This whole Brett Favre saga really has brought out the starfuckers in the media, hasn’t it? (And when I say “the media”, I’m mostly referring to ESPN) Everyone has gotten sick of the Favre coverage, but the attention continues unabated. And it will continue to continue, as Paul Simon would say. I’m surprised (but not shocked) that ESPN’s so-called “experts” are all uniformly lining up to kiss Favre’s ass every time they’re on the air. Even the NFL Network has seen similar performances by their “experts”. Will we get an balanced an honest appraisal out of any of the NFL-specific writers and analysts before this thing is over?

No.

This has really been a banner fortnight for ESPN. Not only have we gotten inundated with Favre coverage, not only have we been stuck with J.A. Adande’s smug visage on PTI all week, and not only have we been consistently exposed to those horrifically bad Darkmane commercials, but they’ve taken the added step of sticking that no-talent twerp with the countdown board in EVERY FUCKING PROGRAM, just to remind us that Sportscenter is going “live” in the mornings. Are they purposefully trying to choose the worst possible on-air “talent” just to screw with us? If so, why? What is the end-game here?

Anyway, the links for tonight:

— Why would Favre come back to play for a team that’s going nowhere? (Epic Carnival)

— NBC sells $1 Billion in advertising for the Olympics. Remember this the next time you hear someone complaining that athlete salaries are too high. (Awful Announcing)

— Previewing the Olympic soccer field. Also, be sure to check out our own “Speaking English” for more on this topic. (The Big Lead)

— Ronaldo is staying in Manchester. 95% of you don’t care. Whatever. (Deuce of Davenport)

— Do you love basketball statistics? Would you like your head to explode? Check out “Individual Contributions to Team Success”. (Hardwood Paraoxysm)

— Apparently the air in Beijing isn’t so good? Who knew? (With Leather)

— The save statistic in baseball…worthless? Joe from Houston, you’re on the air. (Bugs and Cranks)

— Natalie Gulbis cares about you and me. (Busted Coverage)