Brett Favre's Streak Ends; Vikings Eliminated

On a random Monday night in Detroit, of all places, the greatest starting streak in NFL history -- and perhaps sports history -- came to a screeching halt.

After 297 regular season games (321 counting playoffs), Brett Favre stood on the sidelines during an NFL game. That hadn't happened since the first quarter of a Sept. 20, 1992, game between the Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals. On that day, Packers starting quarterback Don Majkowski suffered an injury that would allow Favre to take over the team. Favre started the next week against Pittsburgh, and Monday night was the first time since that he did not make a start for his team.

That Minnesota lost 21-3 in one of the more hapless offensive efforts you'll see is somewhat fitting. The only reason the Vikings have been at all relevant since the start of the 2009 season has been Favre, and while he may have turned the ball over quite a bit this season, reality is that he also made that offense tick in a way. With the starting quarterback sidelined, the Vikings couldn't do anything of note with the ball, scoring their only field goal when they got a short field on an Eli Manning interception.

Pro Bowlers Favre, Percy Harvin, and Steve Hutchinson were sidelined, providing a bit of a glimpse into the Vikings' future. Adrian Peterson ran for 26 yards, and Tarvaris Jackson was downright pathetic under center, meaning that the Vikings' offensive future is with someone else at quarterback. That someone won't be Joe Webb, either. He's just not going to be ready by 2011. Maybe not 2012, either.

Oddly, fans have complained about Favre hogging the headlines for years. They've been right. And on a night he didn't even play for his team, Favre still owned the headlines. This time, it was justified.

You're not going to find an obviously-more-impressive starting streak anywhere in sports than Favre's 297/321 (use whatever number you'd like). Cal Ripken's ironman streak in baseball was great, but largely only because he played every day. Baseball isn't the most physically demanding sport out there. The fact Ripken avoided any kind of anomaly -- pulled hamstring, bruised knee, ankle sprain -- over all those years is downright incredible, but Favre started 297/321 straight games with defenders much bigger and stronger than him breathing down his neck. Favre took hits, stood tall, shook off injuries that would have sidelined virtually every other player at his position, and often thrived while playing hurt.

For Favre, it had to be a depressing night. On one hand, he told ESPN's Ed Werder before the game that there was a sense of relief ... that he perhaps had valued the streak more than he had ever let on. On the other hand, his team -- one that he's grown to love in his two years there -- looked absolutely putrid and lost without him.

There's a good chance Favre's season is over, and so is his career. Not many people will be upset about this, given all the drama Favre has generated since 2005. That shouldn't preclude them from celebrating Favre's legendary career and great accomplishments.

After all, the drama was as much a media creation as it was a Favre creation. No matter what was going on off the field, Favre always rose above it, playing so well that people had a reason to talk about him. It's fitting, in a way, that the streak and the career likely ended at a time where Favre was never able to play well enough for people to forget about the latest piece of off-field drama he has generated.

Metrodome Caves in Under Weight of Brett Favre's Ego; Crazy Weekend Continues

Photo: KFAN Radio

MINNEAPOLIS -- As if an historic snowfall and numerous postponements and cancellations weren't enough, the mother of all crazy weekends just rolls on.

While we were sleeping early Sunday morning, the Metrodome's teflon roof collapsed under the weight of some 15-20 inches of snow that fell in the metro area Saturday.

With the snow already causing the postponement of Sunday's Vikings-Giants game to Monday night, we can thankfully report that no one was inside the stadium at the time. Even though it was around 5 a.m., there's a chance that wouldn't have been the case on a game day.

Now, you can see the sky inside the Metrodome, and there is snow and ice on the playing surface. There won't be any football played there anytime soon. This is the kind of damage that takes time to repair. It won't be fixed by Tuesday, Friday, or next Monday, when Minnesota is supposed to host Chicago.

The NFL is seeking an alternate venue for the game, with the smart money going on Detroit's Ford Field for a Monday or Tuesday kickoff.

Whenever the game is played, expect it to air on FOX only in markets that would be blacked out of a non-sellout. For Vikings fans who don't reside in the Twin Cities or Rochester markets, that means finding a place that has DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket to watch the game. Same for Giants fans outside of the New York market.

To add to the fun, Brett Favre texted ESPN's Ed Werder and told him he wouldn't have been able to play had the game started at its regularly-scheduled time of noon. Of course, he'll magically heal in the extra day or two this chain of events is giving him.

Here is video of the dome's collapse, which aired exclusively on FOX NFL Sunday.

Leslie Frazier Clearly Not in Charge

As you probably heard, Brad Childress was sacrificed by the Minnesota Vikings Monday.

I say "sacrificed," because if you think Brad Childress was the problem in Minnesota, you're drinking whatever Kool-Aid has been passed around this state like the common cold.

That's unfortunate, because it masks you from reality.

Look at the above graphic from NFL.com. Tell me what the guy in 32nd place has done that no one else on the list has done, outside of rookie Sam Bradford.

That's right ... he's gotten through the entire season without once being benched for performance.

At his introductory press conference, interim Vikings coach Leslie Frazier -- using strings being pulled by owner Zygi Wilf, a man who knows about as much about building a successful NFL organization as I do about building a mall -- made it clear with "no hesitation" that Brett Favre will remain his starting quarterback.

Apparently, Frazier doesn't believe in the other two quarterbacks on the roster, making one wonder three things:

1. What in the blue hell are Tarvaris Jackson and Joe Webb doing on the roster?
2. What have Childress and Rick Spielman been doing the last three years instead of finding and developing a franchise quarterback?
3. Who was the idiot that thought they should trade Sage Rosenfels?

Of course, I'm just obsessed with Favre, so I'm not allowed to point any of this out. Sorry for mentioning the inconvenient truth. Maybe he'll magically turn it around now that Darrell Bevell is calling plays without restriction from that idiot former head coach.

