Everyone has an opinion on Favre, except politicians

You'd expect a politician to dodge questions on immigration, Iraq, Iran, abortion, etc. Heck, it's in their blood. Just don't ask them about Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers. It appears to be the mother of all hot potatos, accroding to Polito.com.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the future NFL commissioner, said: "Oh, I'll tell you. It may be dangerous to talk about Iran; it's even more dangerous to give advice to the Packers on this one. Brett Favre is a great, great player. And I hope if he wants to find a way to play, that he'll find a way to play."

Republican presidential nominee John McCain also dodged the question while in Wisconsin, Politico.com reports. According to the web site, McCain said, "I'm not so dumb that I'm going to jump into that one." So much for McCain's Straight Talk Express.

Gale Sayers rips Brett Favre

Over the weekend, the NFL Network asked a handful of Hall of Famers about their thoughts on the Brett Favre situation. Former quarterback Warren Moon called it "a mess." Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw admitted the following: "At first I was upset with Green Bay. Then I got upset with Brett." But then after Bradshaw comes to his senses about who is criticizing, he says that Favre should never have been forced to retire. Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese said if Favre went to another team that it probably would not work out. Griese cited Joe Namath and Johnny Unitas as examples. ABC announcer John Madden, of course, sided with Favre.

Then comes former Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers. Right from the get-go, you know his opinion. Here is the full transcript of Sayers' comments from the NFL Network report: "Brett Favre said he wanted to retire twice. Why doesn't he retire? Now he wants to comeback. Hey, these teams, they have to get ready for the season. And he said he was going to retire. And now everyone is blaming Green Bay because they won't let him back. He's 38-years of age. Will he make it through the season? And why wouldn't he want to play for the Green Bay Packers? He said he wanted to retire. But I just think Brett put the whole league into a very, very bad situation." The first word from one the anchors after the report was finished was: "Wow." Indeed.

In Sayers' defense, he may have been speaking with his management experience in mind. Sayers was the athletic director at Southern Illinois from 1976 to 1981. He also launched a public relations company in Chicago.

Here's a link to the video. It runs just five minutes. Sayers' part runs from 2:35 to 3:17.

Check out Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer's house that is on the market for $2.9 million.

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The Daily Diva Digest (Brett Favre)

This Diva called Brett Favre just won't go away. Here are a few of the thousands of comments on the guy.

Green Bay Press Gazette sports editor Mike Vandermause column headlined: "Now who's waffling?" Vandermause writes, "Now the Packers have seemingly returned to Square One, which gives the impression the organization is struggling to find the correct course of action, or worse yet, making things up as it goes along and reacting to outside circumstances."

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes, "Source says Packers contact Vikings about trade for Favre." The newspaper quotes a source as saying the following, " 'The Bears say they're not interested,' the source said. 'The Bears just kind of are what they are. I don't see him in Detroit, either. At least the Vikings' offense is what he's used to. Old dogs don't learn new tricks, especially in three weeks.' "

The Green Bay Post Gazette reports, "(Aaron) Rodgers: 'It's going to be a dogfight' " The newspapers reports that while Rodgers puts on a good face by saying all the right things, one of its sources says: “If Favre comes back, Aaron is going to be hot.”

Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribine appears to be first in line of the Brett Favre Love Affair: Part II. Pompei's column is headlined: "Back in green and gold the only fit for Favre." Pompei writes, "Favre did the right thing by turning down the Packers' 10-year, $25 million retirement offer. It was the right thing for him because his competitive fires still burn. It was the right thing for the NFL because it's a better league with him in it. And it was the right thing for the Packers, because they are going to need him."

Casey Burkett of MVN.com reports, "To paraphrase a line by Michael Jordan: He’s back. Packers announce quarterback competition in camp." Burkett's column includes this thought: "Will Aaron Rodgers be given a fair chance as well? It would be truly unfortunate if the Packers felt forced to give the starting nod to Favre in a close battle they felt was won by Rodgers. I hope fans and media give Rodgers as much consideration and support as they will to the legend."

Story by Ray Buck of the Star-Telegram is headlined: "Gunslinging QBs Romo, Favre come under fire." Buck answers a series of questions, mostly dealing with Tony Romo and Brett Favre. He responds to one reader, a Favre critic, with the following: "I hear Favre will pay you $20 per year for 10 years if you stop writing about him."

Even in a NASCAR story in the Las Vegas Sun, ESPN and Brett Favre take hits. "I would have liked to see the broadcast go a little longer to include a few more post-race interviews. But SportsCenter took priority. Frankly, I’d rather hear a few more comments from drivers instead of the latest news about that whiner, Brett Favre."

Remember Tom Brady's laugh at 17-point Super Bowl prediction?

New England quarterback Tom Brady laughed when told Plaxico Burress' Super Bowl prediction that the New York Giants would win 23-17. New England scored just 14 points, as you may remember. And the Giants won, 17-14.

