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      The Packers continue to be better off with Rodgers

      November 21, 2010 /
      ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 27: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers passes during the game against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on September 27, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

      I’ll admit that it’s awfully convenient to write a “Packers are better off with Aaron Rodgers” piece when Rodgers throws for 301 yards and four touchdowns while Brett Favre plays like elephant dung. But I’ve always felt that the Packers were unfairly criticized by some fans for the way Favre was ushered out of Green Bay and I’m not going to shy away from an opportunity to note that they handled things correctly in that situation.

      Favre forced himself out of Green Bay – not the other way around. He told the Packers that he wanted to retire and when he started to change his mind, members of Green Bay’s front office met with him to say that they would welcome him back with open arms. It wasn’t until he told them for the second time that he would retire that they decided to back Rodgers and move on. He got his feelings hurt, requested a trade and after one bad season in New York, he’s now in Minnesota.

      Well guess what? The Packers were better off then and they’re better off now.

      I thought for sure that Sunday would be the day where we would see some of that old Favre magic and he would put it all together to beat his old team. But he stunk up the joint instead. He was inaccurate with his throws, he overthrew open receivers and he could be seen refusing to talk with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell on the sidelines (which isn’t unlike Favre to take an it’s-my-way-or-the-highway approach with his coaches).

      Rodgers, on the other hand, was brilliant. He started slow, but eventually he was shredding Minnesota’s suspect secondary. It helped that the Vikings’ pass rush was once again non-existent, but it didn’t matter. The Vikings weren’t going to beat Rodgers on Sunday. He was the best player on the field – for either team.

      Had the Packers bowed to Favre a couple of years ago and allowed him to dictate their quarterback situation, maybe they would be the ones in complete disarray right now like the Vikings are. Maybe they’d be the ones sitting at 3-7 and without a clue on what they’ll do at quarterback next year.

      Instead, they’re set at the position. Rodgers has yet to win a Super Bowl or even a playoff game, but it’s clear that he has the talent to be elite. It’s clear that he’s the future of the NFL and because of him, the Packers will remain Super Bowl contenders the rest of the year.

      As for the Vikings, they’re done – as is Favre. The Packers backed the right horse a couple of years ago.

      External Sports, NFL

      It’s time for Vikings to bench Brett Favre

      November 21, 2010 /

      MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Brett Favre of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mall of America Field on October 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Cowboys 24-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

      It’s time, Minnesota.

      Bench Brett Favre. At 3-7, there’s really no reason to keep playing him and he’s shown time and time again that he’s only about himself. Bench him and move on.

      Favre isn’t coming back in 2011 and why would the Vikings want him to? It’s time to see what they have in Tarvaris Jackson because he may be around past this year. Favre won’t.

      Favre’s effort in the Vikings’ 31-3 loss to the Packers on Sunday was pathetic. His final stat line (17-of-38 for 208 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT) would be fine if he were a rookie, but he’s a veteran with plenty of motivation to beat his former team and maybe get his team back on track in the second half. Instead, he was highly inaccurate, he missed open receivers and he was shown refusing to talk with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell on the sidelines. Grow up, Brett.

      Brad Childress won’t (nor shouldn’t) be back next year. But he needs to play Jackson. It doesn’t matter that Favre is a proud veteran because he’s brutal right now. If he weren’t a legend he may have been benched weeks ago. Jackson may not be the answer but it’s hard to argue that Favre gives the Vikings their best chance to win now. And seeing as how he won’t be a part of their future, it’s time to move on.

      Hey, the Vikings took their shot last year and they came up a little short. They went back to the well this year and now realize that it’s bone dry. So regroup. They still have Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin and Jared Allen. They’re not in complete disarray but they need a quarterback. Can Jackson be their man? How will they know if Favre continues to start?

      The season is over. If Favre doesn’t want to go to the bench, then cut him. It’s time to look towards the future.

      External Sports, NFL

      NFL Week 10 ROY power rankings

      November 21, 2010 /

      This is turning out to be a fine rookie class, isn’t it? There are game-changers on both sides of the ball:

      1. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys—On pace for 73 catches, 958 yards, and 9 TDs; but also he’s averaging a ridiculous 14.4 yards on punt returns with 2 scores. Absolutely electrifying.

      2. Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions—A monster in the middle, and something Detroit has not had in a long, long time.

      3. Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams—It’s not like he’s throwing to Roddy White or Hakeem Nicks or Antonio Gates. In fact, I don’t know who this kid is throwing to.

      4. Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks—47 tackles and 4 picks through 9 games. That’s a full season for many safeties.

      5. Colt McCoy, Cleveland Browns—If the Browns had beaten the Jets, and they almost did, we’d be talking potentially squeaking into the playoffs. And this kid is a huge reason the Browns are playing with confidence.

      6. Mike Williams, Tampa Bay Bucs—DUI might hurt his chances for the top spot, but still no denying his numbers (40, 627, 5).

      7. Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals—Give it a year or two, and this dude will be fawned over the way Jermichael Finley was this year.

      8. Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs—He’s going to make life miserable for whoever is quarterbacking the Cardinals these days.

      9. Jahvid Best, Detroit Lions—Slowed after a fast start and injury, but finally Megatron has defenses paying attention to someone else.

      10, Dexter McCluster, Kansas City Chiefs—If he hadn’t hurt his ankle, this Ole Miss product might be higher on this list.

      External Sports, NFL

      NFL Week 10 COY power rankings

      November 21, 2010 /

      Definitely a balance of power shift here. But that’s why the NFL is so great.

      1. Raheem Morris, Tampa Bay Bucs—Look at the standings in the AFC South (Falcons 7-2, Saints and Bucs 6-3). And ask yourself, “Did I see this coming?”

      2. Tom Cable, Oakland Raiders—Tied for first in the AFC West with the Chiefs. Really?

      3. Todd Haley, Kansas City Chiefs—A bad showing in Denver, but still exceeding expectations in a big way.

      4. Steve Spagnuolo, St. Louis Rams—Seriously, no one expected 4-5 at this point and real contention, much less with a rookie quarterback.

      5. Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles—Does anyone else think the plan all along was to run Donovan McNabb out of town and then eventually start Michael Vick?

      6. Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks—Is anyone going to give the Seahawks’ new coach credit for having them in first place on November 21?

      7. Bill Belichick, New England Patriots—Follows up a crushing loss to Cleveland with a thumping of the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

      8. Lovie Smith, Chicago Bears—After they started 3-0 and then Jay Cutler was assaulted by the Giants, a tailspin ensued. But now it’s all bright and sunny in the Windy City.

      9. Tom Coughlin, New York Giants—Okay, so after five wins in a row, the crap hit the fan last Sunday against Dallas. But Coughlin has this way of making his team look Super Bowl bound most of the time.

      10. Mike Smith, Atlanta Falcons—It’s almost like no one is paying attention to this team, but they are serious contenders.

      External Sports, NFL

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