Derek Clendening's Blog
Posted by Derek Clendening
Tune into The NFL Today, or The NFL on Fox and you’ll hear this argument at least a few times per season. Terry Bradshaw argues for a team in L.A. any time the work ‘move’ or ‘expansion team’ is used, or when Howie Long suggests they check in on kickoff for your regional game.
L.A. has been tried and L.A. has failed. Sports franchises locate in large markets first (for example, the new United Football League has started with large markets with an eye to expand), but size counts for less if they are not football cities. Small markets like Buffalo and Green Bat have supported their NFL franchises better than L.A. supported the Rams or the Raiders.
Don’t get me wrong: I’m not saying that a Toronto franchise is the answer. Ralph Wilson moved on the chance to see his Buffalo Bills play one regular season game a year in Toronto for five years because he could solidify the Southern Ontario market. Canadian fans account for more than 30% of his ticket sales in Orchard Park, so there is some method to his madness, and small market teams need to act on financial opportunities anyway.
What I am saying is that L.A. isn’t the answer. They tried to support two teams and they couldn’t do it. Then they tried to support just the Rams and they wound up moving anyway. Why? Because L.A. is a basketball city that supports two NBA franchises handsomely. New York can support the Jets and the Giants because it is a football first city.
If the NFL expands, or a team moves, I wouldn’t count on a franchise being awarded to L.A. Owners are in business to make money and no sensible businessperson will stake the big bucks where the NFL has seen a proven failure.
Posted by Derek Clendening
Known as the NFL’s “Iron Man”, Brett Favre has proven that the nickname is no misnomer. Think about it. His first full time start, not including a forgettable stint with the Falcons, came in 1992, and he has never missed a game. Peyton Manning might be able to tout a similar streak one day, but Tom Brady has missed that chance. But is longevity everything? Well, consider the anatomy of a QB.
Teams want a player who can play. Favre has proven that, at thirty nine, he can still compare favorably to quarterbacks fifteen years his junior. In his last season with Green Bay, he helped to lead them to the NFC Championship game, but lost in overtime to eventual Superbowl Champion New York Giants.
He then went to the Jets where he posted numbers beneath those he earned in his prime, but enough to remain competitive. His touchdowns matched his interceptions at 22. His best years yielded a 2:1 touchdown to interception ratio. His passing yards at 3, 472 were well below his final Green Bay season, but not so much below the better of his Packer years.
This time, the Minnesota Vikings are the suitors. Favre told ESPN.com that his arm was feeling good, and that he wouldn’t have a decision for the Vikings until July 30, the opening day of their training camp. Really, it would seem that Favre can still play, and has the right attitude, but doesn’t want to take the field unless he can play his very best football.
And really, there is a difference between a decline in numbers and the inability to play anymore. Check the stats on some younger QBs in the league and then match them up against Favre. Buffalo’s Trent Edwards, at twenty five and in his second season, did not throw as many touchdown passes, and was a farther cry from making the playoffs than Favre. He also did not stay injury-free all season.
What the Vikings need to realize is that, though Favre is playing well, he is not the Favre of 1998. They need to set the bar accordingly. They also need to worry about a fast start and a December crash. Suite 101 contributing writer Thomas Mitsos points out that Favre finished 1-4 with the Jets. Had he finished stronger, New York would have made the playoffs, and Eric Mangini wouldn’t be in Cleveland right now.
Don’t be surprised to see the sports community question Favre’s decision if he dons purple in a few weeks. Some pigskin pundits considered Favre selfish for leaving retirement the first time. What really matters is Favre’s ability and his drive to play the game. And if an NFL team wants to give him the #4, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t accept it.
