NFL Twitter nation had plenty to say this week about three very different stories: The return of Brett Favre to the Minnesota Vikings, the two-year jail sentence Plaxico Burress has agreed to, and the purchase by Venus and Serena Williams of a minority stake in the Miami Dolphins.Your questions and comments, and my responses, in our NFL Twitter mailbag are below.
Pepitolives09: Why do Minny fans think Favre is gonna jump them to the Super Bowl? 3 out last 4 seasons he's been a 70 passer with more interceptions than TDs?
You're certainly right that Favre has been only a so-so quarterback three of the last four seasons. But I think the Minnesota fans who are happy about Favre's arrival are basing that happiness on two beliefs:
1. It's possible that Favre could revert to his stellar 2007 form.
2. The Vikings have a good enough defense and running game that all they need from their quarterback is some veteran leadership, and that's what Favre can provide.
I personally don't think Favre is going to be all that good a quarterback with the Vikings this year. But I don't begrudge the Viking fans their optimism.
PJHarrison: When do you think Plax's prime was? I still think he will have what it takes in 2 years. All he can do is work out.
I think Burress's prime was a couple years ago. He was already beginning to show signs of age last season, averaging just 13.0 yards a catch -- lowest since his rookie year -- even before he shot himself. That's part of why I don't view Burress's situation as completely comparable to Michael Vick's: Vick was still at his 20s and had room to grow as a quarterback when he went to prison. Burress is already on the down side of his career.
Still, if Burress works out in prison and is in shape when he gets out, he has a chance to come back and play in the NFL. I'm not sure if we'll ever see him in an NFL uniform again, but that will be one of the big stories of the 2011 season.
DivasRus: Williams Sisters now have the power to fire da "Tuna" I don't like this move at all.
The Williams sisters will own a small percentage of the Dolphins, but they won't have the power to fire Bill Parcells, or anyone else. It's an investment for them, and I imagine the team views an association with them as an opportunity for the Dolphins to attract more female fans. I think the Williams sisters are smart, savvy businesswomen, and I think it's great that they're now a part of the NFL.
Want to be part of our next NFL Twitter mailbag? Post a question or comment on Twitter.com, and be sure to start it with @MichaelDavSmith.