Practice video of Rex Grossman's passes

In this video clip of the Chicago Bears' Day 11 practice, quarterback Rex Grossman actually looks decent.

Brett Favre returns -- in a t-shirt and shorts

Here's a 40-second clip from ESPN of Brett Favre's return to Green Bay. He arrived in his casual Friday attire -- T-shirt and shorts.

PR nightmare: Green Bay Packers hire Ari Fleischer.

Ari Fleischer did a great job for President George W. Bush as spokesman. It really was amazing to watch him as he was hammered with difficult questions from the media. And you never saw him sweat. Now, according to FoxSports.com, Fleischer was hired by the Green Bay Packers for the next month to deal with the Brett Favre Saga. Sounds like this is going to dragggggg out. This is probably the Packers' worse PR move -- to hire a PR guy. You would think Fleischer would know better. The worse thing you can do is to look like you are spinning. Now the Packers look like they are beginning to spin.

Today's National Anthem

Starting today, each and every day we will begin with the National Anthem. We begin this feature with the most touching rendition -- when Maurice Cheeks aids a young girl, Natalie Gilbert, who had won a contest to sing the National Anthem before a Portland Trail Blazers game in 2003. Most of you have seen it, but when she loses her spot -- and the jeers and laughs start -- Portland coach Maurice Cheeks comes to the rescue.

WWMSMD?

What Would Main Stream Media Do? Well, here is what they did. Each item is followed by a MIF (Most Interesting Fact) from the article.

Reuters reports, "Virtual Gridiron Arrives Early with Madden Update."
      MIF: EA Sports is celebrating two decades of video game football with the release of "Madden NFL 09: 20th Anniversary Special Collector's Edition," which includes full versions of the new "Madden" game, as well as the new "NFL Head Coach 09" strategy game and bonus video content. 'Maddenpalooza, a games and music festival, will take place on August 11th in Pasadena (at the Rose Bowl), and approximately 10,000 fans are expected at the stadium to get their hands on the game and hear bands like Good Charlotte play,' said Peter Moore, president of EA Sports."

The San Jose Mercury News writes, "How'd Martz become an NFL 'genius'? Go back to kinesiology class at SJSU"
      MIF: "It's very, very, very, very structured and rigid, and that's the only way this thing works," (Mike) Martz said. "(The quarterbacks) don't have the option to throw it deep, middle, or check. . . . It's not a judgment of what they want to do, it's a reaction of what the defense has taken away. That's how we do it."

WWBD?

What Would Bloggers Do? Well, here is what they did. Each item is followed by a MIF (Most Interesting Fact) from the article.

Blog of New Orleans writes, "Kim Kardashian looks good, Reggie Bush ignores her."
      MIF: "Kim (Kardashian) did try to get Reggie Bush’s attention several times, even waving at him once, but the Saints running back did not acknowledge her. Either he just thought random fans were calling his name or he was just that focused his tasks or (COMPLETELY UNSUBSTANTIATED CLAIM ALERT!!!) their relationship is on the rocks and he’s not speaking to her."

Reuters asks: Is 40 the new 30 for Olympians?

A Reuters headline asks: "Is 40 the new 30 for Olympians?" According to Reuters, "Olympics historian David Wallechinsky, who has written many Olympics reference books, said the average age of Olympians has been increasing as athletes turned professional. 'Before you were lucky to be in one, maybe two Olympics as you had to go and earn a living,' said Wallechinsky, vice-president of the International Society of Olympic Historians." The buzz is aided by the participation of United States swimmer Dara Torres, who is 41 and has a two-year-old daughter. Also aiding it is the fact that Torres is easy on the eyes, too. Torres, however, is not the oldest in this year's games. That honor belongs to Japanese horseman Hiroshi Hoketsu, who is 67. Yep, that's 67. But even he isn't the oldest ever to compete. That honor goes to Swedish shooter Oscar Swahn, who was 72 when he compete in 1920. And no Torres is not the oldest member of the U.S. team. Libby Callahan, shooting, is 56.
Here is an ABC report on Torres.

NFL e-mail to all teams: The Diva (Brett Favre) is back

According to Pro Football Weekly, here is the email the NFL forwarded to all 32 teams: “This is to inform you that our office will announce today that Commissioner Goodell will reinstate Brett Favre to the Green Bay Packers’ active roster, effective at noon on Monday, August 4.”

Don't tell Tom Brady, but Gisele Bundchen plans sexy calendar for him

First off, Happy Birthday to Tom Brady. Today is his 31st birthday. You think having Gisele Bundchen as a girlfriend was a big enough gift for the guy. But Bundchen has bigger and better plans for the New England Patriots quarterback. The 28-year-old supermodel had plans to make him a sexy calendar, which would star herself, according to OK! magazine.

