Four Passes, Two Drives, One Big Night for Favre and Vikings
by Anthony21 on Aug 21, 2009 8:25 PM CDT
in Minnesota Vikings
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PrintIt was a surreal image: Brett Favre running out of the Vikings locker room, through the huge inflatable ship, and over to the Vikings' side of the field -- all while wearing a #4 purple jersey. Even before he played a single down, one couldn't help but be struck by the image of Favre warming up with his new teammates.
When he hit the field for his first drive of the game, the results were anticlimactic. The first play was a handoff to Peterson. Then Favre was under pressure, misfiring on a pass intended for Tahi but avoiding the sack. He came back on third down and completed a pass to Harvin -- which was just short of the first down marker. Chilly opted to go for it on fourth and short, but Peterson was stuffed. The Chiefs took over on downs.
While the initial plans for the evening indicated that Favre would only play a single drive, Chilly deviated from the script and sent Favre out to the field for the Vikings' second offensive drive of the game. Favre fired two more incompletions on that drive, missing on a throw to Jaymar Johnson that was the result of a quarterback and receiver who aren't quite used to each other yet. He took a big hit on third and long right after releasing the ball.
And that was that. T-Jack took over, and Favre's first game as a Viking had reached a conclusion.
Bottom line: He was rusty. You could tell he hasn't been with an NFL team for these last several months. You could also tell that he's new to this team and isn't acclimated with the receiving corps yet. But he made the veteran moves this team wants him to make. He attempted to draw the Chiefs offsides. He made a couple of tough throws and took a couple of tough hits on plays that a less-experienced quarterback might have taken a sack on.
Ultimately, the results were less than spectacular. He went 1-4 for four yards. One yard per pass attempt. But none of that matters at this point. Games like this are all about getting Favre back into the swing of an NFL season, getting him accustomed to his receivers, and getting him ready to run this offense. I could not care less about the stat line coming out of this game -- I want him to stay healthy and prepare for games that count.
Although he took some hits -- more hits than Chilly would have liked -- he stayed healthy. And although he misfired on three of his four passes, this is all part of the important process of getting a feel for his receivers.
Sure, Vikings fans would have preferred a highlight reel bomb to Percy Harvin. Or a strike to Sidney Rice in the endzone. But simply seeing Favre under center for the Vikings was more than enough to make this a memorable evening for the organization and its fans. We'll save the highlight reel bombs and endzone strikes for September.
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Perhaps the gayest (meaning happy) post ever
by Duck99 on Aug 21, 2009 8:32 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Hahahaha
That’s funny (meaning queer)
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Aug 22, 2009 2:18 AM CDT up reply actions
The press conference should be interesting.
I wonder what sorts of excuses we’ll hear.
Rusty or isn’t up to speed on the system?
(But he knows the system inside and out…that’s why they got him.)
Etc.
If nothing else, this is the year that Chilly’s excuses become useless.
(I’m not suggesting that 1/4 for 4 is a big deal. Joe Montana was 0/4 at the Tokyo Dome once, and he went on to have an ok year with the Chiefs.)
Are excuses even necessary?
This is his fourth day with the team. Of course he’s rusty, and of course he needs more time with this team to get up to speed. I wouldn’t even call those excuses…they’re just facts.
Well one pass the WR messed up
The other two passes were Favre needing to throw it away. Other than that it was a small sample size.
Right — one incompletion was Jaymar’s fault, the other two were harmless. Hard to draw too many conclusions based on that, as you said.
Why Jaymar, though?
I guess Berrian must have been out?
The completed pass requires an excuse for throwing short of the 1st down marker, as anyone who has played Madden knows.
Fans I talked to believed Jamymar might be getting sent back...
to the practice squad…
...add #4 to the mix and see what you get... Championship.
by Macdaddy4508 on Aug 22, 2009 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Wow
And I was told a week ago that it was a poor excuse to say that Sage looked a little rusty being in training camp before the first preseason game since he hasnt been with the Vikings long.
