Birk, Smith Square Off

After Matt Birk's press conference Tuesday, he was put on the philosophical debate mode by former teammate Robert Smith, who retired early because of the damage done by football, yet stood strong to defend the players union and its leadership Tuesday.

Matt Birk found himself in an unusual war of words Tuesday with former teammate Robert Smith on national TV.

Birk was invited to speak on the ESPN “Outside the Lines” program about Tuesday’s press conference looking to raise funding and awareness for the plight of former players, which led to an interesting exchange with Smith, who works as a college football analyst for the network.

Smith admitted to leaving the game early in part after seeing how debilitated players from previous eras were when the Vikings would conduct player reunions. But on “Outside the Lines,” Smith seemed to toe the company line and say that the NFL is doing well by its former players and that most that have accessed it have received some form of funding. He was extremely forceful in saying that the league has a sound policy in place and that players like Birk aren’t “fully informed” of the processes involved.

Birk, a Harvard graduate, said he did understand the process, but that it is made to make it virtually impossible for players to access benefits. In the end, the former teammates agreed to disagree.

WEDNESDAY NOTES
* Since when have coaches been getting called out so much? First it’s Petergate – alleged bounty put on Adrian Peterson by the Packers defense. Then it’s Shawne Merriman saying the Jeff Fisher put a “hit” out on him. Now it’s Mike McCarthy of the Packers claiming a low hit on Brett Favre was intended to injure him. The NFL has always been violent and there have always been head-hunters. Why is it getting so much press coverage now?
* Erasmus James met Doctor James Tuesday, as Dr. James Andrews performed the third surgery to James’ left knee. Andrews, who has gained notoriety as the top sports surgeon in the country, didn’t do either of James’ previous surgeries.
* The Vikings waived DT Conrad Bolston Tuesday when Fred Evans returned from his two-game suspension.