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‘Kiss da baby’ to this NFL preseason

Do his teammates like him? Do they really, really like him?

Brett Favre(notes) insists it doesn’t matter, and that everything will be all right. Besides, with his 12th retirement only two years away now, he’s a little too old to play the popularity game anyway.

At least the rest of the Minnesota Vikings know where things stand. They came to camp thinking the silliness was over, until that fateful day when they saw their coach return from the airport with No. 4 in the passenger seat beside him.

It’s a marriage of convenience, this strange alliance between a team all cheeseheads grow up to hate, and the old, grizzled gunslinger who will take their snaps under center. But that hasn’t stopped Viking fans from gobbling up purple Favre jerseys faster than a plate of fried walleye sandwiches.

The jersey situation is a bit more complicated in Philadelphia, where the country’s most famous animal abuser now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. One sporting goods chain is waiting to see whether to sell a green No. 7, scared perhaps that the fur will begin to fly, but others were more than happy to risk the ire of dog lovers if they could make a buck off it.

Quarterback controversies are nothing new to the preseason, though most have more to do with playing time than prison time. There are still several going on even now, including one in Cleveland where Bill Belichick wannabe Eric Mangini insists on letting Brady Quinn(notes) and Derek Anderson(notes) twist in the wind.

Doesn’t really matter because Las Vegas oddsmakers have already established that the Browns will be a lousy team whoever is running the offense. But it’s Mangini’s first year in Cleveland, and he’ll spend most of it reminding everyone that he is in charge.

Some things even head coaches can’t control, though. Especially when it comes to this preseason, when each day brings a new plot twist to the latest episode of As the NFL Turns.

So, here’s what inquiring minds still want to know:

— Will Favre find happiness in purple? He’s already happy, thanks to the huge contract the desperate Vikings threw at him. But what does he have to lose as long as he only has to throw short passes and hand the ball off to Adrian Peterson? Better yet, he gets to do most of it indoors—and where fans are always Minnesota nice.

— Will Vick be loved in the City of Brotherly Love? Sure, until he dogs it the first time.

— Will anyone show up at the Meadowlands wearing a Plaxico Burress(notes) replica jersey? Of course, because New Yorkers don’t like kicking a guy when he’s down. That is, of course, until the Burress prison replica jerseys come out.

— Will Al Davis discipline coach Tom Cable for allegedly punching out an assistant coach? Hardly. Davis might just double his salary for showing something few other Oakland Raiders have shown in recent years—some spark.

— Is Big Ben in big trouble after being accused of rape in a lawsuit? Doubtful. The good news for Steeler fans is that if Roethlisberger is as aggressive on the field as his attorneys are in the courtroom, the Steelers are locks for a second straight Super Bowl.

— Will the Williams sisters and all the new celebrity part-owners in Miami be a distraction? Only if they start partying with Ricky Williams(notes).

— Does Brandon Marshall(notes) understand there’s a new sheriff in town in Denver? Apparently not, but he’s a wide receiver so he probably doesn’t realize that it takes at least three good years and a stint in Dallas to get a big contract and a bad reality TV show of your own.

— What does Chad Ochocinco(notes) mean with his new signature phrase “Kiss da baby?” That it’s all over, as in “The Cincinnati Bengals can kiss da baby on this season.”

— What are the chances of the NFL ordering Jerry Jones to raise his video screens when they’re clearly in the way of punted balls? Three words: “Kiss da baby.”

— How is it we get the first update on Tom Brady’s(notes) injured shoulder from Ochocinco on Twitter instead of from the Patriots? Because Belichick refuses to even confirm Brady plays for the Patriots.

— Is there any way we get by one week of season without someone mentioning Twitter? In 140 characters or less, no.

I'm more convinced than ever that Dallas shoulda kept TO. Roy Williams is already hurt and even healthy he ain't as good as TO even being much younger than TO. I actually hope TO has a great season with Buffalo. Our defense STILL sucks, yet another game with no forced turnovers. And the offensive penalties continue.

Loving those backs tho. Felix Jones is da TRUF!!!

Say what you want, but Jerry outdid himself with that stadium. It's fucking gorgeous.

I'm actually rooting for the Bengals this season, mostly cuz a bunch of my baby daddy's play for the Bengals : Dhani Jones, Roy Williams (hated to see him leave Dallas, great guy in the community ) and Chad Johnson, watching him kick the pat in last week's game was hilarious. As much as I like Carson Palmer, I seriously doubt he'll make it thru the season. Shit, he's already hurt.
[Edited 8/30/09 9:58am]

I'm pretty excited that Brett Farve is playing for my team now! Granted, he ain't what he used to be, but I think he has the experience and Minnesota needs. My Vikings were looking pretty good in the latter half of last season and even made it to the playoffs...Until the Eagles kicked their asses. But, I'm they've learned from last season's mistakes and they come back.

