Feb 2, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NFL network on air personality Warren Sapp at radio row for Super Bowl week. The New York Giants will play the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI . Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

For full disclosure, I have to begin by saying Warren Sapp is not my favorite NFL player alumni; he’s not my favorite broadcaster; he definitely doesn’t deserve first ballot induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame; and I think he’s just a mouth with no brain.

Ok, so I’ve got that off my chest and you understand from where I arrive.

With that said, I’ve got even more venom – he should be fired from his gig as an “analyst” with the NFL Network. How he was hired for the job in the first place is beyond me, but after yesterday’s F-bomb-dropping incident, the man should be immediately thrown out the door on his ear.

Ok, so nobody’s really sure if it was Sapp in the background saying, “The f–king Bill Belichick f–king angle,” but most think it sure sounded like him … so if it walks and talks like a duck, well then it’s a duck.

Regardless of the fact that last April the guy filed for bankruptcy, allegedly owing more than $6.7 million to creditors, and also owing back child support and alimony, Sapp should be given the benefit of the doubt. But when he doesn’t have the wherewithal to control his mouth – even when he’s off-air – he doesn’t deserve to be on-air.

And where’s his apology?

The network’s Chris Rose opened today’s Free Agency Frenzy show by reading an apology, but it was so vague anyone who didn’t know the situation behind the words would have had no idea why the statement was being read.

Here’s what he had to say: “Before we give you the news of the day we want to offer an apology. Last night during some live programming, we accidentally aired an expletive. It will not happen again, so our sincerest apology to Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, the Patriots family, Robert Kraft and his entire family, a classy organization out there. Once again, it’s not who we are, it’s not what we do, and it will not happen again.”

No mention of the man who did it. Why are they protecting him? He should have been paraded in front of the camera and made to come clean.

Sapp should man up, admit he did it and then face the consequences. After all, he is a man, right? He is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, right? Which brings me to the next point. Sapp gets elected on a first ballot this spring, but you’ve got a player like Jerry Kramer – the salt of the earth, the player who led the Packers’ offensive line of the 60s and is the only member of the all-first 50-year team not in the Hall. Now that’s a travesty. Can you imagine Jerry Kramer pulling a stunt like Sapp did yesterday? Obviously not.

But I digress.

Sapp is an embarrassment. Sapp is a hood. Sapp should not be allowed to continue in his current capacity with the network.

Where are the balls of the network officials? Where is the outrage? Do your job. Rid yourself of Warren Sapp so we don’t have to continue to listen to his drivel.

And if you care to listen, here you go …

You can watch the Combine live on NFL.com.

If you enjoyed watching the big guys – offensive linemen and tight ends – running the 40, shuffling in the shuffles and vertical leaping today, then tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 24, will be even better.

That’s because we get to watch the quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers show their blazing speed, cutting abilities, throwing motions and catching abilities tomorrow starting at 9 a.m.

This is always a fun day, not only for the coaches, scouts and GMs attending the Combine, but it is also fun for the fans. And for those of use who really miss Sunday football, this might make a fine way to spend the first day of the week. Sure, there’s no Aaron Rodgers, no Jordy Nelson, no DuJuan Harris, but there may be some players who could make it off the draft board and into the Packers’ fold – though we all know that the Packers really need to go after some quality offensive linemen and defensive players who can take the Packers to the next level.

So, jog on over to the TV remote before your teenager wakes up and decides to hog the TV … this promises to be a good day of football … Heck, you might even enjoy listening to Mike Mayock drone on … well, maybe not.

Anyway, here’s Sunday’s full schedule which can be watched on the NFL Network or on NFL.com – which also includes gobs of special features, two separate cameras, and a way to follow live on Cover it Live.

Enjoy

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James Jones joined the crew at NFL Total Access to talk about the game …

Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones appeared yesterday on the NFL Network’s Total Access program Tuesday and sat with former Packer Darren Sharper, former Giant Shaun O’Hara and host Andrew Siciliano to talk about what they would do if they were the commissioner of the day.

