Tuesday's Notebook: Why My Patience in Favre is Gone
by Anthony21 on Jun 2, 2009 7:00 AM CDT
in Minnesota Vikings
Email
PrintOh Yeah, That Brett Favre Thing
With all the news coming out of minicamp, you'd be excused if you completely forgot that this team is still in a state of limbo when it comes to the quarterback position. Jim Souhan argues that the Wildcat excitement you saw at this site over the weekend is essentially unwarranted:
Vikings offensive players who aren't quarterbacks can't be taking these OTAs or minicamps or whatever they are called very seriously. The whole purpose of these camps is to build continuity. So why isn't Childress holding these camps at Oak Grove High in Hattiesburg, where his receivers can learn to keep Favre's fastballs from breaking their fingers?
Well, the uncertain status of Brett Favre certainly detracted from minicamp, but I'm not sure that means the players didn't take it seriously. That's beside the point, though -- the biggest development coming out of minicamp was the offensive experimentation by Chilly and Bevell, which made the weekend productive and worthwhile. I'll partially agree with Souhan in that it's extremely unfortunate this Favre thing couldn't have been resolved by last weekend.
I'll be honest: The possibility of Brett Favre in purple had me thrilled...four weeks ago. But after days upon days of no developments in this storyline and with this team facing an indefinite continuation of the Brett Favre dance, I'm ready to give up. There, I said it. I'm ready to give up on Favre. If he's not prepared to make a decision at this moment, I don't want him. It's unfair to T-Jack and Rosenfels, it's a distraction, and it's more frustration than it's worth.
Would Favre be an upgrade for the Vikings at quarterback? Absolutely -- that's a point I won't concede, despite the fact that I no longer have a scrap of patience left for him. But the fact that he hasn't made a decision yet is completely unreasonable. I should have known better -- I should have known what the Vikings were getting themselves into when they expressed interest in Favre. Simply put, though, the page should have been turned on this days/weeks ago.
That's what makes this tidbit from Peter King just another disappointing aspect of this unending saga:
I think I have nothing new to report on your favorite newsmakers, Brett Favre and Michael Vick. Favre is flying very far under the radar and hasn't been heard from all week, and I hear the Vikings don't even know his plans, though they're anxious to find them out.
Feel free to rip some of your hair out.
To the people actually in the know about this -- Favre, Chilly, Wilf, Cook, etc. -- King had better be mistaken, and that group had better know by now how this is going to resolve itself. I'm trying to unearth some sense of positivity in the fact that Favre's inner circle could know for certain whether or not he's going to come back, but that's hardly a sure thing. Based on what we've seen before from Favre, I wouldn't doubt the accuracy of King's report one bit.
If my grasp at some positivity is unwarranted -- that is, if the Favre/Chilly/Wilf/Cook group still has no idea what's going to happen -- then for crying out loud, this organization needs to put its foot down immediately. They should have done that long ago. Give Favre a Friday deadline. Either he's agreed to sign with the Vikings by then or the team's offer is off the table and we roll with the Jackson-Rosenfels quarterback competition.
What a shame this has become. The possibilities of Favre, Peterson and Harvin on the same field have been tantilizing to say the least, but there's such a thing as something going way too far and becoming much too frustrating. As someone who once supported the scenario of Favre donning the purple and gold, I was hopeful that a resolution would be reached by the end of last week. That rumor, pushed by Peter King, fell flat on its face.
Make no mistake about it: Brett Favre is holding this team hostage. Despite the new schemes rolled out over the weekend, and despite the fact that everyone from the Vikings has been very professional about dealing with this storyline, it's time to move on. Until we can determine if Favre is the starting quarterback or Jackson/Rosenfels will be under center, this team is largely in a holding pattern. Time to reach a conclusion on this, once and for all.
What Awaits Winfield?
By midday today, we'll know a lot more about where Antoine Winfield stands with this team. The OTAs resume today, and for all practical purposes, attendance is required. If Winfield shows up, heading back to the bargaining table should still be on the docket for the team and his agent, but his contract status becomes less of a sidestory during a time when football should be the focus. If he sits out, we've got a big problem.
