In Brett Favre’s much anticipated return to Green Bay, for the second time in less than a month the Vikings beat down the Packers for a very sweet victory for No. 4

Who says you can’t go home? Well, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre not only returned to Green Bay, he kicked in the door with authority as the Vikings, led by No. 4, dominated the Packers 38-26. 

Some will say that the Vikings would not have won if not for emerging rookie WR/KR Percy Harvin (five catches for 84 yards and one TD plus five kick returns for 175 yards), but the day and game clearly belong to Favre.

After enduring a week of being called a “Waffler,” “Flip-Flopper,” “Drama Queen,” and “Traitor” by many of his former fans from his home of 16 years, Favre stepped on the field and put aside a booing crowd to stick it to his old team. 

To the surprise of no one, including Favre, when the former Packers’ legend hit the field wearing Vikings’ purple, the majority of the Packers faithful let him have it. 

However in the end, it was Favre and his Vikings teammates who left the field with much bigger smiles than the inconsistent Green Bay team for the second time in less than a month.

Favre threw a season-high four touchdown passes and was never even touched in the pocket (zero sacks) as he piled up superb passing numbers: 17-for-28, 244 yards, 4 TDs, and 0 INTs.

Favre leaned on All-World running back Adrian Peterson (25 carries for 97 yards and one touchdown) early, and later exploded as he guided the Vikings to an early 24-3 record. 

To the Packers credit, they fought back, getting the score within 10 points. But the Vikings defense—why doesn’t anyone ever talk about them—shut them down and forced six sacks of quarterback Aaron Rodgers (26-for-41, 63.4 percent, 287 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs plus 52 rushing yards).

After the game, Favre hugged several members of the Packers team and staff including former favorite receivers Donald Driver and Greg Jennings. 

The future Pro Football Hall of Famer left the field surrounded by media everywhere and pumped his fist to a mix of cheers and boos from the stands as he went up the Lambeau tunnel in triumph. 

Favre said after the game, “I’m not going to sit here and throw any daggers…We played about as good as we can play. We can play better, but that’s what it was going to take to beat that football team. That’s the satisfying thing.” 

Favre added, “I’ve never been one to rub it in anyone’s face…The guys I’ve played with as a Packer, I’ve got a lot of respect for, as I do (for) this organization and these fans.”

So with Favre-a-palooza over for the second time in less than one month, let’s take an inventory of what happened. 

Favre in two big wins over the Packers (scores of 30-23 in Week Four and 38-26 in Week Eight) finished 41-for-59 for 515 yards, seven TDs, 0 INTs, no sacks allowed and a passer rating well over 130. 

And of course like he always seems to do every week, Favre set a record of most completions in one venue (passed John Elway’s record) and tied Dan Marino’s NFL record of 21 career games with at least four TD passes.  

The Packers on the other hand have a 10-13 record since sending their former franchise quarterback to exile in the Meadowlands in 2008 while playing for the New York Jets. 

Packers veteran CB Charles Woodson even labeled the current Packers as a “non-Big Game” team.

Brett Favre is now 90-28 in his career as a starter at Lambeau Field in the regular season and 98-31 in 129 starts at the site including playoffs (8-3 record in playoffs). 

Favre stated at his postgame press conference, “What I’ve done here (Green Bay) speaks for itself.” 

For those unable to interpret Favre’s last comments, I will translate them for you.  “Hey Packers GM Ted Thompson and the rest of you haters, how do you like me now? What!”

Lloyd Vance is a Sr. NFL Writer for Taking It to the House and an award -winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

To his credit, Vikings fourth-year quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is still fighting to stay in the team’s quarterback picture

Lost in all of the hype surrounding the ballyhooed return of legendary quarterback Brett Favre from Mountain High and being handed the starter’s job is what is going to happen to the Vikings former starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson—with a career starting record of 10-10, including 0-1 in the playoffs.

The much-maligned passer has had a pretty good pre-season despite battling through a knee sprain and now the team bringing in veteran Favre.

Jackson has continued to maintain a solid professional attitude on and off the field.  In the Vikings’ recent 17-13 win over the Chiefs, which was also the much anticipated return of Favre (1-of-4, 4 yards), it was the four-year veteran who shined the brightest.

