Well, it’s over. After 297 consecutive starts in the NFL, Brett Favre’s streak is over. Hallelujah.
Let me be the first to say that the streak is an incredible one although the record he broke, that of former Minnesota defensive end Jim Marshall, I find more credible.
Sure, Favre took some shots but how many plays was he not touched? How many times was his uniform clean thanks to a good offensive line? For Marshall, a lineman, he faced contact on every play. He was met with double teams, cut blocks and all the things that are deemed illegal by today’s standards. Give me Jim Marshall when it comes to durability.
If there were ever a player the NFL has bent over backwards to prop up as the face of the league, it’s Brett Favre. Most of the mainstream media bought into it. Favre has had a stellar career and is certainly Hall of Fame-worthy, but Brett has had some moments.
I am amazed in this era of reliving everyone’s history that no one ever brings up Favre’s past transgressions. Prescription drug dependency, shunning and electing not to help younger players (especially quarterbacks) on his teams, as well as his latest lewd adventure involving the female employee who worked for the New York Jets when he was there.
The media has bought into Brett, and there is nothing you can do about it.
The whole “I’m retired, I’m not retired” thing had worn old, and yet the media covered it as if the league would shut down if he were not under center. This is a league that survived when Unitas, Montana, Elway and many other greats moved on and has been just fine without them.
This year’s escapades consisted of helping getting a coach fired, to the whole sob story of whether he was going to play from week to week. Granted, Brad Childress was gonna get fired anyway, but Favre never defended his coach when he was as much to blame as the rest of the so-called leaders on a leaderless team.
Now, due to a shoulder injury Favre had to miss a game. Will he ever play again? With the possible civil suit hanging over his head by the woman who alleged that Favre got a little “text happy,” a possible suspension could be looming.
Here’s where the league has once again stepped in to protect Favre. The investigation has been completed, and still no word from the league. The woman has intimated that she may make all the details available to the media, as well as a civil suit if the league does not take action before the season is over or he retires.
Enter the shoulder injury, which could lead to him being placed on injured reserve which means he would be done for the season and for his career. Hence he gets off scot-free through the eyes of his accuser. It’s dicey to say the least, but it’s Brett Favre and he has it like that.
So what’s next? Another press conference to announce his retirement? Probably not, because he would be asked too many questions about the off-field shenanigans he has been accused of. Besides, we have heard the retirement speech on a couple of occasions.
Will The Real Rams Check In
The Rams have had more high and lows than we anticipated, especially when it comes to highs. I was thinking that three, maybe five wins would be a significant sign of improvement. The Rams have exceeded that, and I am happy.
I am now greedy because I think this team can still do more this season. The Rams were in the New Orleans game as growing pains, turnovers and a shortage of skill at some positions cost them.
For head coach Steve Spagnuolo and the Rams team, it is unacceptable. Finally, the Rams have a reason to get mad after a game that they felt they could have won. They seem to be learning from their mistakes, and the leaders are leading.
First-year quarterback Sam Bradford has shown a set of skills that we have never seen in St. Louis when it comes to quarterback. No, he is not Jim Hart or Kurt Warner, yet his toughness and leadership have to be recognized and appreciated.
Steven Jackson continues to lead by example by playing through injury and an offensive line that grows with hard work. As for the defense, more skill is needed, but the current crop tries hard.
The Rams are in first place with a record of 6-7, with the Kansas City Chiefs rolling into town this weekend. They also have something to play for, which means that the Rams will have to step up and play. It has come a year earlier than we had hoped, but we will take it.
