He's Back: Favre to sign deal with Vikings, Pending Physical

[Superman]

I appreciate what you are saying. I am just pointing out that people will jump to the conclusion that this is an upgrade because it is Favre. he has been graet at times in the past, but I have also seen him be erratic and lose games for his teams with poor decision making. What I see for the Vikes at this point is an old QB, who is erratic and a drama queen, when what they really need is a steady eddie - both on the field and off.

Now that I have written this he will probably lead them to the SB.

I understand your critique. In my opinion, on the field, it's not even a question about whether they're better with him than they are with the other two. If that winds up being overshadowed by the other stuff that comes with Favre, then that's a problem. But when I look at how quickly he got his stuff done yesterday and got on the field, I'm not really worried about the impact it will have on the team. Apparently, everyone already knew it was going to happen anyways, and it was business as usual once Favre put the pads on. I wouldn't be surprised if Rosenfels is requesting his release right about now, but I'm not sure there's anywhere he would land where he'd have a serious chance at winning the #1 job.

 

[xyrin]

I really don't understand why people are so angry about this. He is an athlete who is having a crisis near the end of his career. Can he still play? Does he still want to play? He's a man who can't decide whether the risk of further destroying his body is worth doing what he loves: playing football. The Vikings chose to sign him, even after training camp. Hell, Favre doesn't decide whether or not ESPN runs this story non-stop.

He is not "pathetic", he isn't "laughingstock", nor is he a "disgrace". Should Michael Jordan be considered "pathetic" because he came out of retirement twice?

 

[vikinginferno]

I really don't understand why people are so angry about this. He is an athlete who is having a crisis near the end of his career. Can he still play? Does he still want to play? He's a man who can't decide whether the risk of further destroying his body is worth doing what he loves: playing football. The Vikings chose to sign him, even after training camp. Hell, Favre doesn't decide whether or not ESPN runs this story non-stop.

He is not "pathetic", he isn't "laughingstock", nor is he a "disgrace". Should Michael Jordan be considered "pathetic" because he came out of retirement twice?

Agreed. This article sums up my opinion: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=bryant_howard&id=4409317

 

[Bricklayer]

He is not "pathetic", he isn't "laughingstock", nor is he a "disgrace". Should Michael Jordan be considered "pathetic" because he came out of retirement twice?

Yes he is pathetic. And a laughingstock. And he's just about destroyed a legacy that would have left him a living legend in Green Bay. But I never thought he was any smarter than my boot, so I wonder why I am surprised.

And yes, Jordan's second comeback absolutely was pathetic, although predictably the smae mentality saw people still high on out of date hero worhsip trying deperately to defend it. But at least MJ had the cahones to commit to it, sign a contract, and play it out to the fullest without annual drama queen antics.

 

[xyrin]

Explain to me exactly how Jordan's second comeback was pathetic. He was still a great player, averaging over 20 points and 6 rebounds. Just like Favre is still a good player. Face it, Favre is better than any QB the Vikings have now, so how is it pathetic? I'm a huge fan of your posts, and I'm pretty disappointed you're caught up in the Favre Hatred Bandwagon. He is an old player, a summer of not playing football reminds him of what he is missing and loves.

I say he should retire/comeback as many times as he wants. He is a football player, one who is still wanted around the league. He IS committing to the contract, IS signing it, and it isn't his fault that the sports media absolutely loves it. Get over the hatred.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

MJ leveled a promising young team for his own benefit, installed a coach who would bow to his every whim and pushed young players out of their natural positions. But he got his points and rebounds and sold some tickets so it was a smashing success?

 

[xyrin]

I was speaking about MJ's playing level at that age. His business skills have always been questionable.

 

[Superman]

I agree that he's sort of pathetic, and definitely a laughingstock, but that doesn't mean that he's not capable of quarterbacking a team.

As for the first part, he's been talking about retiring for six years now, since 2003. It's been an annual ritual, and it gets worse every year. I don't blame him for wanting to play, but what's pathetic -- in my mind -- is the wishy-washiness. It's embarrassing to watch a grown a** man not be able to make his mind up. I understand him wanting to play, but this waffling is ridiculous. Can't remember any other player who's been as dramatic as Favre has the last few years.

And as for his ability, well, the Jets were 7-1 before his shoulder got hurt last season. That speaks volumes, considering they were a four win team the previous year. I don't necessarily contribute that all to Favre, same as I don't contribute the subsequent meltdown to him, but anyone who says he's washed up and can't play the position isn't paying attention.

With respects to Jordan, as damaging as his second comeback was to his legacy, he's still the best player ever. And he wasn't anywhere near as wishy-washy as Favre has been. When asked whether he was going to play a second year, he replied, very matter of factly: "I signed a two-year contract, and I'm going to play it out." Nothing like what Favre has done.

 

[kingsnation]

He is an old player, EVERY summer of not playing football reminds him of what he is missing and loves.

