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Welcome, once again sportz freaks to another edition of Z Money's Sportz Talk. One of my favorite times of year has come around once again, and that is the beginning of the NCAA Basketball Playoffs; more specifically, the Division III tournament. For the past two seasons, the men's basketball team here at Richard Stockton College has captured the New Jersey Athletic Conference title and moved onto the NCAA DIII tournament. This year, the Ospreys (19-6; 9-4) will look to repeat once again as division champions, and that run to the top begins Wednesday night at 7PM here at the Big Blue sports complex.
Stockton is more than prepared to tread the NJAC tourney waters as they have a ton of experience and are on a bit of a hot streak as of late. Santini Lancioni recorded his 1000th point last week against the Lions of TCNJ to cap off another winning season for the Ospreys, and Omar Smith has been a huge presence as well. Combine that with a ton of young, fresh talent and you have a recipe that could prove to be very dangerous throughout the rest of the season. While this year's version of the team is nowhere near at the level we saw last year, the Ospreys still managed to win nineteen games and win the south half of the NJAC during the regular season. Whether or not they are strong enough to get far in the NCAA's, or if they can even get through the NJAC, has yet to be seen.
Up first for the Ospreys is the same team Stockton defeated last year to win their second straight NJAC Championship: Rutgers-Newark. The Scarlet Raiders come to Stockton Wednesday night to try to exact revenge on the foe who kept them one game shy of the NCAA tournament just a season ago. In a 62-54 thriller at "Big Blue", the Ospreys scratched and clawed their way back from an early deficit against a strong Rutgers team. Eventually the home team pulled away, and headed off to the DIII tournament, where they made it all the way to the championship game, a game which they lost by just nine points.
The Ospreys haven't looked like that same team this year, despite losing just two key seniors from last year's squad. It all started in the season opener against Baruch, where the Ospreys and the Bears fought back and forth in a highly-competitive game right up until the end, a game Baruch would take on a last-second three-point shot at the buzzer. Since then, the Ospreys haven't had that same luster, but despite their decrease in perfomance, they have lost just five times since then. One of those losses, however, came at the hands of their soon-to-be opponents: Rutgers-Newark. The Raiders took down Stockton 64-53 in Newark, which also happens to be the last time the Ospreys have suffered a loss. Since then, Stockton has gone 4-0, defeating their opponents by almost 15 ppg.
Should Stockton escape Wednesday night, they'll take on either Ramapo or William Paterson, both of whom defeated the Ospreys earlier in the season. Of the two, Paterson is clearly the mush scarier foe, as they are the best team in the NJAC by a landslide, having gone 23-2 overall with an 12-1 record in the conference. The Pioneers beat Stockton 63-57 back in mid-January, a game also played away from "Big Blue". Should the Roadrunners pull off the major upset up in Wayne, Ramapo can also boast that it has already defeated the Ospreys, as it did so by a score of 85-84 on Jan. 23rd. So the Ospreys have found themselves in quite a situation, facing one team that beat them already this year, with two more opponents who did the same waiting if they win.
So the question is, will the momentum carry Stockton to its third consecutive NJAC crown, or will Rutgers turn the tables from last season's season-ending loss here in Pomona? Head on over to the Big Blue sports complex this Wednesday night at 7PM to find out!
It's been almost three months since the infamous Tiger Woods scandal, and today golf fans across the nation waited in anticipation for what they were hoping would bring some closure to this situation. Earlier this morning, Tiger spoke in front of the press for the first time since the incident occured back in November. In doing so, he looked to restore his grand legacy as well as his reputation as the well-liked golf phenom we all once knew him to be. And so Tiger Woods, world-renouned golf legend, headed out to his podium, looked out into the room full of reporters, and then spoke from his heart.. err uh, his note cards.
That's right. Note cards. Here is a man who has, on more than one occasion, been unfaithful to his wife and kids, and a man looking to right his wrongs. Here's a man who had multiple affairs, lied about them all and disappeared from the golf world. Here is a man who let his family and his fans down, and who wanted to win them back. And he came out with a stack of note cards. Now I'm not saying that Tiger wasn't genuine in everything he said this morning (although I'm not saying he was either), but a general rule of mine when it comes to public apologies has always been that people who bring notes with them to make ammends are truly not as sorry as they claim to be. That's not to say that Tiger can't actually be remorseful, but his monotonic, robotic speech was less than overwhelming, and I couldn't get a sense of true regret.
