Some crazy person actually had the nerve to ask one of Brett Favre's teammates exactly what they think about #4 potentially arriving late for, or altogether missing, the team's training camp that starts on 30 July in Mankato. I know. . .weird, right? I mean, what on earth does it matter what any of the guy's teammates think of the matter when we can just speculate wildly and tell anyone that will listen that there's "drama" or that Favre is "hanging his teammates out to dry" or something equally stupid?
Doesn't today's journalism involve any actual research?
Anyway, they asked the guy that's most affected by Favre's presence or absence, that being the guy right behind him on the depth chart, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.
"If he doesn’t show up to Mankato, sign the same time he did last year, that’s fine, that’s more reps for me, Sage [Rosenfels] and Joe [Webb]," Jackson said. "We just basically try to take advantage of it. When he comes backs, be ready mentally and just know what you’re getting yourself into. It’s going to be a long season."
Jackson said he tries to go about his preparation as if Favre isn't going to play, although he knows that's almost certainly not the case.
"You just say to yourself, ‘OK, he ain’t coming back,’" he said. "You tell yourself in the head, you’re thinking that. You might have your opinion about whether he’s coming back or not, but at the same time when you’re out there playing you’re not thinking. Each rep you get, [you’re not thinking] 'I don’ t need to get this rep, I don’t need to do my best on this rep because Brett is coming back anyway.' You don’t want to do that. You just want to go and give your best. When he shows up or if he shows up, just welcome him back. That’s all you can do."
Yep. . .that's all you can do. Favre's teammates know he's coming back, and it really doesn't matter when. Why? Because a) they know that he's coming back, and b) in the off, minuscule chance that he's not coming back, they know they're still a pretty darn good team anyway.
It would be helpful if the folks in the "know" would eventually figure out just how ridiculous they sound with their speculation about Favre coming back and whatever other crap they're doing to fill air time. He's coming back. We already know this. It's not a matter of "if," it's a matter of "when." And if Favre's teammates don't care about "when," why should you or I or anyone else?
2010 is going to be a big year for the Minnesota Vikings, whether Favre is behind center or not. But we already know that he will be.