Say what you will, but it is a little too coincidental that Brett Favre retired today (allegedly, Press Conference is scheduled for 1pm ET). Let's look at the timeline:

ONE YEAR AGO: Much press was devoted to FAVRE's desire to land Randy MOSS in Green Bay. A tremendous potential tandem of FAVRE/MOSS could have made the Packers a pre-season NFC favorite.

LAST APRIL: MOSS is traded for a 4th round pick to the Patriots (the steal of the Century). More press is dedicated to FAVRE's obvious discontent with the fact that the Packers did not make the move to land MOSS, or any other big name, big talent WR to bolster the young, inexperienced group of WRs he was going to have to endure the season with.

LAST MAY: The Packers and FAVRE play the Public Relations Machine of downplaying the whole situation. Green Bay says FAVRE is happy, FAVRE says he is happy to be in Green Bay and with his current crew of players. Welcome to Spin City North.

SEPTEMBER-JANUARY: FAVRE dislays one of the greatest seasons of his career, while setting numerous records (wiping Dan Marino rightfully off the record books). He makes the WR corps - which would make a devastating college WR unit - look like All-Pros. He finished the season on the doorstep of ending his career with a Super Bowl appearance.

MARCH 3: Randy Moss re-signs with the New England Patriots for 3 years, $27 million.

MARCH 4: Brett FAVRE announces his retirement, saying although he could physically still compete, he was mentally tired. And the only reason he would return would be to WIN (and only win) a Super Bowl, but that task is too daunting to make a return to Lambeau Field one more time.

Sounds to me like a repeat of last season. FAVRE saw MOSS was on the market - essentially the missing link to the Packers Super Bowl hopes - and when Green Bay did not make a move to grab him and he re-signed with New England, the prospect of have to carry the Packers on his back for one more season was too much to handle. I don't blame him one bit.

Brett Favre will go down in history as one of the best QBs ever, and possibly the best football player ever. But the Packers have missed the boat recently in the draft and free agency, leaving Favre flapping alone in the wind. The man is in his 40s and can not be expected to carry a team, city, and franchise alone anymore.

Give him his Hall of Fame bust and jacket next year - he MORE than deserves an early exemption, and let the Aaron RODGERS era begin.

Thank you, Brett Favre!

The Combine, as usual, didn't feature all of the big names in  the draft, but it did clarify many areas. Some propsects were exposed as frauds, others proved that their stock was higher than originally anticapatd, while other big names fell into the middle of the pack due to poor performance or injuries, and other lesser-knowns jumped to the top of the heap.

The Combine is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get. So let's take a bite out of the first round.

1. DOLPHINS: Chris Long, DE/Virginia: The Dolphins will trade this pick. They have too many holes to fill to keep this pick when there are no OBVIOUS first picks. They will trade down and take a QB later in the first round. But IF they happen to keep this pick, expect them to go with Long to help shore up their weak and aging defense. And even if the pick is traded, several teams may use it to take Long, who proved to be a beast at the Combine.

2. RAMS: Serick Ellis, DT/USC: They were terrible agains the run the last few seasons and need help bad and Dorsey is the man who can help them out. Ellis moves up to No. 2 thanks to Dorsey's injury questions, USC's reputation, and a good Combine.

3. FALCONS: Matt Ryan, QB/Boston College: They need a QB in the worst way. They may opt for Brohm but Ryan is currently the top QB on the board.

4. RAIDERS: Glenn Dorsey, DT/LSU: Warren Sapp is gone and their D-line was not all that great to begin with. Rusell and the corps of running backs will develop nicely but they need serious defensive help.

5. CHIEFS: Jake Long, OT/Michigan: Anyone who watched even a highlight of the Chiefs season know they need offensive line help because last year their O-line was just that - OFFENSIVE. Right now, the Chiefs are praying Jake falls to No. 5.

6. JETS: Darren McFadden, RB/Arkansas: New York fans won't boo this pick. Thomas Jones is good but McFadden is better. Plus having Jones gives them a chance to work him into the role.

7. PATRIOTS: (from San Francisco) Vernon Gholston, DE/Ohio St: This is a steal. Not because Gholston is a good DE, but because after SPY-GATE they still get to keep a top 10 pick. But Gholston is something they need bad - a pass rusher.