Jones not only showed his intelligence, but also demonstrated his honesty and that he’s not afraid to say what he feels.

What would he change about the game of football, here’s what he said:

“I’d say helmet to helmet [rule] … defenders have to hit at a certain target, I think they have to eliminate that … Id rather get hit in the helmet or shoulders than have a defender take my knees out (with Darren Sharper clapping enthusiastically in the background). But I just think that as a safety and a defensive back you make your reputation as being physical which puts fear in receivers eyes like me sometimes when I’m coming across the middle and I can kinda feel the defender … I second guess myself sometimes and other receivers second guess themselves sometimes when you have a physical safety.”

When asked that he would play with less protection, Jones said:

“I wouldn’t say less protection because that’s what my helmet is for …”

Jones was then asked about the Super Bowl and the fact that next year’s Super Bowl will be played in New York, a cold weather city. ??? was asked that if it comes down to a cold weather franchise playing against a warm weather team, whether the cold weather team will have the advantage:

“I don’t think so … I’m a believer that cold is cold … the other team is going to be cold just like we’re going to be cold. You have time to prepare for it. To eliminate all this, I think we just have to keep it to a warm weather site.

In the end, Jones’s appearance was a nice break for him, the player nobody wanted in free agency a couple of years ago. He signed at a reduce rate to get back with the Packers and has made the most of it. No doubt, he will be in for a big payday if he has another big season like last year in 2013.

Check out the broadcast on NFL Network by clicking here. Not only did Jones get in some nice riffs here, but so did Sharper and ??? Pretty entertaining stuff.

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As long as the Green Bay Packers have Aaron Rodgers in the backfield, they will compete for a championship.
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Maybe they can’t find another angle, maybe it was the only thing they could think about, but NFL Network analysts Heath Evans, Lindsay Rhodes, and Willie McGinnest took a shot at answering the question – is the window closing on the Green Bay Packers?

Could Greg Jennings be headed to Minnesota to join forces with Adrian Peterson? Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The question was one asked as part of a segment where the three expressed their views on all four teams in the NFC North. As the winner of the division two straight years, the Packers, with a 15-1 divisional record over those two years, are seeing some significant changes this offseason, starting with the retirement of Donald Driver, continuing with the release of Charles Woodson and the impending departure of wide receiver Greg Jennings. Yes, it seems the old guard is starting to be a thing of the past and it’s time for a new regime.

Does that mean the window’s closing? Absolutely not. Are the other three teams doing all they can to narrow the gap? Certainly. But the Packers are a team that continues to evolve, thanks to the creative and forward thinking of Ted Thompson, Mike McCarthy and their staff. Using the draft – and even more importantly – the undrafted free agent route they continue to bring in players that up the competition on the field and deepen the talent pool of the 53-man roster.

As long as the Packers take care of their core – Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews, B.J. Raji – as well as those who make this team elite – James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Josh Sitton, T.J. Lang and that incredibly young and talented group of defensive backs, the Packers will year-in and year-out be the team to beat in the division and one of the top five teams in the conference, if not the league.

Will Desmond Bishop make a comeback after a significant injury?
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Yes, they have holes to fill (running back, offensive line, defensive line, inside linebackers), but that’s what the draft is for. There are also some important questions – will they bring back Cedric Benson? Will they keep Jermichael Finley and A.J. Hawk? Will D.J. Smith and Desmond Bishop come off their significant injuries in time to bring stability to the position? Will the young defensive backfield take the next step in 2013?

But the window is far from closing on the Green Bay Packers in 2013. They are still the elite of the division and the NFC.

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This montage of photographs were taken in the years leading up the Brett Favre’s “retirement” as a Green Bay Packer. The montage was published by The Lakeland Times.
Raymond T. Rivard photographs

In Wisconsin, he’s either revered or reviled – that would be Brett Favre, the one who for many shall not be named, for some has been called Brent, and for so many others has been placed on the pantheon of the best players ever to wear the Green and Gold of the Green Bay Packers.