Fixed.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Supes I don't think anyone is questioning his physical ability, its his ego which is disgusting. I mean this isn't Joe Montana parting with the 9ers and harmlessly closing out his career with a remote franchise nobody gives a hoot about. Hard for 49ers fans but when its all over they kiss and make up. This is a guy who wants to spit in the eyes of his former team and his long time fans by playing for a division rival. Something he clearly wanted to do last season as well which is why the deal with the Jets had all kinds of provisions about future trades.

 

[xyrin]

This is a guy who wants to spit in the eyes of his former team and his long time fans by playing for a division rival.

According to Favre, he was forced to make a decision about retiring or coming back before the draft, and he was leaning towards retiring then, so he announced retirement. The two parties were then in contact about Favre coming out of retirement, but the Packers decided Aaron Rodgers would be the starter, and Favre didn't want to be backup, so he asked to be released. I don't see how that is spitting in their eyes. They should have released him if he didn't want to play backup, simple as that. Instead they carried it out for a long time.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

According to Favre...

Well of course according to Favre he had his hand forced by mean management. That's what happens when you string a team along during the offseason for 5 straight years, they make the decision to invest in a young guy to be his successor and eventually that guy's turn is up and they either have to let him walk away and start over or just say enough is enough. How are you supposed to draft for the future if you don't know if your superstar QB is coming back or not. How can you sign free agents? He was handicapping the team every year and nobody knew if it was just a ploy to skip summer workouts or he was really going to retire any minute.

 

[vikinginferno]

This is a guy who wants to spit in the eyes of his former team and his long time fans by playing for a division rival. Something he clearly wanted to do last season as well which is why the deal with the Jets had all kinds of provisions about future trades.

Ok, anyone who knows anything about the situation knows that this is not the case. The Vikings are the team that needs him and that fits him best and because they are in the same division you say that he wants to spit in the eyes of his former team and fans? He came back because he wants to play football and to win.

 

[VF21]

Well of course according to Favre he had his hand forced by mean management. That's what happens when you string a team along during the offseason for 5 straight years, they make the decision to invest in a young guy to be his successor and eventually that guy's turn is up and they either have to let him walk away and start over or just say enough is enough. How are you supposed to draft for the future if you don't know if your superstar QB is coming back or not. How can you sign free agents? He was handicapping the team every year and nobody knew if it was just a ploy to skip summer workouts or he was really going to retire any minute.

100% agree. Favre had the Packers front office dancing on a string and they finally got tired of it. As far as Favre not being willing to play backup to Rodgers (as mentioned in a previous post), that pretty much shows where his head is at and what's important to him. It's not the fans or the team; it's the "STARTING QB" label. Blech...

 

[kupman]

I don't think he is a laughing stock. I don't think he is pathetic. I am, however, a little saddened because it really appears that he has some emotional issues. If you still want to play, then play. If not - retire - for good.

It seems like he is tired and does not really want to do it anymore. However, his identity begins and ends at being a QB and does not know what else to do with himself.

This is one reason that I really admired Wayman Tisdale and others like him. He knew that his b-ball career was brief and just a part of his life, so he became excited about his opportunities after the game. I find that to be inspirational.

 

[kingsnation]

Well of course according to Favre he had his hand forced by mean management. That's what happens when you string a team along during the offseason for 5 straight years, they make the decision to invest in a young guy to be his successor and eventually that guy's turn is up and they either have to let him walk away and start over or just say enough is enough. How are you supposed to draft for the future if you don't know if your superstar QB is coming back or not. How can you sign free agents? He was handicapping the team every year and nobody knew if it was just a ploy to skip summer workouts or he was really going to retire any minute.

Yeah I agree. If he retired once, fine. Twice? That's a bit much, but whatever. But Favre has, as you stated, dragged Green Bay along on a string for 5 years. Should I retire? Should I not retire? And quite frankly, I'd be willing to bet it was more than 5 years. The tears, the press conferences, the doubts. It all got old to the Packers and quite frankly to many football fans.

When he contemplated retiring every year from Green Bay, we celebrated his legacy.
When he really did retire from Green Bay, we really celebrated his legacy.
When he retired from the Jets, we reluctantly, if not questionably celebrated his legacy.
But after he causes the Vikings to have a late season collapse and decides he wants to retire to go play in Denver next year... I don't know if there will be much more legacy to celebrate.

And sadly, Favre is the one setting himself up for that.

 

[Superman]

100% agree. Favre had the Packers front office dancing on a string and they finally got tired of it. As far as Favre not being willing to play backup to Rodgers (as mentioned in a previous post), that pretty much shows where his head is at and what's important to him. It's not the fans or the team; it's the "STARTING QB" label. Blech...

I agree about the Packers not wanting to play his games, but they could have just released him. They have some fault in last summer's fiasco also, but I don't blame them.

