A shorter bread line

I awoke this morning to sad news: Another potential Bread Line Blogger has found work. Sure, it was a long shot, but why wouldn't Brett Favre want to write a few posts about his fourth retirement in three years? I'm sure Favre could comment about how tough it is to spend time with the family and not earn a million-dollar paycheck. But what I see in Favre is that older employee in the office who can't leave. For whatever reason, Farve just can't give it up - and I think it's pathetic.

In fact, I am more annoyed about the Minnesota Vikings signing Favre than I was about the Philly Eagles picking up another former breadliner - or should I say chain ganger? - better known as Mike Vick. What Vick did with Bad Newz Kennels was heinous, but he has paid a hefty price. Two years in prison and bankruptcy will humble a man, even superstar athletes. But in America, you have the right to make a living, so I applaud NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for not suspending Vick for the entire season. Now, that doesn't mean I think Vick deserved a contract offer, but he certainly has the right to pursue one. His actions off the football field will show if he truly is sorry about what he did with his dog-fighting sideshow.

As for Favre, his actions show a lazy man who manipulates teams and the system to skip out on training camp. While it is not as overt, this is no different than a cocky wide receiver holding out of training camp until he gets that bigger contract. Imagine if Ben Roethlisberger did that in Pittsburgh. But because everyone loves Brett Favre, most people will consider this a victory for the league. Not me. Although I love how he plays the game, I'm sick of Brett Favre's tired act. If you want to play, Brett, then don't announce that you are retired and confirm that decision a few days before training camp only to return three weeks before the start of the season.

Of course, this decision has consequences. With news of the signing, I would like to formally welcome soon-to-be former Vikings quarterback John David Booty to the bread line. And while he will be losing his jersey number and eventually his job, he's more than welcome to write for this blog. Maybe we'll call it the Booty Blog.