[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

I don'tthink anyone expects him to be a long term fix. They're hoping the prospects improve between now and next season.

[RangerSG]

Raymond Luxury Yacht, on Sep 4 2009, 02:51 AM, said:

I don'tthink anyone expects him to be a long term fix. They're hoping the prospects improve between now and next season.

I agree. Which is why Childress went with the (relatively) cheap quick fix. But that still doesn't mean it was the right move long term. It might save his job though. And that's really all Chilly cares about.

[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

So, now that the Vikings have reached the halfway point of their season, let's review. Signing Favre was a brilliant move. I called it, my fanboy status has been validated, and as long as his health holds up this could be a season for the ages. Here is a great article about Favre, if you don't feel like reading it all is boils down to this: Favre is the man, Ted Thompson is an idiot who is ruining the Packers.

It's the Truth: Favre's proving Thompson wrong
by Jason Whitlock

The Truth can be inconvenient, impolite and painful. The reason you read my NFL Truths column is because you realize I will address the inconvenient, impolite and painful, even when the "friendly fire" damages yours truly.

Like most red-blooded, patriotic football fans, I participated in Brett Favre Celebration Week and built my Sunday around watching Favre's return to Lambeau Field.


There was wall-to-wall television, radio, blog and newspaper coverage leading up to Vikings vs. Packers. I found very little Truth in any of it.

Sports media coverage is oftentimes too polite, afraid to deliver pain and too focused on making sure anyone of any power is happy and comfortable.

That's why an innocent kid like Steve Bartman can be portrayed as the dumbest fan in all of sports and/or the primary reason the Cubs didn't reach the 2003 World Series and a buffoon like Ted Thompson can hold his head high while earning millions of dollars ruining the Green Bay Packers.

We have nothing to lose trashing Bartman. Ted Thompson might pass us some juicy trade gossip or gas our egos with press-box chitchat.

So last week the media performed a full rectal examination of Brett Favre's emotions, and no one — that I saw — took a peek into the empty cranium that upon being given control of the Packers franchise in 2005 decided its first order business was to develop the Brett Favre Relocation Plan.

Twenty-four regular-season games into Favre's removal as Green Bay's starting quarterback, Ted Thompson looks every bit as stupid as Peter Pocklington, the man who traded Wayne Gretzky to Los Angeles.

The inconvenient, impolite, painful, highly entertaining and worthy-of-ample-discussion truth is Brett Favre wanted out of Green Bay because he believes Ted Thompson is a moron. Favre spent one year in New York just so he could get to Minnesota and prove that Ted Thompson is a moron.

Halfway through the 2009 season and after two Vikings victories over the Packers, the Favre prosecution team has rested its case and anxiously awaits Thompson's defense the second half of the season.

As jury foreman, I'm ready to vote guilty on all charges. Short of winning the Super Bowl, there's not a damn thing the Packers can do to mask Thompson's incompetence.

I'll be asking my peers in the jury room to sentence Thompson to the unemployment line and hand Favre the league's MVP Award.

That's right. Halfway through the season Favre is the clear-cut MVP. It ain't even close. Right now Favre is sportsman of the year. That's not hyperbole.

If Favre's second-half play matches what he's delivered through eight games and the Vikings win the Super Bowl, he will have elevated himself to Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan and Jim Brown status.

What Favre has done so far this season is the stuff of legends. It surpasses Ruth's "called shot" in the 1932 World Series and Joe Namath's Super Bowl guarantee. I'd put Favre's 2009 performance on par with the "Miracle on Ice" and Ali's "Rumble in the Jungle" victory.

I'm telling you, despite blanket coverage, we've totally missed the Favre story. We've failed to put this in proper context.

Favre is doing what Michael Jordan could not.

MJ hated Jerry Krause, the general manager of the Bulls. Jordan believed Krause was an idiot and was in too much of a hurry to break up Jordan, Jackson, Pippen and Rodman. Jordan "retired" and first tried to prove Krause's idiocy by managing the Wizards and then tried to prove it by playing for the Wizards.