8. RAVENS: Brian Brohm, QB/Louisville: One of the more obvious choices. If Atlanta takes Brohm, then expect Baltimore to take Ryan here. Either way, their taking a top-notch QB.

9. BENGALS: Dan Connor, LB/Penn St: The Bengals are an offensive machine, but their defense needs an overhaul. Connor is just the first step is shoring up that attrocious defense. Rivers and Connor may flip-flop.

10. SAINTS: Aqib Talib, CB/Kansas: Kalib is a great corner and the Saints got burned at corner (someone please extinguish Jason David, he got burned again) with regularity.

11. BILLS: Malcolm Kelly, WR/Oklahoma: They need a young playmaker to help take the pressure off of Lynch and Edwards. And Edwards would love a big, fast receiver who can catch the ball.

12. BRONCOS: Keith Rivers, LB/USC: After making a bust move trading up to get Jarvis Moss last year, the Broncos need to rebound and make a smart choice to help build up their defense. They have the corners but no young help in the middle. If the Bengals take Rivers, Denver will take Connor here.

13. PANTHERS: Chad Henne, QB/Michigan: Thanks to a strong showing at the combine, Henne will ride the lineage of Brady and Griese and other great Michigan QBs to a top 15 selection. The Panthers need to start grooming Delhomme's replacement and Henne can be that guy.

14. BEARS: Ryan Clady, OT/BSU: A skilled O-lineman who can help out the Bears playing with Olin Kreutz once the Bears pick a REAL QB. Note: Bears will pick up a QB in Round 2 or 3.

15. LIONS: Leodis McKelvin, CB/Troy: No WR drafted here. This year, Matt Millen actually addresses a need with his first pick and starts working on their weak corners.

16. CARDINALS: Reshard Mendenhall, RB/Illinois: This veteran RB carousel the Cardinals have been trying for the last decade has not worked. They need a running/receiving threat to put more people in the box and free up the big receivers. His strong Combine only solidifies this pick.

17. VIKINGS: Calais Campbell, DE/Miami: A bubbly pick for the Vikings, who really should be taking a QB here. But Campbell will begin the process of rebuilding an ineffective D-line. Note: Vikings will also take a QB later on day one. Note: After dropping Holcomb, the Vikings will draft a QB on day one.

18. TEXANS: Jamaal Charles, RB/Texas: Not used to picking this low, the Texans play it safe and stick to a player from Texas. An excellent move. Charles can really run and catches the ball out of the backfield - the young version of Ahman Green.

19. EAGLES: DeSean Jackson, WR/Cal: After asinine moves of getting rid of Terrel Owens and Donte Stallworth, the Eagles need a serious threat at wide receiver to help keep Brian Westbrook healthy. McNabb will get him the ball - he just has to catch it.

20. BUCCANEERS: Colt Brennan, QB/Hawaii: They need a new QB. Garcia is great, but aging and may even leave town. Either way, Simms and the other experiments have failed. Brennan is the breathe of fresh air they need to spark that offense.

21. REDSKINS: Sam Baker, OT/USC: While they are deciding what to do with Todd Collins, Jason Campbell, and Mark Brunell, they can shore up the O-line to help protect whoever it is that takes the snaps.

22. COWBOYS: (from Cleveland Browns) Kenny Phillips, S/Miami: He's versatile and can play nickel, CB, and safety as well as special teams for Dallas.  They also need a WR, but can address with pick at 28.

23. STEELERS: Jeff Oath, OT/Pitt: Steelers stay local after losing Faneca on the O-line. Big Ben needs all the protection he can.

24. TITANS: Limas Sweed, WR/Texas: Assuming Sweed makes it this far down the board, it is an obvious choice. Sweed's size and speed, plus, oh yeah, he played with Vince Young in Texas.

25. SEAHAWKS: Jonathan Stewart, RB/Oregon: The Seahawks stay with the familiarity trend and draft a local area guy (Oregon is close enough) to begin the transition out of the Shaun (of the Dead) Alexander era.

26. JAGUARS: Early Doucet, WR/LSU: Following the success of Dwayne Bowe and other first round LSU Tigers, the Jaguars look for Doucet to help them at WR Early and often. Even though the Jags acquired Williamson, he is not their WR of the future, but Doucet can be.

