8.14.2008

Worst Trade in Jets History or Best Trade in Green Bay's History?

I would like to apologize for extending this conversation, but I won't. I haven't been "covering" the Brett Favre story. I paid attention only to the extent that it would affect the Super Bowl XLII Champion Giants from repeating. And to that end the Favre trade to the Jets has accomplished a few of things: (1) it has taken the NY media's attention away from the Giants and (2) made it .05% more likely that the Patriots will lose the AFC East and not make the playoffs, and (3) finally force the Chad Pennington fans to admit that despite being a "good guy" or "a great clubhouse presence" he still kind of sucks - and the Jets had no chance of winning with him.


Since I'm likely going to end up billing my clients for the time I spend writing this, I'll cut to the chase. Green Bay made out big, and the Jets got John Madden's digitized fist in the arse. Stay tuned, if I get bored enough I may even try to photoshop a tasteful picture of this. I'm talking about the Madden Curse - perfect time to cue ominous music if you're a Jet fan. But let me take a step back. If you're reading this and you don't know what I'm talking about when I say "Madden" - you probably shouldn't be reading AoF at all. But for those who are out there seeking to better themselves, you can check it out on Wikipedia here.

In short, the Madden curse rules are as follows: player has a good season; player gets "honored" by being selected to have his image on the cover of the following years Madden video game; the following season said player suffers an injury or a decline in performance, nowhere near the level of the prior season. There's a great historical explanation of it here with all the statistics to go along.

The Jets clearly failed to consider the Madden Curse when trading for Favre. The Packers may or may not have considered it - I'm sure every "legit" sports media person would scoff at the suggestion. But I submit to you - Brett Favre will have some injury fate befall him and the Jets will continue to suck. Not only will it affect the Jets but it will also end his consecutive starts streak.
Perhaps there's a "Favre exception" to the Madden Curse. For example, Ray Lewis did not appear to feel any ill effects. He event beat a drug rap that season. Maybe players on the defensive side of the ball are actually "blessed". Using that logic, Adam Jones formerly known as Pacman, should lobby to get on the cover for next year if his reinstatement letter falls on deaf ears. Who knows it could be the Holy Grail of defensive players.
Here's how The Favre Exception could work: (1) no player ever awarded the Madden cover was traded in the following year/no player has ever work another teams jersey OR (2) John Madden is so in love with Favre that he would never allow any curse bearing his name to affect Brett.
As I write this I find out that Brett is complaining of "arm fatigue". And so it begins. You Jets fans better hope the Favre exception is real or that Kellen Clemens gets decent, fast.

1 comments:

AoFGB said...

Although it struck late in the season, the Madden Curse was effective when it needed to be.