Jordan failed. He drafted Kwame Brown No. 1 overall and put together two forgettable seasons in a Wizards uniform.

The 40-year-old Favre, however, is having the greatest season of his 19-year career. His 106 QB rating is seven points higher than his previous best. He's on pace to throw just six interceptions, which would be seven fewer than he's thrown in any season as a starter.

It's deeper than the numbers. It's the 32-yard, back-of-the-end-zone rope that beat the 49ers with two seconds to play. It's the 58-yard heave to Sidney Rice that set up the game-winning field goal to beat the Ravens. It's the seven TDs and zero interceptions in two games against the Packers.

And it's the passion for the game. Favre is the Magic Johnson of football. Like Magic, Favre's personality and emotion overwhelm his teammates. You had to bust your ass and get out on the break because you knew Magic passed out candy at the offensive end like every night was Halloween.

Guys play hard for Brett Favre. There's something about good-old boys from the South. They're natural leaders. Everybody loves them. Favre and Steve McNair were cut from the same cloth. They could connect with and inspire an opposite-race teammate just as effectively as a teammate who shared a similar background as theirs.

Favre's famous "MNF" game against the Raiders after his father died is the best testament to Favre's intangible leadership qualities. Most of the media focus on Favre's great stats and overlook the fact that Favre's receivers made numerous circus catches that night. Favre's teammates cared about him so much that they picked him up on a night when he needed a lift.

All of this reflects poorly on Ted Thompson. Favre contended throughout his final seasons in Green Bay that he could still perform at an MVP level. He wanted better support. He wondered why Thompson's first significant act as GM was picking Aaron Rodgers in the first round of the 2005 draft.

Think about that. Five years ago Thompson used a critical draft pick on a player to replace the QB capable of a 106-passer rating in 2009. The Packers had their quarterback of the future — Brett Favre.
In 2006 and 2007, the Packers led the NFL in salary-cap availability. Thompson made one significant free-agent acquisition — cornerback Charles Woodson.

The rift between Favre and Thompson became irreparable when Thompson refused to go after Randy Moss, who shares the same agent (Bus Cook) as Favre. We can assume that Favre had inside knowledge that Moss would strongly consider signing with the Packers.

Thompson is dedicated to building the Packers through the draft. Moss joined Tom Brady in New England. The Patriots won 18 straight games and Brady set nearly every single-season passing record with Moss at his side.

Brady and Peyton Manning are allegedly better QBs than Favre, who has a rep for throwing huge INTs.

Favre would contend he's more prone to give in to his gambling nature when he feels he has to compensate for a talent deficiency. In his mind, give him Randy Moss, Adrian Peterson or Reggie White and his TD-INT ratio will be 3 to 1 and he'll be in contention for the MVP.

The NFL is a win-now league. When you have a chance to pair Favre with Randy Moss, you take that opportunity, win a Super Bowl or two and deal with the consequences later. Thompson chose to avoid the consequences and plan for the future.

He tired of the Favre offseason drama, tired of catering to Favre's ego. What an idiot. Favre was right. A year after Favre led the Pack to 13-3 and the NFC Championship Game, Green Bay finished 6-10 and out of the playoffs. This year it appears the supporting cast Thompson gave Rodgers is inadequate. The offensive line can't protect Rodgers and the defense looks weak against top competition.

Meanwhile, Favre has Adrian Peterson in the backfield and Jared Allen rushing the opposing quarterback. Favre has the most talented offensive and defensive players in the league. And he's not simply riding their coattails. They're all pushing each other. Favre is doing the most.

By forcing his way out of Green Bay, retiring from the Jets after one season and staging a Flava Favre, will-he-or-won't-he drama this offseason, Favre placed an unprecedented amount of pressure on himself.

When the season started, the only people in the Favre bunker were Brett, Deanna, Bus Cook, Brad Childress, Zygi Wilf and John Madden.

The media felt burned by Favre. Fans were sick of the nonstop coverage. Fran Tarkenton made a return to relevancy blasting Favre in radio and TV interviews. Adam Schefter floated a theory/story there was tension in the Vikings locker room over Favre's arrival.

