I spent last weekend enjoying the strategic competition of a Fantasy Football Draft. I joined a group of late thirty to upper forty, life-long friends for their annual draft party. It was a boys’ weekend out that was centered around great food, healthy socializing, and serious completion. This was my second year attending the Long Island, New York event serving as their appointed “Ambassador for the NFL” and part time “Strategy Consultant.”

Two AM Thursday my buddy Pat “PJ” Biazi and I loaded his car and begin our six hour ride from Richmond, Virginia to his hometown of Long Island, New York for his annual NFL Fantasy Football Draft weekend. This bunch represents all groups of fantasy football players extremely well. They create a full program for male bonding activities which builds into competitive frenzy until it concludes with their draft party. This group transforms a pool side barbeque into a “war room” like environment as each of these regular every day working dads, fathers, and husbands transform into shrewd, trash talking, well studied, general managers for their own star studded franchises.

I have become immeasurably more respectful of the amount of planning this league undertakes in order to conduct the annual event. I have never taken part in a fantasy league prior to joining this group and had very little understanding for what was involved in the process. This was my second trip to the event and the guys had educated me last time that different leagues have a variety of criteria for their point systems. Some leagues focus on awarding points based on touchdowns scored by players or yardage gained. Some leagues reward points for field goals or for the defense’s ability to have the fewest totals for yardage gained or points scored against. The goal remains the same. Score enough points to be declared champion for the year or at least a higher total than the guys sitting at your table. That secures bragging rights next year. This league uses a combination of those scoring mechanisms and more.

The participants researched using the internet, ESPN and NFL network expert analysis, not to mention any and every rag magazine that mentions the words “Fantasy” and “Football” in the title. For my buddy Pat, he hoped my knowledge of current players and strategy would boost his chances. Remind me to let you know how it goes.

As I said before the guys in this league plan and execute their draft weekend the right way; not just a group of guys sitting in a basement calling out names on a Saturday afternoon. They took time to coordinate a weekend of events to lead up to the name selection. Thursday evening was a casual dinner out at a local Italian bistro. Friday, we took a charter fishing trip for Striped Sea Bass and Pogies. You can only imagine how the sizes of the fish caught excited and inspired the trash talk. Saturday evening continued to generate the competitive buzz as we dined on our day’s catch.

The bass was lightly crusted and pan fried served with a rice and black bean medley and a fresh tomato, peppers, and onion vegetable chutney. Just in case you needed to know.

Saturday was the draft. Pool side at the home of Richie, a founding member of the group, players set up their draft areas. Laptops were connected and thanks to cell phones and the internet, members of this group, that for work purposes couldn’t be present, made sure that they had the ability to participate.

The smell of the sausages, peppers and onions searing on the grill signaled that it was time to begin the evening of taunting, toasting, and trash talking. Twenty rounds of strategizing over which NFL player was available and how their team’s schedule and system use of that player could impact that players success and score based on this league’s scoring system. While considering other positions needed on that team and how it might impact the frequency for success a player could have; all the while trying to better the fantasy player cumulative score.

Half time was celebrated with gourmet burgers grilled by Richie, the host. Then back to work setting up the teams.

Truly a wonderful example of how these events could and should be handled. If your league hosts a weekend similar to this, feel free to invite me. This ambassador will travel, especially if the menu reads like this one. I’ll try to bring a friend if you have dessert.

Last week I talked about my son’s first week of football practice and the pride I felt. As I watched, he assumed his responsibilities and charged out of his stance excited to be a part of the team. Those feelings haven’t changed and his excitement hasn’t wavered, but I need to fill you in on what happened when his equipment arrived.

The league he plays in is a very established one steep in tradition and strong on safety. They provide quality equipment, but ask the parents to take the responsibility of providing their children with a few things: practice pants, jersey, cleats, and a cup. I reached out to my trusted Wisconsin sportswear provider “East Bay” to fulfill my uniform needs and waited for the box to arrive. We presented my son with the box of football items and gathered around the kitchen table to watch him open it up. It was Christmas in August. He was focused on the way the pants felt as they already had the pads inside and couldn’t wait to get his socks on so he could try on his new cleats.

