Loading ...Really Brett?… Again?…
Uh, hey Brett, you're supposed to be over here! Eh, whatever.
OK, I was going to do another NHL free-agency piece this week, but after hearing this news, I had to put that on the back burner for a minute. Yes, everyone’s favorite flip-flopper, Brett Favre is in the NFL… again. And he’s now with the (gulp)… Minnesota Vikings?!… again (sort of). Oh and yes, I know, my esteemed colleague, Brian, recently did an article on #4, as the final chapter of the tired Favre saga had seemingly been written. However, that just wasn’t the case… again. So, before I go on, I feel I must plea with all Favre-jersey wearers out there (yes, including Sir Brian) to take that beloved sweater and burn it in effigy, because I just can’t have that much respect for those who still call themselves fans of the washed-up (albeit future Hall of Famer and admittedly one of the best players ever) old signal caller who changes his mind more than Britney Spears forgets her underwear.
That’s right, after announcing his (what, fourth?) retirement a mere three weeks ago… again, after attempting a comeback from surgery… again, Brett did another turnaround… again, and signed a two-year contract with Minnesota… yes, one of the Green Bay Packers’ biggest rivals. The 39-year-old decided that he now is actually alright to give it a go… again, and didn’t want to have any regrets… again, because he still loves to play. Well, that’s great Brett. However, I’m completely sick of the guy, and I hope everyone else is, too. Besides, in all honesty, I think I would rather have Steve McNair under center for the Vikings this year. Alright, I know, I know, that was a bit harsh, and I liked McNair, so I hope he’s resting in peace, but my point is that even though Favre is one of the best ever, he’s not an elite quarterback anymore.
Listen, I should preface all of this by saying that I’m actually a Vikings fan. I have been since the late ‘80s, so maybe this is affecting me more than it should. Many would probably say, “Sieck, you should be happy that Favre is now in Minnesota because he’s still an upgrade over Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels.” OK, that’s fair enough, but doesn’t anyone remember Favre’s finish with the Jets last year? They finished 1-4, and Favre’s TD/Interception ratio was abysmal. His arm is nowhere near what it used to be, and it’s my estimation that he will turn the ball over about a billion times this year. He loves to force plays, and because he’s “Brett Favre,” he’s not going to listen to head coach Brad Childress, and Childress isn’t going to be able to keep Brett from being Brett, just like Eric Mangini couldn’t with the Jets last year. At least Rosenfels and Jackson would have to heed warnings from the coaches. Furthermore, it’s inevitable that the reputation of Favre is going to take carries away from Adrian Peterson when the game is on the line (and the running game, along with the defense, is the true strength of the team). So, are the Vikes really better off with Favre? Also, it really shouldn’t surprise anyone that Favre’s performance declines towards the end of the year, because he’s older than death. ESPN reported that since 2005, Favre’s numbers in the last five games of the season are eerily similar to the finish with last year’s Jets. Sounds like a great way to end the season when the NFC North title will probably be on the line. However, maybe I’m panicking for nothing. Old Man River will most likely never make it to the end of the season. He’s so beat up that the ghost of Judy Garland probably has to oil his joints before a game.
I will probably take heat for this, but the bottom line is that the people who are going to
Ricky Williams: "Hey, mind if I do a J?"
rush to his defense are all living in the past. Can anyone say, “Rickey Henderson”? Athletes have to be able to let go of the game or it does SERIOUS damage to their legacy. (On a completely unrelated note, isn’t it completely illegal to bypass contracts and free agency by retiring and revoking that retirement year after year? Oh well, I’ll leave that one to the lawyers). Hey, don’t get me wrong, when the Packers travel to Minnesota on Week 4 for Monday Night Football, will I be watching? Um, yes. Hopefully, A.J. Hawk can break Favre’s spine and we can be done with this nonsense once and for all. Then, maybe I can start pulling for the Miami Dolphins. They don’t have any players who have retired for strange reasons and then changed their minds, do they?… Oh, never mind. Well, it looks like I’m still going to have to find another squad to root for… again.
Cuz…you let me down..I understand the un-retiring is getting old but I couldn’t watch this season with TJ or Sage..they both stink and defenses were gonna pound on AP all year long..this now opens up play action pass to a qb who can complete passes..and Brett also had the surgery to repair what plagued him towards the end of last season..Like Michael Vick..if Favre wins us something..we will all forgive him for giving us our 1st super bowl.