Seldom has this happened with an athlete. With so many that have come and gone, there have been few who are larger than life. Their words and actions recorded with such vigor that every time they speak, fans are almost guaranteed to have an emotion about what was just said. Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali, Reggie Jackson, Michael Jordan. They are a few examples of athletes who were beyond the scope of normal reporting, and their words and actions transcended the sport they played, and became news worthy every time they spoke.

And then there is Brett Favre.

The mere mention of his name is guaranteed to stir up the emotions of people. Whether you love him or hate him, when someone hears his name being mentioned in a story, people turn in to hear what he has to say. Favre, like the others listed above, are beyond the scope of the sport he played. He has become a transcendent figure in sports.

Because of this, when Green and Gold Today suggested on Friday that their show become a “Favre Free Zone” I had to chuckle. The laughter was not directed at the question, but was because it simply is not possible. Not for Green Bay Packers fans.

Consider this: when you hear Favre’s name, do you smile and think about the years he played in Green Bay? Perhaps you get angry, thinking about the way he left the Packers, and went on to play for the hated Vikings. Maybe your emotions are somewhere in the middle, remembering the good times while being bitter he left in the manner which he did. I’d be willing to  bet you fall into one of those categories, even if you don’t want to admit it.

A great example of the power Favre’s name brings occurred yesterday. During the broadcast of the Miller Lite Football Show,  Mark Chmura let it be known via an anonymous source that Favre has been trying to contact Aaron Rodgers for several years now, and Rodgers will not take his call. After this was mentioned, Twitter time lines filled up with possible reasons as to why this may be. As Packer fans, we can offer our educated guess as to why this would be, but it wasn’t a topic of conversation UNTIL Favre’s name was mentioned on a radio show. After that, it was “all Favre, all the time” for the next few hours anyways.

It is impossible to discuss the Packers without including Favre in the discussion. He is part of our past, both good and bad. He helped bring success back to Green Bay, and later brought heartache. Tears of joy matched by tears of pain. He is a transcendant figure in the history of the Green Bay Packers, and will continue to be. So whether the topic is whether his jersey should be retired, or when he is considering a trip to Green Bay for the Hall of Fame induction for Mike Holmgren, or giving an interview during which he says basically nothing, or a rumor is blurted out on the radio, Favre’s name will continue to be mentioned. As a result, a Favre free zone is very unlikely in Packer Nation, and emotions will continue to be stirred every time he speaks.

Maybe one day, after the Packers and Favre kiss and make up, we can all speak freely about Favre at any time, without having to worry if the mention of his name will upset readers and viewers. I sure hope so.

For over forty years, the masses have flocked to their televisions on Monday night, for the final NFL game of the week. Monday Night Football was the “Monday night party” we waited for all week long, and served as a continuation of the excitement from Sunday’s game. More importantly, it served as an excellent vehicle to expand the NFL brand, reaching fans across the globe. Originally seen on ABC

and now seen on ESPN

Monday Night Football has evolved as the rest of the NFL has, becoming a major brand associated with the NFL.

And I’m here to say it might be time to call it quits.

The reason for this statement is simple: the games these days are horrible.

On paper, the match ups are supposed to be the draw to the game. When the schedule is created for the season, surely the schedule maker deities have to look at the games they are scheduling for this all important game and ask themselves “Is this really going to draw fans to watch this from a global perspective?” 

If the answer is a yes from these individuals, we are all in trouble.

You might be asking yourselves why the suggestion that Monday Night Football might have outlived its usefulness has been made. All one needs to do is look at the Monday night schedule for this season to understand why such a statement would be made.

Did the Rams/Giants match up in week 2 get anyone excited, other than Rams and Giants fans?

Dallas vs Washington in week 3 looked good on paper. Until the game was an 18-16 snooze fest.

Win less Indianapolis against the Buccaneers. No comment necessary

Chicago at Detroit was a blowout Lions win, but other than it being nice to see the Lions back in prime time after being gone from there since the previous millennium, it was far from an outstanding game.

Dolphins at the Jets. Zzzzzzzzzzz…………………….

Finally there was last week’s all exciting Baltimore at Jacksonville game. Did anyone make it through the entire game?

Anyone else see a pattern? None of these games are exciting in the least, and none of them are a national draw for a television audience.

Perhaps it is just the way the first half of this season’s schedule was written, that the final match up of the week was destined to be a snooze fest. Or the fact that I am a Packers homer, and want to see a game which involves the Packers either directly or indirectly every week. But right now there is something wrong. The games do improve in the second half of the season, with games such as Minnesota at Green Bay in Week 10 and the Giants at the Saints in Week 12. But can anyone explain how Jacksonville was scheduled for not one, but two Monday Night Football games this season? They cannot fill the seats at their stadium yet warrant national television time? Makes no sense to me.

Tonight, while taking in what is certain to be an exciting Chargers at the Chiefs game, ask yourself this question: could you do without Monday Night Football, based on the games you have been given so far this season? Chances are the answer is yes.

After forty years, the novelty of Monday Night Football may have finally run its course. The NFL and ESPN need to take a serious look at the games they have been presenting to fans this season and determine if it is just best to call it a day on this long standing tradition, and figure out if they are actually pushing viewers and fans away instead of building the NFL brand.

I never thought the day would come where I could call football boring. Monday nights this year have done exactly that. Howard Cosell must be turning in his grave with that statement.

I haven’t taken any time to take a peek around the Packer blogosphere lately. With a busy day ahead, this talentless #$%^ needs to spread the love with a little Six-Pack action.

The Six-Pack

1. ESPN is debating what organization should be called “America’s Team?”  Perhaps ESPN will crown the Pack with the title after stripping “Titletown” from the billboard.

2. In case you hadn’t heard, Brent Favre has put down a chunk of change on a pad in Minny. Yawn. At least it’s a condo, that way he can move easily in week eight after being relegated to third string.

3. Brandon over at Acme Packing company has been doing a nice little series on the top players on the Pack right now. I don’t know if I agree with them all (especially Clifton at #8) but I will let you decide for yourself. Thoughts?

4. Brain at Railbird Central is surmising that the Packers may only keep two tight ends on the roster this season. I guess that could easily be the case. However, I hope for the sake of the organization that they have a veteran free-agent in mind just in case. I’m sorry, but I don’t want to see Travis Havner starting anywhere but on special teams.

5. I really, really, really wanted to go to the Packer vs. Favre matchup at Lambeau. Unfortunately, tickets are already starting at over $300.00. I may have to sell my refrigerator box to get there.

6. Last, but not least, CheeseheadTV is talking about the progress made by second year corner Patrick Lee. Is he the future dime back? Sounds like he might be.

There’s your Six-Pack. Drink it down.

Here is a short excerpt.

“Dun, dun, dun, dunnnnnnn … As the maestro of “Monday Night Football,” Rothman knows that being responsible for the ESPN telecast of a live sporting event — even one as vital to its city’s lifeblood as the Green Bay Packers-Minnesota Vikings season opener at Lambeau Field – probably isn’t as earth-shattering as a space shuttle launch at Cape Canaveral.”

Read the rest of the story here.