Favre has made assclowns of everybody, particularly Ted Thompson.

Ali took on the government and love-it-or-leave-it America and established a reputation as "The Greatest." Other than that, I can't think of another athlete who has exceeded what Favre has accomplished this season (without overcoming a major medical issue).

Drew Brees is putting up nice stats. Peyton Manning and the Colts are undefeated.

Brees and Manning can't touch Brett Favre. Even if the Saints and the Colts run the table, Favre is the MVP unless he falls apart down the stretch.

[Obdigore]

Honestly, I think Aaron Rodgers is a better QB than Favre this year. If Favre was being sacked 6+ times a game and knocked down 20+, he would be out for the year. The vikings also have a better running game, and a better defense than the packers.

The article you quoted is written by an angry homer.

[HoosierDaddy]

Jason Whitlock went to my university. Ball State, in Muncie, Indiana. He played football for Warren Central (Indianapolis) with Jeff George, and for BSU. He writes for a paper in Kansas City. He is an opinion columnist, who writes shit to sell papers. He called Reggie Wayne, Reggie fucking White. Manning can't touch Favre? If so, it's because he's so fucking ABOVE him. Favre's playing great, but he's got A.P. Manning is the best QB in the league. Bar none.

Whitlock's not a homer. He's just an idiot trying to sell papers. Seriously.

[Obdigore]

HoosierDaddy, on 09 November 2009 - 05:44 PM, said:

Jason Whitlock went to my university. Ball State, in Muncie, Indiana. He played football for Warren Central (Indianapolis) with Jeff George, and for BSU. He writes for a paper in Kansas City. He is an opinion columnist, who writes shit to sell papers. He called Reggie Wayne, Reggie fucking White. Manning can't touch Favre? If so, it's because he's so fucking ABOVE him. Favre's playing great, but he's got A.P. Manning is the best QB in the league. Bar none.

Whitlock's not a homer. He's just an idiot trying to sell papers. Seriously.

He is a homer. Aaron Rodgers is playing amazingly well, especially for having no offensive line, and no running game. I thought he meant Reggie White, not Reggie Wayne, but maybe I read that section wrong.

P. Manning isn't the hot-shit everyone always says he is, he has played on talented teams his whole career. As for MVP, the award obviously goes to Alex Smith if the 49ers make the playoffs.

Rookie of the Year is either McCoy from the Eagles or the Vikings WR/Returner that I cannot remember the name of right now.

[HoosierDaddy]

Percy Harvin.

How can you be a homer for a team you don't give a shit about? I agree, Favre on that team AGAINST the Vikings would probably already be done for the year. Rodgers has taken a beating against them, and STILL played well.

[Obdigore]

I'm saying he is a Homer for 'cheering or booing the big-names without looking at the rest of the situation', like the rest of the offense, who the defense.

I don't like Rothlesburger, but he is a great QB for that Team. If he was on a team like the Colts, they would be terrible. What if Brady or PManning or Brees were on the Ravens, or the Dolphins, or the 49ers. Would they still be as 'amazing' as they are now?

I call that homerism. When people are put into positions to succeed, and they do, then everyone claims they are 'better' than the other QB's who have no o-line, or no receivers, or no running game. That isn't to say I wouldn't enjoy any one of those QB's playing for the Vikings, I am just saying people like the quoted chuckle-head who claim that Rodgers is Worse than Favre right now aren't looking at the whole picture. If the packers kept farve and rodgers left and the Vikings signed him this year, who would be having a better season? I mean seriously.

[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

I think that while a large number of Radger's sacks can be attributed to his O-line playing like crap, a lot of them are HIS fault. Get rid of the damn ball. I like Rodgers, I want to see him succeed, but the protection flaws would not be as bad if he could make reads more quickly.

None of this is the point though. The point is that Favre is having a great year, Ted Thompson is in fact an idiot, and the vikings made a great decision to pick up Favre.

I'm not saying that present day past his prime Favve is as good as present day in His prime Peyton manning, but that fact that a 40 year old QB written off as being washed up is even playing well enough for that to be discussed is amazing. True, Favre has some good players around him. It's a damn shame Peyton has had to go his entire career without another good player on his team.

