Posts Tagged ‘nfl quarterback’

Tim Tebow Is Not Just Another Rookie For The Denver Broncos

August 12th, 2010

Tim Tebow is not your average NFL rookie, no player in NFL history has ever played less and been talked about more than Tebow. The question is whether or not Tebow deserves all of the hype he is getting? I believe he does and here is why.

Tebow may not be blessed with the speed of Michael Vick or the cannon of an arm Brett Favre has, but Tebow has something that every NFL player should have, heart and toughness.

The NFL is a league full of hard workers, and it is evident that most of the players at the top worked hard to get there. Tebow works as hard as they come, and his desire to learn and get better may be rivaled by only a few players in the league.

Tebow didn't get this far without possessing the physical talent to succeed as an NFL quarterback, he has the physical tools necessary to be a difference maker in the NFL. Tebow has above average speed for a quarterback but that doesn't mean he will be running by Ray Lewis on Sunday's anytime soon. Tebow does have the ability to be an efficient runner when he needs to be for the Broncos offense and pick up yards when he can't find an open receiver and the play breaks down.

Tebow knows how to put his head down and get the extra yard, which many quarterbacks are unwilling to do for fear of injury, and rightfully so, but Tebow has the strong and sturdy stature to make it happen.

Tebow will not be called upon to be a run first quarterback even though he possesses the skill to be an effective runner at the position, he will be counted on to lead the Denver offense through the air.

Tebow doesn't have the strongest arm in the league, but by no means does he have the weakest arm either. Tebow showed that he has the tools to complete passes at the next level while lighting up defenses in the SEC to the tune of 2,895 yards and 21 touchdowns during his final season in Gainesville. Tebow also completed 67.8 percent of his passes during his senior season while throwing just five interceptions.

The one area that Tebow holds the edge over all other rookies in is his leadership abilities. In tebow's four season at Florida, the Gators held a combined record of 48-7, and Tebow lost only two games in his final two season at the school. Following the Gator loss to Ole Miss in the fourth game of the 2008 season, Tebow made his famous press conference speech about how "you will never see any player in the entire country play as hard as I will play the rest of the season, you will never see another player push his team as hard as I will push everybody the rest of the season."

Tebow went on that season to lead the Gators to the National Championship and made good on his promise, and now he will make his teammate around him in Denver as well.

There are few quarterbacks who demand the huddle and have the type of presence that a player like Peyton Manning has, but Tebow can be that type of player in the NFL. Manning is able to do it because everyone knows what kind of work he puts in after practice, studying film on his opponent and learning the game.

I believe Tebow will put in the same level of effort that Manning has put in over the years and even though he doesn't have the arm that Manning does, he has the smarts to win the way Manning has over the past decade.

Tebow will get some playing time this season in different packages the Broncos may use, but barring an injury to starter Kyle Orton, Tebow will spend most of this season on the sideline learning and waiting for his chance to take over the Denver offense in 2011.

While Tim Tebow was not the first quarterback selected in this year's draft, he will turn out to be the most successful one, and this is coming from a Chiefs fan.

 

It’s Time to End the Debate; Eli Manning Is Elite

August 11th, 2010

Entering his seventh season with the New York Giants it is time to declare that yes, Eli Manning is one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. Perhaps no other quarterback in the NFL has inspired such a plethora of diversified opinions and emotions over the last seven years.

While some fans and analysts have believed him to be an excellent player in his own right, others maintain that he is average at best. Those contradicting opinions have not changed over the years as many people seem to cling to their original impressions. Well, I am here to say that it is time to put that argument to rest; Eli Manning is an elite quarterback.

Now, my definition of an elite quarterback might differ that of some people; I don’t care about fantasy football. To me, an elite NFL quarterback is tough, clutch, accurate, with good arm strength, a good leader, and a good teammate who doesn’t turn the ball over. Notice touchdown total and QB rating weren't on the list.

The following are five reasons why I believe Eli Manning to be an elite quarterback along with four counterpoints to arguments that I have heard claiming the opposite.

 

1. Eli Manning Is a True Ironman

One of the best compliments you can give an NFL quarterback is that you can depend on him every Sunday—and you know that with Eli Manning.

Entering his third season, Eli has the third longest consecutive games played streak of any active NFL quarterback. He is behind only Brett Favre and Peyton Manning with 71 strait consecutive starts, which is already a New York Giants team record.