What happened next had my wife and I in tears. My Daughter who was excited for her brother was still curious to see what else might be in the box. The one item he had overlooked was the one she became the most curious about. Out of the box she pulled this plastic package that had a funky looking plastic object inside. My wife and I were busy unlacing and helping my son try on his shoes when the other little voice in the room chimed up. “What’s this?” my daughter asked. My wife looked up and murmured “Oh my, do you want to handle this one?” Before I could speak she replied “it’s a cup baby.” Evidently she expected a cavalier response to be enough to end the Q & A. NOT! “A cup?” asked my daughter. “Yes a cup,” responded my wife. “But brother doesn’t need another cup. Why did brother get a cup? We have lots of cups! Does brother put his juice in it?” Then she requests her usual chocolate milk and asks “can I use brother’s CUP?” “No, you don’t drink out of it,” replied my wife. My three year old daughter stood there very confused. She whispered in confusion once again “why does brother need a cup?” Then she dropped it on the table.

My wife started to explain as I sat and tried to hold back the laughter. “Baby girl, brother needs this to protect his boy parts from being hit while he plays football.” My daughter tilted her head crinkled her forehead and stared at it like a confused puppy. I just grinned. My wife then tried to drive home her original point, “no, you don’t drink out of it!” My daughter looked at my wife and respectfully replied “No mommy. It’s not a cup; it’s a pee pee protector!” Then she walked into the family room and began to watch TV.

My wife in pure shock, picked up her jaw from the floor, looked at me and said “we haven’t been monitoring all of these kids’ TV shows, but we are starting today.” I came up with a better solution and turned the TV off and pulled out some board games.

It was meant to be a surprise where we were going. I brought his favorite football with and just told him we were taking a ride. He figured it was a typical father/son trip to the park to play catch. Little did my son know it was the trip I had been planning since the day I found out he was coming into the world and that he was a “he.” We had a short drive and an even shorter walk to the football field once we arrived.

My son William, aka “Lil Will” or “LW,” could hardly contain himself. And we weren’t alone either. He saw Adam, Blaine, Zack, Marshall, and many others from his class. They were all gathering for one purpose, the first day of football practice!

Due to bad information we were a few minutes late and the players had already begun their warm ups. The coaches had the kids separated in two groups, running backs and defenders; working on beginner tackling. For most of them it was their first time practicing that fundamental skill. I fought myself as I had the urge to scream “Wrap him up!” to the young players practicing. I didn’t want to be anything like those dads who give coaches migraines as they backseat coach from the bleachers. LW surprised me as he took the initiative to cheer on his future teammates, pointed out the need to wrap up, and “Grab Cloth” as the young players practiced. I couldn’t help but begin to gleam inside as I thought to myself, “he’s been paying attention! That’s My Boy!” My chest was pretty big at that moment.

I was also eager to see for myself how the game has evolved since my little league days. Rules are much different than when I was playing little league. You know, “BC” (before caution). The focus is more on player safety and injury prevention. Players focus as they warm up and stretch; which was always a goof off period for my group. Players must also go through a week of endurance training before they can even put on the pads. Back in the leather helmet days when I started, we only had three days, most of which were used to figure out how to put our pads on. This new conditioning was FREQUENTLY interrupted with re-hydration breaks. Truthfully, the kids’ practice jerseys were wet not from the workout or warm weather, but from dripping water while they participated in one of their many mandatory hydration breaks. As soon as a kid came close to the sidelines a mom was popping the tops off new bottles of something and pouring it down the kids’ gullets. Those overly helpful moms were very familiar from my little league time. Next they would take a baby wipe, to clean the kids off, then squirt his hands with sanitizer. Wow how things have changed. That was very different for me. My mom would just wait for me to collect all the dirt I could for the day then hose me off in the back yard before I was allowed to enter the house. I know these changes are all about player safety. Honestly, part of me wanted to question if this was even teaching the kids the mental toughness they would need to last an entire season.

The kids even had equipment that fit. I remember my mom having to remove the duct tape that was used to hold the pads in my pants in place before she could wash them. She especially hated to remove a piece around the waste which was essentially my belt.

I couldn’t stop smiling. I tried to act cool so not to show LW how energized I was about him playing, but I didn’t want to put any pressure on him to join. I wanted to burst as I saw LW having difficulty holding back. He couldn’t stop bouncing as he watched hoping a ball would fly stray so he could impress the coaches with his hustle or hands. “Throw me a pass Dad” or “Throw a long one” was what he kept asking; hoping to make a catch while trying to grab the coaches attention. Finally the coaches gave in. “Are you going to play with this team?” the head coach asked. “YES Sir!” LW replied. “Then get over here and take a knee!” responded the coach. I don’t know who was smiling more.

