Brett Favre went back to Green Bay with his new team and made them eat their boo’s. Not bad for an old man… read more about the game from ESPN.com:
GREEN BAY, Wis. — If it were up to Brett Favre — and these days, I’m pretty sure everything is — fans departing Lambeau Field late Sunday would have had one collective thought.
“I hope that everyone in the stadium watching tonight said, ‘I sure hate that that joker is on the other side, but he does play the way he’s always played,’” he said.
Favre’s renaissance was never more apparent than Sunday, when he took control of a seesaw game at precisely the moment the Minnesota Vikings needed him most in an eventual 38-26 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
A 23-7 run had allowed the Packers to pull within 31-26. The clock showed 5 minutes and 38 seconds remaining in the game, and it was time for someone to grab the moment and for someone else to slink back.
On that count, Favre again proved there is no one better. He pushed the Vikings into the end zone in four plays, the last a 16-yard scoring strike to receiver Bernard Berrian on third-and-11. The touchdown pass, Favre’s fourth of the day, put away the Packers as only a seasoned winner can do, putting an exclamation point on Favre’s return to Lambeau and providing further documentation of his impact on the Vikings.
You’ve probably heard, once or twice, that Favre played 16 years in Green Bay. Trust me when I tell you he took special satisfaction in beating the Packers for the second time this season. But to me, it’s important to focus on the bigger point as well: Not only has Favre put the Vikings (7-1) exactly where they hoped to be, but he has left the Packers (4-3) precisely in the place they have most feared: Below him in the standings.
“The largest storyline was who was going to be in first place in the NFC North,” said Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman.
Favre has almost single-handedly eliminated his former team from that race. In two games against them, he completed 69 percent of his passes for seven touchdowns. He was neither intercepted nor sacked. Sunday, he was two steps ahead at every turn.
“We tried to put pressure on them with blitzes,” Packers cornerback Charles Woodson said. “And he either pointed them out and set the protection the right way, or threw the ball quick and we weren’t able to get to him. We felt like we had enough things called — and still we can’t get to him for whatever reason. Right now we can’t win the big game.”
There’s little doubt Favre is in the Packers’ heads. They know he has fallen prey to his emotions before, and they hoped a raucous Lambeau crowd — combined with more pressure — would jar him into some early mistakes. Instead, the opposite occurred. The Packers choked in the early going, falling behind 14-3 early in the second quarter and taking more sacks (four) than first downs (three) into the halftime locker room.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers escaped the pocket a few times in the second half, the biggest reason why the Packers offense briefly sprung to life. But on this night, he was no match for a rival who was too focused to let the opportunity fall away.
“I can’t tell you how many text messages I’ve gotten from guys just in passing today and yesterday,” Favre said. “’Hey, you’re going to play great. I know you’re nervous.’ I’m like, ‘Easy for you to say.’ But they were right again. I don’t know. It’s awful stressful to feel that way every week. I’d like to feel a little more relaxed. But I’m also pleased with the way I’ve played in these games.”
I suppose it’s possible the Vikings would have won Sunday with one of their other quarterbacks, Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels. The Vikings hadn’t won here in the Brad Childress era, so I’m dubious of that possibility. Regardless, there’s no one I’d rather have right now, with 5:38 remaining and the game in the balance, than Favre. And here’s one thing I am sure of: If Favre were not with the Vikings, there is no way there would be a 2.5-game difference between the teams in the standings.
Perhaps that’s why Vikings placekicker Ryan Longwell, 35, mobbed Favre, 40, after the final gun. Longwell, who kicked for Green Bay for nine seasons, knew how special and unique Favre’s accomplishment is.
“Unless you play here and have gone through it you just don’t know,” Longwell said. “It goes beyond just winning. It’s a special victory.”
Favre said his emotions began rising Sunday morning near the end of a 30-minute bus ride from the team hotel to Lambeau Field. He saw “a few fingers” as the bus pulled into the parking lot, he joked, but there was never a time when I thought Favre was close to letting the crowd get the best of him.
He celebrated heartily after tight end Visanthe Shiancoe’s 12-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, and at one point he appeared to be jawing with Packers defensive end Cullen Jenkins. Otherwise, however, Favre remained stoic. After the game, he spent several minutes embracing former teammates — Rodgers, Donald Driver and Al Harris among them — and said he was had no intentions to throw any “daggers.”
“I’d like to think I always handle myself with class,” he said. “It’s always tougher when you lose. I understand that. Never been one to rub it in anyone’s face. Guys I’ve played with as a Packer, I’ve got a lot of respect for. As I do this organization and these fans.”
