Let Favre go back to his roots, or play him

My Turn

By Sean Pitman

There sure seems to be a lot of drama in Packer land these days. I can't believe you wouldn't want an All-Pro quarterback back in the lineup.

I mean it's not like he wasn't winning games. It kind of reminds me of the Chicago Bulls, when management decided they needed to start rebuilding while the team was still winning championships.

Makes no sense to me. I thought the point was to win, and why start reshuffling the deck when you're still at the winning table?

If the Bulls would have stayed together, they probably could have won a couple more titles, maybe even one more three-peat with a content Michael Jordan leading the way.

Now the Green Bay situation is a little different, we're only talking one player, but he's been a pretty big piece of the puzzle.

Brett Favre just has that certain something that allows him to will his team to win at times, no matter what position they put themselves in. He also can inspire his teammates to make plays.

I guess I don't see the negative for the Packers. Let Favre play, if he's really ready to be put out to pasture, you have Aaron Rodgers ready to step in and take over.

If the Pack is dead set against having Favre run the team, then they should seriously look at a trade, and I've got the perfect place for him.

He started out in Atlanta, why not end there?

The Falcons can get a close up look at what they passed on 16 years ago and Favre will have a team that's all to himself. I'm sure ticket sales would instantly climb through the roof and Favre could erase some of the painful memories left by the Michael Vick debacle. The good ol' boy from the deep south would probably be an instant hero and be the talk of Georgia for the next few years.

Favre also could bring along the Falcons' newly drafted quarterback Matt Ryan, and the team might even attract a few big name receivers if Favre is barking out the signals. With his experience, Atlanta's youthful potential and a weaker division, he could give the Falcons a quick turnaround and be right back in the postseason.

Besides the warm weather would have to be easier on his aging frame, and he wouldn't have to fly to Mississippi to go outside in his bare feet in December.

I'm sure it would be weird to see him in a Falcons uniform, but better that than see him steaming on the Green Bay sidelines trying to force the Pack to play him or release him.

And what would Green Bay get? Well, they could pick up some draft picks, which is more than they would get if they did nothing. If Favre comes back and is stuck on the sidelines, they'll get more headaches from the Pack nation and the season probably never get on track.

Not many big name quarterbacks have been able to make the move to another team and be successful at the end of their careers, but I think Favre could be one of those exceptions. It would kind of be fun to see what would happen.

Action at Aafedt

Don't forget, the diamond action at Ardean Aafedt Stadium will be thrown into high gear starting at 1 p.m. today for the American Legion State Seeding Tournament.

There will be no warm-up games with a top team playing a bottom feeder. This is the top five teams in the state going at it, and they've roughed each other up all year.

The host Keybirds will play Fargo at 7 p.m. tonight.

Fargo also starts out the day at 1 p.m. against Dickinson, while Minot and Bismarck play at 4 p.m.

Three games will be held Friday as well, with Williston playing Minot at 1 p.m. and Dickinson at 7 p.m., while the 4 p.m. matchup is Fargo and Bismarck.

Saturday will be a full day starting with Dickinson and Minot at 10 a.m., followed by Williston and Bismarck at 1 p.m., Fargo and Minot at 4 p.m. and Dickinson and Bismarck cap the tourney at 7 p.m.

It should be some exciting and competitive games, with nine innings replacing the seven played during the season. The round robin format will determine the seeds for the state tournament in Minot Aug. 6-10.

Three other teams will join the state tourney from the state qualifying tournament being held in Jamestown this week.

This week could give some momentum for the state event next week, or it could just let the top teams beat on each other to see who has the most left for a championship run.

Fall Practices

It's hard to believe, but the summer is nearly gone. Of course, we've only really had summer weather for the past few weeks, but maybe it will run into the fall and all the seasons will be behind. We could have snowflakes in June.

Never know.

Anyway, with July spent, that means August and the fall sports schedules are quickly appraching.

Williston High will soon be in action, with practices just around the corner.

Let's take a look at the starting dates for fall practices. Don't forget athletes, you need to have a current physical for the first day of practice and athletic fees are still $55 for senior high and $20 for junior high.

Football, again headed by Todd Matthews will have a meeting for grades 9-12 at 7 p.m., Aug. 4 at Cutting Field. Equipment will be distributed to the seniors and juniors at the meeting and to freshmen and sophomores at 7 p.m. Aug. 5. Practice begins at 8 p.m. Aug. 13.

Let's hope the Coyotes can get that balance of an effective offense and stingy defense to get back to the playoffs.

Girls golf participants grades 9-12 will meet with new coach Dennis Healy at 1 p.m. at Eagle Ridge Golf Course. Fore!

Boys cross country, again headed by Clint Chamberlin, will have grades 7-12 meet at 8 a.m. and again at 4 p.m., Aug. 11 in the east side basement locker room of Jackson Field House.

Al Knutson will again guide the girls cross country program and will meet with girls grades 7-12 at 7 a.m., Aug. 11 outside on the east side of Jackson Field house across from the indoor pool.

The running programs have been strong and hope to keep up the good work.

Boys tennis again will have Wade Stueve calling the shots, and they'll have grades 7-12 meet at 10 a.m., Aug. 11 at Davidson Park. Stueve has been a winner in both tennis programs, so let's hope that can continue.

Second year volleyball coach Haley Jeanotte has a bit more complicated start, so pay attenion.

Grades 9-12 are to meet at Jackson Field House Aug. 18 for tryouts. Grades 11-12 will play from 8-11 a.m., and grades 9-10 will play 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

On Aug. 19-20, grades 11-12 meet at 3:45 p.m. at the high school, while grades 9-10 play at 3:45 p.m. at the middle school.

On Aug. 21-22, the varsity and JV will play at 3:45 at the high school, and the sophomore A & B teams will go at 3:45 at the middle school.

A parents meeting for grades 9-12 will then be held Aug. 25 from 5:45-6:15 p.m. at the high school gym.

Did you get all that? Just remember to show up with physical and fees paid that first day and then take it from there.

Jeannotte also noted there may be some practice time changes, but that will probably be after the initial workouts.

Good luck to all the fall teams and be sure to represent the Coyotes with pride and character, no matter the outcome of the contest.

Sean Pitman | sports@willistonherald.com