This week is Packers week for The MMQB. I’ll be back at Lambeau as the Packers take on the Seahawks on Sunday, but before I take off for Titletown, I took a look back at my time in Green Bay in this week’s column.
It’s Green Bay week @theMMQB. Not in GB as others, but column will describe living and working there for nine years. There will be stories..
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) December 8, 2016
For nine years I worked in the Packers’ front office as the team’s vice president, and during those nine years grew to love the NFL’s smallest market. Packers fans are some of the most, if not the most, dedicated fans in the league. Watching Packers games on Sunday is more than just a ritual; it’s an obligation that the Cheese Heads have to their team (many of these Cheese Heads are part owners, by the way). The fans in Green Bay are humble and kind and made my time in Wisconsin more than memorable. Now seven years removed from my time with the team, only two players who I worked with remain on the roster. Despite this, I still feel strongly connected to the Dairy State. For more stories from my time in Green Bay, head over to The MMQB.
Imagining if Brett Favre had to wear a tie on road trips. We just hoped for semi-ripped jeans.
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) December 5, 2016
A few of @theMMQB staff embedded in Green Bay this week; I embedded there 9 years. Stories from living in Titletown: https://t.co/5gfZ21bvnV
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) December 8, 2016
Earlier this week I joined Ross Tucker on his podcast to talk all things football, namely, what’s going on with the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Jets? Let’s start with the Rams. The newly-relocated team is 4-8, which includes their season opener where they managed to put all of zero points on the board against the 49ers. (The 49ers! Their Week 1 matchup against the Rams has been their only win of the season. They currently sit with a 1-11 record.) Despite their less than stellar record, Los Angeles re-signed Fisher to a two-year contract extension.
Jeff Fisher says he didn’t know his GM, who he works closely with, got an extension. “Jerry, it’s not a lie…if you believe it.” #Seinfeld
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) December 7, 2016
The front office justifies this re-signing by saying that any coach would struggle after their team relocates, but some have questioned whether or not this is a case of nepotism. Stay with me here. Fisher’s agent is Marvin Demoff. Marvin is the father Kevin Demoff, who is part of the Rams’ front office. That’s a bit of a conflict of interest, to say the least.
Yes, there are a lot of agents that represent coaches, general managers, players, etc, with inherent conflicts. But family is another level.
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) December 4, 2016
Again, on the web woven within the Rams: Jeff Fisher’s agent is Marvin Demoff, father of Rams senior executive Kevin Demoff.
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) December 4, 2016
Tucker and I also took a dive into the New York Jets’ quarterback situation. This fall, the Jets sat 2015 fourth-round draft pick Bryce Petty in favor of the newly re-signed Ryan Fitzpatrick in the name of “win-now.” Well, they didn’t win now and have instead slowed Petty’s development. Should the Jets have started Petty earlier? Is it time for them to move on from Fitzpatrick? Listen to the full podcast here for the answers to those questions and more.
Finally, this week I sat down with Dave Purdum, writer for ESPN Chalk, to dive into the current state of sports betting and gambling’s growing relationship with the four major leagues. We talk about the merger of Draft Kings and Fan Duel, the huge amount of money that’s being wagered on sports, and the new NHL team, the Vegas Golden Knights, which possibly paves the way for the NFL to relocate a franchise in Sin City. Check out our full conversation below.