Despite being initially booed by his “home” crowd when entering the game vs. the Chiefs, Jackson had a perfect passer rating, finishing with passing stats of 12-of-15 for 202 yards and two touchdowns, including a 13-yard touchdown strike to TE Visanthe Shiancoe. 

The performance probably further enhanced the young passer’s trade value, but you would have liked to have seen Vikings head coach Brad Childress give T-Jack a “legitimate” shot at fighting Favre for the starting position. 

Most likely, barring injury, Jackson will be stuck behind Favre—NFL record “iron man” most consecutive starts quarterback streak (269 and you can make it 291 if you include the playoffs—for the entire season as an insurance policy, and after the season Childress will re-evaluate his former second-round pick from 2006.  

Jackson said after the Chiefs’ game, “Whenever you play well, you always feel good.”

The Vikings former playoff game starter added, “Regardless of the situation or the circumstances, it felt good. It was a long week for me. It just shows that if you just stay focused, you’ll be fine.”

Posted in Brad Childress, Brett Favre, Favre Returns, Minnesota Vikings, Tarvaris Jackson Tagged: Brad Childress, Brett Favre, Favre Returns, Football, Minnesota Vikings, NFL, Sports, Tarvaris Jackson

Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress was more than happy to drive quarterback Brett Favre right into the Vikings starting lineup

Well we knew it was probably coming and on Aug. 19, the “immortal” Brett Favre descended from the Mountain Top High to “unretire” once again.

Favre officially joined the Minnesota Vikings signing a one-year, $12 million deal with a second year option, flip-flopping once again. 

Favre was immediately given his No. 4 jersey (backup John David Booty had to settle for his new No. 9) went to practice and was even named the starter for the Viking second pre-season game on Thursday against the Kansas City Chiefs before even hitting the practice field.

The signing of Favre ends the third (or is it the fourth) off-season where he decided at the last second to join an NFL team right before the start of the season. 

I don’t begrudge Favre the opportunity to continue his playing career, but why did he wait so long and even more important how could the Vikings braintrust (namely head coach Brad Childress) make it so easy for him to waltz right back in the NFL like nothing had ever happened? 

The on-the-hot-seat head coach said of Favre’s quick entry into Vikings’ Purple, “This is a fluid business, and we were moving ahead, but you always go back and reassess.”

My how quickly things have turned for the graybeard quarterback who refuses to shave or walk away from the NFL after almost 20 years.  Looking back on July 28, the man who holds every major NFL career passing record said via Childress that he was done. 

But I guess a couple more weeks of throwing to high schoolers instead of being in training camp made the future Hall of Famer change his mind. 

I guess Favre’s arm is feeling better after renowned sports injury surgeon Dr. James Andrews put his surgically repaired right arm back together.  Andrews not only fixed Favre’s torn bicep injury, but he also worked on a torn rotator cuff that has plagued No. 4 for years. 

Thank Goodness I didn’t write Favre’s final stats of most career NFL touchdown passes (464), most career NFL passing yards (65,127), most career pass completions (5,720), most career passing attempts (9,280), most career NFL interceptions thrown (310), his “iron man” most consecutive starts quarterback streak (269 and you can make it 291 if you include the playoffs), and most career victories as a starting quarterback (169) in ink.

 Favre will now be counted on to lead a team that he barely knows other than competing against them in the past.  And there is the lingering question how will the Vikings existing two “also-ran” quarterbacks, Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels, handle being pushed aside without little or no explanation. 

I know the Vikings think with their stellar defense, Pro Bowl RB Adrian Peterson, a strong O-line led by Pro Bowl offensive guard Steve Hutchinson, and a receiving corps featuring emerging Bernard Berrian and first round potential breakout rookie Percy Harvin that Favre is the last piece.

But this 10-6 NFC North Champion team from 2008 better be careful what they are wishing for as the 39—will turn 40 on Oct. 10—Favre did not look stellar down the stretch as the New York Jets limped home to a 1-4 finish including losing a playoff berth at home to the Miami Dolphins in Week 17.

