More so than any of regular season in the last 8 years, this one has by far been the most rocky, the most frustrating, and the most turbulent in terms of the roster. We started out with news that our famed WR was wrongly flogged by the national media for an incident occurring outside a bar he owned involving a known felon causing trouble. That news was followed by our QB being shutdown for Training Camp and preseason because of an infection in his knee. Then, our young, promising DT decided (while he was driving to Terre Haute) to turn around and retire; just like that. Training Camp saw us lose our kick returner for the year, and as camp wound down and pre-season started, the team looked shaky.

The grand opening of Lucas Oil Stadium was a dud, as the Colts lost badly to a Bears team that will likely not make the playoffs. Our QB looked weak, injured, and out-of-rhythm. After that humiliating defeat, Indy's other young DT decided to get high and take a late night joy ride. He was arrested, and then cut from the team the next day. Following a narrow escape against the Vikings, injuries started to mount. Bob Sanders was hurt and put on the shelf for a month, and since returning has been in and out of the lineup. The weeks after the Minnesota win saw nothing but inconsistency, and at the mid-point the Indianapolis Colts were 3-4 and had just suffered a devastating loss to the Tennessee Titans in Nashville; on Monday Night Football, no less. Losing is torture enough. Listening to the babbling fool that is Tony Kornheiser while you are losing is cruel and unusual punishment. After the loss, things really did seem to look bleak. The botched 11th hour trade for Bills DT John McCargo seemed to put a cherry on the first eight weeks of football. Things were low. Things looked dark. Life as a Colts fan was miserable.

Then, something happened.

This team decided that they were not going to simply pack it in and hope for things to turn their way next year. Despite all the bad breaks, the injuries, the sloppy officiating (like the first Jaguars game), and teammates out-and-out quitting on the club, the rest of the squad rallied together. Since that loss to the Titans way back in October, the Colts have won 8 straight games, including a hell-and-back stretch which saw them play New England, Pittsburgh, and San Diego back to back to back. After that 3-4 start, they have rallied back to earn an 11-4 record. Our team's QB, Peyton Manning, will indeed win his third MVP (tying him with Brett Favre as the only player with three league MVP awards). Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis have battled back from last years injuries to become the best DE tandem in football. And for all the glory he has achieved as a coach, the season which sees Tony Dungy set an NFL record by getting to the playoffs for ten straight years (with two different teams) might be the best season he has coached, ever.

When I look at all this team has gone through, I can't help but feel very, very happy for them and our city. They do us very proud. They never bow down. Never give in. Never give up.

Never doubt.

They were never in doubt of each other. That's what a real team looks like, folks. A real one.

So, no matter what happens this year in the playoffs, this regular season has been one of the best I have ever witnessed as a fan. No, the football was not pretty. It was not perfect. That is not what I watch football for. If I wanted pretty and perfect, I'd watch figure skating or ballet. That is their essence. The essence of American football is watching a team pick themselves up from the mud together, stand tall together, and defy the odds together.

Today, our team has come full circle, in a way. The winning streak (8 games) started after Indy lost at Tennessee. Even though this game today is meaningless, and even though players like Albert Haynesworth, Bob Sanders, Kyle Vanden Bosh, Gary Brackett, and Dominic Rhodes will not play, there is a part of me that really wants to win this game. I've seen a great deal of improvement from these guys since the Titans loss back in October. The addition of former Titan Antonio Johnson has helped solidify the DT position, along with the play of Daniel Muir and rookie Eric Foster.

The playoffs are a whole new season, everyone. What you did during this season is almost meaningless there. So, as this regular season closes, let's give some love to our guys. They battled back when everyone counted them out, and if they win today they would have the second best regular season record in the AFC (even though they will be the 5th seed in the playoffs). This is a strong, gutty team and this has been a very memorable regular season.

Go Colts!

Seriously folks, it is over. Peyton Manning is the 2008 NFL MVP. His only "competition" laid an egg at home to the Tavaras Jackson-led Vikings. For those keeping score, Kurt Warner has nearly the same stats this year as he did last year. Oh, and he's fumbled the ball 10 times this year, losing 6 of them. Yep, real MVP stuff there.