[HoosierDaddy]

The dearth of talent has been hard for Peyton to overcome, yes.

[Daser]

1. I think it is a matter of circumstances and being in the right spot at the right time.
2. It is also about leadership and maturity.

Some people like Favre and Manning is and has for several years made everybody around them play better, and as long as their clubs give them a line that can protect and a few weapons down the field, then their clubs will be playoff or SB contenders.

Big Ben is about to join that club, he is now mature and confident.

I think the mistake they made in Green bay with Favre was that they was so focused on keeping Favre retired that things got out of hands. They cant expect that a man with his record accept a backup potition if he stills wants to play. So it just escalted and ended with everybody feeling hurt, even the fans.

Maybe Green Bay will learn from it, since they have a new and talented QB and get him a O- Line that can keep him upright and keep looking for talent at reciever all the time.(even in free agency) In time Rodgers will probarly also become more confident, a better leader and make better decisions(Faster)

I hope Brett Favre plays well all season, since it would be really sad if such a talented team never gets to play with a good QB, while they have all the other pieces.

What probarly annoys me the most is when people mention " Gunslinger mentality". Why do people keep saying that as if that makes them bad. Its like Adrian Peterson suddenly cant run the ball because off it or like N.O. saints cant run the ball. How many teams could have had Drew Brees or Kurt Warner or Favre if they hadnt been afraid of taking a a chance.

[Slow Ben]

[quote name='Obdigore' date='09 November 2009 - 11:55 AM' timestamp='1257789338'

P. Manning isn't the hot-shit everyone always says he is, he has played on talented teams his whole career. As for MVP, the award obviously goes to Alex Smith if the 49ers make the playoffs.


[/quote]


I'm not a colts fan, but PM IS the hot-shit everyone thinks he is. Does he have talent around him? Yeah, and that makes him better. Even if he was on a shitty team he'd still be a great qb. Every time i watch him play he impresses me.

Aaron Rodgers is not playing as good this year as i thought he would. He's hesitant and doesnt make quick decisions. Favre might have AP, but Rodgers has the better receiving corps by far. The fact is Favre is playing better than Rodgers right now, theres not really even an argument. Favre looks crisp and precise and makes big plays, Rodgers looks flustered most of the times i've watched him.

[Salt-Man Z]

Slow Ben, on 10 November 2009 - 04:25 PM, said:

Rodgers looks flustered most of the times i've watched him.

You'd be flustered too if you knew that as soon as you touch the football the odds of you eating turf in the next 5 seconds are pretty dang good.

[caladanbrood]

Then surely the importance of throwing quickly is magnified somewhat.

[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

Um, just in case anyone didn't already know, I feel obligated to mention....


FAVRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

So, um, there's this sex scandal brewing. It makes me sad. All completely unproven at this point, but more reports are coming in, and do these things ever turn out to be false? I heard one of the voicemails. Nothings damning, but it clearly sounds like a guy trying to talk his way into some girl's pants. Favre's legacy might be shot on this one.

[Thelomen Toblerone]

How so? She's hot. If he pulled it off, then his legacy gets blown up tenfold as the ultimate man's man.

[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

He's built his rep as a good ole boy, a blue collar worker type of player. Those types aren't supposed to cheat on their wives. On top of the hit he's taken over the indecision about playing every year, and the perceived betrayal of the Packers for going to the Vikings, it's likely he will be remembered for everything BUT what he did on the field.

[Beezulbubba]

The voice messages are not that big of a deal. Believe me, this happens with (married) mega-million sports athletes more then you know. The disappointing thing is that these over paid dumb shits don't have someone there to constantly remind them that their actions can easily captured in our digital age. Brett Favre is far from having lived a clean life (early in his career he was an addict). Not judging, we all have moments of weakness, this is just another. I still respect what he has accomplished on the field.

Also, the latest come out on this are pictures he texted to her. Put your google skills to work if you want to see the porngraphic goodness.

[Thelomen Toblerone]

Well, I searched it. I found it hilarious. That is all.