Just like that, my son started his first day of football. Through all of that I realized how and why I love the game. I only hope he can love it too.

My feelings are torn as I decide whether or not to support the Jet Blue flight attendant and his reaction to being carelessly injured and verbally assaulted. There was a coach or two who also had me on the fence about continuing to play football; as they made verbal attacks that may have been considered a little too personal.

Mr. Slater’s response to being treated harshly has catapulted him instantly into a “national hero.” The news of the flight attendant’s tantrum has become the current buzz because everyone has a story or two about the time they were just doing their job and someone tried to undercut their professional worth. I don’t necessarily consider Slater a hero. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear hundreds of people follow his lead and call it a movement.

That’s where my questions begin. What sign are we sending which allows us to champion this man’s lapse from the state of professionalism? This flamboyant competition for moronic status with the self serving customer didn’t remove her from getting what he or she ultimately wanted, it only delayed it.

Year two for me with the Packers I was verbally attacked by Coach Mike Holmgren for asking him to consider changing practice format due to an injury. He didn’t care to hear my thoughts and began to pelt me with any and every word that made me sound like I was a selfish player. I was humiliated and traumatized because this took place in front of the entire team. I felt vulnerable and extremely pressured to attack back. I wanted to respond more like a lion and pounce. I did try. But my teammates quickly corralled me and halted my path to him. They quickly alerted me of the professional suicide! Still at the time I wanted to do a “Slater” and go “postal” on his butt.

I know it to be a fact that flight attendants and others in service oriented professions are often treated at times unprofessionally. We as a majority treat persons in the service industry as if we are entitled. Both my wife and sister in law were flight attendants for different airlines for a time and they have told me their fair share of stories. My issue isn’t with Slater’s need to feel vindicated and take immediate action to resolve the issue. I only pause because I fear the younger people attempting to learn how to handle themselves in the working world will not have the support of peers and eclipse their chances at promotion and career advancement. I’m already nervous about our society’s lack of commitment to social responsibilities, unlimited access to extreme cases of violence, horror and gore through video games, cinema, TV, and internet. Has all of this desensitized us? What messages are we sending if we reward this behavior?

There’s nothing wrong with diplomacy and keeping with professional standards, but I also understand in situations like this people can have temporary lapses in judgment and decide to resolve conflict by revolution. So, who is the winner and at what cost?  I believe in the end the only winners from this situation will be Slater and the networks that promote his rise to fame. This guy will get his 15 seconds, book and movie deals, and a guest spot on Regis and Kelly, but what about the copy cat who wants to scream foul because someone shook them on a bad hormone day? I doubt results will not be favorable.

I was checking out the Packer website and news of training camp confrontations reminded me of something else I missed. Practice fights for some seemed random, but for most with tenure they were predictable and sometimes a welcome break from the monotony of the day.

There are many combinations that may often result in shorter tempers which smolder until flare up fights result. Training camp can be a unity building tool, but too much of the same schedule with the same people can stress the team fibers. The practices can seem long and the amount of work to recovery ratio will make an athlete tired. Most happen over a misunderstood statement or an obvious ego tarnishing loss by a player; the typical result of guys being tired and uncomfortable. Calmer heads may not prevail as you add the fuel of trash talk, a loss in performance when the job is on the line, and the monitoring eyes are on full alert.

The typical practice fight only lasts 20 to 30 seconds and hardly ever results in multiple episodes. Why you may ask? The fights usually end quickly for several reasons. Coaches and other players step in before things get too out of hand and more importantly, the guys involved realize they are tired and the fight is making them more exhausted. Most of the fights I observed happened around mid practice and the involved players were exhausted.  However fights ended because the players realized they still had to work to finish. The idea of digging out of the fatigued state compounded by fighting by the realization that work hadn’t yet been finished are the key deterrents for players policing themselves and not fighting more. The fact that some coaches threaten players with unemployment may also help.