Meanwhile, Peyton Manning just helped his team win their 7th game in a row. His completition percentage is now back up over 65%, and he's tossed 23 TDs and only 12 INTs with one fumble (not lost).

Again, Warner has 19 turnovers this year. Manning has 12. This is no longer a debate. Chad Pennington is more of an MVP candidate now than Kurt Warner, who STILL can't play well when his team plays a quality opponent.

Over! Done! Kaput! If one more dumb ESPN "blogger" writes that Kurt Warner is his MVP, my virtual foot is going up his virtual behind. Honestly, do these guys even watch the games? What the hell has Warner done other than win the worst division in football with just 8 wins?

Real MVP candidates this far:

Peyton Manning, Colts (Why? This team would have 6 wins without him)

Adrian Peterson, Vikings (Why? Best back in football)

Chad Pennington, Dolphins (Why? Only 6 turnovers all year; took 1-15 team from a year ago and turned them into playoff contender)

Who's gone from MVP discussion (i.e., if you still consider these guys MVPs, you're a moron):

Kurt Warner, Cardinals (Captain Fumbleator is a turnover machine)

Brett Favre, Jets (Turnovers, sloppy play, lost to 49ers)

Matt Ryan, Falcons (Impressive rookie, but Michael Turner is that team's MVP)

Editor's Note:  Be sure to get your picks in for the Stampede Blue Prediction Contest.  You have until 1:00 ET Sunday.  Get your picks in sooner rather than later.

Welcome to Week 11 of your Fantasy Football Sleepers and Busts.  I'll review last week before going into this week's studs and duds.

Sleepers:

• Matt Ryan:  250 passing, 0 TD/1 INT, 18 rush yds = 9 pts.  The Broncos actually shut him down, although the same couldn't be said about Michael Turner.  No TDs mean a bad week for fantasy QBs.
  
• Pierre Thomas:  88 yds rush, 1 TD, 55 yds rec = 19 pts.  Big week for the Saints backup RB, as they finally won a road game.  He could have another decent week this week against GB on Monday night.
  
• Bobby Engram:  30 yards = 3 pts.  I'm done taking Seahawk players.  They aren't worth anything, especially WR.
  

Busts:

• Tony Romo: 198 yds passing, 1 TD/2 INT = 9 pts.  Romo struggled in his first game back, but did get the win, thanks to his battering-ram RB Marion Barber.  I'll take it.
  
• LaDainian Tomlinson: 57 yds rushing, 1 TD, 45 receiving = 15 pts. Tomlinson played much better this week against a very good Steeler defense.  Hopefully it doesn't carry over to this week.
  
• T.J. Houshmandzadeh: 149 yards, 1 TD = 20 pts.  I picked the wrong Bengal WR.  T.J. had a huge week.
  

My bonus pick of Jake Delhomme was not a good one.  Only 98 yds passing, 1 TD = 9 pts.  I can't believe I played him over Shaun Hill last week.  At least I still won.

So I was 2 / 7 last week, and 40/75 for the season. I need to do a better job this week.  I've been struggling.  Here are you fantasy nuggets for Week 12:

Sleepers:

• Jason Campbell vs. SEA:  Jim Zorn returns to where he was coaching last year.  I'm sure he is very familiar with what the Seahawks do, and will help his QB have a big week.  The Redskins desparately need a win, and Campbell should help them do just that.
  
• Justin Fargas vs. DEN: Darren McFadden is back healthy, so he probably won't get as many carries as he has been getting.  However, the Broncos are bad against the run, and Fargas wants to keep his job.  Expect good things from him this week.
  
• Donnie Avery vs. CHI:  The Bears have been torched through the air the past 2 weeks by the Titans and Packers.  I know the Rams are awful, but they have shown, at times, to be able to throw the ball with some consistency.  The Bears are 31st against WR this season, so there is a chance the Rams could find their passing game again this week.
  

