Two months ago Brett Favre announced another press conference, and this time it wasn’t to reschedule the press conference.
He stepped up to the podium and steadfastly twitched before decisively spouting gibberish until — unable to determine his future — Favre finally made his decision to continue playing football at what John Kerry affectionately calls “Lambert Field.” Maybe I am being unfair to Kerry. Even he can decide which side to butter his waffle in a more timely manner than Brett Favre did on whether he would retire.
This is the same man who called out Javon Walker last year for holding out during contract negotiations. Now Favre has kept the Packers from signing anyone in free agency while also keeping their future quarterback Aaron Rodgers from taking snaps — all while helping the team get rid of Walker. At the same time, he complained that the Packers weren’t doing anything in free agency.
Well, had Favre made up his mind soon enough, the Pack could have signed the receiver who so adores Favre: Terrell Owens.
If the Green Bay front office had any interest in the success of their team, then wouldn’t we wouldn’t see the name “Fav-ra” on the Packers roster any longer. They should have answered him on March 25th, when he asked, “What will they do, cut me?” by doing just that.
For the first time since 1993, he has thrown more interceptions (29) than touchdowns (20). Even Aaron Brooks, who once flung a loose ball 15 yards backward to avoid being sacked, could only muster 17 tosses to the other team. Favre’s 70.9 QB rating was eclipsed by such elite field generals as Kyle Boller, Joey Harrington, Gus Frerotte, and Trent Dilfer.
His horrid season can only be blamed so much on injuries. Injuries don’t make a quarterback throw the ball straight to three defensive players. Favre even lost the ball to a fan when he played the Bengals.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Matthew T. Sussman
Perhaps one of the offensive lineman can "accidentally" fall back into Favre and get some helmet on knee action. Or so Ozzie Guillen suggests.
2 - Greg Caldwell
Dude, you're an idiot.
3 - Mitchell Blatt
I don't know who you're calling an idiot, me or the first person to comment, but there's only one idiot here, and his name is Greg. I don't know why you're calling me an idiot either. Is it because I wrote that Favre sucks? Sure he completes lots of passes, but most are to the other team.
4 - RJ Elliott
Favre is (was) a great player, surely one of the best and toughest QBs in NFL history. But he's all washed up now. In fact, he has been for a couple years.
He should have retired. Oh, well. Another losing season for the hated Packers ain't gonna make me cry... ;-)
5 - RobM
Mitchell- you are probably not an idiot, however, neither are you an insightful critic. I could go on and respond point-to-point to your criticism of Favre, but why bother- you've made up your mind. I'm more interested in knowing why you even wrote this? I guess you know Favre's name still sells and people otherwise might not pay any heed to your articles. Go ahead and knock the "butter" as you smear (pun intended) it all over your bread!
6 - Mitchell Blatt
Why should I change my mind? You said you could argue my points but then you criticized me for having my opinion predetermined. Well, so do you, if you think I'm wrong. If you don't have an opinion, than what are you?
I know you might be thinking, "Why the hell did I write this so long after the fact." That's because I had to get something in during the 24 hour deadline since I just signed up a few days ago, so I used an old article, but get ready for some new ones starting in a week.
7 - RobM
Actually, so close to the new season the topic seemed a little dated, especially after having been beaten to death all off-season. However, I did not mean to be critical for your having an opinion, I just knew no argument I could present would probably be new. At this point, we might just as well see how it plays out, although I probably have a much different expectation than you. And even if you're right and he's done...if you were a true football fan, that would be a sad thing given the incredible moments he's given all NFL fans over the years, not a reason to be smug (unless your a Bears fan). Incidentally, I'm a shareholder of the Green Bay Packers, Incorporated, so I expect Brett to make you and a lot of others feast on crow this season.
8 - Billy J
I totally agree with RobM. Mitchell Blat, you are not a true football fan, you are a talker bottom line, if you were a real fan, and I agree with RobM, even if you don't like #4 and you think he's done, that's fine, but,honestly, he will be missed. If you were a true football fan, you should hate to see Favre go. The guy is a throwback, whether you ever liked him or not, he played like a quarterback should, actually like a real football player should. How can you deny it? Favre deserves respect, he earned it. Your smugness is a joke! 24 td's till Marino!! Comment back Mitchell!! Go Favre!