27. CHARGERS: Chris Williams, OT/Vanderbilt: The Chargers make a move to shore up the offensive line to help keep RIvers and Tomlinson healthier. Look for this to be a key spot for a trade as well with a team looking to move back into the first round from early in the second.

28. DALLAS: Mario Manningham, WR/Michigan: With the first of their two picks in the first round, they pick a big, solid WR target to play opposite TO. Glenn is on a serious downslope and Crayton has proven he is a great 3rd receiver but nothing more.Not a bad choice for second first round pick.

29. 49ERS: (from Indianapolis) James Hardy, WR/Indiana: He's big and fast and the Niners need a playmaker to help Alex Smith. Plus, he could help free up Frank Gore and Vernon Davis. If Sweed is available here, they will take him over Hardy.  Note: If the Teir 1 receivers are gone and Chris Williams is still on the board, the Niners will take Williamson to shore up the OL and take a WR early in the second round.

30. PACKERS: Tracy Porter, CB/Indiana: Hoosiers go back-to-back here as the Pack select a versatile and extremely talented young DB. He can play just about anywhere and dominate.

31. PATRIOTS: Forfeited. That's what happens when you cheat. Shame. Shame.

32. GIANTS: Ali Highsmith, LB/LSU: Another LSU Tiger goes in the first round. The Giants D-Line and DBs are pretty good, but they need help in the middle. Highsmith is made to be a Giant unless they pick a speed RB here.

SPECIAL NOTE: QB Joe Flacco will be drafted in the first round. Some team will trade and shift to draft him in the first round, but there currently is no place to put him here until all the trades are done

What does it mean when a virtual underdog, like Ryan Newman, wins the Daytona 500?

1. Newman is finally deciding to live up to his potential

2. The COT is leveling the playing field

3. Hendrick Motorsports (Gordon, Johnson and Earnhardt) LOST the race and Newman was just a beneficiary of their misfortune.

4. Even the sun shines on a Dodge's posterior sometimes

5. Jeff Gordon won't let his daughter sit in his car before a race again

6. Dale Jr. will zig next time when he should have zagged

Please try to stay relatively on topic.

The Gatorade and Coca-Cola are still sticky on Ryan Newman's #12 Alltel Dodge as it sits in the Daytona museum on display, but the cyclones of controversy are already spinning over the young 2008 NASCAR season.

 

 

As if the Nationwide Series wasn't suffering through enough identity issues as it adjusts to a new name (which makes it more difficult to get household name recognition) and new automotive changes planned for the future, the big boys from the Sprint Cup are already taking the fun out of the new Nationwide Series season.

 

 

 

 

For years, the debate has raged from the garages to the France's luxury boxes about how to keep the Sprint Cup drivers from overtaking the Nationwide Series and pushing young, up-and-coming drivers out of the circuit.

 

 

 

The Nationwide Series has always been the Sprint Cup's - and all of their various name changes - training ground; kind of like the minor leagues of NASCAR. But lately is has turned into a glorified practice for the Sprint Cup drivers.

 

 

 

This defeats the purpose. The young racers need a middle ground to use on the road to the Sprint Cup from the ARCA and other levels. Major League Baseball teams rarely call up prospects from "A" and "AA" minor league levels - surpassing "AAA" - to the Majors. Few are ever developmentally ready to make such a leap.

 

 

 

Let's break down the numbers from the opening week race in the Nationwide Series in Daytona. Tony Stewart - a Sprint Cup driver - won the race. NINE out of the top 10 finishers were full-time Sprint drivers, and only FIVE of the top 20 finishers were full-time Nationwide Series drivers.

 

 

 

And after Carl Edwards' and Kevin Harvick's ridiculous points victories the past two seasons in the (then) Busch Series forced fans away in droves - for two reasons.

 

 

 

First, the season series championship had already been decided with a hefty portion of the season still to go. Who wants to watch the same guy win or dominate every week and win the championship by 800-1,000 points? Edwards and Harvick each won their series title by more points than some series regulars earned all year.

 

 

 

That is why they are in the Sprint Cup Series - they are good drivers and don't need the practice. And with the Nationwide Series using the older cars and the Sprint Cup using the new "COT" cars, not much is gained by driving in both races anymore. In the past, changes made to the Busch cars could more easily be translated to the Nextel cars - or whatever name generation you wish to use.