Busts:

• Brett Favre vs. TEN: Favre hasn't thrown an INT in 3 weeks.  I think that ends this week.  As much as I want the Jets to win, I just can't see it happening.  Favre is going to take some ill-advised risks, and it will cost him.
  
• Brian Westbrook vs. BAL:  Andy Reid all but decided he didn't want to run the ball last week, as McNabb threw 58 times against a bad Bengals time.  Now they play a legitimate defense in Baltimore.  Don't expect Westbrook to do much.
  
• Roddy White vs. CAR: The Falcons got stomped by the Panthers the first time around, and I'm thinking the same will happen again.  Matt Ryan struggled, meaning White struggled.  Expect more of the same this week.
  

Bonus pick:  Jeff Garcia vs. DET. Garcia is playing one of his former teams this week, and should shred up that defense.  We're just 1 week away from 11-0 vs. 0-11.  I can't wait.

Weekly Derek Anderson "bust" pick:  Quinn got his first win on Monday night, thanks to the big leg of Phil Dawson, and Trent Edwards pulling a Peyton in the first quarter, throwing 3 INTs.  This week, he's playing with a broken finger in his throwing hand.  Let's see how this works out against the team the Colts beat last week, the Texans.

via www2.indystar.com

This weekend was a great weekend of football (and not just in the NFL), and there are lots of fun facts that occurred, a couple of them pertaining specifically to the Colts (All information comes from Elias, via ESPN.  Hit the link for more nuggets):

• The Vikings were 109-0 all time when they had at least a 15 point lead at home in the second half.  They are now 109 - 1.
• The Colts had gone 28 straight regular season games (33 incl. playoffs) without being shutout in the first half.  The last time it happend was Oct. 8, 2006 at home vs. Tennessee.  Strangely, dating back to 2002, the Colts have won 6 of 7 games in which they were shutout in the first half.  The one loss?  The first loss of 2005, which occurred in Week 15.
• Adam Vinatieri's GW 47 yard FG was his longest since a 48 yarder vs. Denver in 2006.  Last season, he set an NFL record for most FGs in a season (23) without having one over 40 yards.
• Brandon Marshall, with his 18 catches on Sunday, now has 55 pass receptions in his previous 5 games.  This breaks the previous record of receptions in a 5 game span of 52, previously held by Marvin Harrison (2002).
• Peyton was passed by his little brother Eli Sunday on the Most TD passes/start in September list.  Eli now has 23 TDs in 12 starts (1.92), which is second all time.  Peyton has 66 TDs in 35 starts (1.89).  Who's first?  Brett Favre, with 2.00 TDs/start in September.
• There were 8 games in which the winning team was trailing in the 4th quarter, which is third-most in NFL History.  Two times there were 9 such wins (Week 5 1990 and Week 2 1997)

Tom Brady and Vince Young got hurt and left their games, but both their teams won anyway. Brett Favre helped his new team, the Jets, win, and Philly plastered the Rams. Even Reggie Bush decided to show up.

Here is your open thread for the late games. Still no news on Brady, whose knee injury looked bad. I'm watching the Browns and Cowboys.

Not long ago, MasterRWayne provided us a great article breaking down the benefits of the Cover 2 defense and why it is the premiere defensive scheme in the modern NFL. A small follow up with that: Teams like the Denver Broncos are going back to the Cover 2 after a year of trying something else.

On the heals of that article, I offer this story detailing the area the Indianapolis Colts are most known for: Their offense.

Before I get into how the Colts run their offense, I'd like to offer up another team's offense, just for comparison's sake. Refer to the image below:

The offense pictured here is the offense the NY Jets use. The player designated #4 is someone you might have heard of recently. This package is used and tweaked by many well known coordinators, such as Al Sanders and Mike Martz. As the arrows indicate, there is a lot of pre-snap movement. The slot receiver (89) moves all the way down the line; the tight end on the line shifts down into an off-set I formation, and the outside receiver (in this case, rookie TE Dustin Keller) moves over to #86's old position. This all happens at the same time prior to the snap of the ball.