Anyways, wether or not you can blame Farve, Johnson or all the WR’s as a whole, to qoute the late Charlten Heston from True Lies……So far gentlemen, this isnt blowing up my skirt.
"If you're gonna shoot, shoot, don't talk"
by VikesFaninNM on Aug 22, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Excuses
Watching the game on channel 5, I heard at least a dozen excuses offered up by the announcers….“that will be a completion when he gets more time”, “that’s just a simple fix”, even calling for a phantom pass interference call on his last throw.
Man...
You guys are ruthless. I didn’t know he was supposed to have a Pro Bowl-caliber performance after spending four days with the team.
People want him to fail...
No matter what he does, people are going to want him to fail…. Every Favre hater out there will pounce on every opportunity they have to hate on him this season. The Vikes could go 15-1 and all the Favre haters will do is bitch about that one loss lol!!
by shift47_brada on Aug 22, 2009 8:55 AM CDT up reply actions
The fact that he freaking played at all
is a testament to how much he knows the system. He’ll get it—he’s already getting it and he’ll be fine. I’m sorry, but I’m not gonna get lathered up in a bad way over 1-4. Just like I’m not gonna get lathered up in a good way that TJ’s 9-11.
It’s all illusory at this stage. If Favre goes 3-22 in October, I’ll care.
The fact that I saw him warming up…as…a…Viking was one of the most giddy, surreal sports moment of my life.
John Smoltz is a Cardinal.. Brett Favre is a Viking. Up is down. West is East.
Yet everything will be okay.
People sleep peacably in their beds at night because rough men stand at the ready to do violence on their behalf--George Orwell.
by Ted Glover on Aug 21, 2009 9:02 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
WOW
Did you see how scared the Chiefs were when they seen Favre. Did they not get the memo about him being a HOF QB?
by bleedingpurplesince74 on Aug 21, 2009 9:09 PM CDT reply actions
Watching the NFL.com PbP
Still can’t believe they’re not showing this game live!
T-Jack’s stats aren’t looking too shabby, better than Cassel’s in fact. Frustrating as hell, that.
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!
Jackson’s got good stats, but if this was a regular season game, Cassel would clearly have the upper hand in terms of QB-ing. Jackson’s been kind of slow tonight to make his reads.
On a high note: Booty is looking pretty good.
Also… Where is Sage?
Ankle injury
They said Sage wasn’t going to go at all tonight.
The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!
by Christopher Gates on Aug 21, 2009 9:38 PM CDT up reply actions
That’s crap. Jackson looked great tonight. The commentators were worthless on several plays where they questioned TJ’s timing. In the first play where he stalled it was clear his one and two guys got stalled on the line. On the second play, where he threw a great touch pass to Bobby Wade, he rightly looked off Wade at first who was smothered then found him when he was open. The guy threw (what?) 3 incomplete passes out of 15. Let’s not become Madden’s, here, loving Favre to the point of it being silly and hating on everything that’s not him.
by Anthony Carter on Aug 21, 2009 11:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe I should have noted what a small criticism that was. Look, it would be ridiculous to argue that his performance was anything but solid. But Mayock was 100% right — his timing was off on a couple plays. Was it a big deal? No. Just like Favre’s performance, which consisted of THREE INCOMPLETIONS, wasn’t a big deal.
How can you say that?
I’m not so sure I believe that Cassel would have better stats in a regular season game. Cassel had the advantage of playing in the Patriots offense last season, with Belicheck, who is an amazing coach and one of the best planners in the game. That guy can milk all the talent out of any player. If TJack were in New England, he’d be a Pro-Bowler.
I’m not sold on Cassel, let’s see how he actually does with Kansas City, without Randy Moss, Wes Welker and the rest of that Patriots team.
As for Favre, I can’t understand people freaking out about 1-4 either. Who cares? I’m just happy to see him get back up after a couple of those hits.
by Eric The Viking on Aug 21, 2009 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions
4 pass attempts in a preseason game...
