NFL '09
 

Training camps are wrapping up, pre season's begun. Football's coming, football's coming!

Let's get the top two circus stories out of the way.

If any bunch of assholes deserves Mike Vick, it's Philadelphia fans. It'll be hard to sort out who's booing because they've decided to play the game of hating him from who's booing because they've got one less dog fighting outfit to attend on their trips to Florida. I just hope McNabb plays well enough to keep Vick out of a starting role.

Did anyone really believe we'd heard the last of Favre? So it's obvious that he planned this so he wouldn't have to attend training camp. But do you think he was also prescient enough to plan it so that he could steal the spotlight from Vick rather than vice versa? I'd guess yes.

With that out of the way, the real football stories I'm interested in are Matt Cassel moving to KC, Tom Brady's return, and whether the Colts can absorb the loss of Harrison and a less-than-invincible Manning with a weak offensive line.

On the Vick story, so far as I'm concerned, the dog fighting should be entirely irrelevant to his playing. I wouldn't buy his merchandise (not that I buy any merchandise) and I have no belief that he is a reformed person or honestly remorseful about what he's done, but I wouldn't care at all if he played for any of the teams I support (the Eagles are not among them). And if he played well I'd be glad for the contribution.

As for the rest of football, no opinion. I don't start following it at all until kickoff of the first real game. Didn't even know that Favre was possibility unretiring. Again.

Awwww geeze...

Like I don't already get enough **** in the MLB '09 thread for my hometown team. :(

Looking forward to the season, as always.

Vick paid his debt to society. I have no problem with him playing. I don't really care one way or the other.

Favre needs to hang it up. Go out with some dignity left. I've always liked him, but it's getting old.

My biggest story line is if my local Cardinals were simply a flash in the pan or if they can do something good again.

It's just gone from possibly to essentially definitely. Yesterday a few anonymous players were saying it was going to happen, now, while still officially unconfirmed, multiple sources are reporting that a 1 year deal has been signed.

I don't think dignity had a lot to do with it. A one season $10,000,000 paycheck makes retirement planning a lot easier. Especially if he's seen a good 40-50% of his portfolio evaporate over the last year like the rest of us.

On a personal note, I can't freaking wait for Football season to get here. I have joined a Poker league that meets during Monday night football games. :snap:

Dang, that's heaven.

Can I be you?

One fact overlooked in the hysteria about Michael Vick's return is that Michael Vick sucks.

The Cardinals should enjoy a competitive advantage, especially at home with Arizona's open carry laws.

As to Moonliner's poker/football night, why not just mix in roving naked women and then you'll have three things that each should command your full attention but don't get it. Ridiculous.

If they're smart the Eagles will mold him into a specialist. Wildcat formations, occasional receiver, perhaps kick returner. A role where his pure athletic ability will serve him and he doesn't have to rely on his obviously faulty decision making abilities.

Since when does Monday Night Football command full attention?