Happy Trails, Roderick Rogers
Smell ya later, Roderick Rogers -- the Vikes tried converting the Wisconsin Badger from safety to receiver, but the fact that they cut him the day after minicamp should tell you a lot about how that transition went.
And Finally...
Follow me on Twitter!...Steady Burn has a list of the top-five Conan O'Brien look-alikes in sports...Corey Schneider of the AHL gets my vote...Norman Chad wonders what would happen if Mike Vick and Brett Favre were pen pals...Speaking of Vick, it's curious that the Falcons haven't released him yet, is it not?...Yeah, they're really gonna get a lot of compensation for him by clinging to his contract rights...
28 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Pretty sure they wanted his answer by the OTAs. It didn’t come. I’m speculating that means he’s going to stay retired. Or at least that the Vikes are saying “Okay, fine, whatever. We’re not putting up with this crap. We’re moving on without you.” Is it the last we’ve heard of Favre? No. But I’m beginning to doubt he’ll be suited up in Purple next year.
I think Anthony21’s point is that one way for the speculation to end is for “us” to end it. That is, to give an unconditional statement about ending this damn thing. The point is: we haven’t said “we’re moving on without you.” Respectfully, Frost, I don’t think that our silence communicates at all “he’s going to stay retired.” The impossibility of it is that our silence communicates everything and nothing at once. The mind spins over whether silence implies fading interest, or thickening negotiations. It would be better for the team (I think) if we effin’ said something, anything!
Really, I don’t want Favre. I pretty much take, and have taken all along, Fran’s position wholesale. That said, if we are still waiting on him, I would like for our coaches to be clear about the exact parameters of what remains to be decided. What do we want to see? What are the conditions we are unwilling to meet? It’s not like we’re sitting on a mid-week minor injury here whose ambiguities could reasonably throw off a team’s prep. It’s our guys who are being f*cked with, not an opposing team’s coaching staff.
I was so thrilled to be reading about our minicamp this weekend. Every optimistic word about Harvin, Loadholt, even (god, look upon us favorably) a healthy, confident, athletic Rice, had me on the edge of my seat, pining for this season to start. Favre—either way this thing goes—is the one big, gigantic drain. I want the uncertainty to be ended and for us to go forward. Make our position clear.
by Anthony Carter on Jun 2, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Would Favre be an upgrade for the Vikings at quarterback? Absolutely — that’s a point I won’t concede
Why?
That’s the one maddening point I just don’t understand from those who want to see Favre in purple. Why do people think 40-year-old Brett Favre would be an upgrade? He wasn’t better than Viking QBs last year by any objective measure — stats, wins, whatever — and should only decline with another year.
Look at that again: Brett Favre couldn’t outperform the combination of Gus Frerotte and Tarvaris Jackson in 2008. That’s indisputable. Why will he be better in 2009? If this were 1999, I’d be all for the move. But it’s not.
If you want to bring up the “intangibles,” like his missing training camp and not understanding the Jets’ offense or his being a selfish lout and a distraction — well, those are all well on their way to happening again this year.
Can anyone provide me with a solid, fact-based reason why Favre will be better than Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels? “Because he’s Brett Favre” (or “because they’re Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels”) isn’t the answer.
Why?
I can only come up with 2 answers… Playoff experience and reading a defense. I am personally done with him coming to the Vikings. If it happens, great, if not, well, the Vikings will go to the playoffs and be 1 and done again. Tavaris is not going to go any farther than that, and I don’t see Sage doing any better. At least Favre would have a better chance of going deeper into the playoffs than the other guys, given the fact that his shoulder is healthy. Either way I will be glued to every game no matter who is the QB.
You are correct
At the end of the season, Favre’s stats and T-Jack/Frerotte’s stats were similar. But if you look at the stats for the weeks that Favre wasn’t injured, there is a huge swing in Favre’s favor. Not to mention that teams actually respect Favre. Jackson and Rosenfels do not get any respect. Even if they do good the first couple weeks, other teams will still be stacking the box because they respect AD way more.
by PurplePeopleEaters09 on Jun 2, 2009 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions
I may be wrong, but I believe quarterbacks are supposed to play the whole season. 40-year-old quarterbacks are very likely to be injured. If he only plays well when he’s fully healthy, that’s not likely to happen much.