Brett Favre's Turn to Deny Obvious

For nearly a season and a half, Packer fans watched helplessly as Brett Favre helped the Vikings win games and put themselves in a position to win a championship.

There were, sure, a few gut punches along the way, including in the NFC Championship. However, Favre played great in 2009 and left little doubt -- despite his self-produced offseason drama -- that he would return in 2010.

Of course, that doesn't mean that his return was a good idea.

In fact, it seems like this has been the biggest mistake Favre's made since he hit "send" on his cell phone in 2008.

(Pause for laughter. Or groans. Or for you to click off this site.)

Favre has 14 turnovers, contributing (often directly) to 51 points for the opposition and a lot of pressure on his team's very-good defense. Favre's passer rating is 30th out of 33 quarterbacks currently with enough throws to qualify for the passing title.

That's 30th-best, by the way.

For head coach Brad Childress, who has prided himself on getting great solid very good decent mediocre play out of his quarterbacks during his time at Minnesota, this has to be eating him alive. He can't even get Favre to be an offensive caretaker, because the running game -- while led by a total stud in Adrian Peterson -- isn't good enough to be a one-dimensional offense.

With Favre possibly sidelined (chuckle) by a foot/ankle injury, there is so much speculation about his status for Sunday that you could probably get your fill of it while watching MSNBC. But while idiots like me continue to laugh at the notion that Favre won't play, there are some who think it's at least a possibility.

ESPN.com NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert tweeted the following:

Will keep saying it. Childress, not foot, is Favre's biggest obstacle.

Seifert knows more than I do. In the end, I'm willing to take the word of those who cover the team on a regular basis over my hunches.

But this is freaking Brett Favre. He can't just sit, right?

Right?

There's acrimony between Favre and Childress. There are real issues in that relationship. As the kids say, it's complicated. Don't discount Childress' desire to put his stamp on this team and exhibit control over the players. He might not get along great with Favre, but he wants to win, and if he feels that a gimpy Favre doesn't give his team the best chance to win, he will bench the streak.

While it shouldn't be up to Favre, most people think it is. The right thing for him to do is sit.

And he can't wait to sit until the Vikings fall out of serious playoff contention. He is no longer his team's best chance to win, and it's too bad he fails to recognize it. I think Childress knows it, but he doesn't have the guts/political power necessary to make this decision.

Simply put: Unless Favre's left foot falls off before Sunday, or Favre himself decides that he can't go, Favre will start.

And while only time will tell if it's the right move, there doesn't appear to be much chance that it will end well for Favre.

Or Childress.

Brett Favre Meets the End of the Road

I've hesitated all season. I keep waiting for the ol' gunslinger to come back. I keep waiting for him to have that moment where it all starts to come together.

Where he and his team look to be in synch again.

Instead, we see more and more instances like Sunday night, where it was abundantly clear that the Minnesota Vikings were far from "in synch," and the quarterback was largely responsible for his team finishing the game with fewer points than the opponent.

It keeps coming back to Brett Favre.

After a largely magical season in 2009, Favre has been absolutely pathetic in six games for the Vikings this season. Any hopes a bye week would cure his ails vanished in Week 5, when the Vikings lost on a Monday night to the Jets, and Favre looked tired and old after taking a week off.

He looked less tired, but still very old, in the win over Dallas last Sunday. It was a positive sign, and his improving elbow gave fans the indication that he would start to turn things around.

No dice.

Under bright lights that Favre used to thrive in, he did the exact opposite. In a stadium where he used to help the Packers win, he helped the Packers win.

Now, we're at a crossroads.

There is no bye week to rest Brett. There is no layup game coming up next week. Instead, the Vikings have to deal with the 5-1 Patriots. Yeah, we'll probably hear a few words about how Randy Moss wants to stick it to his old team. Surely, those who can't let go will talk about how this is where Brett shows how great he is.

Unfortunately for Vikings fans, it's reached the end of the road.

This is where Brett Favre has to exit. FanHouse comrade Kevin Blackistone opines.

Favre could use the time off right now. He could use it to physically heal and mentally prepare his exit strategy.

Favre looked and sounded by late Sunday night as if he's done. It wasn't just his saltier and more peppery hair. It was his limping on a surgically repaired left ankle -- and what he said it prevented him from doing.

"Who knows?" Favre said when asked if he'd be able to play next weekend. "Who knows, really? I hope I do."

It was his admission that his ungrateful coach, the one who earned a contract extension because of Favre's remarkable play a season ago, was probably right about his too-risky play at Lambeau.

The reality is that Favre has no way out, unless the league suspends him for his sexting -- and that shouldn't happen barring further evidence of wrongdoing than what we've been presented with by the Deadspins of the world.

That is, of course, if Favre's troublesome left ankle doesn't stop being troublesome.

Is it reasonable to suggest that Favre could miss the Patriots game Sunday? Yes. Of course, it's not reasonable to suggest it if there is any serious thought to him returning.

Favre is making $20 million. He's not going on the bench for a game or two. If Childress goes to Tarvaris Jackson, he's not going back to Favre barring a cataclysmic barrage of injuries. It's past the point of no return.

Sunday was not a virtuoso performance for Green Bay. It was meaningful, though, because the Packers needed to beat Brett Favre.

Of course, they needed help from Brett Favre to make that happen. In the end, it was too much for Childress to stomach.

Brad Childress Not Respected by Vikings, Says Anonymous Player

Wednesday's press conference with Brett Favre and Brad Childress revealed little, outside of the fact that Brett's not here for himself (allegedly), and Chilly doesn't know if Brett will play Sunday in San Francisco.

(I bet he does, even if only for a series.)

Favre talked over and over and over and over and over again about how highly he regards the players on this roster, and while he's thought to be a huge supporter of Childress, there were no words that would lead you to that conclusion.

(By the way, don't think for a second that I didn't notice his gushing over the Vikings' roster, as if he had played with a bunch of jerks in Green Bay and New York. Frank Winters and Mark Chmura are probably kicking themselves right now.