According to the magazine's source, "Gisele wanted to do something special this year, so she is making a one-of-a-kind calendar for him. She has got some racy lingerie shots, a birthday cake shot for August - and the expected picture of her in knee socks and his jersey!"

Stay tuned, this could be an interesting calendar. In May, the Boston Globe reported that Brady was "keen to see her don Wonder Woman's famous hot pants." According to the Globe, he said, "I want her to wear the Wonder Woman outfit." That's Bundchen on the cover of "V Magazine" displaying her rear end. Of showing her rear, she says: "People are going to say my butt is showing too much in these but this is V Magazine! If you’re going to do something like that, you do it for V.”

Seeking some help from you, the reader

Dear readers: Don't forget to bookmark this site for all your NFL news, notes and other off-beat stuff. If you are a blogger, feel free to make this site a permanent link. Thanks for stopping by the site. And thanks for doing any of the above.

NFL Network's top 10 Hall of Fame Moments

With the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductions today at 6 p.m. on ESPN, here are the top 10 past moments by the NFL Network. Though he is listed at No. 4, the personal favorite is Sweetness, the late Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton. Congrats to this year's group -- Fred Dean, Darrell Green, Art Monk, Emmitt Thomas, Andre Tippett and Gary Zimmerman.

Dallas Cowboys practice from July 31, 2008

Here's a three and a half minute video clip from the Dallas Cowboys' practice on July 31, 2008.

Madden '09: David Tyree's catch and a Super Bowl XLII rematch

This first video is a 29-second replay of David Tyree's catch against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl XLII .



This second video is a four minute clip of a New York Giants rematch with the New England Patriots from the Super Bowl XLII.

Smile, Denver Bronco fans: Shanahan says team will make playoffs

On Denver radio, Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan said the team will make the playoffs and have the chance to do something special this season.

Hey, bloggers, it's official: You're journalists

Fortune's Adam Lashinsky says (are you sitting down for this?) bloggers are journalists. He goes on to say, "Let’s just say I’m in the minority. Old-school readers can’t stand these folks for their perceived lack of standards, and the new crowd (my panelists were no younger than I am) wants nothing to do with fuddy-duddy readers. I’m willing to make the same prediction about blogging that I made 10 years ago about 'Internet' companies: In 10 years there won’t be an distinction. Blogging will be part of the multi-media spectrum." Another member of the MSM comes to his senses.

WWMSMD?

What Would Main Stream Media Do? Well, here is what they did. Each item is followed by a MIF (Most Interesting Fact) from the article.

The Mercury News is reporting, "Don Nelson, after winning his $6.3M Mark Cuban mediation: 'It’s like a pimple on his behind' "
      MIF: Don Nelson, who sued Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban for back pay, said, "This was strictly financial. This was just receiving what I’ve already earned and been owed for a long time. He just wanted to make life difficult for me. It’s like a pimple on his behind. But it was a big number for me." It's nice to see Cuban (the man who wants to own all sports teams so he can show how cool he is while attending the games in a t-shirt) get his. He is the mother of all Diva owners. Okay, maybe Jerry Jones is first.

The Tennessean reports: "Titans cut receiver (Wide receiver Mike) Williams"
      MIF: Tennessee Titans running back LenDale White, who was a teammate of wide receiver Mike Williams at USC, "No disrespect to Mike Williams, I love Mike Williams, but he is going to have show people that he is really serious about playing football. Unfortunately, they might be talking about him like Ryan Leaf as one of the worst draft decisions." Ouch. With friends like that ...

The Associated Press reports, "Chiefs' young owner on steep learning curve: Chiefs owner Clark Hunt is taking notes and soaking up all the football knowledge he can."
      MIF: Hunts says, "The amount of information you can learn is almost open-ended. And I'm not planning on learning the offensive or defensive playbook. That doesn't really serve any purpose. It's more evaluating the people who are putting those plans together."

The Detriot Free Press reports "Rich Rodriguez's first payment to WVU is in; one of WVU's lawyers was Ohio State grad."
      MIF:"The Free Press has learned that of the three-person team from the law firm that handled the case for West Virginia, two, including Flaherty, were West Virginia alums. The third, Jaclyn Bryk, is an Ohio State law grad. 'The fact that I was an OSU alumni, a secondary matter to be sure, made this case even more appealing for me,' Bryk said in a released statement." Nice.

It's early, folks. Hope to have more to come.

WWBD?

What Would Bloggers Do? Well, here is what they did. Each item is followed by a MIF (Most Interesting Fact) from the article.

This comes from This is an Adventure, which states, "Why Ted Thompson May Be a Horrible GM."
      MIF: While breaking down Ted Thompson's reign with the Green Bay Packers year-by-year, This is an Adventure writes, "Because the shareholder meetings aren’t exactly daily activities, Thompson gets to fend for himself on most decisions without any significant input from an owner - there’s no Jerry Jones, no Robert Kraft, and certainly no Dan Snyder looking over his shoulder."