The reason for those consecutive starts isn’t simply the good luck of not getting injured; it was earned through sheer grit and toughness.

In a 2005 preseason game against the Carolina Panthers Julius Peppers strip sacked Eli, causing a painful throwing elbow injury.

In the opening regular season game in 2007, Eli was hit by Anthony Spencer of the Dallas Cowboys and suffered a separated shoulder in his throwing arm. Chris Mortenson of ESPN reported that Eli would miss at least a month, but Eli wouldn't miss a single game at all.

In a 2008 game against the Cleveland Browns, Eli Manning got body slammed by the gargantuan Shaun Rogers and suffered a chest injury. Eli never even complained.

And last year, Eli achieved his best statistical season of his career playing through planter fascilitis in his right foot; a condition so painful he couldn’t practice during large chunks of the season and risky enough that he could have suffered a much more serious foot injury playing through it.

 

2. Eli Manning Has Ice Water In His Veins

I firmly believe that if Eli Manning were told that the world would end if he couldn’t put a football through a tire 50 yards away his response would be a lazy, “sure, no problem.

Simply put, the man has doesn't panic; no moment, player or situation will ever get to Eli. He is unshakable, unflappable, and at times, unstoppable.

And having ice water veins isn’t just about being clutch, its about being able to shake off a bad throw or play. There was a moment in the fourth quarter in the Super Bowl game versus the Patriots that Eli missed a wide open Plaxico Burress on a third down—a play that would have erased any need for dramatic helmet catches.

Most NFL quarterbacks would not be able to put that play in the back of their heads. Not Eli, he probably forgot it all together.

And not only does Eli Manning seem not to mind pressure situations, he actually seems to enjoy them. This first became clear to Eli observers when the Giants played the Chargers in his first year as a starter. Eli put on a show for the same fans and team he had so publicly scorned on draft day.

And to top it all, Eli Manning is in an elite club of active NFL quarterbacks, the 2-minute Super Bowl drive crew. Aside from Eli, Big Ben and Tom Brady are the only other members.

 

3. Eli Manning Is A Winner

As a full time starter in the NFL, Eli Manning has never had a losing season. That alone would be impressive but the fact that Eli has achieved that in the NFC East makes it even more impressive.

And I feel safe to say that last season’s lack of a playoff appearance sits squarely on the shoulders of an atrocious Bill Sheridan-coached defense. Entering his seventh season, the Giants have never had a losing season with Eli as the full season starter. And oh yeah, he has won a Super in 2007.

And the fact that he has never missed a game in that stretch and plays the most important position would seem to indicate that Eli has had a lot to do with the Giants' success.

At the end of the day the only stat that matters when evaluating a quarterback is wins and losses, team successes and team failures.

 

4. Eli Manning Turned A Green Receiving Core Into One Of The League’s Best

This time last season the hype on the Giants team was that the receivers, without Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer, would be the team’s weak point while the team’s defense, led by the return of Osi Umenyiora and signing of Chris Canty, would be the team’s strength.

Oops.

Eli took a receiving core where not one of his top three receivers was older than 25 and made them into one of the most productive in the NFL. Steve Smith busted out with 1220 yards and seven touchdowns, Mario Manningham went from nowhere to 822 yards and five touchdowns, and rookie Hakeem Nicks wowed the world with 790 yards and six touchdowns.

Going into last season, people thought Eli would struggle without Plax, to say nothing of the opinions of the wide receiver core itself. This season, many pundits believe the Giants wide receiver core to be one of the deepest and most talented in the NFL.

Meanwhile, the defense obviously tanked, and heading into this season they are the unit with something to prove.

 

5. Eli Manning Has Unique Responsibilities In Today’s NFL

Eli Manning not only has the ability to call a play at the line of scrimmage, but also the ability to manipulate both the run and pass protections and call his own hot routes. In terms of responsibilities in an offense, only his brother Peyton has more in today’s NFL.

Eli has the rare responsibility in the NFL of being able to change a run or pass play. Most NFL offenses only give their quarterback one audible to which they can change the play called at the huddle. If it’s a run, they can call to pass or the other way around.

And many head coaches don’t believe in audibles. Gary Kubiak of the Houston Texans is notorious for not believing in them, instead believing in running the play called at the huddle regardless of defensive formation. And protection calls are almost universally made by the center.

While Eli doesn’t have the ability to call his own plays like his brother does, he does have almost endless ability to manipulate a played call along with a greater number of audibles that is currently given to other NFL quarterbacks.