Or not.)

Anyway, if Jason Cole of Yahoo! is to be believed, the fact Favre didn't talk much at all about Childress in his rambling press conference was not unintentional.

In short, even as Minnesota’s best hope to win a Super Bowl this season was rejoining the team, Childress was losing more ground with his team in the battle for respect. One of the biggest issues playing out behind the scenes in Minnesota is that many players, particularly on offense, have no respect for Childress. Among those players is Favre, who officially returned to the team Wednesday.

According to multiple team sources, Favre’s disdain for Childress is deep.

“Brett thinks Childress has no clue about offense,” a Vikings player said.

Childress’ presence, not Favre’s ankle injury, was one of the biggest reasons Favre was hesitating about playing again, sources said.

In early July, Favre had indicated to one player that he was likely to play. However, after Childress visited Favre on July 19, Favre’s desire to return declined.

“Brett just doesn’t trust him,” a player said.

Ouch.

Apparently, Childress didn't do himself any favors Tuesday. As Favre flew back with the three amigos (Hutchinson, Allen, Longwell), Childress dispatched two assistant coaches to lie to the media about the players' whereabouts.

“Chilly can’t even tell the truth about that,” the player said. “I mean, how ridiculous is that? What’s the big deal that he has to lie? Worse, he has to tell other guys to lie for him?”

Certainly not the smartest thing a coach has ever done, but it's not like we believe coaches are always 100 percent truthful anyway.

No one expects players to attach their names to this type of criticism, but why should we believe this?

After all, the respected NFL media gave us that schism garbage last year, and surely a team divided by a huge schism doesn't go 12-4, blow out people left and right, and sing "Pants On The Ground" after a huge home playoff win.

This stuff might be true, because it was a bit peculiar that Favre didn't mention Childress much, if at all, especially given how much he talked about "Chilly" last year when he signed.

That said, this story doesn't pass the smell test when it isn't something that we've heard about before.

That Childress isn't a brilliant mind doesn't surprise anyone. But to intimate that he and Favre are totally not getting along is a bit of a stretch when all you have are an anonymous source or two.

Packers Mum on Brett Favre's Return

Things have changed greatly over the years in Green Bay.

For a long time, all anyone talked about in Packerland was Brett Favre. He was the glue that held the team together through the transition from Mike Holmgren to Ray Rhodes to Mike Sherman (coach) to Mike Sherman (coach and wholly incompetent GM) to Mike McCarthy eras. He was the most popular player for one of the NFL's most popular franchises.

Unquestionably, Brett Favre was the king in Green Bay. Hell, he was the king of Wisconsin.

Two years after his attempt to force himself back on the Packers roster led to some insane scenes at the team's annual Family Night scrimmage and plenty of embarrassment for the organization, Favre's name invokes different reactions in Green Bay now.

In fact, if you talk to Packer players about Favre now, you get the same kind of reaction as if you ask them to break down current events in Mozambique.

Nothing.

Saturday night, even the half-syllable "Bre -- " elicited a glare from friendly Packers receiver Greg Jennings.

"Don't know," Jennings said. "Don't care either."

He wasn't smiling.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, supremely talented and at least a decade from joining the Oak Grove Summer High School Football League, launched even more eyeball darts when asked if the Packers are following Favre's latest offseason saga.

"No," he said.

He wasn't smiling.

Rodgers was then asked if the Packers would prefer to see Favre retire and thereby hand over the keys to the NFC North and a clearer path to Super Bowl XLV.

"He has nothing to do with me or our team this year," Rodgers said.

This is tough for many to understand.

After all, it's highly unlikely that the Packers would bristle so much when asked about Jay Cutler or Matthew Stafford.

Of course, they went 4-0 against the Bears and Lions last year, picked Cutler off six times, and lost twice to a nearly flawless Favre.

In reality, the Packers' decision to cold-shoulder the Favre chatter is pretty clear-cut.

They don't want to give the old man any more motivation than the Saints did, or than he already had on his own.

National pundits -- on the air and on the internet -- will say enough bad things about Favre's selfishness, his spotlight addiction, and the way he held the Vikings over a barrel the entire offseason before he finally decided it was worth his time to show up and be a part of the team. The Packers don't need to point at this all and say "These are the scenes we've tried desperately to avoid," because it's so blatantly obvious to even a die-hard Viking fan.

Last year, it wasn't so obvious.

Last year, it could be argued the Packers made a grave mistake in the summer of 2008, when they told Favre they didn't think he should just walk back in the door when he felt like it to take over the team. The message then? Ted Thompson and McCarthy run this team, and it's a 53-man unit, not one held hostage by or under the control of one man.

Last year, Favre showed them. He chopped up the Packers defense like it didn't exist. He danced and jumped around and pointed his index finger at the sky as he soundly beat his former team twice. He acted all folksy and complimentary of Rodgers, the man he mentored without being a full-time mentor.

Watching Rodgers, Favre had to see a bit of himself, only without the out-of-control throws and unconscionable decisions.

You know, like that famous cross-body throw to Tracy Porter? Rodgers so rarely does those things that it's almost shocking when he does.

When Favre does it, we have to put it on a list.

The Packers hope this year is not last year. They hope they can become the 31st NFL team to post a win over Brett Favre (Houston would be the only one to fail, assuming Brett can't be talked into another season so the Texans get one more shot).

And they aren't going to stoke the Favre fire any more than they have to.

When asked yesterday for a reaction to Favre's return, McCarthy said he had none. We haven't heard from Thompson, and probably won't until his next media availability on Tuesday.

I'll save you the time. He won't have a reaction.

Nor should he.

Favre chose not to be a part of this franchise anymore. Don't be fooled into thinking he was forced out, or that Thompson and McCarthy didn't want him around.

Favre chose not to be there.