9 - Mitchell Blatt
I agree that he has had an illusterous career, but I would rather see him go now than further embarrass himself. Frankly, this past season and his offseason antics have diminished his legacy, and one more season like that will only do the same.
10 - Billy J
Mitchell Blatt...
What's with all the drama about "oh he embarrassed himself." If you are a true football fan, why do you want him to retire so bad? Don't you think he will be missed, not by even yourself? You must be a Vikings fan.
Favre had no team last year, nada, none, zero. What was the guy supposed to do, just tank in the season? He's a huge gamer. He tried with the players he had and had terrible results, bottom line. Why do you think he should just go and retire? He is in great shape, no injuries, he had a bad year with an even worse team. He tried to do too much and thus the results. The Packers actually were in most of their games, this was with having 3rd stringers. I really hope #4 has a fabulous year so you will actually write something good about Favre.
11 - Mitchell Blatt
I already miss him because he's not very good, and he won't get better. The only injuries he can complain about are Walker and the RBs, but there won't be much difference next year. Walker is gone. Green is good for no more than 1100 yards when healthy. They have no offensive line. Besides, Green wasn't injured when he only had 50+ yards in the first few games.
12 - Billy J
Mitchell Blatt,
What do you mean the only injuries Favre can complain about are Green and Walker? Like that isn't 85% of their offense? That is major! Remember his two pro bowl offensive linemen left also..Wahl, Rivera, he lost. That is a major reason he had terrible numbers last year, not an excuse, granted, Favre did make his throws in coverage, but he is trying to make things happen. He had no team last year period. He can still play, just wait.
13 - Mitchell Blatt
Walker isn't back, and neither is their offensive line, so the only improvement is Green, and he's past his prime!
14 - Billy J
Mitchell, That is just my point on why Favre had such a bad year last year. He had no team. So you would be totally surprised if number 4 had a great 2006 year? You can honestly sit there and say that Favre's team from last year had nothing to do with him having such a bad year? His 05' terrible numbers were solely based just on him alone, getting old and being past his prime? His terrible 3rd string team had nothing to do with him having the year he had in 2005? Who are you Mitchell!! He is 36 and has no injuries. He will get those 25 td's next year for being such an over the hill guy right Mitchell! Go Pack!
15 - Mitchell Blatt
The bad supporting cast was obviously one of the reasons he sucked, but at the same time, he did try to force the ball way to much. Anyhow, he's going to suck again because his team is almost as bad. If you think Green recovering from injury is going to somehow make up for Walker, Wahle,and Rivera, than you've got another thing coming.
16 - matt
who do think you are no true packers fan would talk about brett like that if it wasnt for brett the packers would not have been as good as they have been the last 16 years so shut the hell up!!!
17 - Jesse
Mitchell, as a Packers fan, I will not try and cover up Favre's performance last year. INTs aside, I still think Favre had a pretty good year - he's still completing better than 60% of his passes and had over 4,000 yards, I believe. You're right, I can't lay so much blame on injuries - you don't throw 29 picks by being the only remotely healthy player on your offense.
I will say though, in response to your comment about Favre trying to make too much happen - when has Favre been a player that DIDN'T look for things to happen? More often than not, it seems - and this goes for his entire career and not just 2005 - whenever the Packers would lose, a major reason would be a poor decision on Favre's part. It's just that it hadn't happened nearly as much as it did last year. Favre has always been a player that will try the big strike if he sees even the slightest opening - that's just the way he plays. Just so happens that it didn't really work out for the Packers last year.
This might be fanboyism on my part, but the Packers last year looked like the best 4-12 team I've ever seen. Rarely were they ever out of a game - they lost games by three points, two points, one point. Favre actually lead the league in touchdown passes after the first five weeks or so - the Pack just couldn't win the close ball games.
