Libertarian Librarian

Well, technically week 2, since there was the Hall of Fame Game, but that's even more of an exhibition game than the rest of the preseason. So, I'm counting week 1 from last weekend. Before moving on, though-- big kudos to the class of 2006, one of the best inductee groups I can remember. Or maybe they're finally catching up to the era I grew up on. Nuts, that means I'm getting old.

Oh well, at any rate, Troy Aikman, Warren Moon, Reggie White and Harry Carson were all premier players and unquestionably worthy of inclusion. I always wished Moon had started his career in the NFL, just to see where he would rank amongst QBs if the first part of his career hadn't been with the Canadian Football League. I don't know much about Rayfield Wright, but I'm all in favor of inducting more offensive linemen-- Aikman and Moon wouldn't be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame without linemen in front of them giving them time to do what they do. Madden? Eh. I suppose as a body of work his coaching and analyst work is worthy. I just have issues with how big a parody of himself he's become. I'd far rather listen to Frank Caliendo doing Madden than to listen to Madden doing Madden.

Oh, and I'd be negligent if I didn't pile onto the Dr. Z has lost his mind bandwagon. Others have called out longtime Sports Illustrated analyst Paul Zimmerman for this paragraph in his July 26 column:

Is Brett Favre a shoo-in? How about if he throws another 29 interceptions this season? And the whispers start -- maybe he never was that good to begin with.
You think this is impossible? You don't know how quickly a great old star can fall from grace.

Particularly odd about Dr. Z's column is that he gives Tom Brady a "Big Yes" vote, while giving Favre a tepid, "Yeah, I guess so" vote for HoF inclusion on the first ballot. So, if Brady injures himself and never plays another game, he's in, but Favre isn't because the team around him is weak? What if Brady has to try and carry a so-so team and isn't able to-- not in on the first ballot?

Here's where Favre stands on the various "check lists" for HoF inclusion:

• Championship? Check. Granted only 1, but that's 1 more than Dan Marino, Jim Kelly and Dan Fouts, all first ballot inductees.
• Touchdowns? 396 and counting. 2nd place, 24 behind Dan Marino (first ballot inductee).
• Yards? 53,615. 2nd place, ahead of John Elway (first ballot inductee). First in most seasons with 3,000+ yards passing-- 14, one more than Marino, 2 more than Elway.
• Completions? 4,678, 2nd to Marino.
• Victories? 139, 8 behind Marino and 9 back of Elway, who is currently first.

Let's see, what else. Oh yeah, Favre is the only 3-time MVP in the history of the NFL. And there's that little never missing a start thing-- 221 consecutive games. Nearly a hundred more than Peyton Manning (128) who is in second amongst QBs. With nine more starts this year, he will pass Bruce Matthews (229) for third amongst any player at any position during any era.

Dr. Z's main complaint seems to be that Favre isn't as good as he once was and that he's throwing too many interceptions. Well, duh. No, he isn't as good-- but exactly how much tarnish can a bad year put on a 14 year career? And while his interception totals (255) are bad, he has yet to catch the all-time leader in interceptions, George Blanda, who had 277 in his career. Oh, and by the way, Blanda was a first ballot inductee to the Pro Football Hall of Fall.

So, Dr. Z is a moron. Onward.

Week 1, then:

• Packers looked dreadful on both sides of the ball. Not only dreadful, but lifeless. Not an auspicious start to the Mike Wossisname Era (MWA).
• Philip Rivers looked very good-- I shall wait for coming weeks to see if that was just because he got to play against the Packers.
• The use of Tony Richardson at the goal line in the Raiders/Vikings game would make me a little leery of drafting Chester Taylor in a fantasy football league that included TDs.
• Donovan McNabb's injury seems to have improved his accuracy. He looked good and that was without Reggie Brown, arguably his best receiver. Maybe Michael/Mike Vick/Ron Mexico should try it. 'Course it was against the Browns, so it may mean nothing.
• Were Miami's Dbacks taking lessons from Ahmad Carroll during the off-season? My goodness but they looked dreadful against the Jaguars.
• Steven Jackson is a beast.
• J.P. Losman looked pretty good. Anybody else in Packer nation wish we had drafted him instead of Aaron Rodgers?
• Detroit might be good this year.
• Nah.
• Reggie Bush is a game-breaker. He may or may not be an every down back-- jury is still out on that-- but any time he is in, he has the potential to change the whole complexion of the game. There aren't many players like that. Houston was stupid not to take him. Especially since Domanick Davis seems to be perpetually banged up.
• The New York Jets, J-E-T-S, jets, jets, jets may well be the worst team in football this year. I just hope the Packers don't give them a run for the #1 pick.
• If I were Lovie Smith, I'd start Brian Griese.
• Go Frank Gore!
• Arizona might be good this year.
• Nah.
• Best Frankstein's Monster NFL team-- Arizona's offense and the Bears' defense.

Okay, good enough for the preseason.

Go Mike Wossname! Go Pack Go!

Labels: Sports