As for playoff experience, Brett Favre is 12-10 all-time in the playoffs. He’s 3-7 in his last 10 playoff games, going back to 1998. Yeah, I know, QB record is iffy, but he’s thrown 19 TDs and 19 interceptions in those 10 games.
And about him reading a defense or being respected — both intangibles — I tend to think that the people who are actually paid to watch game films and break down a QB’s play probably know more about how well Brett plays than any of us. I’d wager they don’t see the young Brett Favre any more and game plan accordingly. They’re very well paid to do just that.
Still waiting for that solid reason.
Interesting statistic — Tarvaris Jackson is 0-6 when he throws 30 or more passes. Fortunately, the Vikings haven’t often had to rely on T-Jack to carry the offense, but let’s face it, gentlemen — the running game isn’t going to be clicking 100% of the time. Look at the playoff game last season, in which Adrian Peterson ran 20 times for 83 yards. Take out a 40-yard carry, and he only managed 19 carries for 43 yards. And yet, with all the pressure Adrian was facing, T-Jack could still only go 15/35 for 164 yards and an interception. With the Eagles defense focusing practically all its attention on stopping Peterson, the only way the Vikings would have escaped with a win is if T-Jack throws 30-40 times and puts the offense on his back. He failed.
That’s why I was once excited about Favre. I wanted him for those games — the games when Peterson cannot carry the workload for the offense and we need a quarterback who can single-handedly move the ball. You want to rely on Jackson or Rosenfels for those types of games? God bless ya. But I’ll take the guy who can throw 30-40 times per game if he needs to and use his arm to deliver a win in the second half. Yes, he was shaky near the end of last season, and yes, his age is a concern. But experience does matter. Let’s be honest with ourselves — if the Vikings have the ball in a playoff game and they’re behind, with two minutes left on the clock, are you taking the seasoned veteran who’s been there before or T-Jack/Rosenfels? Which guy are you relying on?
But look, this is all beside the point — I’m done putting up with the Favre-induced headaches and distractions. I’d love to have him, but not if he’ll continue dragging his feet.
Truthfully, I don’t want to rely on Jackson, Rosenfels, or Favre in “those kinds of games.” None of them are very good quarterbacks right now. But if those are the options I have, I’ll take Jackson. Rosenfels is a career journeyman who’s never shown anything remarkable, and Favre is a washed-up egomaniac. Jackson at least has a tiny, tiny smidge of potential.
The Eagles stopped virtually everyone last year. They had the 4th best defense by opponents’ points scored and 3rd best by yards allowed. They held 13 of 19 opponents (including playoffs) to under 200 yards passing. Only the Cowboys (twice), Cardinals (twice), Falcons, and Bengals (in OT) exceeded 200 yards. So I’m not surprised T-Jack struggled; only a pair of elite QBs (Romo and Warner), the rookie of the year, and a player in a five-quarter game showed much of anything against them.
Brett Favre’s 4th quarter QB rating:
2008: 75.0
2007: 91.2
2006: 68.3
2005: 50.0
He was great in 2007, by all accounts. The other three years? Not so much.
Experience is nice. Not being old and ineffective is nicer. It isn’t 1999 any more, and Brett Favre isn’t a very good quarterback any more.
Fair enough, but when the Eagles are putting eight and nine guys up front, that should open things up for a quarterback just a little, shouldn’t it? I guess the debate really comes down to experience vs. potential, here, and we’re really in agreement that there isn’t a “good” option on the table. I’ll take someone who has needed to be clutch and single-handedly generate offense at numerous times before in his career, but I certainly understand the argument for taking the guy with potential.
Anthony and everyone else who thinks Favre is an asset to the Vikes
It doesn’t matter who the QB will be; if Chilly doesn’t change and modify his vanilla offense. This is the same offense that Brad Johnson ran and it got us just as far (no where).