But about being the starter? Being a backup quarterback isn't like being a backup point guard. Barring injury or poor play, the backup quarterback does not see the field. Ever. Ask everyone who played behind Favre about that. As an aside, the other veteran quarterbacks of note (Warner, Collins, Pennington) have all expressed their desire to start at the position, and it's been a critical part of their contract negotiations. Sure you can call it selfishness, but it's the only position in sports where you don't play if you're not the starter (maybe goalie in soccer and hockey, but that's much more fluid than quarterback is). No sense in coming back because you love to play if you can't play.

 

[kingsnation]

Here's a good read:

Yahoo!: Favre officially vilified in Green Bay

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Maybe Brett Favre(notes) lost the keenest segment of the Green Bay Packers fan base long ago. Maybe he lost them when every summer began to orbit around him, and every roster decision was applauded or disparaged based on how it impacted No. 4. Maybe he lost them in one tumultuous offseason after another, when his emotional whims became reason enough to hold the franchise hostage.


Or maybe he really, truly lost them on Tuesday, when he signed with the hated Minnesota Vikings, and then in Favre fashion, said “If you’re a true Packer fan, you understand.”

More..

 

[kennadog]

From the article above.

Or maybe he really, truly lost them on Tuesday, when he signed with the hated Minnesota Vikings, and then in Favre fashion, said “If you’re a true Packer fan, you understand.”

What????? That's the statement that really set the Packer fans off. A more accurate statement would have been,"If you're a true Bret Favre fan, you understand." And I think they're number is rightfully dwindling.

 

[VF21]

Wow. Just wow...

If they ever remake the movie "Clueless," they can get Favre to play the title role... And I'm sure Favre will understand why he's been chosen.

 

[kennadog]

Wow. Just wow...

If they ever remake the movie "Clueless," they can get Favre to play the title role... And I'm sure Favre will understand why he's been chosen.

Too true. I could not believe he could make that statement with any belief that it was correct or appropriate. Talk about "its-all-about-me" syndrome. I would be pi**ed beyond believing if I was a Packer fan.

 

[SacKings7]

Explain to me exactly how Jordan's second comeback was pathetic. He was still a great player, averaging over 20 points and 6 rebounds. Just like Favre is still a good player. Face it, Favre is better than any QB the Vikings have now, so how is it pathetic? I'm a huge fan of your posts, and I'm pretty disappointed you're caught up in the Favre Hatred Bandwagon. He is an old player, a summer of not playing football reminds him of what he is missing and loves.

I say he should retire/comeback as many times as he wants. He is a football player, one who is still wanted around the league. He IS committing to the contract, IS signing it, and it isn't his fault that the sports media absolutely loves it. Get over the hatred.

First of all, I gotta agree that Jordan's 2nd comeback was definitely pathetic. His first one certainly wasn't though.

As for Favre, he can play until he's 60 if he wants to as far as I'm concerned. I'd just respect him a whole lot more if he'd actually retire when he said he's going to. If he had said he was retiring after his last game for the Packers, and went against his word and played 3 or 4 more seasons for the Packers then I'd be fine with it. But the guy's an indecisive drama queen who's ruining his legacy

 

[Oprostaj]

First of all, I gotta agree that Jordan's 2nd comeback was definitely pathetic. His first one certainly wasn't though.

As for Favre, he can play until he's 60 if he wants to as far as I'm concerned. I'd just respect him a whole lot more if he'd actually retire when he said he's going to. If he had said he was retiring after his last game for the Packers, and went against his word and played 3 or 4 more seasons for the Packers then I'd be fine with it. But the guy's an indecisive drama queen who's ruining his legacy

I think the point is not that he's coming back, but how he's coming back. He wriggles out, lies, manipulates, holds on to the last possible minute, makes up his mind, wates a bit, then changes his decision. And he feels like he has done nothing wrong. I agree, he should play until his arm falls off. But do it the right way. He only wants to play in HIS situation, his comfort zone, by his rules. This is the true definition of a prima dona. And to me, that is not a football player. This was a guy that for a decade and a half just kept his mouth shut and played day in and day out. Now, it's almost like he's scared - and even if he is, he should come out and say it. Everybody is afraid of losing their daily routine, especially one that made you a hero in the eyes of many. But man, how is there nobody to tell him what he looks like now? He's become a joke, a punch line. This has tarnished his name, his image. He will always be known as a gunslinger, a reckless and high risk/high reward guy that gave it his all. Except he won't be known as the guy who stuck with one franchise and gave it his all. He'll be known as the guy that wanted it HIS WAY. The burger king QB.

 

[kupman]

Seeing Favre in a Vikings uni last night was very strange. It really looked odd to me and did not feel right.

 

[allrightythen]

I have no problem with him either way. If he wants to play and someone wants him to play for them more power to them. I can see how he is a villain to anyone besides packer fans, but I don't understand the frustration outside of that. He hasn't done anything illegal or outside the rules of football. If he was a journeyman QB none of this would be a big deal (even as late in camp as it is), I know because its happened before. I think the media outlets have made this much more than it really is. And I also think its funny that the Vikes kept lying to the media about it.