The idea of all this movement is to (hopefully), create confusion within the ranks of the opposing defense. In this example, the defense is in a base 3-4 alignment with 3 down linemen, 4 linebackers, 2 corners, and 2 safeties. The defensive player colored in a lighter blue is the free safety. He's lined up against #81: Dustin Keller. So, pre-snap and prior to all this movement, the defense is in good shape scheme-wise to combat this formation.

Now, look at both formations after all this movement:

As you can see, the defense has adjusted to the offense's pre-snap movement, with a corner on #89, who is now an outside receiver, not a slot receiver. #81 is now in a TE stance on the line with #86 lined up as, essentially, a FB. The Jets could run or throw out of this alignment, but key here is the defense is still in a good scheme to stop this attack. The safeties are in an umbrella coverage, able to either support the run, double the TE, or help the corners over the top. The defensive scheme also allows as many as three linebackers to blitz.

So, despite all this pre-snap movement, with slot receivers moving outside and TEs pretending to be FBs, the defense is still in good shape to stop the play. Makes you wonder: Why bother with all the damn movement?

For the last five to six years, the Rams, Chiefs, Redskins, and Jets have deployed this type of offense at one time or another. Obviously, with the right playmakers, any offense is likely to work. But, that is an awful lot of pre-snap work to go from a 3 WR set to an off-set I formation.

What's that?

All this blackboard work with pretty arrows and circles is boring you? OK, this should wake you up:

via The Big Lead and www.cosmospice.com

Ok, we awake now? Good. Back to the Colts offense.

Now that we've seen an offense that likes to move all its players around before the ball is snapped, let's contrast that with the Colts offense. In 2008, the Colts will run a base 3 wide receiver offense. This means 3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 RB, QB, and the standard 5 o-linemen. For years, the base offensive package for the Colts was a 2 TE offense, utilizing Dallas Clark and Ben Utecht. With Utecht in Cincy now, the Colts feel that the more second year slot receiver Anthony Gonzalez is on the field, the better their offense will be. Thus, more Gonzo than TE Gijon Robinson (who will likely replace Utecht this year). Reference the image below for how this base 3 WR offense looks:

Now, notice our friend on the defense, Mr. Safety. Right away, without any pre-snap movement or other such foolishness, the Colts offense has an immediate advantage over this 3-4 defense. Slot receiver Anthony Gonzalez (#11) is matched up against a safety. Folks, that match-up will result in one of two things: A first down, or a touchdown. Anytime you have a WR matched up one-on-one with a safety, the QB is licking his chops. They can't get the ball snapped to them fast enough.

Now, I think I know what some of you are thinking: Well, the defense will just substitute a corner for a linebacker.

Ahhhhhhhhhh, no, no, no my friend. Not if the offense goes no huddle. If the offense goes no huddle and walks to the line, the defense cannot substitute. And even if they did, that would mean the 3-4 defense would no longer be a 3-4 defense. It would be 3-3-5 (3 linemen, 3 LBers, 5 defensive backs). This means fewer players that can rush the passer, and it means the defense's 3rd corner is matched up against Gonzo. In most cases, that's still a mis-match. Also, if the defense subs in a corner, the Colts can still RUN out of this formation. That means one less linebacker to tackle Joseph Addai; still a winning scheme for Indy. Because the Colts run so well out of this formation, it creates great opportunities for play action passes.

It's this formation that drove the Patriots nuts in the AFC Championship game in 2006, but at that time Indy used TE Dallas Clark (#44) as the slot receiver. This took New England out of their comfort zone in their 3-4, allowing Peyton Manning to carve them up.

What sets the Colts apart from most other offenses is not fancy scheming, short crossing routes (i.e., the West Coast offense), or spread formations with 4 or 5 wide receivers. The Colts offense has been the most prolific offense in NFL history because it is so simple; so coldly efficient. From this basic 3 WR formation, Peyton Manning can audible into dozens of plays, with receivers running multiple routes. He can cancel Addai's route on one play and make him a blocker. He can call on Gonzo to run a post pattern instead of a quick out. The key is that each individual team member must know exactly what their job is on any given play. If one receiver runs the wrong route or a back misses his blocking assignment... well, what we get is the San Diego game last year which saw Peyton Manning throw 6 INTs.