He’s back in the news – this time in a report today that confirmed Favre has been named as part of the team that will cover Super Bowl XLVII for the NFL Network.

Brett Favre in 2006.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

As part of the group of ex-players and regular members of the network, Favre will spend the entire day working with Rich Eisen, Marshall Falk, Kurt Warner, and Deion Sanders, among others. The release announcing Favre’s role with the network’s Super Bowl coverage did not mention Steve Mariucci, the coach-turned-NFL Network announcer, who is one of Favre’s closest confidantes. It is expected that Favre will indeed have the opportunity to spend time with his favorite coach and good friend.

Favre, who spent the past football season as an offensive coordinator for a high school team, has also spent some time as a color man for various college football games, but this will be his first venture into the realm of the game he dominated for so many years as a player.

In an Associated Press report issued earlier today, Favre was quoted as saying that he doesn’t miss the “grind and stress of day-to-day football, but I do miss my teammates and coaches.”

This will be a different kind of grind for Favre who might be completing an audition of sorts for the broadcasting field. Many have said he might be good behind the mike, so this will be a good chance for him to prove what he can do.

And it will be interesting for us folks to see Favre back in the limelight. Aside from some truck and blue jeans commercials, Favre has been rather silent. It will be very interesting to get his impressions and take on the NFL game of 2012 and how he sees it evolving since he left the locker room.

With his work at the Super Bowl, Favre returns to the site where he led the Green Bay Packers to his only Super Bowl win when they defeated the New England Patriots, 35-21.

In another statement, Favre said that he will be happy to ”reconnect with NFL fans around the Super Bowl.”

We look forward to it, too.

This was the same camp where former Green Bay Packers right tackle Mark Tauscher was selected to the team that will broadcast with a United Kingdom network. While there is only a glimpse

Mark Tauscher was one of the former players who participated in the NFL's broadcasting bootcamp.

of Tauscher listening in during a session, which is somewhat disappointing, there is a nice closeup of former Packers linebacker Brady Poppinga giving a line.

Check out the video. It’s a nice look at the process.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/09000d5d82a3b5ee/Broadcast-Boot-Camp-Behind-the-scenes


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But you know what? Even in these days of all-day information, the news is still pretty slim. Yes, there are still people, like me, talking about all 32 teams. Blogs log multiple stories per day about their favorite teams and sometimes about the teams they don’t like so much. But this time of year the news is made up mostly of lists, lists, a couple of videos from the previous season and more lists.

In other words, not much has changed.

Take this week for instance. The news surrounding the Green Bay Packers has been so slim (with the exception of that list of all lists – the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players) that everyone clamored to hear what “He who must not be named” had to say when he had an extensive interview with Deion Sanders. Yes, we all listened because we love the guy, but also because there wasn’t much of anything else to grab on to.

But because the methods for delivery of the news have changed and there are so many outlets utilizing the technology we all enjoy, it’s much easier to find some news, any news, about your favorite team at any time of day on any day.

So, we continue our search …

At least now there’s no need to search the back pages anymore. So do a search and find something, even if it’s the most miniscule of nuggets … like this story. Not much here, but at least it’s something.

Aaron Rodgers has been named the top rated player in the NFL Network's Top 100 Players. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Should we really be at all surprised that Aaron Rodgers was just announced as the top rated National Football League player in the NFL Network’s Top 100?

Anyone who understands the game of professional football and how Aaron Rodgers led the Green Bay Packers to 15 wins last season understands his importance not only to the team, but to the entire league. Clearly, his peers understand.

Rodgers completed nearly 70 percent of his pass attempts last year, threw for more than 4,600 yards, 45 touchdowns and only six interceptions. These are statistics of a superstar and a champion. Take that, Brett.