From watching the preseason games, I'm rooting more for the 49ers (and I live in the East Bay), they're going to do some damage in the NFC West. I would like to see more of Vick during the preseason because I honestly don't trust McNabb. I have respect for him and all, but still. The Patriots is solely relying on their offense to get them through because they don't have a strong defense. If teams put some pressure on Brady, kick his ass around a little bit, this team will be in trouble. Steelers are VERY strong but I won't call repeat just yet.

I LOVELOVELOVE the fact that my Saints are flying way below the radar....I know that the blowout of the Raiders doesn't really matter because it was the Raiders, but the first quarter showed all you need to know about the damage the Saints can do if they stay healthy...they ran 29 plays to 6 for Oakland....led 21-0...Brees was automatic...running game clicked with the projected starters on the pine, against the Raiders first string D...playing so good that instead of playing into the 3rd quarter as originally planned, Sean Payton pulled them after 2 minutes in the 2nd quarter....as for the revamped D, they're playing much more aggressively with what appears to be simpler sets...ball-hawking...causing turnovers...and stopped the Raiders' running game, which is supposed to be a strength, COLD!!!

I'm saying it right now....if the D improves to a ranking between 11-17, this team will go deep into the playoffs...if they go top 10, fuhgedaboudit!!! Super Bowl bound...GEAUX SAINTS!!!

I've learned SNORE until basketball season gets into full swing.


SNORE

The Cowboys still do not have anything close to a decent back up QB. You would have thought they would have learned after last season how important that position is. Kitna fucking sucks!

Not a damn thing other than what i already know.
Just hope the steelers offensive line improves to establish
the running game and decrease the amount of hits and sacks Big Ben
takes. I look for the Houston Texans to be much improved as long
as Matt Schaub stay healthy. I think they could even mix it up with
Indy and Tennessee this year and push for second in the AFC South.
I am looking forward to the season opener Tennessee vs Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile i'm going to watch the steelers play their final preseason
game thursday against the panthers in charlotte. Steeler fans always
take over Bank of America stadium.
[Edited 8/30/09 20:12pm]

weused2luvhim said:

I agree. I was surprised at how bad Kitna was on Saturday considering he's started in the NFL for many years.

Can someone on the Giants receiving corp CATCH THE MOTHERFUCKING BALL????? NO excuse for that shit. Jerry Reese has to get us a #1 by hook or by crook. I'll take Brandon Marshall right now, with all his problems.

thatruth said:

I was VERY impressed with their young QB Nate Davis but it was ridiculous that he was their fourth option instead of starting or maybe 2nd string. The 9ers didn't start moving the ball and scoring until he came in . He was very poised in the pocket and was drilling every pass. He should be starting this season.

uPtoWnNY said:

Weren't you telling me the other week how great some new receiver was?

watch out 4 my patriots...brady looks healthy.

SCNDLS said:

I attended training camp for Da Boys for a few days...and Kitna didn't look bad at all. He was crisp and fluid and rarely made a bad throw. Game play and practice are two totally different things but he IS an improvement from Brad Johnson. Go Cowboys!!!!

fec06 said:

Well, he looked a hot mess on Saturday with some real pressure coming his way. Romo looked about the same tho, flashes of brilliance overshadowed by mistakes and an inability to get in the endzone.

reneGade20 said:

What about Reggie, how's he doing in the pre-season?

The Raiders, Chiefs and Broncos suck as much as is possible.

The Chargers could go 7 - 9 and win that division.

uPtoWnNY said:

Brandon Marshall is the Allen Iverson of the NFL.

SCNDLS said:

Agreed that was bad. The 1st unit did dominate without Roy Williams, Sam Hurd, and Marcus Spears. I have a feeling we'll be surprised whne the real deal starts...and yes I think they can seal the deal.

ThreadBare said:

I mean

SCNDLS said:

That Al Davis!!!! This is what happens when you don't invest in lines. And, the hardest hits by your franchise happen in coaches meetings instead of on the field.

ThreadBare said:

Have they explained what the heck happened, YET???

Anybody watching the Minnie and Houston game right now?
[Edited 8/31/09 17:13pm]

nyse said:

Yeah but the defense is not good!!!!!


I'm gonna miss Bruschi

SCNDLS said:

Nope. I haven't heard Cable say anything since his, "No punches were thrown" schtick.

ThreadBare said:

How is it a coach ends up with a broken jaw and Goodell ain't got nothing to say???

Damn, the Chiefs just can't catch a break. First Cassel's out for a month now Chan Gailey the offensive coordinator gets relieved of his duties. He was sorry as head coach in Dallas.

SCNDLS said:

Don't do it, Sandals. Don't get me started.

I know this is of topic but I'm watching Venus play in the opening round of the US Open and they just showed Doug Flutie macking on Christie Brinkley in the stands.
Go on, Pimp Daddy!
[Edited 8/31/09 19:23pm]