Did Tiger say all the right things? Absolutely. He took all of the blame for each and every one of his actions. He apologized deeply to his wife and his kids, as well as all of the other people that he had let down. He spoke about how his wife was never in the wrong, and that no violence had ever occured within their household. Yes, Tiger hit all the right notes, and he pressed all the right buttons. But in a situation where he holds a press conference where no one can ask him any questions, and where he read off his apology like the morning school announcements, it is very difficult for me to believe that Tiger Woods is truly genuine.
As a writer, it's inevitable that something I post will always repel the opinions of someone who reads it, and I'm sure that will be the case here. Many have quickly jumped to the defense of Tiger Woods, claiming that he "is human" and that everyone makes mistakes. I couldn't agree with that more. However, these same people also say that Woods (and professional athletes in general) is not supposed to be a role model, and that his job is simply to go out and be the best at what he does: play golf. But whether they like it or not, and whether he likes it or not, Tiger Woods is in a position where millions of kids around the world look up to him. The same goes for anyone else who is in the spotlight. When you decide that you're going to be famous, whether it be as a golf player or a movie star or a country singer, you automatically sign that imaginary contract that states you will exemplify good behavior, and will be an idol which kids can look up to and admire. It comes with the territory, and while fame and fortune is undoubtedly fun for stars like Woods, there comes with it a great deal of responsibility. Woods sure did make a mistake, but it was not only his extra-marital affairs. No, Woods made the much bigger mistake of thinking the rules didn't apply to him. He believed that a man in his position had the right to do whatever he pleased. And whether or not he learned the lesson that he can not do whatever he wants is debatable, but the fact remains that the legacy of Tiger Woods has been eternally tarnished.
While I know that people are bound to disagree with my views on today's press conference, I also believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. So make the decision for yourself. But whether you believe that Tiger was truly genuine in what he said or not, the fact remains that he has one hell of a battle to fight to win back the adoration of his friends and family, as well as his fans.
Welcome back, sportz freaks to another edition of Z Money's Sportz Talk. While the world of professional sports has come to somewhat of a standstill while the Olympics go on, that doesn't stop our amazing athletes here at Richard Stockton College from competing. Last night both the men's and women's basketball teams were in action, both with a lot on the line. The women came into their game with TCNJ with a 12-12 record, and a 6-6 record in the NJAC. The lady Ospreys needed a victory over the Lions in order to clinch a playoff berth in this year's NJAC Tournament. Meanwhile, the men, having already clinched a playoff spot as well as a first round bye, still had something to prove. Last year's NCAA Division III runners-up were looking to build momentum toward the NJAC playoffs, with the hopes of returning to the NCAA tourney. In addition to that, senior Santini Lancioni came into the game just ten points shy of his 1000th career point. Needless to say, excitement filled the air as "Big Blue" was jam-packed with hundreds of the Stockton faithful.
The Women tipped off at 6PM, and from the start you could see determination in their eyes. The girls knew a playoff spot was on the line, and they played like it. The Ospreys started the game on a 30-7 run, and never looked back. By the half, the girls had jumped out to a 40-13 lead, and the Lions never got back into the game. Noelle Hogan. Ailyah Nelson, and Aspen Price-Perry each netted 13 points, as Price-Perry was on fire from outside the arc. The women didn't let up on the gas pedal, as they cruised to a 73-44 victory over their NJAC South rivals, and in the process secured a berth in the playoffs. The lady Ospreys will head to Montclair State University this Saturday, the 20th, to take on the Red Hawks in the first round of the NJAC tournament. Should they win, the girls will then head off to Kean University to take on the #1 seeded Cougars.