So where does this leave us? For the first time that I can remember, Favre used the words “Super Bowl” in talking about the Vikings’ prospects this season. Up until Sunday, Favre had been saying he hopes to get the team “where we want to be.”
With a 7-1 performance in the first half of the season, the Vikings have pushed themselves onto the short list of favorites for this year’s championship.
“I want to lead this Viking team to the Super Bowl,” Favre said. “Believe me. I do. I’m going to do everything in my power. … At this point, we’ve put ourselves in a good position.”
They wouldn’t be there, of course, were it not for two victories over his former team. And the Vikings would not have swept the Packers without him.
“Am I pleased with the way these two games have turned out?” Favre said. “Yes, absolutely. I knew I could play. My arm feels great. My arm is in a good place. The team has welcomed me in. All the other stuff doesn’t matter. It makes a good story. I know it. [But] I’m glad it’s over. I’m glad we won them both.”
It’s official: it looked like Brett Favre would continue his career in Tampa Bay as a Buccaneer, but in the end, he’s off to Manhattan to become a Jet. That’s right: Brett Favre is now a member of the New York Jets!
MSN/FOX Sports has a great Top 10 Memorable Moments, all good. I’ll never forget the day he started:
Legend begins: September 22, 1992
Favre replaces the injured Don Majkowski in the first quarter of a game against the Bengals at Lambeau. He leads two late scoring drives and caps a 24-23 comeback win with a 35-yard touchdown pass in the final seconds. The rest is history.
I was 15 years old in high school, working at the time at a convenience store on Sundays. Green Bay was one of the teams I liked, and I actually loved Dan Majkowski - I would keep track of the scores on the radio when they announced that Brett Favre - spelled Fav-ray, pronounced Farve - had replaced Majkowski. Indeed, the rest, as they say, is history.
“NFL Commissioner Goodell understands how this looks. And make no mistake, image matters to the NFL. What you had here is a water balloon fight between one of the game’s greatest players and one of the league’s greatest franchises. It’s like watching a brawl in church.”
Can you spell “disaster”?
Brett Favre finally is speaking for himself: He wants to play but doesn’t feel welcome in Green Bay, so he’s asking to be released.
The quarterback’s first substantial comments about his latest retirement decision reversal came in a Monday interview with Fox News on “On the Record with Greta Van Susteren.”
“OK, you guys have a different path, fine,” Favre said, recalling a June 20 conversation with Packers coach Mike McCarthy. “What does that mean for me? So that means either you give me my helmet, welcome [me] back, or release me, or attempt to trade me. We all know that’s a possibility, but way-out-there possibility.
“And he says, ‘Well, playing here is not an option, but we can’t envision you playing with another team, you know, either.’ And I thought, so basically, I’m not playing for anyone if I choose to come back.”
Man, I don’t know who’s shoes I’d hate to be in more. Read more.
ESPN’s Bill Williamson does a great job analyzing where Brett Favre might land if he un-retires:
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: The Bills appear committed to the young Trent Edwards. Favre would be an upgrade at this point, sure. But the Bills are not close to being a Super Bowl contender, and developing Edwards should be the priority.
Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins are surely in need of a quarterback. Rookie Chad Henne will get his chance. But the Dolphins probably would love to have a vet like Favre to show Henne the way. But would Favre want to be a Dolphin at this point?
New England Patriots: It’s not going to happen here. Let’s move on.
New York Jets: Seeing Favre in the green and white would invoke memories of Joe Namath, and Favre playing in the Big Apple would make for a great story. But it’s unlikely. The Jets have a lot to prove before they can be considered a contender again. It’s doubtful Favre would be interested.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: This could be a real possibility if Favre really wants to play this season. Baltimore is a decent team in need of a quarterback. Sure, the Ravens took Delaware QB Joe Flacco in the first round of the April draft. But no one would blame the Ravens for holding off on the Flacco era in favor of Favre for a year or two. If Favre wants to come back, Baltimore could be a place to consider.
Cincinnati Bengals: With Carson Palmer in the fold, this is simply not an option.
Cleveland Browns: With Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn, the Browns have too many quarterbacks. They will not be in the market for Favre.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger rounds out a mostly solid quarterback division. Indeed, if Favre is coming to the AFC North, it will be in Baltimore.