 

Now, through the years I have heard a number of reasons why Eli issn’t an elite quarterback, and I feel that it's time I either put some of those arguments to bed or dismiss them as being ridiculous in the first place.

A. Eli Is An Inconsistent Turnover Machine.

Now this was true of Eli the first few years of his career. One week he would have four touchdowns and the next week he would throw so many ducks you felt like you were playing old school Nintendo.

But those are problems of the past because starting with Eli’s incredible Super Bowl run, he has thrown only thrown 27 picks since the beginning of the 2007 postseason and has become much more consistent as a quarterback.

For comparisons sake, in that same period of time Phillips Rivers has thrown 28 picks and Ben Roethlisberger has thrown 31 interceptions. And in fairness to Rivers, two of his picks came in last season’s postseason; a postseason that did not include Big Ben or Eli.

 

B. Eli Was Only Great Because Of Plaxico Burress.

This can now be put to rest because Eli has had his best statistical season of his professional life without Plaxico. Now while I was a big fan of Plaxico’s talent it is no shock to me that Manning’s interception numbers went down without Plax.

Plax’s effort ran very hot and cold, and a lot of balls that became interceptions were because Plax ran the wrong route or gave up on a pass. But don't just take my word for it, ask Pac-Man Jones or Champ Bailey.

It wasn’t a shock to anyone who actually watched Giants’ games or ran analysis of Giants’ game film that Eli trusted a bunch of receivers under the age of 25 last season more than he ever trusted Plax.

Now, I have to say that Plax was a great player who was integral to the Giants Super Bowl. But while a great player, he was flat unreliable as the eventual gunshot wound to the thigh proved.

 

C. Eli Manning Is Not, And Will Never Be An Elite Statistical Quarterback.

This is true, but only because of the style of offense the Giants play and because they play in the NFC East. And remember, this is the NFL— not the Fantasy Football League; the only stat that defines a quarterback is wins and losses.

Also, unlike Aaron Rodgers or Phillip Rivers who play in pass happy offenses against weak divisional defenses, Eli plays in a run first offense against the defenses of the NFC East. If Eli got to play against the Raiders, Lions, Chiefs or Bears twice a year his stats would be a little bit more inflated too.

That is not to say Rivers and Rodgers aren’t great players, but Eli plays tough divisional teams in a restrictive offensive style, which is something that Rivers or Rodgers do not have to worry much about.

So yes, Eli Manning is not a great quarterback when you look through the prism of fantasy football, but remember that it is exactly that—a fantasy.

 

D. Eli Manning Was Only Drafted First Overall Because His Last Name Is Manning.

Eli Manning took the Ole Miss Rebels to a BCS Bowl game with no legitimate NFL talent surrounding him in while playing in the SEC.

Meanwhile “wunderkind” Jay Cutler with similar surrounding talent at Vanderbilt never even posted a winning season during his time in the SEC. Eli deserved to be the number 1 pick in the 2004 NFL whether his last name was Manning or Smith.

People need to realize that Eli, being Peyton’s brother, does not make the media or people like myself easier on him; if anything it makes us all harder on him.

 

In conclusion, Eli Manning has never had a losing season as a starting quarterback, has excellent arm strength, has never missed a game, has been to the Pro Bowl, has a Super Bowl MVP trophy and ring, and is considered one of the best clutch quarterbacks in the game.

He also turned what people thought was one of the rawest wide receiver cores in the league into what people now think is one of the best WR cores in the league, and has more responsibilities at the line of scrimmage than any NFL quarterback besides his brother. He is elite.

 

 

 

 



Tim Tebow Haircut: A New Side to The Denver Broncos QB

August 10th, 2010

We can all thank Dez Bryant for creating an NFL wide hazing fiasco, not that it effects us as much as it does the other players.

After refusing to carry Roy Williams' shoulder pads, Dez Bryant spat out a response that disregarded years of NFL tradition. "I'm not doing it," he said. "I feel like I was drafted to play football, not carry another player's pads."

Well Dez, I "Feel Like" you should have been respectful to your NFL teammates, rather than openly discuss your dissatisfaction with an age-old tradition.

Dez is single handedly responsible for the situations for guys like Travis Ivey. The Dolphins player (seen here: http://larrybrownsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/travis-ivey-shoulder-pads.gif) has turned this simple technique into an art form.

For guys like Tim Tebow, it is not only an art, it is a lifestyle.