Still, I do miss an occasional shouting match. They use to stop the stagnant feel of the practice and encourage a competitive mood. We weren’t fearful of players getting hurt due to the amount of padding worn, quickness of others stepping in and the shortness of energy the player usually had. We often felt the chaos forming as one player would accuse another of cheating or chastising. This was usually the reply of an over confident player who had lost in a one on one matchup. Either this was someone they felt shouldn’t lose to; especially with the pressures of coaches observing. For the veterans, it was 30 seconds of entertainment, which usually resulted in a five minute practice stoppage. That’s Christmas for some during the longer two practice days.

Ironically, of the fights that I witnessed, only once have I seen the person who initiated the scuffle actually win. That victory was short lived, because the guy was later cut for not being able to do the job he was trying out for.

I didn’t fall for it, did you? Tuesday morning as I was keeping myself busy, I was interrupted by a reliable source who told me Big Foot was finally going to stop hiding in the woods. Then I got a phone call that the Lockness Monster had decided to venture onto land and pursue an acting career in Broadway Musicals. Later, a TV announcer commented the Yeti was on the cover of the Caribbean Post Gazette as the newest resident.  The invisible Man has decided he will start wearing one glove in respect of Michael Jackson. And the most unbelievable story was Brett Favre was going to retire. We know now that all these stories are false, but how big the Brett story became was so incredible to me.

The excitement that has been generated, both good and bad, circling Brett’s involvement in the game is a great story. I feel it is one of the great things happening for the game of football and its importance in the entertainment world. Some of you may disagree. Still people can’t stop talking about the “what ifs” dealing with Brett continuing or not. I enjoy the fact he is always relevant news. Hell, I’ve benefited simply because we were teammates for 12 of 40 years? I enjoy every time he is considered the hot story the networks use part of the story to promote and replay one of his many remarkable performances. I’ve even seen news on Favre being used as a lead in for the movie “Something About Mary” in which he appeared.

Just like every super hero comic I’ve read or action/fantasy movie I have watched this epic has all the ingredients to captivate. The leading hero character who must struggle with an injury received while in battle; this drama is no different. The story should read: After battling a vicious wound to his wonder ankle, “Prylo-Snapper-Wrangler Boy” jumped from his tractor and threw his famous Super Ball of justice. Hoping to save the day for the regionally liked Purple People. Stay tuned when … and he played again…

Brett needs to come up with a new battle cry as he leaps into action to defeat his foe. When he was part of the Packer Nation he could use “GO Pack GO!” Not sure what those Purple People or mascot “Rathgar” shout. “Another one bites the dust?” “Or wishing on a star?” It really doesn’t matter. The Packers can and always will be able to cheer “We are the Champions of the World!”

I was fortunate to know the man and blessed to call him not only teammate, but friend. I was shocked; more like knocked down as I checked Packer.com last night and saw the headline “Former OL Galbreath Dies”.

As a lineman, Harry spent most of his career out of the media and limelight because he did his job the right way. “Harry Luv” to those who knew him was a charismatic, happy, intelligent, and outgoing person. On the field he got down and nasty as he needed to complete the mission. He was named to the University of Tennessee’s 100 all time team and All American in 1991 before being drafted by the Miami Dolphins.

After a good stint in Miami the Packers were able to acquire him in a trade. That’s when I met the great man. Harry was part of one of my greatest memories as a Packer. It was the June camp of my rookie year and some of my veteran players put a mission in my hands. I was given a chance to earn the respect of my vets by getting nine of them, led by Harry, from Green Bay to Milwaukee for a concert. Not just any concert and not just to the show; they wanted all access and to be on stage. And it was my responsibility to get Harry there in time to meet his friend who was performing. It was a major event called “Jam For Peace” which starred about 30 rising stars and top of the chart acts; and I had to get the guys on stage, not just into the show.

Harry was dating one of the performers at the time and wanted to surprise her by showing up back stage. The other guys just wanted to go and check out the stars and shows. I got the go ahead before the 9am practice that my mission was a GO and the clock was ticking. So you better understand my predicament; which I’ll explain. I had to get nine players from Green Bay to Milwaukee’s festival grounds for an all day concert. I had Zero tickets and was told that the show was sold out. Once there I had to get all nine, not in front of the stage, not just back stage, but on stage during some portion of the show. Did I mention that I was a rookie and had to have a good practice so that I didn’t get myself in hot water with the coaches? Did I also mention that we had NO tickets and it’s a two hour drive from the stadium to the festival grounds? Oh, and the fact that I didn’t know how to get there. Double Oh, I didn’t have a car.

