The Legend of the Salsa Cats

The year was 1982, the place was Santa Fe New Mexico. The people of Santa Fe did not have much to cheer for. Economic downturn in the wake of changes made by then-president Ronald Reagan meant that the majority of the town was below the poverty-line. From the dust of the desert storms came a team that gave the people of this small town hope.

The Santa Fe Salsa Cats.

For one brief season, this economically-ravaged city cheered on its semi-professional team to an undefeated season of 11-0. Led by former Navy star Paul Palawsky at quarterback and Terreal Dunbar at receiver, the Salsa Cats had an aerial display par-excellence that had the heads of professional scouts and opposing defenders turning constantly.

Neither Palawsky nor Dunbar ever made it out of Santa Fe – Palawsky runs the deli on 3rd street and Dunbar teaches at Pellegrino Middle School – but for three months, they were the toast of the state.

The year is now 2005 and the Salsa Cats are returning to Santa Fe.

A decision made by owner L. Johnny has seen the death of major sports in Green Bay. Said to be strictly a financial decision, this move actually takes the team to a smaller market, where attendance would need to be greater, per capita, to continue to be a sellout.

“I’m confident that the wonderful people of Santa Fe will support this team,” said L. Johnny in a rare public appearance. Indeed, it was surprising to see the man, rather than his right hand, the always-pity Collins. “Considering how they banded together to support the original Salsa Cats, at a time when thoughts were on how they would find the means to pay their mortgage, this is an opportunity to recapture a kind of magic.”

Magic that Palawsky does not believe that they will find. “You can’t catch lightning in a bottle. And if you could, that lightning is thirteen years old. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll buy a season ticket, but if you believe that they’re just going to come right in and capture the imagination of this town, you’ve got another thing coming.”

Terreal Dunbar has another perspective on it. “My cousin’s boy, LaTarence, is playing for that team. You can bet people around here will come out to support that boy. It’s real good to see they’re coming here. It’s also nice to be recognized by a man like L. Johnny. He’s a real hero in the world of professional football.

While that may be stretching it, you’d have a hard time convincing folk in Santa Fe.

Welcome to the NFL, Santa Fe.

Week 5 - Where We Went Wrong

Special to edMaddenReports
by Cody Ness

It was supposed to be the start of something special. What it ended up being was another frustrating chapter in the ineffectual career of No. 2 and the number 1 bust in town.

After four ineffectual starts, Tim Couch looked like he was getting his legs. He had thrown a touchdown, been accurate and smart with his throws up until his season was ended when a shot to the back stopped everything cold.

The crowd was silent, the teams stood silently. Some of that persuasion even held hands in prayer, regardless of affiliation.

"It was nice to see," said coach Mike Sherman. "The boys really came together to support and hope for the continued health of our guy."

After a stay in the hospital that included tests, needles and a surgery to fuse two vertebrae, Couch's season is over. The spinal fusion does not mean, however, that his career is over.

"I wouldn't put it past the man to come back," said broadcaster and coaching-hopeful Warren Moon. "If the constant setbacks he's suffered haven't stopped him, this won't."

It was a positive spin compared to the ridicule that Couch has been forced to endure in his time as a professional quarterback. Now, comments from the pundits don't matter. All that matters is recovery and rehabilitation.

As of the time of publication, Couch was unavailable for comment but his standout stand-in, Doug Pederson, had plenty to say.

"We can't let this get to us. Yes, Tim is hurt and that is a shame But there is nothing we can do about it and we've still got a season to play."

This was nearly a word-for-word copy of what was said by coach Sherman in the press conference.

The question that needs to be answered is, does this injury put the spotlight on G.M. Collins who was all-too-eager in his haste to rid Wisconsin of Brett Favre? L. Johnny is the only man who can answer that, and he is not talking.

Personnel Holocaust - or - can the Packers survive?

Special to edMaddenReports
By Morten G. Robinson

L. Johnny said that change was in the air. He wasn't kidding. Gone is Brett Favre, the man who single-handedly thrust this franchise into prominence. What is left is a trifecta of pivots, the most likely of whom is a first-overall bust in Tim Couch.

Having done nothing to justify his draft status in the five years since he came into the league, Couch is the most likely to start the season, since Craig Nall and Doug Pederson have proven, in their time in the league, that they are not quite ready for prime time. What did the Packers get for Favre? A first and a third from Arizona. These will do nothing for us this season.

Gone also, are Ahman Green, Javon Walker, Grady Jackson, Mike McKenzie and Darren Sharper. Replacing them are Julius Jones, LaTarence Dunbar, Junior Siavii, Dunta Robinson and Michael Boulware. We are all for youth movements in this space, but to completely overhaul a team in this way does nothing but leave a pundit cold.

Granted, Javon Walker, Grady Jackson and Mike McKenzie have all complained about salary issues, Ahman Green has fumbling problems and Darren Sharper isn't getting any younger but to thrust their neophytic replacements into the fire in such a manner seems irresponsible.

Time will tell if all of the draft picks will pay off, if Couch, Jones and Dunbar will be able to adequately take the place of the trio of future hall-of-famers, and that same time will also see the inevitable demise of what can only be a football dynasty.

Farewell, Brett. The true cheesehead faithful will miss you.

From the ashes of the L.A. Knife and the Calgary Oilers...

The Packers: One of the most storied franchises in NFL history. Brett Favre has been the cornerstone since its resurgence. Ahman Green has been its most valuable player in recent years.

Now, in this latest installment of the legacy that is Madden, a new owner has appeared, offering the city of Green Bay far too much money for it to pass up. For the first time in recent memory, the Packers have a single owner.

What will the somewhat eccentric L. Johnny do in his first few weeks as owner? Already, there has been turmoil. Johnny has brought in his trusted axe-man, G.M. Collins for the position of General Manager, demoting Mike Sherman to coach only.

L. Johnny has never been known as a content owner and only Dan Snyder could be described as more hands-on, and that's a close call. The new owner has said that changes were in the air and the town of Green Bay has heard. Fear the change, Milwaukee. It won't be small.