 

 

 

Lastly, if fans wanted to watch practice, they could log on to NASCAR.com, or turn on SPEED Channel. Allowing the field to be routinely dominated by Cup drivers deteriorates the integrity of the junior circuits and will ultimately force the Nationwide Series out of public attention all together.

 

 

 

So here is my proposal: Limit the number of races Nationwide Cup drivers can participate in jointly.

 

 

 

Since there are 36 racing weeks in the season, the limit is 36. A driver wishing to enter a Nationwide Series race can have NO MORE than 36 total races combined between the Sprint Cup and Nationwide series.

 

 

 

Therefore, if after the first 18 weeks of the season, Carl Edwards raced in both Sprint and Nationwide races each week, (that would total 36 combined races) he would be ineligible to race in the Nationwide Series starting with week 19.

 

 

 

This serves two purposes: (1) it limits the number of Cup drivers in the Nationwide series and also (2) ensures there is a closer, more interesting finale down the stretch to determine the Nationwide champ.

 

 

 

However, there is one clause to this format. The "Call-up Clause" prevents hindering full-time established Nationwide Series drivers from being called up to the Sprint Cup during the final 10 races of the season and allows them to race in both series. It would require that a Nationwide Series driver participated in nearly all series races with no Sprint Cup time logged that season to date.

 

 

 

Gone are the days when only a few drivers raced in both series and the rest chose to focus on perfecting their skills in one series or the other. The Nationwide Series is its own unique race, with its own unique drivers and sponsors and even tracks. Let's keep it that way.

 

 

 

The Nationwide Series is supposed to be for the up-and-coming drivers and owners who aren't up to taking on full-time Sprint Cup rides. And the more Sprint invades Nationwide, the more irrelevant and disposable the junior circuit becomes.

As the "off-season" rolls on, I will periodically revisit the upcoming April NFL Draft with projections. As always, things change. Teams will lose and sign free agents. Trades will be made and needs will change. But for my first venture into the 2008 draft ... let's get to it:

1. DOLPHINS: Chris Long, DE/Virginia: The Dolphins will trade this pick. They have too many holes to fill to keep this pick when there are no OBVIOUS first picks. They will trade down and take a QB later in the first round. But IF they happen to keep this pick, expect them to go with Long to help shore up their weak and aging defense.

2. RAMS: Glenn Dorsey, DT/LSU: They were terrible agains the run the last few seasons and need help bad and Dorsey is the man who can help them out.

3. FALCONS: Brian Brohm, QB/Louisville: They need a QB in the worst way. They may opt for Ryan but Brohm has a more proven track record.

4. RAIDERS: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC: Warren Sapp is gone and their D-line was not all that great to begin with. Rusell and the corps of running backs will develop nicely but they need serious defensive help.

5. CHIEFS: Jake Long, OT/Michigan: Anyone who watched even a highlight of the Chiefs season know they need offensive line help because last year their O-line was just that - OFFENSIVE.

6. JETS: Darren McFadden, RB/Arkansas: New York fans won't boo this pick. Thomas Jones is good but McFadden is better. Plus having Jones gives them a chance to  work him into the role.

7. PATRIOTS: Vernon Gholston, DE/Ohio St: This is a steal. Not because Gholston is a good DE, but because after SPY-GATE they still get to keep a top 10 pick. But Gholston is something they need bad - a pass rusher.

8. RAVENS: Matt Ryan, QB/Boston College: One of the more obvious choices. If Atlanta takes Ryan, then expect Baltimore to take Brohm here. Either way, their taking a top-notch QB.

9. BENGALS: Dan Connor, LB/Penn St: The Bengals are an offensive machine, but their defense needs an overhaul. Connor is just the first step is shoring up that attrocious defense.

10. SAINTS: Aqib Talib, CB/Kansas: Kalib is a great corner and the Saints got burned at corner (someone please extinguish Jason David, he got burned again) with regularity.

11. BILLS: Malcolm Kelly, WR/Oklahoma: They need a young playmaker to help take the pressure off of Lynch and Edwards. And Edwards would love a big, fast receiver who can catch the ball.

12. BRONCOS: Keith Rivers, LB/USC: After making a bust move trading up to get Jarvis Moss last year, the Broncos need to rebound and make a smart choice to help build up their defense. They have the corners but no young help in the middle.