Things started well for me because I had a good practice and the guys agreed to make it a bit easier for me. Not knowing if I would be able to get the tickets they decided to call in a favor to a Milwaukee contact that could get some. They were grass seats at the amphitheatre, but at least we were in the door. Still we were five blocks away from the front of the stage. Not where they wanted to be. We also had a way to the show because the guys chose to drive their cars.

Now it was time for me to work. Any and everyone that had a credential or badge associated with the event was my new best friend. I asked every one of them almost the same question, “I’m the rookie and I need to find the person who can get Harry to his friend and the rest of these guys on stage? Please help me?” What seemed like an eternity and somewhat of an impossible task had amazing results. We arrived at the show between two or three pm. Forty five minutes later we were back stage. About an hour later Harry was saying hello to his girlfriend. He later told me “Great Job Rook” which was my welcome into the group.

I don’t know if it was my sincere honesty, Virginia Gentlemen Charm, great smile, soft eyes, dashing good looks… Ok just kidding. I truly don’t know why the young lady that I ended up meeting who made almost all of my responsibilities to the veterans, come true. I thanked her for helping me win the respect of my teammates and making Harry’s surprise possible. So grateful, I took her on a date that hasn’t ended.

Harry “Luv” Galbreath, it was because of you I wasn’t hazed as a rookie. Because of the challenge you presented me I met my wife. You are the third of my big brothers to leave our group. I hope you keep watching over us as you did in the locker room. We will miss you always.

Less than ten days till NFL training camp and the Super Bowl chatter has already begun. The future of the Packers is the hot topic and being fueled by critics, who are chanting their strong belief that this year could be a successful one for the Green Bay Packers. This week I will look at the offenses’ success of the Packers of 1995 and 2009 years as a predictor for how good this year’s team will be.

We all know how great it was to be a Cheese head after the 1996 season. The Pack was back and the foam cheese trend was epidemic. Could we use the success of the 1995 season to wager on the future for the Packers of 1996 and if so could this be a possible trend for 2010? The 1995 year inspired fans to have saddles ready for the great Super Bowl ride. The 1995 team, like the 2009 group, was full of youth but with a larger amount of unproven talent in key offensive positions. Edgar Bennett was a first year starter at halfback to be lead by a second year fullback by the name of Dorsey Levens. The second game of that season, Levens was replaced by another unknown, a rookie by the name of Henderson, who only had one year as a starter in college. Antonio Freeman was an aspiring rookie under the leadership of 8 year veteran Mark Ingram. The field general, a happy go lucky fifth year 26 year old named Brett Favre. The 1995 team averaged just less than five years of NFL experience with Ken Rutgers, the eldest statesman, with ten years. That was year and a half less of professional time than this year’s team which hosts three players with greater than 10 years of experience: Clifton, Driver and Tauscher.

For several offensive production categories the 2009 team boasts a strong favor as a championship contender when compared to that of the 1995 team. The pre Super Bowl team only averaged 3.5 yards per rushing attempt verses 4.4 by Grant and company in 2009. Both teams had proven receivers, but the 2009 team with a 12.6 average for yards per catch not only topped the 1995 squad, it also beat the 12.0 yards per catch performance for the Super Bowl team as well. The 2005 Favre run team completed 372 of 593 passes which was 63 percent with 15 interceptions. Rodgers had an outstanding year with a 103.2 passing rating, completing 357 of 553 attempts with only eight interceptions. Fantastic numbers considering the team started slow posting almost record setting sack numbers due to an offensive line inconsistency. The O-line issues have been addressed and the health of the players is better starting off, providing a more promising start to this year.

As a player you are conditioned to never look past your next opponent, so I won’t jump the gun now. Yet and still, considering the numbers generated by the 2009 team, the better health of this team, and the repairs to issues presented them last year I can’t help but get excited. My rally towel is unfolded and my mini megaphone is ready to travel to Lambeau. The team is never complete without the 12th man present; a call to arms for all cheese heads. And what better reason to suit up and be accounted than a chance to witness history as this 2010 team makes a charge toward it potential destiny? Based on the percentages from last year’s performance and the retention of most of the team’s members, it is easy to see why the buzz is about the Pack being a front running contender for the Super Bowl.