I hate the Vikings. I hate few things, but I hate the Vikings. This makes me sick. It’s official though, Favre is taking snaps for the Packers biggest recent rival (John David Booty had to give up his #4 jersey so Favre could have it). This is for real. Brett Favre is on the Vikings.
What does this mean? Well, first of all, it means I’m pissed off at Favre. I hate the Vikings, this just pisses me off.
I also think it means the Vikes will be very good. As I’ve mentioned before, because I think Favre is no longer good at handling pressure, he has to be pleased that he will be quarterbacking a team led by the best RB in the league. This will lift tons of pressure off of Favre – and when Favre doesn’t feel pressure, he can be very good. He will also benefit from having a decent line in front of him.
Interestingly, before this announcement today, I was preparing to pick the Vikings to be 7-9 this year, no kidding. I just thought that Childress/Wilf had caste a storm cloud over the organization with their heavy, very public flirtation with Favre and the second either of the 2 QBs screwed up, there would have been chaos. Well, now that Favre has signed, I wouldn’t be surprised to see MN make it to the playoffs, maybe even win a game at home, and then get blown out when Favre folds under pressure.
packergeeks 
August 18, 2009 at 3:33 pm |
Funny-They’re web site has a big picture of Favre with a caption that reads “Are you ready 4 some football?”
Right below that is another caption–“Limited season tickets still available”
Wonder if Brent can get them a sell out–other than the Packers game?
August 18, 2009 at 3:35 pm |
We’re predicting he’ll fail his physical by throwing 3 INTs.
August 18, 2009 at 3:38 pm |
Completely disagree that the Vikings running game makes Favre better or extends his career. Leon Washington running back (Jets) led the league in yards from scrimmage and Thomns Jones (Jets) was an all pro running back. Also, Jets offensive line is much, much better than the Vikings. I will also take the recievers from the Jets. None of the above helped him last year nor did it help slow his five year running November/December fade (13 td’s 31 int’s anybody???). Vikings win IN SPITE of Favre, not because of him
August 18, 2009 at 3:49 pm |
Jets fans are bitter because they cannot field a winner — don’t lay decades of ineptitude at Favre’s feet. He brought excitement and leadership to the other NY team and when the TEAM faded done the stretch, the rest of the team bailed on their leader. I wish I played for the NY Individuals. Without Favre — the Jets go 4-12 last year.
August 18, 2009 at 3:50 pm |
Chris – last year there was a significant decline in the Jets’ running game over the last few games. Yes, Favre was weak in those games too, but I’d argue that at least part of the reason he was weak was because the offense was not balanced because the previously reliable running game vanished (or perhaps Mangini just pulled the plug on it for ? reasons). Either way, Favre was pretty good the first 8-9 games of the season when the offense was better balanced. With AP and Chester Taylor behind him this year, he’ll have an even better duo to lean on. And don’t forget Percy Harvin and a rising Shiancoe.
And, I too think he’ll fade at the end, as I indicated. I just think the Vikes AND Favre will enjoy a quality regular season until that time.
August 18, 2009 at 3:56 pm |
awhayes – The running game didn’t vanish, teams started to put 8 -9 guys in the box daring Brett to throw. Not only daring him to throw, but daring him to throw intermediate and long routes they KNEW he could no longer do accurately, leading to an increase in: a) stupid decisions Favre is infamous for when he presses and b) throws you need to make in the NFL and Favre simply cannot.
So, the running game didn’t disappear, teams (and really, really terrible teams on the easiest 6 game streatch I’ve ever seen) dared Favre to perform and he did not.
August 18, 2009 at 4:19 pm |
just because defenses are putting 8-9 guys in the box, doesn’t mean a team should necessarily abandon the run game. T Jones got the ball far less in those final few games. The offense was out of balance down the stretch and it wasn’t just the fault of Favre’s injured arm (though I’m not saying that didn’t hurt matters).
Also, teams did the same thing last year against the Vikes and AP still got his yards. We’re not comparing apples to apples here. AP is a far better RB than Thomas Jones. He will get his yards if there are 11 guys in the box. And Chester Taylor’s running/receptions #s last year were every bit as good as Washington’s. Also, the Vikes’ defense is better than the Jet’s d was last year – which is not a small thing. There will likely be fewer deficits to overcome, meaning fewer Favre puke throws.
August 18, 2009 at 4:25 pm |
No offense, awhayes, but your writing sounds as though you’ve already started with a conclusion in mind and no evidance to the contrary will push you back to objectivity.
Favre will look like an all star for two, maybe three games and absolutely make silly mistakes for 6-8 games. One and done in the playoffs. I’m trying to be objective baed on how Brett has TRENDED for the last five + years. And that trend is very unfavorable regardless of his new surroundings.