Not only is this quarterback arguably one of the best college quarterbacks ever, he is a terrific multi-tasker.

He is getting ready for the NFL season, and becoming a friar on the side!

You have to clap to his admirability. Guys like Tebow are a rare breed. He is a peaceful and somber brother of the greater faith, yet, such a tenacious and beastly Sunday spectacle!

Wait, you mean to tell me he was forced to shave that donut-like shape on his head?

Well, lucky for us. Something tells me Tebow would make more headlines as an NFL quarterback, though, I am sure he would make a great friar.

You could picture him dominating the Sunday church pick-up game, stiff arming his prayer leader on the way to a touchdown. Then he would say a quick prayer for the Detroit Lions, because it seems as if nothing can help them.

All jokes aside, kudos to Mr. Tebow for being a great sport, and enduring possibly the worst hazing of the season.

But, not all bad came from this dreadful, yet appealing haircut. Seen in an article on the Examiner, Tebow is still catching the eyes of young fans and actresses.

I failed to get interview time with Friar Lawrence, but I wouldn't mind speaking what is on his mind. He would say "Thanks Tim, for reviving the sex-appeal of the fresh friar cut."

Mike Modano and Brett Favre: Five Reasons Why They Should Retire

August 9th, 2010

In my last article, I discussed five reasons why NHL player Mike Modano and NFL quarterback Brett Favre should return to professional sports.

Today, I am going to explore the opposite side of that argument.

This slideshow will list five reasons why Modano and Favre should look towards retirement.

Yes, there is life outside of playing a sport, and now would be a good time for them to look into it. 

Here is why Modano and Favre should call it quits.

Begin Slideshow

Brett Favre and Mike Modano: Five Reasons Why They Should Return

August 8th, 2010

Mike Modano is an NHL player who has played 20 NHL seasons with one team; soon to be two.

Brett Favre is an NFL quarterback who has played 19 NFL seasons with three different teams, though he stayed with one through the majority of his career.

What could these two athletes possibly have in common?

Aside from their veteran experience in their respective sports, they are both either 40 or almost-40 years old. This is the time when many athletes are considering retirement or have already done so.

But Favre and Modano both seem intent on playing another year in their professional leagues.

Here are five reasons why Brett Favre and Mike Modano should come back for one more season.

Begin Slideshow

Brett Favre Maybe Retiring: Free Agent Quarterbacks Options for Vikings

August 5th, 2010

By now we all know that the ageless wonder Brett Favre has almost retired and thought about moving on to a life without football. 

While he will take solace in the fact that he had a great career with a lot of milestones achieved, awards won, and records broken, the Vikings, even though they aren’t really showing it, are scrambling to salvage their offense knowing that their quarterbacks may not cut it.

So are there any free agent quarterbacks available right now that the Vikings could bring into camp to help them find the right one now that the “right one” has decided to call it quits?

Granted the pickings are pretty slim out there but there are a few players still without teams that might be able to help the Vikings in the interim. 

Here are five guys that are still available and may interest the Vikings as they wait for the final word on whether or not Favre is going to retire.

 

Daunte Culpepper

Is Culpepper washed up? 

Right now, he might be an option for the Vikings. 

This former Minnesota Viking is currently not working in the NFL and may be able to make some time to come to camp and win at least a roster spot. 

Culpepper could be a good mentor to the younger guys at the position and wouldn’t be a bad fill in just in case Tavaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels falter.

 

Jeff Garcia

Garcia remains a free agent and even though he’s aged and not in the same kind of shape that he used to be, there is no doubt that the Vikings should take some interest in him. 

Garcia has stepped in nicely in other places around the NFL (Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers) and could be a nice stop gap while the young guys develop. 

Don’t be surprised if the Vikings show some interest in this currently unemployed ex-NFL quarterback.

 

Brian St. Pierre

Pierre has been looking for a job since his last one with the Arizona Cardinals.

And while he isn’t quite the starting caliber quarterback that the Vikings may be looking for (to replace Favre), he does have some experience and could be a decent enough backup in Minnesota. 

 

Todd Collins

Collins is a guy with some experience as a starter in the NFL and just happens to be free right now so, Minnesota could be interested in taking a look at him. 

Veteran quarterbacks will draw the most interest from the Vikings because of the lack veteran experience at the position (with Favre gone). 

Could Collins be of some interest to the Vikings?