Shortly after the girls' victory, the guys came onto the floor and gave their seniors a warm welcome, as this would be the final regular season home game for the three veterans. Santini Lancioni, Omar Smith, and Steve Sheck were all honored for their contributions to the team over their tenure here at Stockton, and the Ospreys looked to close out the regular season with a "W". Lancioni came out firing, knowing full well that he needed just 10 points to get to 1000. He quickly reached 7, and then fired up a few three-pointers to try and lock it up. He missed both of those, but by the time the clock read 4:00 in the first half, Santini drained a three from just outside the arc to seal the deal, and the game was stopped momentarily to honor him. Lancioni would net twenty-one in his final regular season game. Omar Smith was a huge factor as well, as he led the team in points with 26, as well as in rebounds with 13. The Ospreys got out to an early 36-26 lead, but the margin narrowed quickly. Midway through the second half, the Lions took a one point lead, their first of the game, and it seemed as though all momentum had been lost. The ever-resilient Ospreys clawed their way back and eventually got their lead up to twenty, a deficit TCNJ would not be able to overcome. The men went on to win it 99-85. The Ospreys, #1 in the South region of the NJAC, will sit and wait as Rutgers Newark (#2 in the North) will take on Kean (#3 in the South). The winner will take on Stockton, with the winner of that heading to the finals.
Last night was a huge night for both the men's and women's bball squads, and things are only just starting to get interesting as both teams head into the playoffs. Come out and support the men next Wednesday night as they'll host either Rutgers Newark or Kean here at "Big Blue"!
Welcome back, sportz freaks to another edition on Z Money's Sportz Talk. It's been a crazy week weather wise, but the weekend is sure to be even crazier, but not because of any implication of snow. No, this is a much different kind of crazy, as the 2010 Winter Games are now officially under way, and we are all set for the NBA's latest performance of their annual All-Star game. But anyone who follows basketball knows that basketball provides us with far more than just your basic five on five game between the league's best. Oh, no, far more goes on during the NBA All-Star Weekend spectacular. For instance, the ever-popular Celebrity All-Star game. The game this year has already been played prior to this posting, but with the likes of Dr. Oz, Chris Tucker, and even Mark Cuban out on the floor, you can bet it was exciting. I won't spoil the finish for you, so I urge you to go to youtube or to ESPN to check out the highlights. Also tonight we had what has also become quite an intriguing aspect of the NBA's mid-season break in the Rookies vs. Sophomores Challenge, which the Rooks took home this year to end what was a long winning streak for the second-year players.
But things have only just begun this weekend, as Saturday night is jam packed with plenty more events that are sure to thrill basketball fans across the country. The first of these events is one called "Haier Shooting Stars", in which some NBA legends fuse with current NBA and WNBA players in a three-on-three style game of basketball. Some of the players involved include the likes of Dirk Nowitzki(Dal), Pau Gasol(LAL), Becky Hammon(SA;WNBA), and Chris Webber(Sac;Legend). After that we will see even more action as they move into the Skills Challenge, headed by Steve Nash(Pho), Brandon Jennings(Mil), Deron Williams(Utah), and last year's champion Derek Rose(Chi). The passing, dribbling, as well as the shooting of these four stars will be put to the test as they all go head to head to head to head to determine the overall skills competition champion.
We then come to my personal favorite event, that being the three point shooting contest. I'm no basketball player, but if ever there was a type of shot I do best, three pointers would be it. This year's version of the downtown showdown will not disappoint, as players such as Paul Pierce(Bos), Stephen Curry(GS), and Chauncey Billups(Den) will air it out to determine the best three-point shooter in the game today. Daequan Cook(Mia), Channing Frye(Pho), and Danilo Gallinari(NY) will also take part in the contest.
And then, of course, the NBA saves its most cherished event for the end, and that my friend would be the Dunk Contest. Last year's champion Nate Robinson(NY) will look to defend his crown against fresh challengers such as Gerald Wallace(Cha), Shannon Brown(LAL), and DeMar DeRozan(Tor), who won a dunk-in over Eric Gordon(LAC) earlier this evening to round out the final four. It should be interesting and extremely entertaining to see what these four professional athletes try to pull off in order to become the next Dunk-Off champ.
