It's amazing. Just when he was officially retired once again, Brett Favre "un-retired", agreeing to come back to Minnesota for two more years of football. This move is getting all kinds of media attention and generating excitement in Minnesota, but I really don't see the big deal.
As a QB turning 40 during the course of this season, Favre is simply old. Very few quarterbacks can be effective at 40 years old and while Favre is tough, every body begins to wear down as it gets older. Additionally...
He was operated on last season. His bicep injury put him under the knife, and he still has his torn rotator cuff. None of these things bode well for someone Favre's age. Sure, he's accomplished a lot through the course of his career, but he's 40 years old. He can't go on forever. A perfect analogy to Favre is John Smoltz, who's finally starting to give after seeming ageless for so many years.
In New York last season, Favre began to taper later in the season. Many interceptions and much inconsistency cost the Jets a few games. Favre's 9 INTs during the final five weeks of the season were far more than Tarvaris Jackson's 1 INT during the final four weeks of the season. Who's to say that Favre is a better option?
Jackson's success also had to do with a growing rapport between himself and his receivers. As they became more comfortable with each other (on and off the field), their chemistry led to more success during games. Favre has no experience with any of these receivers.
And then looking at the rest of the team, Favre knows none of them either. He's coming right into a team in late August, and hasn't participated in one practice, didn't go to training camp, and has done nothing to get to know his teammates. He was the same way with the Jets, and look at how that worked out.
Now, I'm not faulting the Vikings for trying because the odds of the Vikes winning the Super Bowl are technically 32:1. But if the Vikings don't win the Super Bowl with Favre, which I believe is likely, then what does that mean for the future? Sage Rosenfels' and Tarvaris Jackson's confidence will be destroyed, and they'll probably have to look for another QB in the draft, who could take a few more years to develop.
He's old. He's worn down. He thinks he's better than the rest of his team. He'll be rusty. There's just a lot working against him, despite his incredible talent. I'm not sure I agree with this move.
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