 

JaMarcus Russell

Don’t laugh, the Vikings just might be able to resurrect the career of this once No. 1 overall draft pick, and they should be able to get him cheap. 

He could end up being a developmental prospect. 

However, with Favre’s departure, the team needs veteran help much more than they need a washed up former No. 1 overall pick.

Another likely scenario is that the Vikings could make a trade for another veteran quarterback. 

They have draft picks and could use them to acquire a veteran backup from another team.

Brett Favre: Thief Without a Ski Mask

August 5th, 2010

Word out of Minnesota Tuesday morning was that Brett Favre is texting select teammates that he will retire. Speculation was that his surgically repaired ankle was not healing as well as he would have liked.

Ed Werder of ESPN, yes that same Ed Werder Favre looked in the eye last year and told he will not play in 2009, is now reporting that “if healthy, Favre will play in 2010.”

So what changed in 24 hours?

Simple, Favre is now being offered an extra $7 million dollars by the Vikings to come back. 

Did the extra money magically heal Favre’s ankle?

Favre went on to say that his decision has nothing to do with money.  As many sports fans have come to learn, when an athlete claims it has nothing to do with money, it has everything to do with money.

Favre masterminded a money grab that would have embarrassed famed bank robber Jesse James.

The Vikings, who have shamefully left themselves unprepared for a possible Favre departure, found out the hard way that anyone is willing to use a little blackmail.  Some might feel that blackmail is a harsh word to use in this case, but I happen to feel it fits perfectly.

This was set up on draft day when the Vikings passed on Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen. Tarvaris Jackson is not a good NFL quarterback.  Proof of that is how quickly the Vikings brain trust sent $7 million dollars Favre’s way. Minnesota should have drafted Clausen to groom as a replacement for Favre. Now, caught with their pants down, the Vikings are looking very foolish for not drafting him.

When it’s all said and done, Favre will be taking the snaps on opening day against New Orleans.  The current retirement, the shortest of his many retirements, will be a long forgotten memory.

Favre has proven once again that he could care less about his legacy.  He had to know his reputation would take a hit if he pulled his usual summertime act. 

The man simply doesn’t care, and he might be right.  After all legacy doesn’t put food on the table, money does.  He knows that as soon as he throws his first of what will be many touchdown passes in 2010, all of Viking nation will once again declare him to be the savior.

Over the course of 24 hours the Vikings have gone from Super Bowl contender to possibly missing the playoffs and back.  Minnesota fans can only hope that this time around the team has learned a lesson and will be better prepared if Favre once again decides he deserves more of   owner Zygi Wilf’s money.

Terry Bradshaw Forgets His Own Legacy as He Rips Jimmy Clausen

August 4th, 2010

The irony drips like a faucet with a bad washer.

The speaker was Terry Bradshaw, Hall of Fame quarterback—he of the four Super Bowl rings won with the Pittsburgh Steelers. And he was offering his opinions on some of the young gun QBs in the NFL currently.

After damning the Lions’ Matthew Stafford with praise, Bradshaw turned venomous when it came to Carolina rookie Jimmy Clausen, the Panthers’ second-round pick out of Notre Dame.

“Let me say what I said before earlier up to the (NFL) draft,” Bradshaw began about Clausen. “I didn’t like him in college and I don’t like him now. I never did like him. I don’t like his delivery. I don’t like his motion. I think he’s too slow. ..Physically, the way he threw the football, I just didn’t like him. (There’s) way too much shoulder action. (He’s) just another guy as far as I’m concerned.”

About that irony…

Bradshaw was drafted first overall by the Steelers in 1970, out of Louisiana Tech. Before long, most of the city would have chipped in for a one-way plane ticket out of town for their young QB.

Bradshaw didn’t possess the classic skills of a top-flight NFL quarterback, as it turned out. He didn’t have a very strong arm. He was slow. He wasn’t all that accurate.

On top of that, Terry Bradshaw was portrayed as not having the brains to be a pro quarterback.

Bradshaw was a country bumpkin and didn’t sound like someone who the Steel City would embrace. He opened his mouth and southern twanged words dropped out. He was a hick, trying to win over the blue collars of Pittsburgh.

The Steelers were coming off a 1-13 season when they drafted Bradshaw. If this is our savior, the Steelers fans said, then we’re living down below where it’s burning all the time.

Bradshaw wasn’t a premier quarterback. He really wasn’t. He rose to the level of adequate just in time for the Steelers to add pieces like Lynn Swann, John Stallworth, and Franco Harris. Oh, and the best defense of the 1970s.

