Here in Packer-land we've been instructed to fall into one of two camps with respect to Mr. Favre electing to play on the other side of the Mississippi River.
One band is fully outraged over the Betrayal. (I'm capitalizing Betrayal in hopes of landing this event in NFL folklore alongside the Drive and the Catch). This disgruntled group understands that Favre is likely just trying to slap Ted Thompson, but can't forgive the attendant slap to the Green Bay faithful. You will be able to identify this group at Lambeau Field on November 1st by their vehement booing of the player wearing number four in purple.
The other group understands and agrees with the Betrayal. (I'll accept nominations for a more perfect betrayal. I can't imagine a better example of a golden boy savior taking up arms with a genuinely hated rival.). These glass-half-full do gooders assume Brett should keep plying his trade in his old age if he is capable. They are able to enjoy watching Brett play no matter the color of his stripes. You will be able to identify this group at Lambeau Field on November 1st by their smug applause for the guy who will still retire a Packer.
Since there is a common assumption that Favre's presence in Minnesota will be a boon to the Purple, there is no service paid to the idea that Favre in Minnesota is an unequivocal boon to Green and Gold. The best part of Disliking Your Favorite Team, after all, is enjoying the spectacle when your favorite team causes you particular pain. Good old fashioned schadenfreude makes this whole scenario a guaranteed success for all Packer fans.
My perspective, the This is Fucking Awesome! perspective, offers a third tent.
The super-scientific IDYFT Interactive Poll asks if glory, ignominy or indifference will be the legacy of Favre's tenure in Minnesota. Packer fans: realize any of the three results would be fucking awesome. Here's why.
Initially, there is little more gratifying than seeing a hated rival with unusually high expectations have their hopes dashed. Think Gary Anderson in the 1998 NFC Championship game.
Okay, now assume the first result: glory. With a great offensive line, running back and pass rush already in place, the addition of Favre has suddenly made the Vikings a reasonably sexy pick for Super Bowl glory. The turning of internet tubes towards the North Star has been a story in and of itself, and the expecatations of Viking fans are undoubtedly buoyed by the increased attention.
The presence of Favre, however, will present a poison pill if ultimate glory is achieved. Homerism for the Purple and enjoyment of Brett Favre as a football player could not have existed in the same person prior to August 18, 2009. He was as profound a baffle in Minnesota as he was a hero in Wisconsin.
Knowing that the Vikings needed help from "he who has caused great pain over sixteen years" to win their first Super Bowl would be fucking awesome for Packer fans.
The other side of the coin, ignominy, provides joy for obvious reasons. Watching our over-the-hill cast off leave a deep scar that requires a lengthy heal is fucking awesome for reasons that need not be enumerated.
However, when I throw my dart at the reasonable expectation dartboard, I hit "NFC Championship" for Vikings fans. Favre is a profound upgrade at the Viking's weakest position, but he is also a gunslinger who usually loses games through too much gunslinging. If Brad Childress doesn't run the offense with a good amount of discipline, the worst of Favre will occasionally shine through and create a pretty flashy offense with some serious self destructive tendencies.
The likely result, an indifferent eleven win season plus one in the playoffs, will probably not be enough to declare the Favre experiment a success. It will be a fun season for Minnesota fans, but will leave them wondering what is the answer at quarterback?
Ultimately, it will smell a lot in Minnesota like it did in Kansas City after the brief Joe Montana era. Montana's two playoff appearances and one AFC Championship game will outshine Favre's eventual record as a Viking. The Vikings will waste two good years of Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen without developing a good young talent at quarterback or bringing home any hardware.
If that happens, and Minnesota continues to spin its non-Super Bowl having wheels, it too will be pretty fucking awesome.
3 comments:
Well reasoned, Barnyard. The Packer fan perspective is an interesting angle.
My only contention is that Favre is not necessarily a 'profound upgrade.'
True, QB is the weakest position in MN. But there is little evidence that Favre has anything special to offer.
Throwing the ball 522 times, he ended the Jets season with a flurry of INTs, as usual, finishing with 22 TDs and 22 INTs. He led the league in INTs yet again; as per usual, no one else was even close. His QB rating of 81 ranks him 21st in the league.
T. Jackson didn't throw enough passes to quality for official stats, but his 9 to 2 TD/INT ratio and 95.4 rating are considerably better than that guy who's like a kid out there.
With the Vikings' obvious strength on the ground, what they need is a patient, conservative QB to manage the offense.
Not some spazzy graybeard who thinks that he and his arm are much better than they are.
reading that Brett Favre is a "spazzy graybeard" made my day.
Wice, after 11 games last season (the point of the injury) Favre had one of the best passer ratings in the game (95.5). After the first 5 weeks he lead the league in passing yardage and touchdowns, in an offense that was completely new to him. I am not suggesting he is Jason Cambell or anything, but I would agree with BY that he is a "profound upgrade", but mostly because of the intangibles (leadership qualities)something the offense and the team in general has lacked sorely.
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