And as if all that wasn't enough for all of you basketball enthusiasts, the NBA finishes off this fun-filled weekend with the game these two days are dedicated to, and that's the All-Star game. This year the game should be just as exciting as any other, although recent news has broken that Allen Iverson(Phi) and Kobe Bryant(LAL) will be sitting out the contest due to injury. However, stars like Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade, Steve Nash, and Dirk Nowitzki will steal the show and make the NBA All-Star game the thrilling event it always turns out to be. While nothing more than bragging rights between the Eastern and Western Conferences is on the line here, the game still provides for a fun-filled atmosphere, and an overall exciting weekend for the NBA players and its fans.
So if you're not into last night's topic of the Winter Olympics, there's plenty more sportz to be watched as the NBA is bringing what should be an extremely entertaining weekend your way. And if you can't choose, just flip the channels. That's what I'll be doing. For Z Money's Sportz Talk, I'm Zach Abbott. Have a great weekend everyone.
Welcome back, sportz freaks to another edition of Z Money's Sportz Talk. My sincerest apologies for making you wait this week for my latest posting, but the combination of homework, meetings, and the nuisance we have all come to know as snow, it's been very hard for me to keep up. As a result, my faithful readers will be treated to a new post today as well as tomorrow, the 12th. So without further a due, let's get down to business. Now that football season is officially in the books, we can all start to look forward to the many gifts we sports fans receive in the next few months. Things like March Madness, the NHL and NBA playoffs, and the start of Spring Training are all on the horizon, but before we get to any of that, we will have the pleasure of watching a special event that comes to us only once every four years. Of course, I'm referring to the Winter Olympics, which will begin tomorrow evening from the Canadian city of Vancouver. I, for one, am extremely excited as I always am when the Olympic season comes around. I felt like the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing were fantastic, and with stars like Michael Phelps representing the U.S., you could really feel a unity within the country, as practically everyone with a television set tuned in to watch him break record after record. If this is any indication of the pride and excitement that wil be flowing through our great country in the next two weeks, then we are in for one heck of a ride. And just as in the Summer, the U.S. has a lot of thrilling events headed by some major stars to look forward to.
The biggest event of the Winter Games, at least in my eyes, is that of the International Hockey Tournament. For this two week session of Olympic proportions, the National Hockey League shuts itself down, and the stars of the game leave their regular teams ot represent their respective countries in an international showdown. Players seen as hated rivals are now forced to join together in order to represent their home land to the best of their ability. Canada is one of the strong favorites yet again this year, as they are lead in by future Hall of Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur (NJ), not to mention that the tournament will be taking place on their home ice. Led by goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (NYR) and legendary forward Petr Forsberg, Sweden is also seen as a big threat, as they walked away with the 2006 crown. The United States will try to make a name for itself as well, as stars by the names of Zach Parise (NJ), Chris Drury (NYR) and goaltender Ryan Miller (Buf) will unite to represent the stars and stripes. The tournament is certainly up for grabs, and the thrill of each and every game will be felt whether you are there live, or watching from a distance on your television sets. You'll most likely find yourselves rooting for players you wouldn't normally cheer for otherwise, but it's all for the pride of your country. Crazy things can always happen, and let's hope for our sake that they do.
In addition to hockey, the US will also be cheering representatives in such other sports as Skiing, Bobsledding, Snowboarding, and Figure Skating. Fast-rising Lindsey Vonn is the odds-on favorite to take Women's skiing, while the "Flying Tomato", Shaun White looks to repeat as Olympic champion in Snowboarding. Sasha Cohen won't be competing for the U.S. this year in the world of figure skating, but new blood is coming up and ready to fight for the gold. Rachael Flatt and Mirai Nagasu, first and second place, respectively at the US figure Skating Championships, will be headed to Vancouver and hope to contribute to the Gold Medal push being given by the Americans. But whether it be skating, skiing, hockey, or even curling, you can bet that people across the nation will be cheering on their fellow Americans in all aspects of the Winter Games, and we can only hope that our fine representatives can dominate the way we know they can. As a nice bonus this week, not only for the Olympics, but since you've been so patient with me, I've included a wonderful highlight package of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice", the infamous year that the United States hockey team defeated the heavily favored Soviets. It's moments like those which are so special that pose the question legendary commentator Al Michaels once asked: "Do you believe in miracles?" Hopefully, the US will experience yet another 'miracle' in the next few weeks. Enjoy the games, everyone, and be on the lookout for my next post, which will be updated tomorrow evening. Last but not least, God Bless America.
