I know we’ve said it a hundred times already, but I think this time, we finally mean it.
I believe we’re finally saying goodbye to a legend.
I know the past couple years have been more dramatic but there was still some magic made in his final seasons but seeing the wily old man sit it down is the end of something I don’t believe we’ll see again for a very long time in the game of football again.
And just as I start making some bold predictions for the remainder of the season, the wild up and down nature of this 2010 NFL season strikes again and proves me absolutely wrong.
The dominant teams of the conferences are starting to rise to the top, including one team who’s flat out burning through the AFC at a scary good pace. We got a great weekend of football this week which will start to thin out the playing field so let’s get right into it!
**The past couple years have been an interesting one to say the least when you talk about Brett Favre’s career. From getting in a dispute with Ted Thompson, GM of the Packers, to being traded to the New York Jets, to then retiring so he can be released and free to sign with whatever team he wants, to signing with the Vikings, and a miracle season where they were 1 interception away from the Super Bowl.
Heck of a ride, isn’t it?
If you look at it from his perspective, it really makes a lot of sense. Brett’s original goal when the Packers decided they were going to move on with Aaron Rodgers was to be around the guys he felt comfortable with. Ironically, Darrell Bevell and Ryan Longwell were both on the Vikings, one of the longest standing rivals for the Packers in the history of the NFL.
There was no way Ted Thompson was trading their future Hall of Fame QB to the division rival, so they needed to find a neutral place, out of conference, who would be willing to take on the 38 year old QB.
In comes the New York Jets, coached by Eric Mangini, who needed to make a move to have the NY crowd and the upper brass of the Jets organization appeased to keep his job.
Of course it doesn’t work since it’s a new system, new calls, new everything.
You know the old saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
Well teaching a QB who’s been in one system for roughly 16 years a new offensive game plan is just as hard.
After the failure of the Jets season and eventual firing of Eric Mangini, Favre didn’t want to be involved with the Jets anymore but still wanted to play football.
So how can Brett still play football but with the people and the system that he wants?
Simple. Retire.
All it took was one tearful press conference for the Jets to release his rights so he could make the decision he wanted to make all along. He could play with whatever team and personnel he wanted.
He didn’t want to play for the Vikings to get back at the Pack. He wasn’t trying to burn a hole in his legacy. He loves the game of football. He just wanted to play with the coaches and guys he knows and loves.
The fact that he’s so familiar with the guys that are now with Minnesota is more of a coincidence than a personal strike at the Green Bay front office. Most guys in the media will try and blow this up to be a personal strike since “there’s no such thing as bad press.”
Some guys just don’t understand that a guy can have that much love for the game.
And then comes the 2009 season, which by all statistics was Brett’s best year ever as a Pro.
The magic the Vikings had last year was truly nothing short of amazing. Seeing him turn 40 and still have the zip on the ball like a 26 year old was awesome. The players he was in the huddle with used to watch him on TV when they were kids.
Hearing guys like Percy Harvin talk about being awestruck that they’re catching TD passes from a legend like Favre really shows how magical that 2009 season was to them and their fans.
He gave the Minnesota fans a chance to be proud again of their football franchise. They had long been a snake-bitten franchise ever since the late 60’s of the Fran Tarkenton/Jim Marshall days. They have a record setting season in 1998 with Randy Moss as a rookie, Chris Carter and Randall Cunningham which ends in heartbreak.
Since that point, a lot of ups, downs, and shaky seasons leading up to 2009.
For once, the ball bounced the Vikes way. They would get those last minute luck plays that made the difference between a win and a loss. The luck seemed to finally find its way into the Metrodome.
I don’t know a person who hasn’t seen the final play against San Francisco on that beautiful pass to Greg Lewis; it was voted the best play of 2009.
The 2010 Season fell apart. Brett still wanted to play even though physically it was getting past his abilities. I don’t blame him one bit for coming back. Since he was a kid, this is all he knows as life.
If he can get up and throw a ball, he wants to be under center. His streak of 297 straight regular season games (321 including the Playoffs) is a record you’ll probably never see again from a QB. He is a first ballot Hall of Famer.
He re-defined the term Iron Man in the game of football.
Brett, at least to me, always represented the toughness and grit that was associated with the earlier days in the NFL. The game has softened up. Brett was still from the old school days, when they played on Astroturf which would leave you missing patches of skin on every tackle.
He played in the roughest of venues, especially in the winter. He thrived in the cold. He brought the lure of the Frozen Tundra back to Green Bay that had been lost since Lombardi was there.