Can someone find the stats for this:
I believe our superior run defenses have added to alot of hype to the league’s so called great QB’s as of late.
Brett in 07 when they played us we shut the run down so bad they went 4 and 5 wides, so did the Patriots even you can remember.
by midnightwonder on Jun 3, 2009 3:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Jason W
>>I may be wrong, but I believe quarterbacks are supposed to play the whole season.
I will confirm, you are wrong. Actually, to be on the roster (regardless of age), you do not have to play all 16 games. You could play 11 games, get hurt, and spend the rest of the season on the bench. Of course, if you can stay healthy, 16 games is an option.
Last year for Favre and the Jets, I don’t believe there was option. In the AFC, you don’t back into the playoffs. At 8-3, the Jets were in the driver seat, but they had to continue to win to get into the playoffs. By getting rid of Pennington, they left themselves very thin at QB. But of course, the Jets seem to be a pretty poorly managed team year after year, so this makes sense.
If Favre were a Viking, there would be other options at QB. Hopefully the Vikings keep both Jackson and Sage. If not, Booty better be ready to take the field. That will be interesting to see unfold as they get into camp.
In the end, I don’t care if the Vikings get only 8 games from Favre. I would hope for 16, errr…..19 games, but however many he plays, his presence would be a plus to the QB position. On the field or off the field, having a guy like that helping the offense run would be a plus.
Farve sucks
Waiting this long for a commitment is insane Chilly and Wilf should have their heads examined. The only way I would sign Farve at this point is with a big health clause, this is reasonable and is done with a great deal of stars after injuries that they claim affected their play. TJack and Rosenfels deserve thier shot. Although everyone knows TJack will either start the season and get 3 games to show improvement or Sage will start and only get 1-11/2 games to get going. We have to start this season no worse then 3-1 to be in the right position to make this the year we have all been waiting for. Sage is the best option for this I am certain of this. He will not get a fair shot because the Chilly is going to force his mistake on us again, and everyone else is to afraid of being seen not in a bad light. As a Black man I really want TJack to succeed but I have to admit he is not Warren Moon or even D.C. maybe someday he will make a great backup that saves a season and takes over as a starter but not yet.
by bleedingpurplesince74 on Jun 2, 2009 11:33 AM CDT reply actions
I’ll be honest: The possibility of Brett Favre in purple had me thrilled…four weeks ago. But after days upon days of no developments in this storyline and with this team facing an indefinite continuation of the Brett Favre dance, I’m ready to give up. There, I said it. I’m ready to give up on Favre. If he’s not prepared to make a decision at this moment, I don’t want him. It’s unfair to T-Jack and Rosenfels, it’s a distraction, and it’s more frustration than it’s worth.
YES! Come to the light!
In AP I trust
Just say no to Favre.
by FarvaForTheVikings on Jun 2, 2009 11:49 AM CDT reply actions
The thought of Favre in purple
makes me want to puke after seeing him in green and yellow for all those years. I feel like this would upset the football Gods.
Exactly my feelings on the subject.
In AP I trust
Just say no to Favre.
by FarvaForTheVikings on Jun 2, 2009 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Back to the Wildcat
Why wouldn’t a team take the wildcat offense seriously? Especially the Vikings. If a team with limited talent like Miami can win with it , imagine what the Vikes could muster.
I don’t know about you but the plays I dreamed up with our personel were just fun to imagine.
Sure it is a recipe for fumple pie , but on the other hand you don’t serve it every play. You give an illlusion of it and go back to a pro set. You hit them with something once in a while to keep the D thinking. This is where Tjax could shine. Even using a duel QB system would work. Mixing up the backfield would be a welcome change of pace.
Who would be expecting the Vikings to put a new step in their dance routine?
Old habits die hard. Souhan makes his living in part by dissing the Vikings. The Vikings have never been to the Super Bowl since Souhan began writing about them. Why would he start taking them seriously? He may even secretly hope the Wildcat to fails because Viking dissers everywhere might stop reading his column if the Wildcat works. Why have to work on learning to say nice things when you’ve mastered lambasting? He’d rather stick to calling Childress Chilly.