Hey again, sportz freaks. This week's edition of Sportz Talk needs little explanation, as we are less than 48 hours away from Super Bowl XLIV. When the post-season began just about a month ago, the Colts and Saints were odds-on favorites to make it to the bash. But how often do two #1 seeds actually make it to the Super Bowl? Well, taking a look at the statistics, only eight Super Bowls have featured the top two seeds since 1975. It is a rather rare occurrence, and the fact that we are getting to see it this Sunday has to be considered a priviledge. Add that to the fact that we are not only getting the two best squads from each conference, but also quite arguably the two best offensive units in the league. Defense is a different story, but you get my point. Last week I brought up how epic a showdown between Peyton Manning and Brett Favre would be. While we won't be getting that this year, what we got instead is far from a disappointment. In fact, as magical as it would have been to see #4 get back to the 'Big Game' one more time, you have to think that a much younger, flashier Quarter Back in Drew Brees is going to put on just as great, if not a better show than Favre could ever have pulled off. Brees and Manning are sure to put on a show, and football fans across the country are going to witness a classic. There's a lot to be said about each of these teams, and strong arguments can be made for both sides in terms of who will win the game. So let's break it all down, shall we? Let us start by discussing the team with more post-season experience: the Indianapolis Colts. How can you not like the chances of a Peyton Manning-led football team? The guy already has one championship ring on his finger, and seems to be extremely focused on grabbing his second Lombardi Trophy. Many people, including myself, doubted the legitimacy of this year's version of the Colts, and many wondered if the excess rest they got at the end of the season would hurt their chances to make it back to the Super Bowl. But just like many times before, Manning and the Colts proved the doubters wrong and find themselves a win away from another championship. Indianapolis came into the playoffs as the #1 seed in the AFC, earning a first-round bye, and then pulling off two victories over two top-three defenses in Baltimore and New York. With almost no effort at all, the Colts proved that tough defenses are not nearly enough to stop their offensive attack, and that New Orleans is going to need to much more defensively than either of those two teams did. And what's even scarier is how amazingly sharp Manning has looked despite much contemplation about the level of rust he would feel after nearly a month off from the game. The question that remains is whether or not the red-hot Colts will be able to be cooled off, or if it is inevitable that they will capture their second Super Bowl title in four years. That brings me to their opponents: The New Orleans Saints. Could there possibly be a more heart-warming story in the history of the NFL? Here's a city that is just five years removed from one of the most catastrophic hurricanes to ever hit this country, and yet somehow their football team has risen from the ashes to go from laughable to down right scary. If ever there were an offensive unit to match that of the Colts, this is it. With the likes of Drew Brees, Marques Colston, and Reggie Bush, one could easily argue that they have more weapons than their opponents this Sunday. The Saints were on the ride of their lives this year also, as they began the season with 13 straight victories before losing their final three contests. They didn't let that affect them, though, as they came back from the bye week and took down the high-flying Cardinals and Kurt Warner, as well as the legendary Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings. With two victories over strong opponents, New Orleans now finds itself in the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. The question for them is: will the pressure be too much for them to handle? Now onto the match up, I will take a look at each team's main offensive positions as well as their defenses and special teams, and decide which side has the advantage in each category.
Quarter Back Drew Brees is easily one of the best QBs in the game right now, and he has only gotten better with time. From an average player as a Charger to a star in New Orleans, Brees has quickly become a phenomenal passer, and it's hard to argue with those who believe he leads the most prolific offense in the NFL. On the other side you have Peyton Manning, who needs no introduction. A guaranteed first ballot hall-of-famer, Peyton Manning is a man on a mission, and can the Saints defense honestly say they're going to stop him? I'll give the nod to Indy.
Running Back Joseph Addai is a great back, no doubt about it. He's quick and can cut through defenders with the best of them. The Saints, however, have their own set of weapons in the backfield, consisting of Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, and Mike Bell. Bush is a phenomenal athlete, and has really stepped up his game since the post-season began. But then you have a bulkier guy like Thomas to change the pace, and then a goal line back in Bell. The three-headed monster is hard to pull off, but the Saints have done it well. Advantage: New Orleans.