Think about the amount of Hall of Famers he’s played against. His first full season, Lawrence Taylor, Joe Montana, Steve Young, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Jim Kelly, Barry Sanders and countless others were still playing. Mike Singletary retired from the Bears after the second year of Brett’s career.
The legends he’s faced from old and new is amazing. He was known and will always be known as a Gunslinger. He owns every record for passing yards, completions, attempts, TD’s, and of course, INT’s. His response to the INT record? “Hey, at least I was trying.”
I truly believe this is Brett’s last year. Regardless of the sexting/Jenn Sterger deal, the waffling back and forth on his career, and any other little things people will pick on Brett for, I only say one thing: Thank You.
Green Bay fans need to thank him even more than anyone else. Who were the Green Bay Packers before him? They were a mediocre franchise who was getting beat up and down the field. He made them relevant for 16 years. What other franchise can claim one player made them competitive for that long? I challenge you to find one for me and I’m willing to bet they never made the impact on the league the way Brett has.
So from all the football fans out there from older and younger generations, Thanks for all the close calls, great passes, wild interceptions, hair pulling passes, and great games you gave us Brett. You made these past 2 decades a lot of fun to watch on Sunday and Monday nights. Regardless what people say now, the league will miss him in a couple years. I’d put money on it.
**Just as I start to believe the NY Jets have the scheme of things figured out, Sanchez goes and shows up lame duck in 2 back to back showings against division opponents and gets completely steamrolled in the process.
The defense for the Jets is playing good, no one is questioning them. But people are questioning this mid season Sophomore-slump that has over taken Mark Sanchez all of the sudden. From being a very efficient, careful, smart passer to making countless mistakes and basically running his offense in the ground.
I don’t blame all of the offensive struggles simply on him, but he is surely responsible for a considerable amount. Teams are focusing on stacking the box against the run game and daring Sanchez to win it for them, and so far, that’s a smart defensive plan.
**You know who’s not making mistakes? The New England Patriots. These guys are as hot as you can be right now in the NFL and it seems like they’re peaking at a really good time.
They trade Randy Moss, look to have a very young, undersized defense, and are making this work against anyone they come across. They’re 11-2 right now and gelling better than larger experienced defenses in the league.
The two TE set and playing “Small Ball”, where they’re attacking the 7-10 yard range of defenses is a dangerous recipe right now. They absolutely destroyed the Jets and Bears (in Chicago) and sent a message to the rest of the AFC: You will need to come to Foxboro if you plan on taking a trip to Dallas.
The way they’re playing, I’m not sure anyone will be able to get out of New England with a win.
**Last week I went a clean 4-0 so we’re going to see if I can keep that streak going this week so let’s look ahead to week 15’s Screamers and Sleepers!
SCREAMERS!!!!!
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants
Last time these 2 met in Philly, The Eagles made it a point to let the rest of the NFC know that the loss of McNabb and Westbrook doesn’t mean they’re done. The Giants laid out the game plan on how to stop Mike Vick and definitely put more than a few good hits on him in the loss. This time, they come to the Meadowlands. I think NY pulls out a home win in a very close one. If Vick can’t some protection, he might not make it out of NY.
Giants pull off a much needed playoff-impacting win 24-23.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
Did anyone see this being that important of a game when looking at the schedule at the beginning of the season? Everyone had the Jags wrote off before the season started, and now they sit in 1st place in the AFC South with 1 victory against the Colts separating them from a home postseason game in Jacksonville. Unfortunately for them, you bet against Peyton Manning, it normally comes back to bite you. Peyton’s at home and knows how much this game means, and that typically means he’s going to throw for around 350 yards and a few TD’s.
Jacksonville puts up a great fight but loses a heartbreaker to Indy 27-21
Sleepers…
Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers
Hmmm…last time I remember these 2 teams playing, it was for their playoff lives to play Philadelphia in the NFC Championship game. It’s funny what 2 years can do to you, huh. These 2 teams are shells of their former selves and neither one of them know which direct is up. You could flip a coin in this one and I could justify it either way. I’ll go with Arizona just because Clausen’s no longer at Notre Dame anymore.
Arizona wins it 17-10.
Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks
When Seattle loses, they lose badly. It’s not like they have close games, they’re all typically 14+ point losses. This week they’re facing the best team in the NFC. Atlanta plays disciplined, methodical, smart football. Seattle plays, well, I think they play football. I know they can return kicks. Maybe they can win on special teams?
Seattle gets blown out at home 34-14.
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