That Guy 1 and 2

Everyone knows that guy...that guy who in his own mind thinks he is a lot better at something than he is in reality. Him and his close friend, guy who was once really good, but is now washed up but still holding on are some of the worst things about sports today. While guy number 1 is usually someone who was a standout athlete we knew in high school or college, guy number 2 is usually someone that is hall of fame caliber or a perennial Pro-Bowler/All-Star at worst.

Since Brett Favre has brought to light the most recent case of "That Guy" syndrome I figured it would be worth a minute of your time to spend going over some of the guys who have held on too long.

Starting with former/current NFL players, coaches, owners and/or announcers:

1. Jerry Rice - 19 NFL seasons with the 49ers, Raiders, Seahawks and Broncos.
- Should have stayed retired after playing one decent season with the Raiders. But for the sentimentalist in all of us he should have retired as a 49er for real instead of the curtosy retirement signing he got at the end of his career.

2. Al Davis - Raiders owner since 1972.
- Game passed him by long ago. The Raiders haven't been relevant for 15 years, save maybe a two year stretch when they made a fluke appearance in the Super Bowl. Since then he has spent first round draft picks on Fabian Washington, Robert Gallery, Darrius Heyward - Bey, Michael Huff, Sebastian Janikowski and Ricky Dudley. I'll credit him though with Tim Brown, Nnamdi Asomugha, Charles Woodson and Marcus Allen though. Those guys were the best in the game at one time or another. But when Forbes Magazine rates you as the least profitable NFL franchise for the second consecutive year, it may be time to cut your loses and move on (sell the team or at least stop pretending to be GM).

3. Brett Favre - 18 seasons with the Falcons, Packers, Jets and Vikings.
- I understand getting that itch and the need to scratch it, but Favre should have stayed retired after telling the Packers he would retire. At the worst, retiring after last season with the Jets. He was one of my all-time favorite players and is still one of the all-time greats, but his legacy is severely dimished.

4. Mark Brunell - 16 seasons with the Packers, Jaguars, Redskins and Saints.
- Did you know he is still playing? Me neither, but as he toils away in obscurity as Drew Brees' backup, a former Pro-Bowler continues to hold on to past glories.

5. Morten Anderson - 16 seasons with the Saints, Falcons, Chiefs, Giants, Vikings, and the Falcons again.
- Was still effective at age 45+…but only inside 35 yards and on extra points.

NBA Guy #2 Candidates:

1. Scottie Pippen - 21 seasons with the Bulls, Rockets, Blazers, Tropan Pojat (Finland), Sundsvall Dragons (Sweden).
- One of the 50 Greatest NBA players of All-Time is continuing his career not on the bench of an NBA team, but in Europe STILL!

2. Dominique Wilkins - 17 seasons with the Hawks, Clippers, Celtics, Panathinaikos (Greece), Spurs, Fortitudo Bologna (Italy), Magic.
- Finishing what many will call a great career as a journeyman with a couple trips overseas says it all.

3. Sam Cassell - 17 seasons with the Rockets, Suns, Mavs, Nets, Bucks, Timberwolves, Clippers, Celtics.
- When you are looked at to be a coach and haven't yet retired means it may be time to hang em up.

4. Patrick Ewing - 18 seasons with the Knicks, Supersonics, Magic.
- Ending his legendary career trying to catch on with the Magic was heartwrenching to watch.

5. Danny Manning - 15 seasons with the Clippers, Hawks, Suns, Bucks, Jazz, Mavs, Pistons.
- Never really lived up to his potential we saw in college, partly due to injuries and being a Clipper for a time. But still spent an injury ravaged career trying to grab back some of the old college glory days.

I love lists. They are great uses of time...more to come.