Will Adding Favre Benefit Vikings?
Clifton Brown - SportingNews.com
Aug 18, 2009
The Green Bay Packers were smart to cut ties with Brett Favre when they did.
Favre reportedly is back. And is anyone really shocked? After announcing his latest alleged retirement, after missing the first two weeks of training camp, Favre caught a plane to Minnesota Tuesday, to sign a contract and instantly become the Vikings' starting quarterback.
Has any NFL player ever received this kind of preferential treatment? Favre is a future Hall of Fame quarterback, one of the best ever to play the position. But his December fade with the New York Jets last season, along with his ugly divorce from the Packers, should have shown the Vikings that dancing to Favre's tune no longer brings a guaranteed reward.
Favre and the Vikings believe that with his throwing arm surgically repaired, he can take the Vikings further than last season, when they won the NFC North without him. But Favre turns 40 in October, and in his last eight playoff games he has thrown 14 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions with a passer rating of 77.8.
Favre still might be better than Sage Rosenfels or Tarvaris Jackson. But even that is debatable at this point. Last month, Favre himself said he could not play at an acceptable level. What has changed in three weeks? The Vikings need Favre to be at his best in January, assuming they make the playoffs. That is a lot to ask of a 40-year-old quarterback -- to make it through a long season healthy, and to play his best football after a season of pounding.
Even when Favre enjoyed a brilliant season two years ago with the Packers, he could not finish the job in the playoffs. He looked old and worn out during the second half and overtime of that NFC championship loss to the Giants. Sure, it was ridiculously cold, but Favre still was outplayed by Eli Manning as the Giants, not the Packers, went on to win the Super Bowl.
The Vikings have a strong defense and the game's best running back, Adrian Peterson. Favre does not have to carry this team. But if he was going to come back, he should have reported at the beginning of training camp with his new teammates.
Coming back midway through training camp way raises more questions about Favre's commitment. It also raises the chance that some teammates will resent the way Favre can stroll into camp late and simply be handed the starting job. Teammates who are friendly and loyal to Jackson, last year's starter, might be particularly miffed.
Favre also will be under more pressure to learn the Vikings' system quickly and to build chemistry with the Vikings' receivers. The Vikings' system is similar to what Favre ran in Green Bay, so it might be an easier process than he faced with the Jets. But Favre still would have been further ahead if he had reported from Day 1.
There is no denying Favre is talented and knowledgeable, and if anyone can pull this off he can. But it is dangerous in a team sport to let any player call the shots the way Favre has been allowed to. Once Favre said last month he was calling it quits, the Vikings should have closed the door.
Favre still was given carte blanche to return if he changed his mind, something he does quite often.
There is no denying Favre's return will be compelling, including two games this season against the Packers. It will be great theatre. But for the Vikings, the bigger question is whether Favre will play great football, good enough to help Minnesota go farther than last year.
At Favre's age, after reporting late and conflicted about whether he should return, the odds are against it.
Clifton Brown is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at cliftonbrown@sportingnews.com.
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