13. PANTHERS: Chad Henne, QB/Michigan: Barring a meltdown at the combine, Henne will ride the lineage of Brady and Griese and other great Michigan QBs to a top 15 selection. The Panthers need to start grooming Delhomme's replacement and Henne can be that guy.

14. BEARS: Ryan Clady, OT/BSU: A skilled O-lineman who can help out the Bears playing with Olin Kreutz once the Bears pick a REAL QB. Note: Bears will pick up a QB in Round 2 or 3.

15. LIONS: Leodis McKelvin, CB/Troy: No WR drafted here. This year, Matt Millen actually addresses a need with his first pick and starts working on their weak corners.

16. CARDINALS: Reshard Mendenhall, RB/Illinois: This veteran RB carousel the Cardinals have been trying for the last decade has not worked. They need a running/receiving threat to put more people in the box and free up the big receivers.

17. VIKINGS: Calais Campbell, DE/Miami: A bubbly pick for the Vikings, who really should be taking a QB here. But Campbell will begin the process of rebuilding an ineffective D-line. Note: Vikings will also take a QB later on day one.

18. TEXANS: Jamaal Charles, RB/Texas: Not used to picking this low, the Texans play it safe and stick to a player from Texas. An excellent move. Charles can really run and catches the ball out of the backfield - the young version of Ahman Green.

19. EAGLES: DeSean Jackson, WR/Cal: After asinine moves of getting rid of Terrel Owens and Donte Stallworth, the Eagles need a serious threat at wide receiver to help keep Brian Westbrook healthy. McNabb will get him the ball - he just has to catch it.

20. BUCCANEERS: Colt Brennan, QB/Hawaii: They need a new QB. Garcia is great, but aging and may even leave town. Either way, Simms and the other experiments have failed. Brennan is the breathe of fresh air they need to spark that offense.

21. REDSKINS: Sam Baker, OT/USC: While they are deciding what to do with Todd Collins, Jason Campbell, and Mark Brunell, they can shore up the O-line to help protect whoever it is that takes the snaps.

22. COWBOYS: Mario Manningham, WR/Michigan: With the first of their two picks in the first round, they pick a big, solid WR target to play opposite TO. Glenn is on a serious downslope and Crayton has proven he is a great 3rd receiver but nothing more.

23. STEELERS: Jeff Oath, OT/Pitt: Steelers stay local after losing Faneca on the O-line. Big Ben needs all the protection he can.

24. TITANS: Limas Sweed, WR/Texas: Assuming Sweed makes it this far down the board, it is an obvious choice. Sweed's size and speed, plus, oh yeah, he played with Vince Young in Texas.

25. SEAHAWKS: Jonathan Stewart, RB/Oregon: The Seahawks stay with the familiarity trend and draft a local area guy (Oregon is close enough) to begin the transition out of the Shaun (of the Dead) Alexander era.

26. JAGUARS: Early Doucet, WR/LSU: Following the success of Dwayne Bowe and other first round LSU Tigers, the Jaguars look for Doucet to help them at WR Early and often.

27. CHARGERS: Chris Williams, OT/Vanderbilt: The Chargers make a move to shore up the offensive line to help keep RIvers and Tomlinson healthier. Look for this to be a key spot for a trade as well with a team looking to move back into the first round from early in the second.

28. DALLAS: Kenny Phillips, S/Miami: He's versatile and can play nickel, CB, and safety as well as special teams for Dallas. Not a bad choice for second first round pick.

29. 49ERS: (from Indianapolis) James Hardy, WR/Indiana: He's big and fast and the Niners need a playmaker to help Alex Smith. Plus, he could help free up Frank Gore and Vernon Davis. If Sweed is available here, they will take him over Hardy.

30. PACKERS: Tracy Porter, CB/Indiana: Hoosiers go back-to-back here as the Pack select a versatile and extremely talented young DB. He can play just about anywhere and dominate.

31. PATRIOTS: Forfeited. That's what happens when you cheat. Shame. Shame.

32. GIANTS: Ali Highsmith, LB/LSU: Another LSU Tiger goes in the first round. The Giants D-Line and DBs are pretty good, but they need help in the middle. Highsmith is made to be a Giant unless they pick a speed RB here.

SPECIAL NOTE: QB Joe Flacco will be drafted in the first round. Some team will trade and shift to draft him in the first round, but there currently is no place to put him here until all the trades are done