Yeah, Favre's getting old, and sooner or later we realize he has to call it quits. But I still have a tremendous amount of confidence in him, and I don't expect him to repeat those numbers next year. If the Packers lose again and Favre struggles again, then I'll comply with the article - but until then, I just can't warrant getting rid of a three-time MVP who until last season had been a tremendous model of consistency and dedication. Favre still thinks he can win, and that's all I need to hear.
Overall, I thought this was a very interesting and thought-provoking article. I know it's probably just Packer fans glad to have him back, but of all the opposing opinions, this is one of the most thought-out and original. And yes, I do admit, the last paragraph made me laugh.
18 - Mitchell Blatt
After the first two weeks it looks like Favre isn't getting any better.
19 - benjy
wow, amazing article. i couldn't agree with you more!
i'm writing a journalism editorial paper on how brett favre is the downfall of the packers. this gave me some good information. if you have any other sites or articles about him please let me know
20 - Hector
Brett Farve will go down as the most overrated quarterback in history and was merely an average player who was surrounded by great talent.
21 - Nick
Haha morons. LOOK AT FAVRE NOW! You guys have no clue on what you're talking about. A whole season after this was writen Favre has become a pro bowl caliber Quarterback and broke the NFL record for touchdown passes and is on his way to own the record for passing yardage. He is now going to lead the currently 8-1 Packers into the playoffs. Enjoy watching the living legend on TV this year. I chuckled to myself when I read your "intelligent comments" about Favre, maybe you're a washed-up writer that should just throw in the towel before you "embarrass" yourself.
22 - Jimmy
Favre is lame. All the records he got by throwing more passes than any other QB in history and by playing so old will be broken by Manning and Brady. However, the interception record will be Favre's forever. So 5 years from now when you don't have the good records Favre, you can think about how you should have retired while you were still good, instead of staying in the league just to get records.
23 - Mitch
I agree. Favre is just an average quarterback with great talent around him.
Troy Aikman became great all alone. Cowboys like Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin and Jay Novacek were scrubs.
Montana's success had nothing to do with the nearby Jerry Rice, John Taylor or Roger Craig.
Favre, on the other hand, has vaulted through the ranks of the NFL with the aid of some of the greatest players to ever set foot on professional turf.
Sterling Sharpe, Antonio Freeman, Donald Driver, Dorsey Levens, Bill Schroeder, Mark Chmura, Bubba Franks, Ahman Green, Edgar Bennett, William Henderson, Robert Ferguson, Javon Walker.
These are all names that will be echoed by football fans both young and old in the decades to come. Some may have rooms dedicated to them in Canton's hallowed halls.
As I round out my sarcastic post, I should tell you one thing in all seriousness: Brett Favre is one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game. He has a superior set of skills and a competitive spirit that will never be matched.
Currently, he is on the most offensively-gifted team of his storied career. And it is composed of a bunch of 20-something scrubs that no one has ever heard of.
Unlike so many of the greats, Favre has never been on a 'lights-out' team, with the possible exception of the 96-98 Packers. He has consistently taken the field with an average team and has, through his play and his behavior, lifted them to the next level.
Through ten games of the 07 season, Favre has 2,757 yards, 16 TDs and has completed 67.2 percent of his passes (highest percentage of his career).
So, the next time you think about making a Favre claim that you clearly can't back up...take a second to think about it. Ponder what Favre has done with what he has had. And keep your idiocy to yourself.
24 - Hazwasteguy
most of you have posted on this blog are idiots, especially Michael Blatt. You have all shown your true colors...you ar enothing but a bunch of sleezy whiny Bears and Vikings fans. You should really learn evaluate football based on facts and not on how you feel. Move out of your moms' basemens and get lives.
25 - Terry McCabe
All you haters eat it. Favre is poised to break another record. He is only 2 shy of Jim Kelly's all time playoff interception record. And knowing Favre's playoff past (2-5 and 14 INTS since 1998), he should secure that record in the first quarter.
I'm just so sick of the negativity on that guy. Just because he shatters Blanda's interception record and doesn't win big games, and holds his team hostage, and is completely arrogant, people think they have a free pass to knock him. Knock it off.