With the Olympics right around the corner, Stiles Points wonders "Whatever happened to Olympic swimmer Janet Evans?"
      MIF: "She once said in an interview that her career highlight took place at the opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympics when she handed the torch to Muhammad Ali just before he lit the cauldron...she said that she cried after seeing Ali escorted from the Olympic stadium."

Fanhouse writes, "Did Kate Hudson Trade In Lance Armstrong for Eric Lindros?"
      MIF: "Still, I don't see how this could be considered 'trading up,' as the gossip site states (Sports By Brooks, who reported this item first). Is a retired has-been hockey player really that much better than a flaky actor (Owen Wilson) or Sheryl Crow's well-travelled rubbish (Armstrong)? Couldn't Hudson have found love with a current player on the LA Kings?" Whatever it was, it was nice to see Armstrong get dumped. Seems like he is be coming more known as a player (aka womanizer) than athlete.

Poltico's Ben Smith blogs, "(Barack) Obama: Check space aliens' party registration."
     MIF: "KGAN's oddball interview also asked (Barack Obama) what rock star he'd like to be -- he said Stevie Wonder; his best feature -- 'my ears'; and what he likes on his pizza -- he said pepperoni and sausage." Stupid questions someone has to ask.

Chewbacca asks Jim Tressel: Obama or McCain?

This first sentence almost sounds like a joke: Ohio State coach Jim Tressel and "Chewbacca" get on an elevator. Okay, there was a Star Wars convention going on at the time last week. But that's getting in the way of a good story. "Chewbacca" and two of his buds ask Gentleman Jim, Ohio's greatest politician ever, for his autograph. Tressel signs. Then "Chewbacca" asks: "Obama or McCain? Or don't you say?" According the Morning Journal (Lorain, Ohio), Tressel keeps signing for all three and acts as though he didn't hear the question. We will take that as a "Or don't you say?" Remember, the late Tim Russert always said: "Ohio, Ohio, Ohio."

In honor of the Buckeyes playing USC this season, check out USC coach Pete Carroll shirtless during some sort of chant session.

And please feel free to jump to the Zone Blitz's main page for more NFL news, features and oddball stories.

USC's Pete Carroll shirtless? Say it ain't so. Please!

This appears to be USC coach Pete Carroll shirtless. The YouTude video is labeled as some sort of recruiting chant. Hmmm. OK. I have two words for it: Funny and uncomfortable. Can't imagine any of the top college coaches doing this. Jim Tressel shirtless? Mack Brown shirtless? Mark Mangino shirtless? Urban Meyer shirtless? Rich Rodriguez shirtless? Heck, can't even imagine Pete Carroll shirtless. But there it is.

Are Canadians scheming to keep NFL out of country?

If the NFL never fields a team North of the border, blame Canada.

A Canadian Member of Parliament, Joe Comartin, is scheming to keep the NFL out of Canada. If a United States team wants to move there, he can't stop them. The only way he can stop NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and his cohorts is to set up roadblocks. Comartin's evil plan is to legalize sports wagering, according to the Globe and Mail. Legalizing it would financially aid Canadian casinos. The U.S. casinos do not allow sports wagering. But keeping the NFL out of Canada and the struggling CFL alive and well is Comartin's plan.

He told the Globe and Mail: "I'm on that side that's opposed to having the NFL in Canada. I think it would be the death knell of the CFL and I'm strongly in favour of keeping the NFL out."

And why should the CFL be worried? Well, the Buffalo Bill, a team just across the border, will be facing the Pittsburgh Steelers Aug. 14 in Toronto.

Comartin knows the NFL may take a "hard stand" against such sports betting, reports the newspaper. And remember, Goodell and the NFL are forcing the Rooney's to sell the Steelers because of their gambling interests, which includes horse racing.

So what does all this mean? It means the Canadians are worried about their own league. They fear the NFL is about to field a team in Canada in the coming years. In fact, it will happen. It's a just matter of time. Unless, Comartin's gamble pays off.

Snoop Dog may spend less miles on road after 2 from entourage busted

Just as photos and video of LSU coach Les Miles and Snoop Dog surfaced over the Internet yesterday, two members of Snoop Dog's entourage were "busted on marijuana charges after the rapper's tour bus was pulled over Thursday," according to the Associated Press. The troopers smelled pot. The bus was later search and two on the bus admitted it was theirs. According to TMZ.com: "Cops tell us the bus was stopped for expired tabs. When officers boarded the bus, they sniffed what they thought was the Mary Jane." Snoop Dog, aka Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr., was also on the bus at the time but not charged. In the video report from earlier this week, Miles admitted he is a fan of Snoop Dog. Snoop Dog said he wanted to stop by and show Miles some love.