GREETINGS PIGSKINNERS!

First the Chiefs made headlines when they proposed rule changes during the NFL Winter Meetings that would restrict a player’s hair from spilling out of his helmet. THEN the Chiefs announced this week that they are prepared to hand-cuff the best part of their team – the FANS! The team revealed plans to curtail the home crowd from standing during the game and is even implementing a system for fans to send text messages to Arrowhead security and cyber-snitch on such “offenders.” After reading all of this, does anyone else get the feeling that Carl Peterson was once a grammar school hall monitor? It’s a good thing that the chiefs front office has nothing else to worry about, such as fielding a competitive team.

It seems former (?) Packers quarterback Brett Favre has borrowed a page from Michael Jordan’s book I’m RETIRED (no; I’m NOT). Number four has been rumored to be making overtures to return to the league. Favre might still have a bullet or two left in his gun-slinging arm and his lack of a total denial on this story lends credence to it. The sad thing is, even if he still has the ability and desire to continue his career; this entire episode seems to prove one thing I’ve often expected: Brett Favre has a runaway ego. He’s been listening to the press prop and pamper him for years; often calling him the greatest quarterback ever. He gets a pass from the play-by-play guys when he throws into triple coverage and ends up with an interception, yet the same reporters would be all over another quarterback for making such an “ill-advised” decision. He received a pass from the press and fans when he took a dive during the last game of the 2001 season to allow Giants defense end Michael Strahan could clinch the single-season sack record; a stunt that would have vilified practically any other player in the eyes of the press. Don’t get me wrong; I respect Brett Favre as much as anyone else. Correction, I RESPECT him, but I don’t worship him, which seems to be the expectation of seemingly every reporter to ever talk about the man. Favre’s recent antics are selfish, and the very act of bringing him back would alter the Packers salary cap, interfere with the club’s plans to FINALLY develop Aaron Rodgers and generally paint team in a bad light if they DON’T bring him back. This is no longer about Favre still having the ability to play the game. This is beginning to look like an ego on steroids; a player that can’t walk away from the limelight. If Favre returns to the NFL in 2008 after his four-month “retirement” then look for him to step down in 2009…and come back AGAIN. In other news, rumor has it that Favre will soon being working out for several major-league baseball teams. He wants to be like Mike.

How quickly things change. Cowboys cornerback Adam “I’m NOT a video game” Jones is being portrayed by the press as the victim of the latest idiotic remark by Don Imus. Wait; it’s been a few weeks now, so I’m sure Imus has said something even MORE idiotic since then. At any rate, isn’t it ironic that Jones is now a “victim” in the eyes of many after his off-field antics has victimized several innocent people? There has been outrage about Imus, but where was the outrage and public consternation when Cowboys owner Jerry Jones resurrected Pac Man’s (sorry, ADAM’S) career? Today’s media could spin Attila the Hun and make him look like a nice guy. And anyone who cares about what Don Imus has to say really needs to get a life anyway. Let’s all hope that Adam Jones has finally seen the error of his ways and will now mature. It’s just too bad that he has to be paid to bring his behavior up to a socially acceptable level.

Tony Gonzalez is a hero; not only to his fans, but also to Ken Hunter, a man who was having dinner in a Huntington Beach, California restaurant. Gonzalez happened to be in the same restaurant, and performed the Heimlich maneuver on the choking Hunter and likely saved the man’s life. Nice job Tony. Of course, the easy one-liner would be something to the effect of “now, if he could keep his TEAMMATES from choking…” but it’s already been done to death on ESPN. Anyway, thanks Tony for doing something even more noteworthy than catching touchdown passes.

Michael Vick has filed for bankruptcy. Wow…talk about going from the penthouse to the doghouse…

Next Time: Fantasy previews…

Terry Blount, who wants to be the Rembrandt of fantasy football coverage, but would settle for being the Charles M Schultz, can be reached at askthefreak@hotmail.com. Drop him a line today!