I refuse to debate the merits of this decision, because it was a personal choice. But for Favre to continually deny the facts is a bit ridiculous. It was his call, and we saw how it all played out. He forced the Packers' hand because he knew what the outcome would be. He played the retirement game that summer because he knew the team would move on without him, and he knew they wouldn't be able to take him back, given all the time, energy, and money already invested in Rodgers.

And it's all okay.

Packer fans are being painted as a bitter bunch. In reality, many of us look forward to the opportunity to salute Favre in Canton, and to cheer loudly for him as he takes his rightful place in Packers history -- with a retired jersey and a week of special events in his honor.

They're just not going to cheer him -- or anyone -- who waltzes into Lambeau Field wearing Vikings colors.

The same was true of Darren Sharper, Ryan Longwell, Robert Ferguson, and a bunch of other players before Favre. The same will be true of any player in the future who moves on from Green Bay to Minnesota.

Or Chicago.

Or Detroit.

It's just the way it is. This doesn't make Packer fans wrong. It makes them fans.

Brett Favre Heading to Minnesota

NFL Network's Scott Hanson is reporting that quarterback Brett Favre is heading to Minnesota.

Brett Favre is on a plane heading north, a source told NFL Network's Scott Hanson. Could it be bringing Favre back to Minnesota?

The news came just hours after The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported that three of Favre's closest friends on the Vikings -- defensive end Jared Allen, guard Steve Hutchinson and kicker Ryan Longwell -- reportedly have traveled to Hattiesburg, Miss., to try to convince the quarterback to return for a 20th NFL season.

On April 5, I told you this would happen.

... look for Favre to fly from Mississippi to Minnesota around the same time in August that he did last year, and look for the fan response to be extremely similar.

I rarely play the "I told you so" card, but I'm playing it here.

Not that this is any achievement. The only chance you have of being surprised by this is if you have been living under a rock for the last three years.

If you're no longer living under that rock, though, let me know. I might be looking to move the family there. Seems a safer and happier place to live.

Brett Favre Wants You To Want Him

In reality, Brett Favre just wants to be wanted, right?



And don't we all want to be wanted?

Now, the Vikings are sending three players to Hattiesburg. Their job is to show Brett exactly how much they want him.

Meanwhile, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy is chuckling to himself, as he imagines this exact scene playing out in 2008.

Just think, Cullen Jenkins, Chad Clifton, and Mason Crosby ... this could have been you!

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Happy, Brett? Or do you need more attention?

Why Brett Favre Gets Away With It

As the Minnesota Vikings prepare to launch training camp in the bustling metropolis of Mankato this weekend, they still don't have their starting quarterback.

While Brett Favre takes spins around his property on his trusty tractor, Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels will see increased practice reps.

(That's why Brett's staying away. He's trying to help the Vikings prepare for what will happen in 11 years when he retires.)

Favre's absence is a talked-about topic. It was last year, and then it was again when he showed up on his white horse in mid-August. While we wait for what is almost certainly going to be another late arrival, people are discussing Favre's ability to stay away.

As I wrote after minicamp, the Vikings are certainly treating Favre differently than they are Adrian Peterson. While it may have put head coach Brad Childress in a bit of a pickle after his public rebuke of Peterson for his decision to skip minicamp, it makes sense on many levels.

Jared Allen did an interview with Ed Werder of ESPN, and after some of the standard Jared Allen fare, Werder asked him about the Favre/Peterson stuff.

Allen was quick to say Favre has put in 21 years, and his situation is a lot different than Peterson's. While Allen admitted Peterson is a superstar, it's clear he feels Favre deserves a little more rope because of his age, experience, and contributions to the game.

He also brought up a really good point. He told Werder that, as a defensive player, it doesn't matter to him who is taking the quarterback reps during camp.

"I can't him anyway," Allen said.

Well, duh. I suppose they all look the same from a distance in those stupid red jerseys, eh?

Allen added that he was cool with whatever, as long as the quarterback showed up for games.

It's an interesting point. Allen has always struck as a bit of an odd duck, but if his stance is similar to his teammates, you can easily see why Favre is feeling no pressure to show up for camp.

As for the offensive players, well they made it work last year, when no one allegedly knew what was going to happen until it happened. Even if they knew, it wasn't like any of them had spent extensive time playing with Favre before. Brett showed up, and everything went amazingly well from the start.

This time, the team -- outside of a couple minor new faces -- has a full season of playing with Favre, and it's hard to believe they would have any struggles making this work, no matter when he shows up.

I'm still betting on Aug. 16-18 or so. That puts him on track to play in two preseason games before the Vikings open the regular season in New Orleans Sept. 9.

Favre Stokes Drama With Talk of Weight

What are we going to do next year, when there's an NFL lockout in the summer, and no training camp for us to talk about Brett Favre in?

Better yet, what will Brett do? With people worried about there possibly being no NFL at all, how is he going to get the word out about his retirement drama?

Last year, it was his shoulder. This year, the ankle just isn't enough.

Now, Brett has introduced talk of his physical condition, as we all await with our breath held news of his decision to play football again in 2010. Instead of just announcing that he'll grace the inferior fans of the Minnesota Vikings with his godly presence for yet another campaign, Brett keeps stringing everyone along.

Wednesday, the Great One gave an interview in Mississippi, and for the first time, he revealed that he's possibly not exercised as much as usual since the Vikings' season went up in smoke thanks to Sidney Rice.

He told a reporter he's "gained 14 pounds since January. I need to lose a little weight anyway."

So that's why he's practicing with the high school kids again. Just getting that old body back in shape so it's not so hard to ride the tractor, I guess.

At some point, it seems we're going to hear Brett make some more comments in the next two weeks about how he's not in very good shape. He'll lose a few pounds, report to the Vikings, then we'll hear some sandbagging about how he feels old and slow.

Then he'll have another Pro Bowl season.

Shampoo. Rinse. Repeat.

