Nathaniel

Shockey

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July 14, 2008

Brett Favre is Getting Old, And So Is His Act

On Sunday, September 9, 2007, Brett Favre began his final season with a 16-13 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Chucking bombs three out of every four plays, he led his team to a remarkable 13-3 regular season, finally losing to the history-bound Giants in the NFC Championship Game.

On March 6, 2008, Brett Favre wept in front of microphones, cameras, reporters and all of us, announcing his retirement.

Around July 3, 2008, sources began reporting that Favre had indicated an “itch” to return to the NFL. On July 5, he reportedly sent Green Bay Packers General Manager Ted Thompson a text message, which we can only speculate had something to do with, I don’t know, probably the Packers.

About a week later, sources reported that Favre had asked the Packers for a release, indicating that he may have wasted a few tears on the whimsical idea of retirement only three months earlier.

Before last season, I was under the persuasion that he should have left the Packers alone years ago. In 2005, he threw nine more interceptions than touchdowns, and the following season, he threw 18 of both. And in both 2005 and 2006, his average yards per reception dropped to a rather shabby 6.3.

Philadelphia is going through a similar situation, with Donovan McNabb constantly fighting injuries, and appearing a shadow of what he was between 2000 and 2004. And despite whatever warm feelings I have for McNabb as an Eagle, I’m an Eagles fan first, and am quite sure I am only one of many who are ready to get started with someone else, possibly Kevin Kolb.

Imagine what Packers fans are experiencing. On one hand, there is an intense affection for one of the greatest and most endearing Packers in history. But on the other, there’s the side that is most interested in winning. Of course, Philadelphia fans and Green Bay fans are not the same, but you’ve got to hope there are rational cheeseheads who put winning above everything else. This is still football, right?

Here is how it should have looked:

Packers fans and administrators are seriously contemplating decreasing Favre’s role with the Packers and investing much more heavily in younger prospects. Meanwhile, Favre is convinced he’s got plenty left in the tank, and has been pleading his case with the Packers ever since misleading his team to a 4-12 season.

But what actually happened, not only after the 2005 season but even 2006, was the exact opposite. Everyone wanted him back, and Favre strung them along right up until training camp. Does anyone else feel like they’re taking crazy pills?

Until last season, one could have reasonably argued that Favre was playing a much stronger role as a narcissist than a quarterback. And despite his seeming resurgence last year (although I’m not too convinced it had as much to do with Favre as the Packers sparkling new receiving corps), his actions this off-season have shown that in Favre’s mind, it’s still all about number one.

It’s time to give the young gun Aaron Rodgers a chance, or anyone but Favre for that matter. He’s becoming a lot like the fat kid on the seesaw, and the Packers are on the other end, stuck way up in the air, just waiting for a chance to play with someone else.

The Packers have been patient to the point of masochism, but it’s got to stop. Brett Favre is getting old, and so is his act.

© 2008 North Star Writers Group. May not be republished without permission.

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