Obviously, much of the offense's success is a result of Manning, but take note that the Bengals, Steelers, and the Patriots have adopted similar offensive philosophies. Wes Welker was the slot receiver last season in NE. Ben Roethlisberger had a career year in 2007 running a no-huddle attack implemented by Bruce Arians, Peyton Manning's former QB coach. And Cincy has long tried to mirror the Colts offense with Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, and Rudy Johnson. The one element they've missed is a good TE, which is why they grabbed former-Colts TE Ben Utecht this off-season.

Hope this gives you a better idea of how Indy's offense works. And, if the post bored the utter piss out of you, I leave you with this, just to sharpen your senses:

Alyssa Milano is a known Colts fans. Therefore, we like her.

And she's hot, and stuff.

Photo via images.askmen.com

Philip Wheeler returned to practice today playing SAM linebacker. From an update on Colts.com, we know that:

• Wheeler is back and SS Melvin Bullitt, who sprained his thumb, will be back soon too.
• Roy Hall made a sick grab in the morning practice:

  Hall, a second-year wide receiver who spent much of last season on injured reserve, ran a deep route down the right sideline and from around the offense’s 40-yard line, quarterback Quinn Gray threw a high, arching pass.

  Hall, at 6-feet-4, 240 pounds the Colts biggest wide receiver, leapt in the air, and caught the pass as he landed on his back inside the 10-yard line.

• Wheeler returned to camp and said HELLO to Clifton Dawson, popping him after an incompletion.
  
• Marvin Harrison continues to impress, and looks healthy.
• The team is very happy to have Dominic Rhodes back. Dungy is leaning on him as a leader. In an interview on Colts.com, Dungy said he asked Dom and Addai to focus on a few "specific details" in camp. This way, these details rub off on the younger backs.
  
• The Colts have some tough decisions to make at WR this year. With Hall making circus grabs and Devin Aromashodu coming on strong, this leaves Garcon, Giguere, and Courtney Roby (who has also looked good) out in the cold.
• Dungy elaborated on Quinn Pitcock's situation:

  "[Quinn is] going through some personal things and he’s going to let us know when he can be back," Dungy said. "That’s really all I can say at this point.

• Non-Colts related, but still NFL related, Deshawn Zombie summed up best my own personal feeling about this Brett Favre thing in Green Bay, and how stupid management is handling it:

  I swear, this is getting to be one of the most insane situations in history. The Pack is moving on? WHY???? TO WHAT? In five years, we may well look back on Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy as the biggest idiots in football history. Aaron Rodgers will be booed off the field unless he starts hot, and I mean blazing hot. I know they think they are doing this guy a favor by protecting his right to play, but the man has ZERO window with the fans. If they lose to Minnesota in week one...no check that...if he plays poorly in the PRESEASON, the fans will riot in Green Bay. Uuuuugly.

  Well said.
• And finally, a rumor is circulating message boards that Peyton Manning was seen in Terre Haute. He has not reported to camp, but he was seen arriving in Terre Haute. More info on this as we get it.

My opinion here is skewed because, like millions of people in America, I love Brett Favre and want to see him play NFL football again. And right now, because snarky, hateful commentary will get you hits, there is a lot of anti-Favre backlash on the Internet. Most of it is from people who either don't like football (like most of the writers at AOL Fanhouse, who rarely, if every, write anything positive about the game of football) or people who had hang-ups about Favre before he "retired."

This basically means one can dismiss pretty much all the anti-Favre backlash as simpleminded hate and deep seeded resentment for a great player whose sin is not knowing when to retire. That done, we can move on to addressing the problem here.

To spin this back towards the Colts a bit (since this is, first and foremost, a Colts community blog), I agree with 18 to 88; this is not how you are supposed to retire:

I know Peyton is way to classy to ever pull this crap, but let the Favre drama be a lesson to all future HOF quarterbacks.

