What is Rodney Harrison's problem with Brett Favre?

Harrison's 2008 season ended early when, in an October 20 game against the Denver Broncos, Harrison tore his right quadriceps femoris muscle on a play, was carted off the field, and placed on injured reserve. Good - that's what dirty players get, Rod-boy. He retired on June 3, 2009.


Retired NFLer Rodney Harrison was recently quoted in the press as being sick and tired of "this whole thing" (Favre wanting to unretire again) and claims that all the players he's talked to view Brett as "pretty selfish".

Until this morning, I just thought Harrison was a bitter, retired NFL player who has nothing better to do with his time than stick his nose where it doesn't belong. THEN I found out Harrison was suspended for the first four games of the 2007 regular season for admitting to federal investigators that he knowingly obtained and used human growth hormone. Harrison stated to the media that he used "a banned substance" for "accelerating the healing process from injuries he sustained playing football," and "never to gain a competitive edge." In addition, according to federal agents and Harrison himself, Harrison received a shipment of HGH, with his name on it, just days before Super Bowl XXXVIII in February 2004.

Bad Harrison. Naughty boy, Harrison.

I also found out that Harrison was voted the "dirtiest player" in the NFL by his peers according to a 2004 poll conducted by Sports Illustrated. In 2006, Harrison once again topped the "dirtiest player" voting by 361 other NFL players. In 2008, NFL coaches awarded the title to Harrison in an anonymous 2008 poll conducted by ESPN. Harrison has also been fined and suspended multiple times, and as of 2002, had racked up over $200,000 in fines by the NFL. A notable suspension occurred in 2002 after a helmet-to-helmet hit on the Oakland Raiders' Jerry Rice.

So, according to Rodney Harrison, Brett Favre is "pretty selfish", yet Mr. Harrison has used banned drugs and was known as a dirty player in the NFL. You telling me those two things aren't selfish on your part, Roddy?

You're kidding me, right? You hypocritical mother fucker. You just made my "hate" list, bitch.

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NY Jets' Rumor Mill - Coach Mangini is out.

Heard on ESPN Radio in LA this morning on my drive in to work. I've questioned his coaching all season - even when the Jets were sitting pretty at 8-3.

Also, QB Brett Favre will have an MRI on his shoulder today. Whether he comes back to the Jets next year is unknown. I hope he does; it'll be his 19th year and I believe he and the Jets have can build on something great.

The Jets lost yesterday to the Miami Dolphins, 24-17. Miami wins the AFC East. Jets go home, and since Baltimore won, the New England Patriots go home even though they had an 11-5 record. Good.

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"Strip, Scoop & Scamper" - and a Miracle in the Meadowlands! Jet beat Bills, 31-27; Jets 9-5 / Packers 5-9 & Out.

With 2 minutes left, the Bills led by 2. Then came the strip by Abram Elam...

...and the scoop and scamper by Shaun Ellis for an 11 yard TD and Jets' lead.

Brett sweating the last minute or so of the game. After Ellis' TD, the Jets intercepted Losman, that should've been the game. But the Jets couldn't get a first down - running 4 rushes and not one pass play. Bills had 1 minute to try and get a TD. Brett stated that the Jets are still in the lead with a 9-5 record and a win's a win - unfortunately I think Coach Mangini buys into that too much. A player saying that and a coach feeling that are two different things.

Helluva way for the Jets' defense to come through when they ABSOLUTELY NEEDED TO. I almost walked out of the room at 2:00 left in the game - Bills had the ball. All the Bills needed was a first down and the Jets' hopes to get into the playoffs would have crashed and burned.

Thank you, Mr. Ellis and Mr. Elam! Elam sacked Bills' QB JP Losman, stripping the ball from him and Ellis scooped up the fumble and ran in for 11 yards and a TD. Donovan and Maria screamed and we woke Baby Grace. I thought D was gonna wet himself. It truly was a remarkable moment. But the Jets' defense is in a sorry state and I blame Coach Mangini for it. I'm thinking it'll be difficult for the Jets to win the AFC East division with an inept, "show up" defense such as the one they have. For more on this, click READ MORE!

(WAIT! There's more...)

So the Jets stand at 9-5...as do the Patriots and the Dolphins. Jets have the tie-breaker so they're still atop the AFC East. Patriots play Buffalo and Arizona (who have already won their division and, oddly, were a "shitty" team when Favre through 6 TDs against them earlier in the season), Miami plays Kansas City and the Jets (final game of season at NY), and the Jets play the 3-12 Seahawks away and Miami at home).

I feel VERY uneasy. The Jets' defense has played maybe 2 full games - otherwise they play a half or a quarter of good ball. And I'm uneasy about Coach Mangini's play-calling and defensive schemes. I not not confident, at all, in the Jets either winning the AFC East division and/or going past one game in the playoffs, should they get there. Maybe it's Mangini's experience, I don't know. The Jets have one of the top-ranked rush defenses but it was no where to be seen yesterday. Granted, Bills' RB Lynch is a monster (really - the man looks like he hides under bridges and eats children), but still.