Wide Receiver Out of all the receivers playing in this game, Reggie Wayne would have to be my pick for the best of the bunch. That's not to say, however, that there aren't other stellar options out there. Marques Colston comes to mind. Then you have the silent-but-deadly wideouts in Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson. Then there's the Colts, who other than Wayne have a rather young core of receivers such as Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie. To me, though, the guy who separates the boys from the men in this game is Dallas Clark. While he's technically a Tight End, the guy is an absolute play maker, and can be the difference in the game this Sunday. Slight edge to Indianapolis.
Offensive Line The Colts line is arguably one of the best in the game. The aforementioned Joseph Addai was able to surmount over 800 yards on the ground during the regular season, and the team as a whole garnered well over a thousand. The stat that jumps out is the fact that Manning was sacked just ten times this season. TEN times! That's less that once a game. David Carr couldn't dream of a game with less than five. The Saints blockers aren't too shabby either, as they allowed the three main backs to gain at least 300 yards each on the ground, with Bell and Thomas each surpassing the 600 yard mark. Individually, those aren't the best of numbers, but looking at the three as a whole, it's quite impressive. Brees was sacked twenty times this year, twice as many as Manning, but the staggering thing is that he fumbled nine times and lost six of those. That could be the difference between a Super Bowl victory and a long trip back to New Orleans for the Saints. Colts with the edge again.
Defense During the 2009 regular season, the Saints defensive unit managed to intercept the opposing quarter back 26 times, and sack him 35 times. They also managed to turn the ball over into the endzone five times. Similarly, the Colts ended up with 23 sacks, but only 14 interceptions. The big factor is going to be whether or not Dwight Freeney is able to play. If he doesn't, Brees could have a field day with these guys. I'll take the Saints in thie category.
Special Teams This one seems relatively easy to me. When you have a guy like Reggie Bush on your team, who can hurt their opponent in so many different ways, you have to like your chances. Bush is not only a great runner, not only a great pass-catcher out of the backfield, but also an excellent special teams player. He, alone, will make the difference in this aspect of the game. Could we see a repeat of 2007 when Devin Hester pulled this off against the same Indianapolis Colts?
Kicker It seems almost pointless to include the kicking game in the discussion of important players, but kickers most certainly have a great impact on a game, and we've seen that more than ever this post-season. Supposed "clutch" kickers have shanked field goals time and time again, causing would-be winners to pack their bags. So which one of these teams has the guy who will make that game-winning kick, should the situation present itself? Well statistically, both Garrett Hartley and Matt Stover have been perfect on all field goal and extra point attempt during their run in the post-season. Hartley, however, has only had to kick two of them, while Stover has drilled five down the middle. Given a choice between the vet and the kid, I'll take the one with more experience and more proof of his adequacy. Colts get the nod.
Coach Finally, we come to the leaders of the pack. Sean Payton and Jim Caldwell have each done a fantastic job in getting their respective clubs to the championship game, despite both having been heavily criticized at times throughout the year, particularly Caldwell. But both men proved that they know exactly what they're doing, and should not be questioned for their actions. Coming from the Cowboys organization, coach Payton has almost instantly cemented his legacy as the greatest coach New Orleans has ever had, while Caldwell has done an excellent job filling in for the recently retired Tony Dungy. Neither guy has Super Bowl experience, but Payton has sure gotten a whiff of the Lombardi Trophy, coming up just a game shy of the Super Bowl in 2007. In a toss-up, I'll take Payton.
And now for the moment of truth. When matched up head to head, you can tell just how even these two clubs really are. Each has a stellar offense anc coaching staff, while each of their defenses is lacking. Both sides have big playmakers, as well. Wayne and Clark for the Colts, Colston and Bush for New Orleans. The game comes from sunny Miami, and features two dome-playing teams, so no real advantage there. But the one thing separating these two mirror images from one another is the 'e' word, and that's experience. Manning has been here before, and no longer has those doubts he had several years ago when he couldn't get past Brady and the Pats. Those days are over, my friend. Peyton is clearly on a mission, and while a New Orleans victory would be nothing less than magical, I believe the Colts will close the book on this fairytale one chapter early and capture their second title in four years. With my 6-0record in the Super Bowl on the line, I'll take Indianapolis in a shootout.
