Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 493 of 1503)

      Montana: Favre coming back, but wants to avoid training camp

      March 17, 2010 /

      Joe Montana is confident that Brett Favre will return to football this season, but believes the 40-year-old quarterback is playing coy with his plans because he doesn’t want to go to training camp.

      “He says he’s not sure [about playing] because he doesn’t want to go to training camp. He’s smart,” Montana said. “I’m sure he already has that agreement with them. Nine chances out of 10 they already know and they’ve already had this whole conversation and they should just let everybody know because they know he’s going to come back.

      “He knows he’s going to come back, but the reason they don’t say anything is because he doesn’t want to go through training camp,” Montana said. “If he didn’t have to go through training camp, his decision would already be made, but he should know by now going to training camp isn’t going to be hard. They’d never make it hard on him.”

      Seeing as how the Vikings have shown zero signs of panicking about Favre’s pending decision, I think Montana is right on the money. Favre has always disliked going to training camp, so it would make sense that he would have an agreement with the Vikings that he’d return as long as he doesn’t have to go to camp.

      The Vikings haven’t made any moves yet pertaining to their quarterback situation that would suggest Favre isn’t coming back. And with Favre’s familiarity with Brad Childress’ offense, it wouldn’t take him long to get ready for the season if he skipped camp and showed up when the team started their regular practices. Personally, I think he should be in camp with his teammates, but maybe that’s just me.


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      NFL

      Seahawks’ to pass on trading for Marshall?

      March 17, 2010 /

      FOXSports.com’s John Czarnecki writes that there’s no way that Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll will part with the sixth overall pick for Brandon Marshall.

      Remember when Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall flew to Seattle once free agency began? Well, the Seahawks checked him out, but still haven’t made an offer. Yes, Marshall is available, but the asking price is steep. At minimum a first-round draft choice and there’s no way that Pete Carroll is parting with the sixth overall pick for a disgruntled receiver who really can’t stretch the field. The Seahawks already have enough of those types of receivers: overpaid route runners!

      Is it just me or does Czarnecki’s reports usually leave a little something to be desired? He has the access to provide good information but the follow through usually comes up short. It’s almost like he fails to look at all the information before formulating his opinions.

      Even though the Seahawks brought Marshall in for a visit a couple weeks ago, it makes no sense for them to put together an offer sheet when no other team has shown interest yet. Why would they compete against themselves in a trade like that? Plus, Czarnecki fails to mention that Seattle also has the 14th overall pick, which allows them to keep their selection at No. 6 and still attempt to work out a trade for Marshall. If they could get another team involved, the Seahawks could trade the No. 14 selection for a later first round pick, get more compensation (whether it be another second or third rounder) and then trade whatever first round pick they acquire from the third team to Denver for Marshall.

      So while I agree with the sentiment that Carroll won’t give up the No. 6 overall pick for Marshall, he could still do a lot with No. 14.

      Lastly, I wouldn’t call Marshall a true speedster but he can certainly stretch the field. I think what Czarnecki is confused about is the fact that Marshall isn’t explosive off the ball, which gives people the impression that he’s not a true deep threat. But he has more than enough speed and once he gets into full stride, his long legs allow him to create separation from defensive backs. So to insinuate that Marshall would just be another “overpaid route runner” is absolutely ridiculous.


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      NFL

      Ty Warren setting a great example for young athletes

      March 16, 2010 /

      Patriots defensive end Ty Warren will pass on a $250,000 offseason workout bonus in order to go back to school and get his college degree this spring.

      From ESPN.com:

      “I try to put the kids in the best educational system possible and I think there is something to be said for their father, who has been blessed to play in the NFL and do something he’s loved to do, going back and finishing what he started,” Warren said from the campus of Texas A&M. “In the big picture, I think it’s important for me to do what I’m doing. I can sacrifice that bonus for that.”

      As it stands, Warren is on pace to walk in graduation next spring. He’s majoring in agriculture leadership and development and already has his post-playing career in mind; he hopes to help those at A&M get more involved in the local community.

      “If we end up having a lockout in 2011, that’s where you can find me, working with students,” Warren said.