AFC South
Houston Texans: This could be a sleeper team. The Texans are on the verge of good things, but they are not exactly settled at quarterback. Sage Rosenfels is waiting in the wings should Matt Schaub have issues. If Favre were available, then Texans coach Gary Kubiak, a quarterback lover, would be tempted.
Indianapolis Colts: See: New England.
Jacksonville Jaguars: David Garrard fits the Jaguars’ system well and management is committed to him. If he were to suffer an early preseason injury and Favre still had the itch to play, the on-the-verge Jaguars would be a great fit.
Tennessee Titans: The Titans fully believe in Vince Young. End of story.
AFC West
Denver Broncos: Like Tennessee with Young, the Broncos love Jay Cutler. They wouldn’t be interested.
Kansas City Chiefs: On paper, the Chiefs would love to have Favre. He would fix their quarterback woes for the short term. But this is not a good match. The Chiefs want to get younger, and Favre wants to win.
Oakland Raiders: This could be a good spot for Favre because JaMarcus Russell probably could use more seasoning, but the Raiders are too far from contending for Favre to want to be part of Raider Nation.
San Diego Chargers: If Philip Rivers’ knee were worse than it is, this would be the premier spot for Favre. The Chargers are poised to win and he could lead them to their first Super Bowl victory. But Rivers appears to be recovering, and he is the Chargers’ leader.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: Even though Favre would look great in a Cowboys uniform, this is Tony Romo’s show. It won’t happen.
New York Giants: The funny thing is, if Eli Manning had lost in the first round of the playoffs last year and not led the Giants to a Super Bowl championship, this would have been a likely landing spot for Favre. But not anymore.
Philadelphia Eagles: It’s about a year too early for the Favre-Eagles pairing. Donovan McNabb could be on his way out in Philly, but not now. Eagles coach Andy Reid has a history with Favre and it would make sense in a year, but not now.
Washington Redskins: You can never put anything past the Redskins, but with Jason Campbell apparently healthy and ready to continue his development, it wouldn’t make sense for the Redskins to look at Favre. But they’ve done things in the past that didn’t make sense, either.
NFC North
Chicago Bears: The Bears could use Favre and they likely will make a run at him if he becomes available. But the Bears are a long ways away and have few offensive weapons. Favre would have to be desperate to join the Bears.
Detroit Lions: Favre would be an upgrade over Jon Kitna, but the Lions need a younger quarterback, not an older one. This team isn’t close enough to contending for Favre to make sense for either party.
Green Bay Packers: It would make life simple, wouldn’t it? But the rumblings are the Packers are ready to move on with the Rodgers era and would rather have Favre retired.
Minnesota Vikings: This is the perfect landing spot for Favre. The Vikings are the best team in need of a quarterback. The addition of Favre would make Minnesota an instant Super Bowl contender. But there’s a problem: The Packers likely would never let that happen.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: Wouldn’t it be ironic if Favre ended his career where it started? The Falcons could use him, delaying the Matt Ryan era. But there’s little chance Atlanta, which is still far from being a contender, would appeal to Favre at this point.
Carolina Panthers: This could be an intriguing possibility, though Saturday The Charlotte Observer reported that Panthers general manager Marty Hurney dismissed an Internet report that Favre was interested in playing for Carolina. That said, Favre probably would like to play in the South and the Panthers are a good quarterback away from being a solid playoff contender. Jake Delhomme can be effective, but he is coming off elbow surgery. If Favre comes back and is no longer a Packer, keep an eye on the Panthers.
New Orleans Saints: If Drew Brees weren’t a Saint, this would be a real possibility. Favre grew up as a Saints fan in nearby Mississippi. This could be a great way for him to end his career. But there’s just no opening at quarterback.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jon Gruden loves collecting quarterbacks, and this would be his greatest catch of all. If Favre becomes available, it wouldn’t be a shocker if the Buccaneers make a run at him. And if they do, Tampa could be attractive to Favre. This is another team to watch.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals have a young quarterback in Matt Leinart and an old quarterback in Kurt Warner. Where would Favre fit?
St. Louis Rams: Marc Bulger is the man in St. Louis and the Rams are in a rebuilding phase. This wouldn’t work.
San Francisco 49ers: If the 49ers were just a little better, this would be an interesting spot. But Favre likely would deem the 49ers too far away from contention to entertain the thought.
Seattle Seahawks: The good news is that Favre’s old coach and mentor, Mike Holmgren, is in Seattle. The bad news is that Matt Hasselbeck, Favre’s former backup in Green Bay, is also in Seattle. There’s no room.
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