Colts-38 Saints-34
Regardless of who wins, this is sure to be a classic. So sit back, relax, and eat lots of food this Sunday. But most importantly, enjoy the show!
Welcome back, sportz freaks to another edition of Z Money's Sportz Talk. Some of you might be wondering if this blog is specifically designed to cover football and football alone. Well, fear not, because Sportz Talk is your home for all kinds of sportz. Since the NFL is currently in the home stretch of the season, and with so many questions about it left unanswered, I figured who better to answer these questions than myself? For this reason, the next two posts will still be revolving around football, but after the second one you can safely look forward to me discussing all sotrs of other sportz-related topics. Which brings me to today. Every year for the past three years, there has been one burning question, one unanswered question in the hearts and minds of football fanatics across the country. Or, at least it was a burning question the first two times. But here we sit at the end of yet another NFL season, and we still find ourselves asking: "Will Breatt Favre finally retire?", "Is this the end of the line for Favre?", questions of that nature. Well, as Favre has proven twice before, no one ever truly knows the answer to those questions until the next season begins: even him. Twice now, Favre has claimed that he is leaving the game of football and finally hanging up his cleats, so to speak. But just as frequently, Favre has come back weeks, sometimes months after his original announcement to take back his claim. Why is it, exactly, that Favre has such a hard time giving it up? Is it because he truly loves the game that much? Is it pure boredom at home, with the fear of watching hundreds of guys playing the game he has left forever? Or is there something else keeping Brett Favre from calling it quits for good? Hell, Kurt Warner did it last week with no problems at all. He had no regrets, he wasn't overly emotional, and you could tell that he truly meant the words that were emanating from his mouth. So why then, does Favre have such a hard time doing the same? To me, the answer is obvious: Brett Favre longs for the childhood dream that every sportz kid has ever had. Not only to work h ard and to make it all the way to the NFL, but to ride off into the sun at the end of his career. John Elway did it, so why can't Favre? It seems to me as if good ole #4 has had a very hard time coming to terms with the fact that he has not once, but twice gotten within a game of the Super Bowl in the last three seasons, and come up short both times. And believe me, I completely understand the pain he must be feeling, and the lack of closure he must have each time he hangs 'em up without that second (yes, second: Marino had zero, just saying) Super Bowl Ring on his finger. But just how many times is he going to come back and try the same thing over and over until he finally realizes the inevitable truth: that Brett Favre's glory days have come to an end. Did he have a great season this year? Absolutely. But the issue lies further down, in that he most likely feels as if he has failed if he hasn't accomplished the storybook ending. Well, not to harp on Warner again, but again here's a guy who took his team to the championship game last season, only to lose to Pittsburgh. Then he comes back this year to give it one more go, and after one thrilling playoff victory, is unable to get the Cards back to the big game. But you don't see him complaining, do you? And do you know why that is? Simply put, Warner appreciates everything he was graced with from birth, and Favre simply does not. Does that sound a tad bit unfair? Maybe. But if Brett Favre truly appreciated the gifts he was given and the incredible ability he had to not only make it to the NFL, not only win a Super Bowl, but to come out of the game with his head on straight and the pure satisfaction of a job-well-done. No, rather, Favre feels as if it his fortune, his destiny if you will, to win the Super Bowl and retire on top of the world. News flash: Thousands of quarterbacks have come and gone in the NFL, and hundreds upon hundreds of them leave without ever coming close to the Super Bowl, let alone having half the success Favre has had in over eighteen years. To me, this just says that Favre is a selfish human being. Do i admire his talent? Definitely. Is he a Hall of Famer? No doubt about it. But the question then, is, just how far will Favre push this gig of retiring and un-retiring until the fans finally turn on him? Until his grand legacy in the NFL is forever tarnished? my advice to you, Brett, is to officially (and permanantly) retire. No one is going to bash you because you didn't finish your career in the best possible way imaginable. No one's going to think any less of your legacy in the National Football League because you didn't come out on top. That is, unless, you keep doing this. End it now, before any serious harm to your image in the NFL can be done.