Samuel Beckett's Wildcat Play
Vladimir and Estragon never cancel their Viking season tickets because Favre never shows. The audience wants to crucify Favre, but realize that will only get him more attention than the play that they went to see already has.
Ultimately he's selfish...
What this episode has shown the world watching this saga is that his true character is coming out and that is he’s completely about Brett and Brett only…selfish SOB. Brett will say when, on what conditions, how and why it will happen…no one (Vikings trying to “tell” him they needed an answer last week) is going to push him to any decision. He doesn’t care about getting to know his fellow players, playbook, coaches, community, fans etc. Come on how long does it really take to say snip this tendon and start rehab so I can be the best I can for the Vikes? I hope if he decides to unretire that the Vikes stick to their guns and show him the highway.
Selfish?
Come on, has anyone ever heard Favre say he wanted to come back? To the Vikings, no less? Because I have not heard him say anything at all. It’s all you Vikings fans that keep this going. Not Favre. Maybe you all should give it a rest, so if your sick of hearing or reading about it then stop talking. It’s that simple.
I think his seeing Dr. Andrews speaks volumes. Not to mention saying nothing for the last couple months says a lot as well. Don’t you think if he had no intention of returning, that he would point this out when there are media types parked out in front of his house?
Why should he?
It’s his life, he doesnt have answer to anyone. It’s that simple. So now because he says nothing you say he’s saying alot? Wow…no wonder why there is a media frenzy.
I'm sure the Vikings have a deadline...
How could they not? They may have chosen not to share that date, for fear it will sound like an ultimatum being used to intimidate, but I would guess they have that date. Or they may already have an agreed upon date that both sides would choose not to share with anyone. How would sound to say, “we’ve agreed to let Favre sit out until July 1st.”?
One thing I believe is that not only do the Vikings have a date, but it must be later than today. Otherwise there would be a statement from someone from the Vikings with weight (Wilf? Spielman? Childress?) saying the Vikings no longer have interest. Thereby ending the drama and allowing the team to move on.
I also believe that Favre will be ready to start the season. Neither the Vikings nor Favre would want anything less. That 1st Packer game is early (10-5-09, my son’s birthday), and there’s no way Favre wants to go out there anything less than tearing it up. I can’t wait for my son’s birthday!
he'll wait
just long enough for the vikings to say ‘ok we’re done and we’re moving on with tj and sage". then he’ll come out and say he’s ready to sign and play. then we’ll say it’s too late and he’ll bash us in the media for keeping him going back and forth and then he’ll accuse us of tampering. anything else just wouldn’t be favre’s style.
by iseepurplepeople on Jun 3, 2009 11:25 AM CDT reply actions
QB CALL: Chilli missed it -- again
Wouldn’t you like to see a real # 1 QB under center right now. Even a young one committed tp you for years. We could of had Cutler but Chilli said no. How good would you feel with Cutler under center now. (Yes I know that means no Harvin – but I would take that trade off.) I hope the QB situation works out, but if it doesn’t the man who is trying to hide under the fake hair is the culprit. Bring in Mike Martz and a real QB and we are off and running. Chilli continues to ignore his mentor’s advice, “get your QB situation fixed.”
Cutler will be a Major flop.
Cutler is already embracing the Chicago fan at Cubs games by refusing to sign autographs. His lack of maturity will turn into a lack of leadership as soon as Chicago faces adversity. QBs that don’t lead their team better have a lot better talent around them than there is in Chicago. He may even have a strong start, but it will be just like watching TO, eventually he will cause disharmony and that team will fall apart.
I would not want him even if you didn’t have to give up an arm and a leg for him. What happened in Chicago that makes you think they are any better at evaluating talent? Remember this, “Rex Grossman is our starting quarterback”. Well it’s that same guy, just a new QB.
Risky Brad
If you are placing your whole season and your whole career on a 40 year QB with an injured arm, who can not make up his mind, to save you from your current group of QB’s that no one, including yourself, (or else you would not have interest in BF) believes can be a # 1 QB. That is risky. Yet here we stand. Thanks Brad.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