Favre had his longest rush in 10 years - a 27 yard scamper. Very nice - and a hand-off fake that was picture perfect. The Jets started out strong with a 14-3 lead, but that Jets' defense....so inconsistent. Can't win games that way - or make it deep into the playoffs. Being "lucky" only goes so far. The Jets were very lucky that Elam stripped that ball and hot just sacked Losman. Very fucking lucky.

And that fumble that Ellis scooped up, caused by Jets' teammate Ellis? Jets should've just fallen on it. What would've happened if the Bills had recovered it. Remember, it bounced around a bit with at least one Jet having the opportunity to fall on it. Luckily it bounced right into Ellis' hands and he runs it in for a TD. Fall on the fucking ball! Same shit happened in the NFC Championship game last season with Green Bay and New York. Blown opportunity when the GB defensive player tried to pick it up and run with it. They practice it both ways. Fine. There's a time to jump on it and a time to pick it up. Use your freakin' head!

The New York Post's reference to Ellis' recent arrest for marijuana possession, driving without proper vehicle registration and erratic driving (crossed the center line). I don't think it's funny. If the NFL hands down a game suspension for Ellis and the Jets get into the playoffs, we're without our sack leader.

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Jets = "Flat". Jets, 8-5 / Packers, 5-8.

The Jets were flat...extremely flat against the 4-8 San Francisco 49ers, losing 24-14. I'm depressed. And both New England and Miami won so all three teams are in a 3-way tie for 1st place in the AFC East. Though technically, the Jets have all tie-breakers so they're really in first alone. Splitting hairs at this point - Jets could've had a 2-game lead on New England. They need to win their remaining 3 games to win the division. That simple. Wild card chances? Not sure.

One 3rd down conversion the entire game. And the 49ers' possession time was double the Jets'. Did I mention how depressed I am? So much so that the only graphic I could possibly put up here is a rip on Green Bay Packers' General Manager Ted Thompson.

Ted Thompson as "the Grinch". I hate him.

NEXT WEEK: Buffalo Bills (who suck) at Jets (8-5).

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Favre. How can you not like this mug???

While Brett was holding court with the press after the OT Jets' victory against the Pats Thursday night, Steve Mariucci texts Brett, asking him to join the NFL Network crew on their set. What ensued was a laugh riot. Or maybe it was to only Favre fans. This is the same crew that awarded Brett his FedEx Player of the Year Award last season at the NFL Draft and I laughed my ass off then. They really talked about nothing important - just shot the shit. Rich Eisen and Marshall Faulk are out of view.

Which begs the question: what's not to love when it comes to Brett Favre? Seriously, in 17 years prior to this season, Favre rarely (if ever) got the sort of shitty press he's received since his "divorce" from the Green Bay Packers during the preseason. That PR debacle between Brett and the 3 Wise Monkeys at GB was enough fodder to last Brett the remainder of his career. You can argue there was blame on both sides - fine. But, in the end, as I've said from Day 1, Brett just wanted to play football; he comes back to the Pack; they say the "A-Train" has left the building. End of story.

Jets are 7-3; GB is 4-5. End of story.

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Mooch texts Favre.

So the NFL Network crew is still on the field after the Jets/Pats game shooting the breeze. During Favre's interview with the press, Steve (Mooch) Mariucci texts Brett to come over and join them on the set. What ensues is: 1) Brett's reaction to his cell phone vibrating on the podium, and 2) and 3) Favre's quick, surprised, weird reactions to the loud noise, to which he said, "Sorry", to the press and didn't miss a beat answering questions.

It's much funnier watching the video - particularly Favre's reaction. You can see it all on NFL.com - if you can get their video to work. I took these shots off the TV, which they had broadcast (split screen) to show Favre when he was sitting with them after the game (post to come).

In case you didn't know, Mariucci and Favre are close, as are their families. Mooch was Brett's QB coach at Green Bay for 4 years in the early part of Brett's career, then later went on to coach at San Fran and Detroit. Mooch is a stand up guy and if there was ever any question in my mind (there has never been) as to Favre's character and demeanor, the friendship these two have would set me straight. What Mooch believes - I trust.

(I posted this at 4:44 on the 14th - Favre's number is #4. Ha! Nerts.)

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"Douche of the Week": Jeff Goodman at Fox Sports.com.

I worked on my grandparent's farm often as a child. I shoveled pig shit and cow shit. I've stepped in it and got it on my clothing. I even smelled like shit. Jeff Goodman's column on FoxSports.com today is the definitive example of how one can WRITE SHIT and how readers can READ SHIT.