…means next to nothing. Two balls were in the face of a heavy rush and basically he just threw them away. You don’t have to attribute it to anything.
The only thing that worries me is the Vikes o line, while still powerful in the run, again looks weak against the passing game.
Anywho, Jackson looked pretty solid and Booty probably had his best series as a Viking there. i don’t know who to keep really. Everyone assumes the Vikings keep Sage, but what would be so wrong with trading Sage for a 4th rounder back and then keeping the young bucks?
Aikman and Buck just tore Brett and Chilly
A new one on Fox. How could any teammate respect a player or coach who disrespected the entire team by refusing to workout with the team until 3 weeks before the season.
by Duck99 on Aug 21, 2009 9:45 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Winning cures a lot
Losing, however, will exacerbate it. And it’s not like Favre is replacing a legend or anything.
People sleep peacably in their beds at night because rough men stand at the ready to do violence on their behalf--George Orwell.
Yeah
He then was heard to whisper something about leather whips and massage oil in Troy Aikman’s ear.
by Jepp The Viking on Aug 21, 2009 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions
No just basically said Chiily
Was spineless and desparate for an extension. Kind of like when he was at Holy Angels and struggling to make the 8th grade team while his Dad was betting the over.
by Duck99 on Aug 21, 2009 10:14 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Man
You are just full of bizzare and useless posts tonight aren’t you?
by Jepp The Viking on Aug 21, 2009 10:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Chief (no slight intended just a term of endearment) I completely missed the game (out of market)
care to shoot me an email with your thoughts of the game?
"We're here! We're queer! We don't want anymore bears!" by Manimal on Aug 20, 2009 12:05 PM EDT @ Daily Norseman after acquiring a geriatric QB
Look it up
Aurora, I’ll
His old man was known as Harry the Hat
Was on a cable TV show for years picking games.
by Duck99 on Aug 21, 2009 11:31 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
WTF is Aurora I'll??????
I grew up in Naperville and have heard of Aurora, IL(hell attended HS there). but never been introduced to the idea of Aurora, I’ll.
"We're here! We're queer! We don't want anymore bears!" by Manimal on Aug 20, 2009 12:05 PM EDT @ Daily Norseman after acquiring a geriatric QB
Please claim "HOPS" STUPIDTY.....
"We're here! We're queer! We don't want anymore bears!" by Manimal on Aug 20, 2009 12:05 PM EDT @ Daily Norseman after acquiring a geriatric QB
DUCK declare your your fanhood on your profile or face critisism 4evah!!!!!!!!!!
Dont sweat it ……. if we align in at least a divisonal/regional fanhood I’ll do my best to back you.
"We're here! We're queer! We don't want anymore bears!" by Manimal on Aug 20, 2009 12:05 PM EDT @ Daily Norseman after acquiring a geriatric QB
Aikman and Buck...
Aren’t coaches in the league. They sit in a booth and critique. Aikman I might respect a little, since he played the game. Buck can kiss my tokus.
The Minnesota Vikings - Undefeated in the Playoffs at Lambeau Field!
The crowd was pretty electrified!
Looks like Brett got a warm welcome.
Defense looked good… lots of depth.
I believe the 'push off' cost us 'our' SuperBowl...
I believe you 'go for the win'... instead of 'taking a knee'...
by ArizonaVikingsFan on Aug 21, 2009 10:20 PM CDT reply actions
The Favre-sational Machine
Wow, they just said that since Favre signed, the Vikes have sold more than 4000 season tickets, and more than 15,000 individual tickets, and over 5000 jerseys. Not bad for what, 3 days? Yeah, he’s making a huge difference in support.
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!
3 days of practice
you really can’t expect much. But you can’t blame Jaymar Johnson, it’s clearly Favre’s fault. He’s been throwing to high school caliber receivers all summer… he’s got the timing down with Johnson.
