Jets' Favre insists he's not a gambler in his most difficult season yet By Jane McManus The Journal News ? October 30, 2008 FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Brett Favre has had a legendary career in his first 16 NFL seasons, but this one with the Jets has been the most difficult. "It's a huge challenge, obviously, but one that I look forward to and one that I have looked forward to from Day One," Favre said yesterday from the Jets' practice facility. "I think it's probably the toughest challenge up to this point." With seven interceptions in the last three games, the scramble to learn everything and the stumbles along the way, injuries to key receivers, the media attention and bad vibes out of Green Bay, Favre is learning this transition won't be easy. "It's been a big transition for me as well, and I can definitely relate to that," nose tackle Kris Jenkins said. "New York is huge. ... and when you're here you can definitely feel that." Alan Faneca was brought over in the offseason to add veteran leadership to the offensive line. "It's tough," Faneca said. "It takes more effort than what I did for the last 10 years in Pittsburgh - you show up, you play, everything is defined. (Now) you get taken and thrown into a new situation, new teammates, new roles, new plays. You have to do more than what you did previously." Favre admitted that the round robin of receivers in the last few weeks has been an issue, as wide receivers Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles were both limited with injuries, and tight ends Bubba Franks and Chris Baker have missed games. "They say that all the time, 'We're going to play the same way we always do,' " Favre said. "But obviously it's different, and for me, you know, my back was against the wall. It's backed into a corner from Day One when I got here to not only learn this offense, but to get on the same page with all these guys in a short amount of time." Things haven't been so smooth off the field either. Favre addressed his wife Deanna's decision to talk about negativity from Lionsgate in the family blog. She said her heart has been heavy with all the things being said about her husband. "I would stick up for my wife as well," Favre said. "But it has not lingered, has not distracted me. I hate to say it, but I'm used to it." Buffalo coach Dick Jauron was in Green Bay when Favre was brought in there, and thinks Favre can still flourish despite the shaky ride. "They're 4-3, and right in the middle of everything, like everyone in our division is - fighting it out," Jauron said. "He looks pretty good to me." Jets coach Eric Mangini said the team had talked about Favre's turnovers, and the coach said his quarterback doesn't have to "hit on 20." "Sometimes it's OK to stay, see what the dealer has," Mangini said. That blackjack analogy proceeded to take over the day. "Believe it or not, I'm not a gambler," Favre said. At least not off the field. But on the field, his bets aren't yet paying off. Notes: Safety Eric Smith did not suffer a third concussion, Mangini said, but he did not practice in the sleet yesterday. Franks and linebacker David Harris were also absent. ... The Jets signed running back Marcus Mason to replace Jesse Chatman, who was placed on injured reserve, on the active roster. Reach Jane McManus at jmcmanus@lohud.com and read her Jets Journal blog at jets.lohudblogs.com.
I've got no problem with Favre, he was driving to win the game, threw an interception and then came back on and made up for it. As he came back on for the winning drive, the guy is still composed and was joking around with his players. That's a hell of a lot preferable to watching Chad's face go red and watching him crumble or throwing an interception once he drives the team into the redzone.
