Time for a little more Favre magic? The final five games of New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre's 2008 campaign were uglier than Mickey Rourke's face, leaving many Jets fans hoping the signal caller's days in the Big Apple had come to a pile-driving end. Most Jets fans I have encountered seemingly have unrealistic expectations of the players, front office, coaching staff and, especially, one No. 4. Fair or not, that's the way it is. Favre (biceps) did not practice with the Jets for the first time until Saturday, Aug. 6. He missed their first preseason game and had to learn a new offense. He also needed to gain chemistry with his teammates and coaching staff. The league's all-time passing leader helped the Jets to an 8-3 record, but it wasn't completely Favre's fault the Jets choked down the stretch. Some will blame a torn biceps tendon on his late-season struggles, and while it very well may have played a part in the collapse, how can one blame a player for being injured - especially a player with the NFL's iron man streak at the position? I'm a fan of Brett Favre. There's no question about that, but I am realistic. I'm not an apologist. Favre would not have made the Green Bay Packers a playoff-bound team had he remained their starting quarterback. The team's defense was miserable for much of the year, just like the Jets' pass defense was, particularly during the second half of the season. I don't expect anyone to be anything more than realistic and reasonable when it comes to assessing Favre's season. He made several terrible decisions that cost the Jets dearly, but it wasn't entirely his fault. Anyone who believes to the contrary is short-sighted and foolish, to be kind. Where was the pass defense? Why was the play-calling so bloody predictable? Why wasn't running back Leon Washington used more? Why didn't the defense adjust for their lack of a pass rush? Why didn't anyone step up when nose tackle Kris Jenkins started to slow due to a back injury? Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer spoke of how much he had to change the offense to cater to what Favre liked. Well, how come the offense didn't look like anything that Favre prefers to execute? Where were the slants? How about the pump-n-go routes? Why couldn't the wideouts separate themselves from anyone? The Jets are reportedly $10 million over the salary cap, and the future Hall of Famer will make more than $13 million in 2009. It doesn't take Andrew Brandt to realize something needs to give here. The chic alternative is for Favre to retire. I don't think there is anyone in the world who understands the Jets and the game of football that will say Favre does not give the Jets a better chance of winning than Kellen Clemens or Erik Ainge. Does anyone remember the former from the 2007 season? How about the latter's impressive track record? Favre needs to return for both his selfish reasons and the Jets' playoff hopes. He has said he doesn't have anything to prove, but you can bet your tail that couldn't be further from the truth considering his competitive nature. It's a bit alarming that he refuses to undergo a minor arthroscopic procedure that would leave him recovering for roughly six weeks. Perhaps he has medical information that suggests he is better off recovering without the surgery. After all, he didn't object to ankle surgery just a few seasons ago, which I believe helped contribute to his rejuvenation in Green Bay during the 2007 season. Do Jets fans remember the 4-12 season before Favre arrived? Forget all of that and spend another high pick on a quarterback! That will solve your woes. They are going to need a lot of help to even replicate last year's non-playoff appearance if he retires. A healthy Favre with a full offseason to prepare should lead to much better results, one year older or not. Remember, injury and fatigue will be less likely given the proper amount of conditioning, something he surely didn't garner chucking the ball to some high schoolers in Mississippi last summer. While new head coach Rex Ryan didn't gush about Favre's potential return, owner Woody Johnson wants him back. Schottenheimer returns, so Favre won't have to learn yet another new offense. The Jets need a playmaker out wide. Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery are both nothing better than midrange No. 2 possession receivers. Speed. Bring in some speed. Allow a speedy, shifty little guy (ahem, Percy Harvin, ahem) to take a slant the distance. New York can wear on a player. It's no surprise Favre looked downtrodden. He's an emotional guy and despite all of his prima donna drama, he takes it personally when the game doesn't go his way. Nevermind all of the frustrated comments by teammates after the season. Sure, Favre could have played much better down the stretch, but he didn't get a lot of help. Until the final game of the season the Jets tipped their hand by passing out of the shotgun without considering a draw or inside trap. It apparently never occurred to Schottenheimer that Washington could run the ball out of the formation. How he was retained is worthy of its own Unsolved Mysteries segment. Like it or not Jets fans, Favre is your best shot at winning. Sure, the odds are against him returning, but the longer he stays away from the field the more the little kid in him screams it's time to toss the rock around for a while. We all said he was done after the 2006 season but he returned with a marvelous 2007 campaign, so here's to a little more Favre magic in 2009 Cory J. Bonini Link: http://www.kffl.com/blog/06-02-09-.html
Usually, we get rid of these one trick ponies but this guy seems to just post the same old Farve shit thread after thread. I have to admit it though. I don't think I could have gotten thru my weekend without reading yet another Farve thread on TGG.com. I'd rather go 4-12 with a new QB than another season of Farvian dramatics. In the spirit of that last statement, I am henceforth not replying to any more offseason Farve threads and will sacrifice a small mammal to the Gods of Football that the Great One does us all a favor and retires before draft day.
I personally cannot wait until Favre retires so Determination#4 and puddnhead can retire from TGG Favre hurt this team more than helped this season. We would have made the playoffs at least if Favre didn't come here. That's the truth. I would rather watch a rookie QB who want to play for the Jets, than watch "ME FIRST" Brett throw INT after INT
I was hoping to read that Favre took a shot at a turkey and blew his foot off, but still managed to walk 50 miles to to his house and cook some shrimp on the barby.