Theories Behind Brett Favre's Famous, Neverending 'Indecision'

I've been unwavering for some time in my criticism of Brett Favre. There is no denying his talent, pedigree, Hall of Fame credentials, or overall greatness on the football field. He may have left a sour taste in Packer fans' mouths with the way he departed after 17 years, but no one can question the fact Brett can still play.

He proved that by having possibly his best statistical season as he crossed age 40.

His conduct off the field, however, has left a lot to be desired. He orchestrated his departure from Green Bay with some rather nefarious and manipulative behavior, then did even worse to the New York Jets, paving the way for his arrival in Minnesota.

Instead of deciding to play football and talk the Vikings into letting him skip the portion of training camp that takes place in Mankato, he has lied to the world about his intentions the last two summers.

In Monday's Minneapolis Star Tribune, Vikings writer Judd Zulgad threw out a few ideas as to why Brett seems to insist on taking this route, rather than just being upfront about what he wants to do.

Favre's wavering has become part of his legend and marketability. The Packers eventually tired of this dance and moved on with Aaron Rodgers, but the Vikings are willing to wait and bank on the belief that Favre isn't going to pull the plug on his career.

... Yes, Favre seems to have concerns about his surgically repaired left ankle, but this wasn't a major procedure, it was essentially a clean-up job. Last year, Favre went through the same thing as he vacillated after having surgery on his throwing shoulder to repair a torn biceps.

The real question is whether Favre even believes what he's trying to sell to the public -- and his employer. Some will say that he truly is filled with doubt. The cynic will call this all part of his offseason act: an attempt to stay away from camp as long as possible and ride in on his white horse at a more convenient time.

So which is it?

In a lengthy story in Men's Journal on Favre that hit newsstands Friday, the quarterback admits that recapturing the success of 2009 won't be easy.

The Vikings' schedule appears far more difficult, and there are no guarantees the breaks again will go the team's way. The last-second touchdown pass on which Greg Lewis made a remarkable catch against San Francisco and the missed field goal by Baltimore with 2 seconds left come to mind as examples of games that could have gone the other way.

"What are the odds that I have another season like that, even if I play well?" Favre asked.

These are all valid points. People have sometimes mistaken Brett for a bit of a hayseed -- kind of part of his image, in a weird way -- over the years, but he's far from it.

Favre is a shrewd, intelligent man who understands football and understands his place among the legends in the game. He also loves the attention his annual dance with retirement has brought him. He enjoys the cameras buzzing around the high school where he has spent time the last two summers getting his arm into shape. He likes hearing reporters talking about him on television, and he likes it when people probe him for information.

He knows he's playing in 2010, and the Vikings know he's playing in 2010. By playing up the indecision, he's able to justify skipping the team's offseason workouts and the portion of training camp that takes place in Mankato. The Vikings' training camp home is a city about an hour southwest of the Twin Cities that swells when camp comes along, but would burst with throngs of fans and media if they knew Favre was going to be there.

The circus you saw last August when he showed up at Winter Park was bad enough, but the Twin Cities are more than big enough to handle it. Mankato is probably better off without it, in a way.

More than anything, Favre doesn't have to worry about his teammates holding against him the fact that he gets to skip camp. After all, he hasn't made up his mind, and no one is supposed to know any different.

Oh, and he threw for over 4,000 yards and 33 touchdowns to just seven picks last year. That came after he skipped training camp. Good luck telling him he shouldn't walk the same path again, even if there's plenty of evidence that it's not the best idea.

Brett Favre Tells More Lies, Bus-Chucks Sidney Rice

Our boy, Brett Favre, is back at it.

This time, he brought back his old bus-chucking ways to go along with throwing some lies out about his playing status.

As you already know, we're all supposed to believe Brett is undecided about playing a second season for the Minnesota Vikings. Never mind that he hasn't even tried to retire yet this offseason, the 40-year-old went out of his way to have ankle surgery just in time to miss all of training camp again.

And we all know he didn't have ankle surgery so he could turn around and spend the fall hunting, riding his tractor, and occasionally golfing.

As training camp approaches, Favre again sees fit to lie to everyone. Instead of just admitting that he got the "OK" from the Vikings to skip training camp in Mankato, he's playing up his indecision.

"I still have a little bit of time," Favre said during a post-ESPYs interview.

"I'm still, believe it or not, not completely healthy, and I may never be."

Favre had ankle surgery earlier this offseason, a procedure that he called "relatively minor" but one he also reportedly needed in order to suit up for Minnesota this season.

Dr. James Andrews, who performed Favre's surgery, said in mid-June that Favre had "a few more weeks of rehabbing" to complete before he could take the field again.

"I'd hope it (the ankle) would be a little better at this point," Favre told ESPN. "I can walk on it, but you don't walk in football."

I've yet to understand the problem. Brett is a grown man who can do whatever he wants, especially if the Vikings are going to let him. The Vikings have made no public pronouncements to the contrary, so why would anyone think they're going to force him to show up at training camp if he really wants to play?

Instead, what's likely true is that the team has signed off on Favre skipping camp, but for some unknown reason, they insist on allowing Brett to play his divatastic "I can't make up my mind" game. Maybe it's part of the deal ... let Favre try to own the media for the offseason, and then welcome him back with open arms and alleged schisms.

He looks like a fool, and he doesn't even have his pants on the ground.

If you believe Brett is going to retire, you're crazy. He didn't have the surgery to better his everyday life. He did it so he could play football again. You shouldn't believe he could possibly retire until you're watching Week 1 games and he's not in any of them.

Even better: Favre did an interview with Men's Journal. In it, he sends wide receiver Sidney Rice under a moving bus over the now-famous interception Favre threw against the Saints in the NFC Championship Game.

“The previous week against the Cowboys, we did the same exact play to Rice,” Favre told (writer Stephen) Rodrick. "We were up about 25 at the time, so it was different. He came back to me on a broken play, and we got 20 yards. This time, when I let it go, I’m thinking he’s going to come back to me. As he drifted farther and farther away, I could see the corner come in from the other side, and I’m thinking, Oh, [shoot].”