In the grand tradition of douche bag, hack sports writers at FoxSports.com ( Schein, Glazer, Kreigel and Hench ), I present to you, in his coming-out party, Jeff Goodman, senior college basketball columnist. Oh, yeah - Goodman was ANALyzing the Jets OT road victory over the Pats last night and he's a college basketball columnist!

First off, doesn't FoxSports.com have enough drip, NFL writers to cover the NFL that they let a COLLEGE BASKETBALL columnist take a crack at setting back yellow journalism another 100 years? STRIKE ONE.

Let me walk you through what it's like to be a douche bag and spew forth douch bag-like thoughts to paper.

a) Goodman rips on the Patriots' "back ups". STRIKE TWO.

Goodman said, "The Patriots won't use excuses, but I'm going to do it for them." (Oh goody...New England has a wet nurse whose teats are big enough to feed the entire Patriots team!)

Goodman said, "This wasn't exactly the vintage New England Patriots...Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see Tom Brady or Rodney Harrison on the field in New York's 34-31 victory on Thursday night. The Patriots were also missing their star linebacker, Adalius Thomas, who went down with what appeared to be a season-ending forearm injury last week, and starting defensive end Ty Warren, who sat out the loss to the Jets with a groin injury." (But you may see a team of 2nd stringers at your doorstop ready to pummel your head in for not giving them the credit they deserve - playing one heckuva game against the Jets.)

Goodman said, "Sure, Brady's replacement, Matt Cassel, played the game of his life, throwing for a career-high 400 yards and three touchdowns and hitting Randy Moss on a perfect pass with one tick left in regulation to force overtime. But he's still not Brady — and never will be....Now, if it had come against the real New England Patriots, it would have been different. But this Patriots group that took the field on Thursday night — the group that has won half of its games against truly inept teams — is mediocre." (Most teams would take a mediocre team that went into OT, don't you think? I'll contact the NFL today and make sure they note this win was against the mediocre New England Patriots, Goodman.)

Funny, I didn't see this college basketball writer's analysis of the game last year when NE lost to the Jets who were playing without Jets' QB Chad Pennington. I wonder if that loss didn't count either?

Here's another good point BY ME. I don't recall the NE media dismissing credit to the Patriot's back ups during their 6 wins thus far this season (most of which were under Cassel), nor do I recall the NE media stating that this Jets' win was against a seasoned Cassel, not a back up in his first couple starts as the Patriot QB.

One more notable point - by MOI. Would Goodman and the NE media and fans have made this distinction between the "real Patriots" and their counterpart "back ups" if the Patriots had won? I don't think so. They would've said the Jets suck and can't even beat our 2nd team - AND we'll take the win, regardless of who got it.

b) Goodman questions Favre's comment that this is a "top win". STRIKE THREE.

"This one ranks right up there," Favre said. "In the moment it's easy to say, but it may be at the top."

Goodman said, "Are you serious? In an 18-year career filled with more than 40 4th-quarter comebacks, this victory ranks at the top? No chance."

Where does Goodman get off dictating what Brett Favre is feeling at the moment the Jets won? Was Goodman on the field? Did he play in the game? Jets, for one week, are #1 in the AFC East. Hadn't been there since 2001 or so. "In the moment" could mean Favre wants to bitch-slap Goodman, but what does Goodman know?

Three strikes. Out. You're a douche bag, Goodman. Like every other douche bag at FoxSports.com (except of course the commentors on Sunday morning - Howie, Terri...they're exceptional). And anyone - my friends or family, puppy dogs, the mentally challenged or even little newborn babies who take stock in anything this asshole has said above...is a douche bag as well. I don't follow college basketball but if you're observations are anything like they are for the NFL, your department is in serious trouble. My name is Jeff Ircink and if you have would like to debate anything I've said here, email me at irc_64@hotmail.com.

Keep your shit articles to yourself, Goodman. On the other hand, I would love to get an email from a real, live douche bag. Douche bag.

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Jets @ Pats. NFL Network. Tonite.

There's a lot of hype leading up to this evening's game. The Jets and Pats are tied for the lead in the AFC East division at 6-3...with New England holding the tie-breaker as they beat the Jets earlier in the season, 19-10 (not a stomping as some asshole sports writers would have you believe). Jets are a different team then they were the 2nd game of the season. Favre is feeling more comfortable with the Jets' playback and his players - and vice versa. The Jets' running game has gotten stronger. Their defense has picked it up. Brett's learning to "manage" the game and not just gunslingin' it all the time (which he will do).

More importantly, the Jets are gelling as a team behind the leadership of Favre and a fortified OLine and defense. Forget Brett's new to the team and still learning the system or that he's prone to INTs. The second Favre steps on that field the Jets feel they can win the game. Instant credibility. Instant cache. That comes with the legend that is Brett Favre - holder of every major QB record in the NFL (and then some). It is now innate with Favre. It's who he is.