Like all good Americans, I like and appreciate Brett Favre because there are certain plays only he can make. But the madness needed to stop a long time ago. Don't get me wrong I think the Packers are crazy not to make another run with Favre, but I can't blame them for wanting to tell him to get lost.

It's also worth noting that it was Peyton Manning who, many moons ago, called this.

I too can see Packers management's issue with letting Favre back into the fold, but the mess that has been made out of all this falls more squarely on the shoulders of Packers GM Ted Thompson than it does on Favre. Keep in mind, Favre is not blameless in all this, but his sin is one of bad timing. Thompson is the one acting like a full fledged jerk and is seemingly placing the blame on Favre. Dumb move, Ted. Dumb, dumb move.

As we get into the gory details, let's come out and say it: The Packers have zero chance to win a championship this season with Aaron Rodgers at QB. If Packers fans or coaches feel different, they are idiots. It is literally that simple. Brett Favre, at 38, is a top 5 NFL QB. I don't care how good Aaron Rodgers looked losing to the Dallas Cowboys late last year.

Top 5 QB v. backup who has never shown anything. Pretty easy math.

The person who has best summed up this whole farce is CBS Sports' Gregg Doyel. If the issue here is the Packers have moved on without Favre, and in doing so have named Aaron Rodgers the QB, then why the hell did they draft back in April highly touted Louisville QB Brian Brohm with a second round pick? From Doyel:

And I don't want to hear a word, not one lousy syllable, about the plight of poor old Aaron Rodgers, the theoretical heir to Favre's throne in Green Bay. Apparently none of the "woe is Rodgers" crowd has received the memo: The Packers already have removed this guy's testicles. Rodgers is a eunuch, and he hasn't even started his first game for the Packers. Green Bay drafted not one but two quarterbacks in April, when they were sure Favre was out of the picture. What does that tell you? It tells you they're not sure Aaron Rodgers is the answer at quarterback.

The "testicles" line is LOL funny, especially from a CBS Sports columnist. Thompson has come out recently and said that Aaron Rodgers is the starter, but if Brett Favre wants to come to Packers training camp, he can... as a back-up.

I'm sorry, but does this sound like the dumbest idea or what?

This is not like San Francisco circa 1991, when an aged and injured Joe Montana wanted to come back and start over a proven rising star in Steve Young. Also, since when does the GM announce the starting QB? Isn't that, like, the head coach's job to determine who is best to QB his team, and who should start? If you want insight into Thompson's way of doing things in GB, look no further than that. I mean, suppose Favre calls Thompson's bluff (which he likely will), and shows up to training camp. In camp, and likely in all the pre-season games, Favre will destroy Rodgers in the drills, practices, and scrimmages. He will clearly be the better QB, because he is.

Will Rodgers still be Green Bay's designated starter?

If he is, Packers ownership better fire Thompson right now, because stupidity of that kind is best left running your neighborhood Applebees and not our city's football team. Thompson should also kick himself for moving ahead when not everything was finalized with Favre's retirement. Yes, there was a press conference. Yes, Favre repeated he was retired even after a March incident where Favre expressed a desire to return. One detail lost in all this is Favre never signed his retirement papers.

Until those papers are signed, Ted, the player isn't really retired.

Ted Thompson, moron

via graphics.jsonline.com

And, just to re-iternate Doyel's point, the one person people should have ZERO sympathy for is Aaron Rodgers. The guy fell like a stone in the 2005 draft, and he has been paid first round QB money to carry a clipboard. Oh, the humanity! The fear mongers sometimes counter that if Rodgers does not start this season, he won't re-sign with GB when he's a free agent in 2009.

Um, so what!

If management really had that kind of faith in Rodgers' ability, they wouldn't have drafted Brian Brohm. If they did have that kind of faith, they shouldn't have drafted Brian Brohm. You don't draft QBs in the second round as back-ups. You draft those guys to start. Doyel says it best:

Favre decided to come back, which is his right. He asked for his release, which also is his right. The Packers, bless their steely hearts, refused Favre's request to be released, and then on Saturday announced Favre was more than welcome to return to the NFL as a Green Bay Packer ... second-stringer.