“As a player you’ve got to pull the trigger,” Favre added. “You can’t say, Well, is he going to do what I think he’s going to do? He wasn’t wrong, and in some ways, I wasn’t either.”

Favre was criticized for taking a gamble at such a crucial time. Rodrick wrote: "Some say it’s the Football Gods settling the score for his yearly tease."

Responded Favre to the criticism: "They were the same people who said I’d suck all season. I don’t worry about that. A lot of plays go into a game; that was just one of them.”

It's one thing to blame your receiver when you call an audible and he runs the wrong route. Brett did that occasionally in Green Bay and with the Jets. Rarely did he pull off such an irrational explanation for such a stupid interception.

Favre thinks Rice should be a mind-reader 24/7. He blames Rice for not coming back to the ball on a play where Favre never should have been throwing in the first place. The Vikings were literally about five yards out of game-winning field goal range. I know Favre was busted up pretty good in that game, but it's not possible to argue he couldn't have run for 15 feet, fallen down awkwardly, and called a timeout to set up Ryan Longwell for a shot at the Super Bowl.

Rice wasn't wrong at all on that play, Brett. That was you. Own it and stop teaching these young guys how to be bad teammates in the media.

Especially if you're going to walk in that room and start singing the wrong lyrics to "Pants On The Ground" again.

Childress Justified in Peterson Reaction

Whether it was just for Adrian Peterson Day in his hometown, or because he's actually unhappy about his contract, it appears Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress is upset with Peterson.

The star running back skipped the Vikings' mandatory minicamp this weekend, ostensibly to attend a day in his honor in Texas.

Maybe he figured he was okay to not show up, since the quarterback isn't showing up until he feels like it.

He figured wrong. Friday, Childress put Peterson in his place.

"The work is here," Childress said after Friday's workout. ... "I just know that there's a bunch of guys here," Childress said. "This has a term 'mandatory' for a reason and the work is here, period. This is the fourth annual Adrian Peterson Day. I don't know if it's going to be like every year that they are going to have that, but we're going to have this, too. The same thing I told [rookie running back] Toby Gerhart, way before we decided on drafting him. This minicamp was on this date. I know he's going to go back and walk in graduation. This [camp] was going to be here."

... "I don't think Adrian is batting around retirement in his mind. It's a special set of circumstances. You can say is it special? Is everything equal? Obviously it is not. That is just the way it is. It's a matter of fact and everybody understands that on our side of the equation."

This is a message on a couple fronts. First, Childress is making clear that Favre is the star on this team ... as he should. Favre has allegedly not decided on playing another season, even though none of us are stupid and we all know he's playing.

If you were 40 and could use the "Maybe I'll retire, Chilly" card to get out of training camp, while still having everyone salute your virtues as a teammate because you tell people to watch film and you know the words to "Pants On The Ground," you'd do it, too.

Second, Childress wants it known that Peterson, and not Favre, is the offensive star who still has work to do on his game. Peterson's numbers regressed last year, and it wasn't just because of Favre or the overrated offensive line.

No, Peterson regressed -- in large part -- because he spent too much time worrying about his fumbles. Just like with Ahman Green when he was a star, the fumble problem manifests itself once you have a few on your record. It's hard not to think about it, because you're human after all, and you're hearing about it every five minutes during the week between games.

It's hard not to imagine that defensive players didn't take the time to beak "All Day" a bit last year, just to make him think a little more.

The only way to get him to be better is to improve his focus and improve his fundamentals. The time to do that isn't in September. It's really not in August, either. It's in May and June, during the so-called "underwear practices."

Peterson apparently thinks it's more important to be in a parade.

That Peterson knew of this conflict for a long time and didn't tell anyone probably incensed Childress even more.

Carol Pegues, who is Peterson's aunt and serves as the organizer for "Adrian Peterson Day," said the day honoring her nephew was planned right after the season. Nonetheless, Childress said Peterson did not inform him of the conflict until this past Wednesday or Thursday, only a couple of days after Peterson had arrived at Winter Park.

I'd be pissed at him, too, frankly. It shows no commitment to his game, his team, or his coach. If he's mad about his contract, he should probably say so.

(No, Childress probably wouldn't admit it publicly. But you can be guaran-damn-teed someone respected would have reported it by now. The Vikings are a high-profile team, and such news wouldn't pass through unnoticed.)

It goes beyond the fumble problem. For the Vikings to win the NFC North again in 2010, they need Peterson at his best. Favre isn't likely to exceed his outstanding numbers from 2009, no matter what he does. Peterson won't be able to regress statistically again, especially if his ultimate goal is to see some more money come his way.

What the Donovan McNabb Trade Means For Brett Favre

Sunday's trade of quarterback Donovan McNabb from Philadelphia to Washington was a real surprise to many people.

It was surprising that the Eagles were serious about trading McNabb. He's only 33, a franchise icon, and the leader of five Philly teams that made the NFC Championship game. He's really good, in other words, and is likely the best quarterback the team has ever seen.

It was even more of a stunner that they were willing to trade him within the division. The idea that I got out of things that have been said and reported since Sunday's announcement was that McNabb preferred the Redskins to any other team that was looking at making a trade. The Raiders might have, in the end, been willing to offer more for McNabb, but McNabb didn't want to play there.

(Can you blame him?)

So give the Eagles some credit for shopping McNabb to a division team because that's what McNabb wanted. They didn't have to do that, as these aren't like hockey and baseball contracts, where even marginal players like Derek Morris can somehow procure a no-trade clause. But the Eagles, a pretty classy organization, did as right by McNabb as they could.

(Reports were that he wanted to go to Minnesota or Arizona, but neither team was interested.)

This leads us to one of those teams. McNabb's interest in the Vikings was reported over a week ago.