Though the team stumbled against eventual Super Bowl winner New York Giants in the Playoffs last year, Rodgers’ season performance was good enough to earn him the Most Valuable Player Award and his ranking as the top player in the NFL.

Now it’s time for him to move ahead. Awards are great, but for Rodgers to be considered one of the greatest Packer players of all-time he’s got to continue to put up similar numbers for at least the next three to five years. Along the way, he’s got to also win at least one more championship.

He’s the best in the NFL this year, but to secure his place in the upper echelon of all-time players, not only for the Packers, but for the entire league, he’s got to continue to show that the past few seasons have not been a passing fancy (excuse the pun). He’s got the entire world in the palm of his hand, but if there’s any player in the league who is equipped to handle that pressure, it’s Rodgers. He’s been groomed to be the best; now that he’s achieved that goal, what’s left?

Rodgers will tell everyone that his competitive nature will keep him going.

We hope he lives up to that and continues to bring Packers Nation several more years of being the best.

Thanks, Aaron. And congratulations

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http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/09000d5d82a2b012/The-Top-100-Players-of-2012-Aaron-Rodgers

Gregg Jennings has burned plenty of defensive backs in the league. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver Greg Jennings was highly undervalued with his 74th rating in last year’s “The Top 100: Players of 2011.”

This year at least he’s given a better rating revealed in the most recent airing of “The Top 100: Players of 2012.” This year he dropped 18 places to the 56th top rated player.

Still too low? Yes, in my estimation. Rarely does this man drop a ball and how many times have you seen him come up with the clutch catch to turn a game? Plenty.

IMO, he is highly underrated, considering he is the number one wideout on a team that is said by many to have the best receiving corps in the league.

And what’s up with Jordy Nelson being rated 80th? Really? Talk about a clutch player. Sure, he’s had his drops, but the blazer has burned plenty of defensive backs in the league to garner a higher rating … but that’s my opinion.

Despite the fact that this is a highly unscientific rating, this is a program worth watching. Watching how players rise and fall in a single season is fascinating.

Keep watching …

http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/09000d5d82949f2d/Charles-Tillman-Ryan-Kalil-Jeff-Faine

NFL Network announcer Warren Sapp has declared bankruptcy. Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

The news today that seven-time Pro Bowler and NFL Network loudmouth Warren Sapp has filed for bankruptcy. The Associated Press says he owes more than $6.7 million to creditors, also owing back child support and alimony.

Wow!

How does this happen to a highly successful player who spent years making millions of dollars? In fact, his MONTHLY income is reported to be $115,000. Among the assets he lists? Lots of shoes and a lion skin rug.

According to published reports, here is a description:

Sapp’s $6.45 million in assets includes 240 pairs of Jordan athletic shoes worth almost $6,500, a $2,250 watch and a lion skin rug worth $1,200. He also reported losing his 2002 Super Bowl ring with the Bucs and his 1991 national championship ring from the University of Miami.

Remember his blindside hit on Packers offensive tackle Chad Clifton and his face-to-face showdown with then-head coach Mike Sherman? Those incidents, his continued head-butting with Brett Favre and many other run-ins with players and coaches throughout his career were only superseded by his flapping lips – something that he’s carried into the NFL Network’s studios. He most recently got himself into hot water when he called tight end Jeremy Shockey as the “snitch” responsible for the New Orleans Saints’ Bountygate.

According to the bankruptcy filing, his NFL Network contract is up in August. We wonder if he will be renewed.

He was a great player, no doubt. He recorded 96.5 sacks in a career in Tampa Bay and Oakland, but that doesn’t matter now.

Sapp’s situation is a sad, sad statement on our society and an embarrassment to a supposed superstar who can’t support his children and former mate … consider all those in the world who don’t have a roof over their heads nor food in their stomachs. It’s pretty difficult to be feeling sorry for Mr. Sapp.

In fact, his last name says it all … yes, he is a sap.