This is what you call "cutting off your nose to spite your face." Brett Favre is wishy-washy, but he's the best quarterback the Packers have, and he's the best quarterback they have by a long shot. If they want to win now, they turn the team over to Favre. As for Aaron Rodgers, he's so important to the Packers in the long term that they spent a second-round pick on a quarterback.

This stuff isn't that hard.

In the end, we know how this is going to go: Favre will return and play QB for the Packers. He will start for them. Whether or not Ted Thompson wants this to happen is moot at this point. The fans have spoken. Soon, the players will. And, if they do, the consensus will be for Favre. If it gets to that point, Thompson will have a mutiny on his hands. It won't though. Thompson's stupid, but not THAT dumb.

The simple solution to this problem is this the following:

• Welcome Brett Favre back with open arms. Apologize for any misunderstanding, perceived or not. Apologize to the fans, because people don't take too kindly to executives pissing on their favorite players.
• Make Brett commit to two years (2008 and 2009). Tell him this whole back-and-forth is killing the franchise and giving you ulcers. Two years, and then that's it.
  
• Trade. Aaron. Rodgers. Now. Teams like the Chiefs, Jets, and Redskins are in desperate need of a QB. A team like the Chiefs would likely consider giving up a first or second round pick for Rodgers. Again, it's not like he's your franchise or anything. If he is (or was), why did you draft Brohm?

These solutions solidify Green Bay's QB situation for the short (Favre) and long term (Brohm), and immediately elevate the Packers to contenders once again. If Thompson is stupid and wants to play hardball with the greatest player ever to play in Green Bay, then I wish him well. That's a losing battle. As a fan, I will remind him that his #1 job is to field the very best team possible to win.

If the Packers want to win now or next year, it is with Brett Favre.

Stringing this along in this way is both silly and displays poor management. I agree with Gregg Doyel: Let the man play. He's flawed. His timing is bad. He probably could have handled this better. But as poorly as Favre has handled this, it is nothing to the screw-up Thompson has managed to do. The solution to this fiasco is simple. All it requires is Thompson to shut up, swallow his ego, and do what is right for the team and community. Bring Brett back, and move forward with winning in 2008.

Independence Day.  Isn't it grand?  American spirit!  Fireworks!  Hot dogs!  Will Smith fighting aliens!  Barbecue!  Fun with friends and family!  Localized traditions that no one outside of your community cares about!  All of these things are great but for me, there's one thing that gets me more excited than anything else going on today.

There's lless than a monthh to go until the pre-season starts.

Sure, pre-season games aren't the most exciting brand of football you'll ever see, but you know what?  After 6 months without any football action, I'll take it wherever I can get it.

As we get closer to football action, here's what I'm most looking forward to this season:

1. No more injury reports!  (pound on wood):  Throughout most Colts' success during the last decade, we've been able to avoid the injuries that can end a season before it starts.  Then last year we did a pretty good job of catching up in the injury department.  I'm not sure how this year will go in regards to injuries, but I'm fairly optimistic that it won't be as bad as last year.  But if it does happen, we know from last year that the backups are capable of holding down the fort in their absence.
2. Less turnover = More success: One of the staples of the Polian regime has been the constant cycle of players being drafted, becoming successful, and signing with other teams for inflated value while Bill replaces them with cheaper rookies.  This year, our only biggest loss was Jake Scott.  Since there's less to replace, the Colts don't have to devote as much time to getting new players integrated in the system as they have in previous years.  Being able to hit the ground running this year will go a long way in getting to where they want to go.
3. A breakout to Addai for: Even though Joseph was selected to his first Pro Bowl last season, you could tell that he was wearing down at the end of the year.  With the addition of Mike Hard and the return of Dominic Rhodes, Addai should have plenty of help to keep him fresh this season, which will only lead to good things for #29.
4. We still have the best player around: Seriously, how lucky are we to have this guy?

