Most people grow up watching superstars right before their very eyes. Right now, children across the country stand back and watch as Drew Brees passes his way to the Play-offs, watch as Jamal Lewis flirts with the best rushing season ever, watch as Ty Law wrecks passer after passer with skillful picks. As great as each of these players are now, they don’t begin to grasp the stuff of legend.
Legend is a term thrown around too often, it should be a term used for the truly iconic, the players who changed not just every game they played in, but the game as a whole. As great as Hall-of-Famers like Art Monk or Emmitt Thomas once were, there’s a reason their names aren’t recognized except by the greatest of sports fans. They aren’t legends, legend is the word for the men among men. What Michael Jordan was for basketball, and Wayne Gretzky for hockey, and Babe Ruth for baseball…
And what Brett Favre was to football.
If I know anything about sports, it is that the legacy of Brett Favre is unheralded, likely to never be compared to another again. Favre’s reputation in the NFL is quite simply too unique. He’s the improvisation master, with a cannon for an arm, and the uncanny ability to put the game on his back, making sure he was the man for whom fame or blame would be placed upon game’s end. As the Packers quarterback for the decade and three quarters, Favre lived or died as each game was won or lost, either throwing the key touchdown, or the crucial interception. And though Favre will always be judged by those mistake-filled moments (and there are many) his legend will live as a man whom defenses feared, and everyone respected.
Showing posts with label Favre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Favre. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
"We Want The Ball, And We're Gonna Score"
-The infamous words of Matt Hasselbeck
In 2004 the Seattle Seahawks traveled to Green Bay to battle the Packers in the play-offs. Upon entering OVERTIME, 'Hawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, when asked whether his team would like to receive the ball, stated "We want the ball, and we're gonna score." The overconfidence cost him, and he was picked off by Packers corner Al Harris. The interception was returned for the game winning touchdown.
Now, four years following the haunting incident, the Seahawks and former Packer coach Mike Holmgren return to the Bay to exorcise their demons against a formidable Packers team this weekend. The Seahawks, a mediocre team throughout the regular season thanks to the death of Shaun Alexander's legs, proved to be a force to be reckoned with against a red-hot Washington team in the first play-off game.
The problem there is, they face a great challenge in these Green Bay Packers. The Pack's offense is nearly flawless in every aspect, executing the short pass offense to the best effect we've seen in years. Nearly half of age-defying Brett Favre's passing yards come after the catch, so give these receivers some credit. Alongside the young Ryan Grant at running back, and the sharp pass defense, the Seahawks may have met their match.
Still, I like the Hawks chances here. The pass game is working well enough for them to give the Pack a fight, but the weather in Green Bay is projected to be light snow, wind, and cold. Very cold. This may force both teams to go to the run, giving Grant the chance to prove himself as an elite running back, and smart money says he will. Packers win a tight one 28-24, cause they'll get the ball, and they will score.
In 2004 the Seattle Seahawks traveled to Green Bay to battle the Packers in the play-offs. Upon entering OVERTIME, 'Hawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, when asked whether his team would like to receive the ball, stated "We want the ball, and we're gonna score." The overconfidence cost him, and he was picked off by Packers corner Al Harris. The interception was returned for the game winning touchdown.
Now, four years following the haunting incident, the Seahawks and former Packer coach Mike Holmgren return to the Bay to exorcise their demons against a formidable Packers team this weekend. The Seahawks, a mediocre team throughout the regular season thanks to the death of Shaun Alexander's legs, proved to be a force to be reckoned with against a red-hot Washington team in the first play-off game.
The problem there is, they face a great challenge in these Green Bay Packers. The Pack's offense is nearly flawless in every aspect, executing the short pass offense to the best effect we've seen in years. Nearly half of age-defying Brett Favre's passing yards come after the catch, so give these receivers some credit. Alongside the young Ryan Grant at running back, and the sharp pass defense, the Seahawks may have met their match.
Still, I like the Hawks chances here. The pass game is working well enough for them to give the Pack a fight, but the weather in Green Bay is projected to be light snow, wind, and cold. Very cold. This may force both teams to go to the run, giving Grant the chance to prove himself as an elite running back, and smart money says he will. Packers win a tight one 28-24, cause they'll get the ball, and they will score.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