Bradshaw’s career numbers don’t leap out at you. They don’t even blink. If they were in a window, they’d be the last item chosen by the shoppers—with CLEARANCE labels slapped over it.

But Bradshaw won four Super Bowls, armed with a running game, Pro Bowl receivers, and one of the stingiest defenses ever fielded.

It’s reminiscent of what baseball manager Leo Durocher once said about one of his players, Eddie “The Brat” Stanky.

“He can’t run, he can’t hit, he can’t field,” Durocher said. “All he does is beat you.”

Bradshaw couldn’t throw, couldn’t run, and couldn’t elude. He was less than smart.

But he’s in the Hall of Fame with those four rings.

So I had to chuckle when I read Bradshaw’s rebuke of the young Clausen, who has yet to throw his first NFL pass.

Very similar dreck was spewed about Bradshaw, back in the day. To Steelers fans, Bradshaw wasn’t a quarterback—he was a criminal sentence that had been levied on them.

This was until the organization surrounded him with fellow Hall of Famers, on both sides of the ball.

Bradshaw ought to know better than to offer such stinging criticism of a young quarterback before his career has really gotten going.

Forty years ago, Bradshaw arrived in Pittsburgh—a country bumpkin with precious few brains. Thirteen years after that, he retired as an under-talented legend.

Now he’s burying Jimmy Clausen before the kid is even in the starting gate.

Maybe Terry isn’t so bright, after all.

With Brett Favre Gone, What’s Next for Minnesota Vikings?

August 3rd, 2010

Earlier this morning, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Brett Favre will retire as an NFL quarterback.

After a long and historic career, perhaps one of the best quarterbacks of this era will no longer be competing. However, Minnesota has to keep moving on, which means Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels have some pretty big shoes to fill.

The Vikings have not commented on who will start.

However, a decent job by either of them could still keep the Vikings in playoff contention.

If you look at how successful last season was, it obviously wasn't all just because of Brett Favre. It takes more than just a quarterback go to the NFC championship.

Minnesota still has one of the best running backs in the league in his prime to go along with a good receiving core of Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin. Granted, receivers can only be as good as their quarterbacks, but it won't hurt that Jackson or Rosenfels will have both of them to throw to.

That said, the defense must keep up last year's pace as well. Jared Allen, the great pass rusher he is, has to lead the defense again.

All in all, despite losing one of the great quarterbacks in the league, Minnesota still looks to be a team that can make the playoffs and compete, but it will be a much harder task than it was during last season's run.

Brett Favre Retires from Minnesota Vikings, Leaves Door Open for Packers

August 3rd, 2010

Word has just leaked that Brett Favre has decided to retire from the NFL, leaving the Minnesota Vikings scrambling to fill their QB hole, as reported by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and Fox Sports.

Most of the media will celebrate Favre, as they should.

But after all that dust settles, Favre's retirement will have a huge impact on the NFL, specifically the NFC North race.

He may have been an old man, but Favre led the Vikings to the NFC Championship last season. So, his void will greatly affect the playoff picture.

Ironically, his retirement may help his old team, the Green Bay Packers, more than anyone else.

The Packers have been on the verge of breaking through as of late, as Favre’s replacement, Aaron Rodgers, has come into his own as an elite NFL quarterback.

The defense has also grown a lot lately, led by last year’s Defensive Player of the Year, Charles Woodson.

But perhaps the biggest roadblock to the Packers’ success was none other than Green Bay’s former hero, Favre.

Favre out-dueled Rodgers three times last season, so it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that ESPN would milk this storyline for all it was worth.

Alas, this might be the last we hear of Favre.

A few years ago, Packers fans were deathly afraid of that statement.

Now, they couldn’t be happier.

The Packers may have been ready to take the next step this year either way.

But without Favre in the way, that seems much more likely now.

Packers' fans will surely celebrate Favre’s career in the coming days, at least the ones who didn’t completely lose faith in their former hero when he wanted out of town.

But soon, they will be jumping for joy.

The door is now open in the NFC North, and it’s Green Bay’s for the taking.

Without Favre holding the reins, the Vikings may struggle a little bit this season. Do you really think Sage Rosenfels or Tarvaris Jackson will lead the Vikings back to the division crown? Didn't think so.

The Vikings still have the talent to make the playoffs, but more than anything, Favre’s retirement means the Packers should run away with the NFC North title.




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