August 18, 2009 at 4:33 pm |
Just noticed Favre’s first three regualr season games are Browns, Lions & 49’ers. Then we go there to play ’em. By all appearances. Our first three games are Bears, Bengals & Rams.
In all likelyhood, Viking should be 3-0 when we travel there for week 4. Hopefull we will carry the same record but the Bears (& maybe the Bengals) might be tough. I’d say at worst we are 1-2. At any rate, it sure appears that the Pack is going to be the first game where Favre faces any real threat. And as I said earlier, I’d like to see Harris & Woodson both get a pick 6, hell Collins too for that matter and I hope Kampan, Bishop, Hawk or anyone on the defense folds him like a dish towel. Maybe Raji could just fall on him.
Have I told you all how much I hate this? Started out this morning reading very nice articles about your training camp experiences (& being very jealous) & now this. Crap, I just threw up a little.
August 18, 2009 at 4:49 pm |
56, Singletary is absolutely kicking ass in SF. They might just be nasty enough to make him feel the pain.
Never fear, the only change in the Bear defense has been to get a year older. Pass defense is awful! The Bengals are the second game and if everything follows the pattern Palmer will be out for the season. And good old Ocho will be causing looker room discontent.
August 18, 2009 at 5:04 pm |
When you say “regardless of his new surroundings” I think that captures the crux of our disagreement. I think his new surroundings are far better than the surroundings he stepped into last year and this shouldn’t be dismissed so easily. That’s really my point. MN was a playoff team last year, they had one of the top defenses in the NFL, and significantly, they had the top running game in the NFL. Those things will combine to reduce the pressure on Favre which will result in Favre having a decent overall season. No, I don’t think he’ll be able to sustain a high level into the playoffs as the pressure mounts – we apparently agree there. I just think they will be better with him than they would have been without him.
August 18, 2009 at 5:06 pm |
Thanks, Brent, for making this season a little more interesting. Can’t wait to see Raji flatten #4, and watch him throw multiple picks to the Pack. The Vikings have always choked in the big games and this year won’t be any different.
August 18, 2009 at 5:09 pm |
Good points Ron–Gee I feel a little better already
But I still hate this
August 18, 2009 at 10:00 pm |
Packergeeks. Think about it. No practice with the mediocre Viking receivers to date. Not in great shape. Undoubtedly will get few reps in balance of exhibition season. First 3 games not tough teams but BF out of practice reading defenses. Timing problems likely. O line average. Hasn’t seen Packers in 3-4. You are giving him too much credit. Vikes will be no better than 2-1. Pack no worse than 2-1 with Bears, Bengals at home, Rams away. Pack will triumph in game 4 at MN and be in first place. Not saying they will stay there. Agree with Andy that Favre will be better with AP and CT running (and catching) the ball.
Question for Geeks—when MN visits GB what % of Packer fans will wear green #4s? There were a lot of them at the Browns game. May need vigilant security for that game. The Peaceable Kingdom (Lambeau fans) may not be so peaceful for that one.
August 19, 2009 at 12:19 am |
Don’t blame Favre…
It’s like blaming your ex-wife for getting married again after you divorced her. Blame TED THOMPSON.
Brett wanted to play for the Green Bay Packers, but Thompson wouldn’t have it in the spring of 2009.
Not Favre’s fault.
August 19, 2009 at 8:44 am |
Packsmack we have been throught this 100 times. Ted said yes to Brett the first two times he said he wanted to come back and Brett backed out both times. Can you really blame Ted for saying no the third time? There are more important things to consider than what Brett wants to do.
It is Farve’s fault.
August 19, 2009 at 12:02 pm |
Joe,
Yes, I can blame Ted for saying no the third time. We’re not talking about Randy Wright, Rich Campbell or Lynn Dickey, we’re talking about Brett Favre who lives and plays on instinct and guts.
Thompson should have recognized that.
August 19, 2009 at 12:25 pm |
He probably did recognize it – and that’s why he went with Rodgers. The guy who is actually willing to put in the work and play within the system.
And who is in his twenties rather than his 40s.
Favre has always said he only can play with 100% committment. Yet he can’t even show up for all of training camp much less consistently work out in the off-season. That’s not 100% committment. That is wanting to have all the fun without the work and it rarely leads to success
August 19, 2009 at 4:44 pm |
Packsmack – you cannot let on man hold an entire francise hostage – even if it is Brent the Great.
August 19, 2009 at 10:32 pm |
Right on Packerbelle! Instinct and guts he may have but he is no longer willing to work for the team’s success. Prima donna par excellence.
August 3, 2010 at 12:29 pm |
[…] Now, hear me out. Last year, after Favre signed with the Vikings, I took the unpopular position in this post that Favre would make the team really good. Just the way he was able to ride in at the last moment […]