Seated nicely inside the stadium prior to the Pro Bowl, the triumvirate  talks about just how loaded this team is and how they will only improve with the addition of draft picks at the start of a season where they will again be hungry to get back to the Super Bowl. They also debate the issue of “rust” and whether the Packers should have rested their starters at the end of the season.

In retrospect, I feel the Packers probably should have played their starters, Aaron Rodgers in particular in that final regular season game against the Detroit Lions – three weeks is a long time to be off the field for any player – even the potential MVP.

But it’s a debate that is sure to rage for years to come as other teams encounter the same question.

In the meantime, take three minutes to watch this video. It’s worth it and will surely get all Packers fans primed for the coming season … is it August yet?

Check it out here … and Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Not all NFL cheerleaders are supermodels; Check out the video slideshow after the jump. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

OK, color me surprised – Darren Rovell of NBC’s SportsBiz, recently released his list of the NFL’s top 10 best cheerleading squads and nowhere on that list was the squad that works their butts off at every home Green Bay Packers game.

Check out Rovell’s list … it’s eye candy to the max.

But my argument is that these gals (no, I didn’t see a single dude) are not cheerleaders – they are dancers. No doubt they are skilled dancers. They can shake with the best of them and to watch their synchronization is well worth the time. Not only do these “cheerleaders” entertain the crowds across the league during halftimes, time outs, and probably before and after each game, but they have their own websites, swimsuit photo shoots, personal trainers and many other marketing ventures that make them well-known within their cities and football communities.

And to become a member of these groups is indeed a highly competitive venture. Have you ever seen the reruns of the programs about some of these units on the NFL Network? They are broadcast seemingly nonstop throughout the offseason when most dudes are back into baseball mode.

Anyway, my point here is that while this is a great list put together by Rovell, nowhere mentioned are the “real” cheerleaders that represent the Green Bay Packers.

We know why.

See the video slideshow after the jump and while you’re at it Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

(more…)

It was one of the coldest days in Packers history, and one of the most bitter losses in franchise history. That game will be rebroadcast tonight on the NFL Network ... should you want to watch.

Packers fans might not want to watch, or if you do you might want to cover your eyes. Giants fans rejoice.

Tonight, Monday, Jan. 9, 7:30 p.m. (Central time), NFL Network will rebroadcast the 2007 NFC Championship Game played at Lambeau Field. The Giants would go on in an epic upset of the previously unbeaten New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past six year, we don’t have to tell you what happened in this game … and if you have indeed been living under that proverbial rock … then you might want to watch.

Oh yeah, you might remember that this was also Brett Favre’s final game as a member of the Green Bay Packers …

And another thing, there were many players who are current members both teams who played in that 2007 game. Many of them remember the ecstasy of victory and the agony of defeat. For the Packers, a few of those on the down side were Chad Clifton, Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, and Charles Woodson.

However, there was one player who was dressed and on the Packers’ sidelines that day ready to play, but didn’t get a single snap …

Aaron Rodgers.

Well, the program was held and thanks to Taryn Parker, a regular reader of this blog, a video of some of the highlights have been made available here.

“it’s a great glimpse of how the community embraced and honored this legendary Hall of Famer and we hope you’ll consider posting this to share with fans who didn’t get a chance to attend in person,” Parker said.

We are honored to provide this short glimpse into the event honoring Starr, still one one of the greatest players and most revered Packers ever to be affiliated with the franchise.

Enjoy clip … And as an added bonus, we’ve added another video, the award-winning NFL Network’s “America’s Game” featuring the 1966 Packers.

Ok, so does Deion Sanders know more than we think he knows?

Maybe Deion Sanders knows more than most would expect.

You see, it was one month ago that Sanders went on record saying he felt the Bears had a better chance of challenging the Packers for the North Division title or at least to take over second best in the division.

At that time, Sanders was heard on the NFL Network saying that he “loved the Packers,” but it was the Lions who got a tongue lashing at the time … the other hosts on the program attacked Sanders and questioned his logic.