I'm still not quite sure what we're going to do when he retires.  I think I've narrowed it down to public weeping or gnashing of teeth.  It's not going to be pretty. 

With that said, Peyton if you're reading this please don't put us through this when you do decide to hang 'em up.  Our hearts won't be able to take it.

With the recent retirements of Michael Strahan on Monday, and Jonathan Ogden officially announcing retirement today, the Hall of Fame Class of 2013 is looking to be stockpiled with first ballot guys.  Here's a look at everyone who will be in their first year of eligibility, in the order I think they should be put in:

• Brett Favre - QB:  It seems fairly obvious that Favre will be in the HoF on his first try.  He's the all time NFL leader in Yards, Touchdowns, Completions, Attempts, consecutive games played, and Interceptions.  He was the face of one of the great franchises in the league, and genuinely had fun on the field.  He owns a Super Bowl ring as well.  It's as close to a lock as you can get.
• Michael Strahan - DE: Strahan is doing what so few have done, which is go out on top.  In recent years, it's only been done by John Elway and Jerome Bettis.  Strahan holds the record for most sacks in a season at 22.5 sacks, and is 5th all time at 141.5 sacks for his career.  He also was a very good run stopper, and anchored the defense that won Super Bowl XLII.  He also was not afraid to surround himself with young guys who were pushing him at the end of his career, making the team better.
• Warren Sapp - DT: Sapp, for a good portion of his career, was the most dominant defensive lineman in the game.  He was fantastic playing in Coach Dungy's Tampa 2 defense, with 96.5 sacks, which is 2nd all-time for a DT behind John Randle.  Sapp was also the unquestioned leader in Tampa Bay, making 7 Pro Bowls, and named 1st Team All-Pro 4 times.  He recorded 10 sacks in 2006, so he could still play late in his career.  He should get in on the first ballot.
• Larry Allen - OL: I hadn't realized that Allen was named 1st Team All-Pro 6 years in a row, at 3 different positions on the OL (RG, LT, and LG).  He is one of the main reasons Emmitt Smith holds the career rushing title, as he anchored the left side of the Cowboys OL for many years.  Towards the end of his career he was making Pro Bowls on name only, as his level of play dropped off from what he was in the late '90s.  He should also be in on the first ballot.

This is where, in my opinion, the list ends for 2013.  There could potentially be one more in this class, but Junior Seau hasn't announced anything as of yet.  He'd be behind Strahan on my list, as Seau is a lock once he retires.  Some others that I think will have to wait at least a year, or maybe longer:

• Jonathan Ogden - OT: Many Ravens fans will obviously disagree with this, but I saw too many times Ogden getting beat around the end by faster players, all while getting voted to the Pro Bowl by name only.  Sure he was a good NFL player.  I just can't see much distinction between him and Tarik Glenn, who is never mentioned by anybody.  If Ogden is a lock for the HoF, so is Glenn, who protected the most valuable backside in the NFL for 9 seasons.
• Bryant Young - DL: A guy you don't hear much about, but has quietly put up a fantastic NFL career.  He's been to 4 Pro Bowls, named All-Pro once, and does own a Super Bowl Ring from his rookie season, where he started all 16 games.  He also was a leader in San Francisco for much of his career, even during their recent stretch of sub-par seasons.  He's also 3rd all time in safeties, with 3, tied with 17 others.  Here is Fooch's argument for Young's inclusion over at Niner's Nation.
• Steve McNair - QB: I'll let Joe Biddle of the Tennessean make my argument for me.  He's not a Hall of Famer.

Lots of NFL greats retired this season, of which 4 should make it into the HoF on the first ballot.  A fifth will be added if Seau retires.  They only allow 5 modern day players per year, so that will be everyone.  Ogden will get in eventually, but I don't think it will be on the first ballot.

What's also great about this list of players, is that they all, at most, played for 2 teams.  It is not often this happens any more in today's NFL.  (Seau played for 3, but he's not retired yet).