One Week Till Ignition

That's right folks, the final week of the offseason is upon us and I have to say at this point it seems like it flew by. Some thoughts and links for this special day..

Great article from Tom Curran, one of my favorite NFL writers, about the Brett Favre situation. Prior to last season I was firmly planted in the "Favre should retire crowd" but watching him play last year changed my mind. It was fun to see how much fun he was having with the young Packers team. Now, I'm back to just wanted him to go away. I feel bad for Packers fans, this can't be easy and by many accounts it has divided the fan base.

The argument that rings most true to me is that there is no guarantee that Favre is going to come back and have another strong season like he did in 2007. We can't forget that 2005 and 2006 were not years to remember for ole' Brett, and it's not like the won the Super Bowl or even made it to the big game last year. In fact, it was yet another Favre interception that ended the Packers season.

Lots o' buzz surrounding the Minnesota Vikings these days but I can't take it for real until Tavaris Jackson shows me something. I still flashback to 2006 when a wide receiver depleted Patriots squad spread the field and dominated the Vikes at home. Sure, they can stop the run and maybe Jared Allen is the pass rusher they needed to get some pressure on opposing QBs, but we'll know all we need to know about them by week 5. Their first four games: @ Green Bay (should be even more fun now), Indy (sans Peyton perhaps?), Carolina (always tough), @ Tenn (made the playoffs in the AFC last year), and @ New Orleans (due for a better season). If they come out of that with 4 wins we'll know the Vikes are for real.

ESPN.com's AFC Q & A for the Patriots:

How will the New England Patriots protect the back end of the defense?
The Patriots come into training camp without even a quality No. 2 corner after losing No. 1 corner Asante Samuel to Philadelphia in free agency. Ellis Hobbs, last year's No. 2, remains but is coming off a miserable 2007 season. New England went out and combed the low-level free-agent market in the offseason and will need to find a starter among Jason Webster, Lewis Sanders and Fernando Bryant. But the fix is not going to come from the corner position itself. Instead, it will come via the blitz schemes and packages from head coach Bill Belichick. Look for versatile linebackers Adalius Thomas and rookie Jerod Mayo to play pivotal roles within the blitz packages in an effort to help their outmanned cornerbacks.

I watched NFL Films' America's Game for the 1981 San Francisco 49ers last night and I drew some insight into what the Patriots might be doing this season. The 49ers had 3 rookies starting in their defensive backfield that season and the energy they brough was contagious. Of course one of them, Ronnie Lott, was a future Hall of Famer but it's similar to the Patriots this season. Hopefully Dom Capers molds the new cornerbacks, rookies and vets, into a forimdable crew that will not give up another season ending drive to an opposing offense for the third straight season.