Frankly, I never took it that seriously, because the Vikings would have to have an answer from Brett Favre before they moved forward with McNabb. They weren't going to take on McNabb when he would potentially be an $11 million backup who had a near-$7 million guaranteed to him in early May.

Sunday night, Twin Cities media personality (sorry, couldn't get a better term to describe him by the censors) Patrick Reusse tweeted his feeling on what the McNabb deal meant for Favre's future.

McNabb to 'Skins makes it official: Vikings know Favre's coming back. Just waiting for last offseason session to pass before announcement.

Reusse might be right. It wouldn't surprise anyone if this was true.

However, we have no way of knowing right now. Favre apparently told LaDainian Tomlinson he had "no idea" if he was returning. If this widely-believed conspiracy theory was true, why would Favre do that, when telling the truth could mean the difference between the Vikings adding Tomlinson or missing out?

(They missed out. He signed with the Jets.)

Does McNabb going to Washington mean anything for Favre?

The answer is likely "No," though that won't stop people from trying to draw a connection between the two.

The dots just don't connect naturally.

That said, look for Favre to fly from Mississippi to Minnesota around the same time in August that he did last year, and look for the fan response to be extremely similar.

McNabb Wants to Play For Vikings; Feeling Likely Not Mutual

It's seemed kind of silly to think that the Philadelphia Eagles would carry three pretty high-priced quarterbacks this season. Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, and Michael Vick aren't cheap, and they can't all play, because of that whole "one football per play" rule we have in the sport.

With that in mind, there has been talk of a trade, probably involving the veteran McNabb. That would free Eagles coach Andy Reid to start Kolb and use Vick as a change-of-pace/wildcat/jack of all trades player, and he wouldn't have to have all three quarterbacks active to get that kind of use out of Vick.

So where would Philly trade McNabb? The obvious answer is "Somewhere in the AFC," so they wouldn't have to deal with him more than once every four years, or in the preseason when it doesn't count anyway, or in the Super Bowl.

That doesn't mean McNabb, who doesn't have a no-trade clause but should still wield some power over his destination, wants to go to the AFC.

Remember when the Packers traded Brett Favre? It wasn't just about getting Favre away from the Packers. It was a process that had to be somewhat respectful toward Favre, given his service time and the fact that he was a star player.

McNabb, according to a Philadelphia newspaper, wants to play for the Minnesota Vikings if he gets traded.

After Andy Reid announced Wednesday that the Eagles were "entertaining offers" for all three of their quarterbacks, McNabb reiterated that he wants to remain in Philadelphia. But if the team were to ship its franchise quarterback elsewhere, the Vikings would be his first choice, according to sources close to the situation.

Whoa.

Multiple thoughts on this:

• Is there a snowball's chance in hell the Eagles would trade him to a team already high among NFC playoff contenders?
• If so, why would the Vikings want him?
• Oh, yeah, what if Brett Favre retires? Hmm ... Tarvaris Jackson or Donovan McNabb? Let me think about that for 0.48 seconds.
• Can the Eagles afford to wait until Favre actually retires or doesn't retire?
• If Favre retires, the Vikings get McNabb, and then Favre unretires, what happens?

As you can see, there are multiple layers of manufactured drama that can come along with this story. The problem is that they're all manufactured, meaning they're fake. Not real.

Also not happening.

The Vikings aren't going to coerce Favre into a quick decision, either because they already know he's coming back and are trying to play coy with the world, or because they don't want to poke a sleeping bear and risk pissing him off and "forcing him into retirement" like the Packers did*.

(* - If you still blame this on Ted Thompson, you should be beaten with the stick the Packers allegedly poked the sleeping bear with.)

Even if Favre "made up his mind" and "retired," no one would believe him, and the Vikings would look stupid if they tried to "move on" after all the talk about letting Favre take his time.

In the end, Philadelphia is going to have to find a trade partner and talk McNabb into embracing the deal. There is no need for lingering bitterness here, and no reason to drag it out publicly. Find a team, talk to McNabb, and convince him to go there and work hard and be the face of that franchise. He's young enough that he can help a struggling team become successful again. He doesn't have to be dropped onto the roster of a contender because he's on his last legs.

For the Vikings, the thought of Brad Childress practically begging Favre for a quick decision is intriguing, but unrealistic. They've talked too good of a game lately about letting him take his time and doing what they did last year. Given the success of last year, no need to deviate from that plan now.

Wilf Wants Favre Back, Doesn't Appear Willing to Beg ... Yet

The Brett Favre Experiment was a resounding success in Minnesota last year. Record jersey sales, record interest, and overall hysteria surrounded the Vikings, as Favre led them to within an interception (oops!) of the Super Bowl.

They did it without Favre participating in a training camp practice or offseason workout, something that amazed many who follow football and figured the entire team would explode if a veteran player got that kind of special treatment.

The schism never developed, and the Vikings know they can do it again. They haven't made an impact in free agency, losing Chester Taylor to the Bears and Artis Hicks to Washington while failing to reel in LaDainian Tomlinson, who signed with the Jets.

But they don't need to make an impact in free agency. Assuming Favre returns, they'll have all their starters back from last year (unless you count part-time starter Hicks). Sidney Rice is still a star in the making. Steve Hutchinson's shoulders are going to be all fixed up. Bryant McKinnie promises to show up and actually try, unlike Pro Bowl Week.

HELLO! They have Adrian Peterson!

Oh, and Jared Allen, Ray Edwards, and the still-not-suspended Williams Wall make a hell of a defensive line.

Anyway, the only question mark now is Favre, unless you've given up on him and just assume he's coming back. Then there's no question at all.

The Vikings are still playing coy if they actually know anything about Favre's status besides the perpetual "maybe" that seems to hover over him like a cloud until he actually plays again. Favre apparently tried to sell Tomlinson on the Vikings while telling him he didn't know what he was going to do. Favre told Jay Leno he didn't know what he was going to do.