More importantly, the starting pass D looked terrible
It WAS Johnsons fault
Tim Hasselbeck broke the play down on ESPN – he knew the exact play and with man coverage Johnson needed to go inside away from it – Hasselbeck said Brett threw it to the exact spot he was supposed to – On Bretts final throw into the blitz Harven was supposed to break it over the middle because there was no safety – the defender made contact with him (which is pass interference) and wouldn’t let him go there – The point is even with a guy coming free on him he put the ball exactly where it needed to be – Jamie Dukes went over the play step for step and said without the interference and Harvin going where he was supposed to the play was a touchdown – Bottom line Brett was performing and reading like you are supposed to in this system – Yes everyone needs more time together – cant wait till 10/5 got my tic – it will be my first time in Minn – where can I get a set of horns for my firehelmet?
by favresonfire on Aug 22, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions
My impression of Favre's first day as starting quarterback
Favre looked like a 40-something guy who was sitting at home just four days ago with his wife and kids in a small town in Mississippi, got a call from a coach in Minnesota saying “Hey you wanna play for us?” and was promised that he could play Friday, then, while still in his dirty cap and ragged shorts and t-shirt, got picked up in a plane and flown to Minnesota, signed a contract, took a few snaps, and suddenly became the starter.
Thus I salute the fortress,
Safe from terror and dread.
Wife, follow me
and dwell with me in Valhalla!
by Franciscan Viking on Aug 21, 2009 11:26 PM CDT reply actions
OMG did u listen to Favre?
What a douche. You gotta be kidding me. He is such a fake.
by Duck99 on Aug 21, 2009 11:38 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Slow your roll
"We're here! We're queer! We don't want anymore bears!" by Manimal on Aug 20, 2009 12:05 PM EDT @ Daily Norseman after acquiring a geriatric QB
Tavaris Jackson had a perfect game, 158.3 QB rating.
Brett Favre had a 39.6 rating.
You guys should go w/ Tavaris
That would mean that Favre is the highest paid back-up in history, no?
Thus I salute the fortress,
Safe from terror and dread.
Wife, follow me
and dwell with me in Valhalla!
by Franciscan Viking on Aug 22, 2009 5:16 AM CDT up reply actions
Human Factor
Favre has already made all of our QB’s better, simply by letting them see that a 3-time league MVP HOF QB is a human being having fun. 12 million is a bargain.
After reading all of these comments
I can agree with some and some were just completely rediculous. No matter what anyone thinks about Tavaris Jackson or Brett Favre… Tell me you didn’t STAND in front of your television istead of sitting in your big chair for the first two possessions of the game! It damn exiting to see Brett Favre wearing that purple jersey! I will save any bitching or praise for at least a couple of months. I think this will be just plain good ol’ fun to watch!
by Vikingeric2001 on Aug 22, 2009 10:27 AM CDT reply actions
It did not matter
What Favre done last night. If he would have come out throwing strikes all the lovers would have said see I told you he knew this system. If he come out and sucked like tonight, it would have been it has only been three days.
Don’t get me wrong I do believe he will improve. He will probably be a 60% passer with a slightly better then half and half TD/INT record. Which could be all he needs to do.
I think Sage would have probably given us the same and TJack would have been a good change of pace when needed. The difference was we could have accomplished the same overall record with what we had in place with out all the distraction. We sold our collective souls to the devil for what a big question mark with a even bigger ego.
Now here we go with just as many question marks at the QB spot and 25 mil committed from the salary cap. And for what some merchandising rights to sell some Jerseys and maybe fill a few more seats. Thats why I hate the man and always will no matter the outcome of this fiasco, because we will never know if he really helped or we would have done just as well or better without him.
by bleedingpurplesince74 on Aug 22, 2009 10:37 AM CDT reply actions
I haven't heard mention of that
great goal line stand at the end of the game!? I know, I know it was not the starting D but what a boost for those guys trying to stay on the team.
by Vikingeric2001 on Aug 22, 2009 10:48 AM CDT reply actions
Performance
I think i’ll throw-up, no wait, i think i’ll eat, no i’ll throw up, no I am hungry..
cant make up my mind
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