Favre may have every passing record in the book and he had a magical ride in 2007 for Green Bay, but last season his body started to betray him, as he led the NFL with 22 INTs. 

The hardest part for the Vikings’ lockerroom will be adjusting to the venerable passer and testing the mettle and leadership of a group of players that have already bonded together after sweating it out at training camp in Mankato. 

Of course Favre was giddy of his return as he proclaimed, “I think it’s great for football, I can’t see how you think it wouldn’t be.” 

I guess Favre didn’t talk to Rosenfels and Jackson, but I am sure Packers’ fans will let him know how exactly they feel about his flip-flop act when he visits on Nov. 1 with his new team.

At least for now we can put Favre-watch to rest for 2009, but I am sure come next offseason his whole retirement/un-retirement act will be revisited.

Lloyd Vance is a Sr. NFL Writer for Taking It to the House and an award winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

Posted in Brad Childress, Brett Favre, Favre Unretires, Favre Unretires Again, Minnesota Vkings Tagged: Brad Childress, Brett Favre, Favre Unretires, Favre Unretires Again, Football, Minnesota Vkings, NFL, Sports

Future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre told the Vikings that he will not return at this time…But will he really stay retired

The never-ending saga of quarterback Brett Favre’s retirement/unretirement that has exacerbated sports headlines—and quite frankly my nerves—since mid May just “might” have taken it’s final turn on July 28th. 

The 39-year old surefire Hall of Fame passer announced via Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress that his body was too broken and battered to attempt a comeback with the Vikings this season.

Favre’s announcement ended the second straight summer where the NFL community had to endure his ego-driven unretirement talk while waiting “patiently” for the 18-year veteran to finally make-up his mind one way or the other. 

Favre had fueled speculation that his return to the Vikings was pretty much a done deal after having undergone surgery to repair the torn biceps tendon earlier in the summer and working out with high school kids at Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on a consistent basis.  But in the end, I guess the graybeard passer came to the realization that his body and heart were not into playing a 19th NFL season this time for the Vikings. 

Later Favre, himself, told ESPN’s Ed Werder:

It was the hardest decision I’ve ever made. I didn’t feel like physically I could play at the level that was acceptable. I would like to thank everyone, including the Packers, Jets and Vikings, but most importantly, the fans. I had to be careful not to commit for the wrong reasons…They were telling me, ‘you went through all this, you had the surgery, you’ve got to finish it off.’ But I have legitimate reasons for my decision. I’m 39—will turn 40 on Oct. 10—with a lot of sacks to my name.

Favre’s decision left the Vikings, who spent the last three months doing everything to “court” the former 3-time MVP to join them, to pick-up the pieces of their 2008 NFC North Championship team that was looking to make the jump into being a serious Super Bowl contender this season. 

Vikings players were to report to training camp in Mankato, Minnesota on Wednesday with the long shadow of Favre definitely not too far behind. Childress, who is on one of the hotter seats in the NFL after going 24-24, lamented about not getting Favre through a written statement: 

It was a rare and unique opportunity to consider adding not only a future Hall of Fame quarterback but one that is very familiar with our system and division. That does not detract from the team that we have. As we have consistently communicated, we feel good about our team, and they have put forth a tremendous effort this offseason preparing for the season ahead. With this behind us, we look forward to getting to Mankato and getting training camp under way.

I cannot even imagine the scene of the Vikings coming together at training camp and trying to rally behind their two “also-ran” quarterbacks—Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels—after several players, including Pro Bowl players RB Adrian Peterson and DE Jared Allen, lobbied hard for Favre to join them.

In doing some well-deserved damage control, Peterson tried to quell the Favre talk by saying on the Vikings’ team Web site:

It doesn’t make sense to worry about things that are out of my control, I am confident in every player we have on our roster, and I believe our front office has done everything in its power to keep improving our team. Now, as players, it’s our job to go out there and defend our division championship, get back to the playoffs and make a run at the Super Bowl.

Maybe Favre not coming will propel the Vikings and whichever quarterback that wins the starter job to new heights. 

