You've gotta appreciate Chris Havel.

[NewsBruin]

I respect the heck out of Zimmerman. Educated at Columbia and Stanford. Army vet. Played rugby and lineman at the college and semi-pro level. Covered New York football for decades. He's seen a lot, knows reporting from both sides of the notepad, and copies nobody. In fact, I'd believe more that he'd go against the grain that other reporters set up than with it.

When did Z say something before anyone else? Last year's preseason, Vikings preview. Zimmerman was addressing the adulation for Daunte Culpepper. He said something along the lines of, "I don't buy it. His top receiver made him look very good. Without him, see the effect it will have on Minnesota's running game. And his knees are a lot worse than he's letting on."

I read that, and it came very true. I believe him, and if his thoughts on wine and his wife aren't your cup of tea, then don't read his mailbag column.

However, the degree that Packer fans (and it's not just Packer fans) will tear up a reporter when he says anything against their team is funny and sad. Oh, it's all a big East Coast conspiracy. Oh, they're all just trying to write something to make each other happy. Oh, they all sit in a room, trying to find the worst thing to say about Green Bay.

[Packnut]

Z

Is Brett Favre a shoo-in? How about if he throws another 29 interceptions this season? And the whispers start -- maybe he never was that good to begin with. You think this is impossible? You don't know how quickly a great old star can fall from grace.



Never that good to begin with? 3 MVP's AND a Super Bowl win. Why is it is the previous paragraph to this one, He says Deion is a shoo-in but NEVER mentions anything about how much he slipped in his last few years. WHY?

This was nothing but a hack job on Favre and the Packers which he has been doing for quite a while. He rips the Pack and Favre more than anyone else over the last 5 years.

Why does'nt he have the balls to just come out and say he hates the Pack? I'd have much more respect for him then.

But the beauty of living in a free society is that we have the choice to dis-agree and I respect the rights of those of you who like his work. I, for one will never read anything else by him again so for me this issue is closed.

[Terry]

Thanks, Harvey and Noodle. Yeah, Harvey, you're right - I'll grant you that I went overboard on Elway. I suppose it's because that SuperBowl Holmgren lost still burns me. Still, while obviously he was really good, I tend to think he was overrated.

[woodbuck27]

Thanks, Harvey and Noodle. Yeah, Harvey, you're right - I'll grant you that I went overboard on Elway. I suppose it's because that SuperBowl Holmgren lost still burns me. Still, while obviously he was really good, I tend to think he was overrated.

John Elway. Great arm - leader and "the Comeback kid".

[Doe]

I can't believe no one ever brings up Jim Kelly as one of the all time greats. He is definitely in my top 10 of all time.