Well, after the last couple of weeks, Sanders is all of a sudden looking like a genius. With the Lions dropping two straight in the friendly confines of Ford Field, it looks like this team is simply ordinary. Losing to San Francisco and Atlanta, the Lions had little teeth in either its offense or defense.

(more…)

Aaron Rodgers is the leader of the Pack. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Aaron Rodgers has had to deal with the question for years and he’s certainly developed a solid answer to it.

When he sat down with Michael this week to shoot an NFL Network segment, Rodgers was asked the inevitable question.

Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Press Gazette posted this snippet that’s scheduled to air Sunday on the NFL Network’s NFL Gameday Morning:
Michael Irvin: “Why is it that Brett Favre is making comments about Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers?”

Aaron Rodgers: “I think you need to have a sit-down with him and ask him that question. But I think the great thing about this team is it’s a group of individuals who came together collectively to accomplish an incredible goal. We don’t really have a lot of distractions, there are not a lot of people outside of the building whose opinions really factor into our daily football lives and that’s what’s keeping us focused on being the best each week.”

Irvin: “A reporter is going to ask you every moment he gets about Brett Favre. Do you feel like this is ever going to go away?”

The questions about Brett Favre will always haunt Aaron Rodgers. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Rodgers: “I don’t think so. On some level, you need to embrace the fact that you’re mentioned with a future Hall of Famer in the same sentence a lot. I’m always going to be the guy that followed him regardless of what happens. I’m hopeful that we can go down in a similar sense and way that Joe Montana and Steve Young are talked about. I’m hopeful that I’m going to have a long career here and opportunity to win a lot more championships.”

Way to go, Aaron!

And here’s the video clip:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/09000d5d822e50c5/Sunday-Sitdown-Aaron-Rodgers

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ESPN’s Kevin Seifert has his five questions he would ask Favre at the interview.  The highlight (or the “bomb” question as we like to call it):

A conspiracy theorist could conclude you’re at the end of a remarkable manipulation to get from Green Bay to Minnesota against the Packers’ wishes and despite a “poison pill” inserted into trade language last summer. The plan would include announcing your retirement in February and then quietly asking for your release after the New York Jets drafted your replacement. Try talking us out of that one.

Seifert opened up the comments for the readers to give some of their questions.  And there are some good ones.

From melliot74:

Would you please just go away?

JamesIII012:

6. Why do i read about you?
7. What are the chances of you having a good second half of the season?
8. Are [you] certified to fit me for a pair of Wranglers?
9. Do you care that you have permanently tarnished you legacy?
10. Not a question but you will get pwned this year and i gurantee it

cranksandbeans:

1) Will you be chartering a sex boat to win over your new team mates?

2) How many more playoff intecep… uh, I mean runs do you think you have left in you?

pjacobsen699:

3. Is the high you are feeling from the constant manipulation of your idolators on par with 3 Budweisers and 1 Vicodin, or more like 3 Vics and a 12-pack?

I think it’s safe to say that the masses are through with this story and just want it to end.  Unfortunately, it’ll just keep going.  Now, the five questions I would ask Favre:

1. What is going through your head with all of this?

2. Do you feel a team is stronger if they have a great back like Adrian Peterson and (less than) decent wide receivers like Bernard Berrian and Sidney Rice?  Or do you feel that a team is stronger with great wide receivers like Donald Driver and Greg Jennings and a decent running back like Ryan Grant was during the 2007 season?

3. What is the exact source of your ill-will towards Ted Thompson?  The drafting of Aaron Rodgers to be your successor?  Not acquiring Randy Moss?  Or what?

4. What are your thoughts on Aaron Rodgers, NFL quarterback, not Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre’s successor?

5. If you run out onto Lambeau Field on Sunday, November 1, 2009 as a member of the Minnesota Vikings, what thoughts will be running through your mind?  What will your feelings towards the fans of Green Bay be?