So - the game. It's not a make or break for the Jets. That's not an excuse if they lose tonight. It's the reality of the situation. A Jets' loss isn't the end of their season. What a Jets' win DOES prove is that it's a statement as it pertains to their progress as a former 4-12 last season; a statement that they can dominate by playing all 4 quarters under a new QB and a number of new players on the OLine and the defense...and it can HELP define the rest of their season. But does aJets' loss to the Pats end their season? No.

I don't make predictions. Sports journalists make them because that's all they have to do and most are idiots. Predictions are for slow-minded, simple people. My dead grandfather can make a prediction about this game and he has a 50/50 chance of nailing it. So what. And if you're wrong, you come across (to me) as a moron. I obviously want my Jets to win, but I'll never publicly predict a score. 'Cause I'm not slow-minded, nor simple.

And after all, this is my blog and I'm always right. GO JETS! GO FAVRE! UNLEASH HELL ON COACH BELICHEAT AND HIS PATSIES!!!

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Belicheat's analysis of Brett Favre...

The New England Patriots (sans QB Tom Brady) travel to the Meadowlands to face QB Brett Favre and the New York Jets Sunday (CBS). Here are a few thoughts Patriots' Coach Belicheat had on Favre. Candid and honest, to say the least.

I meant that the coach's assessment - it's honest, and accurate. Not the coach.

Belichick said. “You never want to relax anywhere but Brett is the type of player that can take the ball from one side of the field and in a split second, turn around, whip it somewhere else and put it right on the money – just like he did against the Giants when he hit [Jerricho] Cotchery down the sideline for a 50 yard touchdown, where he looked off the safeties."

“You don’t really want to guess with Brett. You’ve got to react to him. When he starts to do something, if you think, ‘this is what he’s going to do’ [and] then he switches it – you are out of position and you’re really in trouble. He does a good job of reading what the defense is seeing and reacting away from it."

"If you over react to him, it’s almost the worst thing you can...He can stay on his feet and buy extra time in the passing game and that puts most stress on your coverage at all levels...He can scramble and run if he needs to..."

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Sports books lose $2.6 million on Super Bowl. Good.

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Nevada sports books lost a record $2.6 million on Super Bowl bets when the New York Giants upset the New England Patriots on Sunday.

The sports books handled just more than $92 million on the game, the third-highest amount ever but down for the second consecutive year. The record was set in 2006 when $94.5 million was bet. The last time the books lost money was in 1995, when the San Francisco 49ers blew out the San Diego Chargers, 49-26, and Nevada books lost $400,000.

Nevada Gaming Control Board analyst Frank Streshley says large amounts were bet on the money line that the Giants would win outright. The payouts on those bets were as large as four times the original bet because New England was such a huge favorite.

The game ended with the Giants winning 17-14.

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Super Bowl 42 - A reflection

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had no interest in watching this game, nor was I interested in the outcome. The Green Bay Packers weren't playing so 'who cares?'.

I ended up watching only the 1st quarter as I was at the home of my friend Maria's parents - along with Donovan and Grace (her husband and daughter - I mentioned them in previous posts; I watched all the Packers' games with them). I wanted to see the McCann-Glovers and Maria's parents and I had a wonderfully, homecooked meal. I didn't find out the final score until after the game was over.

Upon finding out that the New York Giants upset the overly confident (Brady to Plexico Burress - '17 points? Give us some credit'.) New England Patriots (I won't say, 'congrats, Giants, as they beat us in the NFC Championship remember), I will say I'm utterly joyous the Patriots didn't complete the perfect season AND that Belicheat gets what he deserves. He flaunted the NFL's rules in the world's face by illegally taping the defensive signals of an opponent during the first game of this season (known as SPYGATE). Whether those tapes made any difference or not in the Patriots' season, Belicheat was fined $500,000, the team was fined $250,000 and they lost a 1st round draft pick. The team turned over the tapes which were then burned by the NFL commissioner. Why - I have no idea. And then the Patriots and the NFL seemingly went on with their business like nothing happened. (I don't think THAT story will end with this season.)

So I say with a clear conscience: Fuck you, Belicheat and the owner, Mr. Kraft. How dare you think you're above the rules that govern the NFL - YOUR employer. How dare you think your actions are above and beyond Coach McCarthy of the Packers or any other coach in the NFL OR owners.

A writer from Fox Sports captured it best - 'They (the Patriots' fans) came for a coronation. They witnessed a decapitation.' You got what you deserved. THIS time - your just desserts happened on earth for ALL of us to witness. 18-1. How does That feel, bitch?

NOTE: Shame on all you fans who jumped on either one of these teams' wagons AND shame on you, Mr. John Travolta, who stated on national TV that, though he's a NY boy he's picking the Patriots in what he hopes is a good game. What a whore.

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