Vikings owner Zygi Wilf is towing the company line on the situation, which is good, because it's his company and all.

"There were a lot of people who questioned us last year both with the decision of bringing him on board and him coming on so late, but it turned out to be a great decision," Wilf said on the second day of the NFL owners meetings at the Ritz-Carlton. "We're looking forward to having him come back this year. We understand it could work either way, but certainly with the team that we have I would expect that he and everyone else is excited to come back to fight for a championship again."

I'd be shocked if Favre eventually didn't come back, as he's finally found a team that will let him pull the strings and do what he wants get his body the necessary offseason rest.

This won't be any kind of a problem unless the team magically stops winning. If that were to happen, you'd start reading a bunch of stories about how guys really aren't pleased that they slogged through those weeks of offseason workouts and hot summer practices in FREAKING MANKATO while this chap sat on his tractor and threw footballs to high school kids (not simultaneously).

Naturally, those "guys" would be "members of the team who wish to remain anonymous," but as soon as the team wins again, they'll all stand around Favre and sing "Pants on the Ground" like everybody is really happy.

That's how it works. Even the Favre-starved (or is it "Favre-stavred"?) media will leave the team alone if they're winning. Favre storylines aren't nearly as juicy, but his name still moves the needle, and that's all they care about. They're glad to stick their nose in the controversy -- and even help create one -- but they're not so stupid as to try to create one when the team is 13-1. It's easier and usually more effective when they're 7-7.

Is This That Schism?

You should be proud. There hasn't been one negative word written about Brett Favre in this space in months. Or weeks. Whatever.

Anyway, the season has been going great for Minnesota. They have won the NFC North with two games to spare, and they still have a shot -- at least mathematically -- at the top seed for the NFC playoffs.

Considering that the widely-held view of head coach Brad Childress is one of pure incompetence, this is a hell of an accomplishment.

Favre's been a big part of that. He's limited his mistakes, thrown the ball with great accuracy, and there have been no complaints about his ability to blend in with his team.

Of course, when you're winning, no one really complains much about anything.

It's when you lose that such things happen.

Sunday night, the Vikings got stomped, 26-7, by the lowly Carolina Panthers. In the midst of that loss, Childress and Favre appeared to have a bit of a spat on the sideline. We found out after the game -- from the notoriously bigmouthed Favre -- that the spat was the result of Childress trying to take Favre out of the game.

Sounds like Favre politely told his coach to eat it.

Cue the complaining.

Virtually every football media outlet had a story Monday about Childress trying to pull Favre from Sunday's game, and it wasn't long before other examples were drawn up of this happening. Not only that, but it sounds like Favre's public acknowledgment of Sunday's events didn't sit too well with the bearded head coach. Sean Jensen of the St. Paul Pioneer Press notes that this isn't huge news at Winter Park.

But all is not well between Brad and Brett, and the primary difference centers on the quarterback's penchant to check out of runs and into passes. According to one team member, Favre has expressed frustration for much of the season about Childress' unwillingness to let him audible more.

And you all thought Packer fans' "It's all about Brett" mantra was just sour grapes.

It is all about Brett. He wants to throw the ball. Handing off is boring. Favre might not care about the fact that he owns the NFL's all-time record for touchdown passes, but he sure seems to enjoy adding to that mark at every available opportunity.

Meanwhile, Childress wants a quarterback that runs the called play. He knows he can't handcuff Favre, because Favre will simply go back to the farm, and then it's Childress -- not Favre -- that has the egg all over his face.

But it is driving him to the point of frustration.

To make matters worse, teams are playing more coverage against the Vikings, because the offensive line isn't blocking as well as it did earlier this season. That means Favre has to hold the ball longer than he should, and it opens him up to sacks and hits he shouldn't be taking.

All might not be well in Minnesota, but let's remember that they're still on track for no worse than the No. 2 playoff seed, meaning they will play any NFC playoff games indoors, and they play the Bears on Monday night. ESPN will try to build up this storyline (just like they did with the schism story before an ESPN-televised Vikings preseason game), and Childress and Favre will destroy it by being on the same page during the game. This story can go away just as quickly as it showed up, because this team is still 11-3, and it's hard to sneeze at that record.

Favre Gives His Blessing

The day is drawing closer.

On Sunday, Packer fans have to choose between their team and the quarterback who ran himself out of town because he couldn't make up his mind (or maybe he wanted out all along).

For most of them, it's not really a difficult choice. After all, these people have been Packer fans forever, and they're not going to cheer for a guy on a rival team just because he's Brett Favre.

If you're still on the fence, trying to decide what to do, please understand that Favre understands. In fact, if you choose to cheer for the Packers, you are doing so with The Great One's blessing.

(Are you curious to see the fans' reaction?)

"I think that's probably more intriguing to everyone else. I think there'll be a mixture of both, understandably so, but as I've said before: 'What I've accomplished there and was a part of, you can't take that away.' You know, it's OK to pull for your team, I guess. But I can't make anyone cheer or boo or whatever.

Straight from the horse's ass -- er, mouth:

It's OK to pull for your team, I guess.

Good deal, Brett. I'll remember that on Sunday. I'm so grateful that the great Brett Favre has given me permission to cheer for the Packers, the team I've rooted for since I was shorter than my seven-year-old is now.

Without his blessing, I'm not sure I could go on.

Whatever, Brett. There will come a day after this season is over, when you're sitting on your tractor, or out on the golf course, or throwing footballs to teenagers, or whatever it is you do when you're not playing football. On this day, you're going to look back and wonder what you did to earn the scorn of so many people in Wisconsin, people who adored you for so many years.

Before all is forgiven (and this will happen, I promise), you're going to feel a tinge of regret over the incredibly dumb things you've said since you first decided to come back in 2008. When you think about those dumb things, "It's OK to pull for your team, I guess" is going to be at or near the top of the list.