Bonus question: What if this doesn’t work out?  At all?

There we have my questions.  Feel free to chime in with your own.

Again on JSOnline, Michael Hunt has a great piece highlighting the last year and how Favre’s actions this year have made him look like one of the most egotistical athletes of all time.

Remember how he flew into Green Bay last summer in one of the most egocentric stunts ever pulled by a professional athlete. Remember how it was his intention all along to play for the Vikings after his first retirement. And remember how he began to distance himself from his teammates by dressing in a private chamber, away from the locker room.

If Favre wants to play for the Vikings because they have a scary good defense and a freak-of-nature running back, and if he truly believes he can somehow stay within himself to become that final piece to get them to the Super Bowl, then more power to him.

But if his driving motivation is to stick it to Ted Thompson, such an impulse would be misplaced and pathetic beyond reason, sort of like the way Warren Spahn ended his Hall of Fame career in New York and San Francisco.

Either way, should Favre decide to further risk his dignity and legacy by dragging himself back on the field with Minnesota, he would do so without the heroic illusions that accompanied his 16 seasons in Green Bay. And there would be the good in crossing over, because if anyone didn’t know it by now, these are just guys, most of whom don’t play for altruistic reasons.

It’s a great piece.  Head on over to read the whole thing.

Because of instantaneous new media, such as Twitter, we’re able to get a constant view on things that are going on.  Take NFL Networks Scott Hanson‘s (@hansonscott) latest tweets from today:

Back in good ol Hattiesburg. Might have a Brett Favre update later. To quote [Brad] Childress, “stay tuned”…
about 8 hours ago from mobile web

Waiting at the airport for Favre to take a private jet to NY for his Joe Buck interview. If we catch his departure, you’ll c on NFLN.
about 6 hours ago from web

They are fueling up the jet we think Favre will be on. First video of Brett post-op soon… we hope.
about 4 hours ago from web

Jet has been fired up on for over an hour… no Favre. (maybe changed mind?) ha – that would re-define irony.
about 2 hours ago from mobile web

And we have a Favre sighting. Got in the jet and just took off 10 sec ago. How’d he look?
27 minutes ago from mobile web

how’d he look? watch NFL Network and find out. (and check out his right hand/arm.)
24 minutes ago from mobile web

In my humble opinion, this is just insane.  Of course, we all want to know what is going on with Favre as soon as we can, but putting the “Favre-arazzi” out there to Tweet is every move is a little over the top.  I feel NFL Network is so much stronger than ESPN, but this is an ESPN-like move right here, to film the flight’s departure from Hattiesburg.  And it’s not even like he’s going to Minnesota to meet with Childress and Zygi Wilf.  He’s meeting with Joe Buck.

The Joe Buck angle is another interesting aspect of this scenario.  How will Buck interview him?  According to sources, the interview is supposed to “revolve around the celebrity status of pro athletes.”  I doubt that will last.  I have never seen Buck give a one-on-one interview such as this, so I have no idea how he will deal with Favre.  If definitely will not be like Favre and Greta Van Susteren last year, and I doubt it will approach the Alex Rodriguez and Peter Gammons lovefest that came after the New York Yankees star’s steroid admittance.  If it was an ESPN interview, we would definitely expect that, as all the ESPN personalities have reputations for being on their knees for Favre making any interview on ESPN for Favre impossible to take seriously.  But for Buck, this is different.  If he conducts a smooth interview and does not cater to Favre’s ego and asks Favre the tough questions, I will have a whole new respect for him.  If he peters out as the interview continues, he will fall down the list of my respected broadcasters.  Buck’s reputation could be as much as stake as Favre’s.  After all, he will have to broadcast a Packers-Vikings game this year for Fox.

So there we have.  Five hours and twenty minutes until interview time.  Let’s see what happens.

Favre would be right at home under the big top right now.  By himself with all the attention, of course.