straw came when Dan Shaughnessy’s article, “The hard truth: He’s gone soft” ran in the Boston Globe on January 28^th.

While I can certainly see the newsworthiness of reporting on the QB’s recovery from knee surgery, I have difficulty finding any value in Mr. Shaughnessy’s borderline libelous (even if tongue in cheek) comments. Nowhere in this piece does it even hint at the fact that Brady has begun to drop back and throw passes, nor does it mention that he's on pace to be back in time for the 2009 season opener. In other words, why am I reading a story about a football player that has nothing to do with football?

This article and others like it weaken sports journalism. I expect to find relevant sports stories on the sports page in my morning paper. Yet more and more I seem to read opinion and frivolous gossip. If stories like this one are to be published, they should be delegated to a special editorial page of the sports section.

Mr. Shaughnessy and other journalists are basing their entire "Tom has gone soft" argument on new photos of Brady and his girlfriend in Mexico. If they consider a 3-time Super Bowl champion being fed gourmet food poolside by a beautiful supermodel "soft", then by all means sign me up and call me Mr. Whipple! Number 12 and his girlfriend were stalked by paparazzi while on a private vacation. Is an invasive cameraman really justification for calling Tom Brady soft?

The bottom line is that Tom Brady has not pulled a Tony Romo whenever Gisele Bundchen is around. She has not had a negative impact on the way he plays the game of football. He is still the foundation of the Patriots’ dynasty and will be the leader of his team when he returns to the gridiron next season.

If Dan Shaughnessy and his cohorts would prefer the “softy” be traded away, then let the Matt Cassel era begin!

No takers? I didn't think so.

To Mr. Shaughnessy and sports journalists everywhere: please keep your opinions where they belong...off the sports page!