      And even if there isn’t a lockout, Warren is thinking beyond next year.

      “If I’m fortunate enough to play 12, 13 years, but then find myself getting cut in training camp, I’m not going to put myself in a situation where I don’t have my degree,” he said. “I’m not going to give myself up like that. I need to have options, so I feel like right now is a time where I need to dictate what I’m doing in the offseason.

      I never fault athletes who decide to leave school early before earning their degree because hey, we all have a dream – who am I to criticize an athletes’ decision?

      That said, it’s great to see a player like Warren set an example for young athletes by going back to school. As he noted in the article, football careers only last so long and after that, a college degree will take a player further in life than the NFL will. One would hope that players are investing their money wisely, but whether they are or they aren’t, education is always important and Warren is setting an example of that.

      This is a great story, especially considering that several athletes every year decide to skip offseason workouts because they have an axe to grind. It’s finally nice to see a positive spin on a situation like this.

      NFL

      If Japan thinks that’s bad…

      March 16, 2010 /

      The Japanese Olympic Committee is still outraged over the way snowboarder Kazuhiro Kokubo wore his Vancouver Olympic uniform in “hip hop” style last month and proceeded to scold Japan’s skiing officials about tightening up its morals.

      From Yahoo! Sports:

      Dreadlocked boarder Kazuhiro Kokubo narrowly escaped being kicked out of the Games after arriving with his trousers pulled low on his hips, shirt hanging out and his tie loose.

      The 21-year-old with double nose piercings was banned from attending the opening ceremony and forced to apologize at a news conference before finishing eighth in the men’s halfpipe.

      A senior Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) official said on Monday apologies were not enough.

      “All members of the (Ski Association of Japan) must provide strict guidance to the athletes,” JOC secretary general Noriyuki Ichihara told reporters on Monday.
      “The JOC will also try to lend its weight to the moral education of the athletes.”

      Wow, I couldn’t imagine what the JOC presided over all American athletes if they’re upset over how Kokubo dressed. They probably would have petitioned our government to shut down the entire freaking country after Pacman Jones’ fourth arrest.


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      General Sports, News, The Olympics

      JaMarcus Russell transforming his body?

      March 16, 2010 /

      Turns out I may have jumped the gun on the post I wrote about how JaMarcus Russell should just quit football after reports surfaced that he wasn’t at the Raiders’ first offseason conditioning program on Monday.

      From the Oakland Tribune:

      “He’s trying to close a home in Alabama. It’s something that he couldn’t get out of,” Brown said. “You don’t want to lose your home. So he’ll be back in town today and ready to go (Tuesday).”

      “You’ll be surprised when you see him,” Brown said. “It’s quite a bit of weight that he’s lost . . . I don’t want to pin it down and say how much he lost but it will be a significant difference when you see him compared to last year.

      “The most important thing is he’s getting in shape. Not only losing weight, but getting in shape. He’s watching his diet, he has special meals brought in that he’s eating, and we have one of the Raiders, a former player there with him to monitor him and make sure things are going fine. The weight thing, he’ll get it down. He’ll get it down.”

      If this weren’t JaMarcus Russell we’re talking about, I’d be eating a warm piece of crow right now. But he hasn’t earned the right to have people give him the benefit of the doubt. There were rumors that surfaced last year that he was in shape and then he showed up to offseason workouts with the same unconditioned body he has always had.

      Plus, even if he has transformed his body, it’s about freaking time. The Raiders paid him $61 million to be the face of their franchise and so far he’s given them nothing in return. He might as well change his name to Neil McCauley because he’s been flat out stealing money.

      This is a make or break year for Russell. If he ever wants to live up to his No. 1 overall billing, then he needs to put in the time and effort and make huge strides as a quarterback this year. If he wants to coast through another season, then chances are he won’t have many opportunities whenever the Raiders do decide to cut their losses and move on. I know there will always be some team that will give him a shot (look at Ryan Leaf – he still had suitors after the San Diego debacle), but it won’t be long before teams realize he’s a waste of time.


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      NFL

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