However I don’t care how many statements have been issued through the team’s PR department or how many team-building measures are taken, the Vikings are already a distracted team, in my book, before their season has even started. 

So now it will be up to players like Peterson, Allen, and DE Ray Edwards to rally their Vikings teammates so they can possibly step around the mess left by the group of Favre, Childress, and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevels. 

My advice for the Vikings to move forward is as follows: Let Jackson and Rosenfels battle it out—expect Jackson to the starter in Week 1 at Cleveland; run the ball over 30 times a game with Peterson and Chester Taylor; find inventive ways to get the ball in explosive rookie Percy Harvin’s hands; and let your D-line (Allen, Edwards, and the Williams Wall) continue to harass the quarterback leading to turnovers by your DB’s.

So do we have enough closure to finally list Favre’s career NFL stats in ink. I am not going to say this thing is totally over until I see Favre standing at the podium in Canton with his gold jacket on. 

Already I have been there are reports that Favre is still throwing and he apparently confirmed this with his former position coach and confidant Steve Mariucci.  Favre even said to Sports Illustrated’s Peter King, “I really believe this is it. I truly, truly believe it’s over. But if someone calls Nov. 1, who knows?” 

So the door is closed for now, but Favre maybe lurking somewhere with a crowbar in his hands to jimmy the door back open to jump back right into the NFL scene. I really want to see what happens if (when) there is a big quarterback injury during the league’s first six games.

If Favre’s decision is his final one, then hallelujah lets move-on to the litany of other topical stories heading into the 2009 NFL season. I will state that have been a Favre follower since his early days with the Packers when he made it seems something out of nothing every game. 

But I also have to admit his whole unretirement act has stretched my Favre bro-mance to its limits, as right now I believe he has severely tarnished his legacy. However as Favre “walks” away, though his flip-flopping may have taken something away for many, he will forever be remember for playing the game of football with childlike joy. 

Though some will try to paint Favre as an egotistical bully after two summers worth of retirement/unretirement talk, not even his end of the career waffling will not truly dull Favre’s legacy for good. 

As time passes I believe most No. 4 fans will remember him fondly as the player that dominated the ‘90s at the quarterback position. The three-time NFL MVP endeared himself to NFL fans by giddily waltzing through the storm of eighteen NFL seasons producing win after win including an indelible victory in Super Bowl XXXII, where of course he won the MVP of the game. 

Then there are the numerous records that are securely in his treasure chest including most career NFL touchdown passes (464), most career NFL passing yards (65,127), most career pass completions (5,720), most career passing attempts (9,280), most career NFL interceptions thrown (310), his “iron man” most consecutive starts quarterback streak (269 and you can make it 291 if you include the playoffs), and most career victories as a starting quarterback (169). 

Favre had a quality that made everyone for him even if he was on the opposing team’s sideline. 

His passion for the game stems from a pure love of “street” football that we all remember from our youth.

So close your eyes and remember the moments that Favre produced—the Super Bowl win over the Patriots where he and Reggie White brought the title back to “Title Town”, the magical December 2003 night in Oakland where playing through tears he won one for his Dad throwing four touchdowns in a 41-7 rout as every pass seemed to find a receiver, snowball fighting on the field in his 2007 playoff win over the Seahawks, leading the youthful Jets to an improbable 34-13 victory of the previously undefeated Titans at Tennessee in Week 12 of 2008 season while completing an NFL weekly high of 70.6% of his passes, taking on Warren Sapp after sacks, blocking on end-around plays downfield, and numerous other stories—because one day your grandchildren are going to ask you, “Was Brett Favre really that good?”

All I know is…Favre better not change his mind before this article is published!

Good Luck Brett riding off into the sunset on your tractor and please stick with staying on your farm.

Now I can happily direct my keyboard to a bunch of other NFL related topics that have nothing to do with an aging legend changing his mind as the wind blows. 

Lloyd Vance is a Sr. NFL Writer for Taking It to the House and an award winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

Posted in Brad Childress, Brett Favre, Favre to stay retired, Favre's Unretirement, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings Tagged: Brad Childress, Brett Favre, Favre to stay retired, Favre's Unretirement, Football, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, NFL, Sports