Brett Favre's presence doesn’t guarantee Vikings a division title
The Minnesota Vikings pulled out all the stunts to get Brett Favre to come back and return to their team for the 2010 season. They tried giving him space, they tried giving him an ultimatum and they even sent some of his good friends from the purple-and-gold defensive end Jared Allen, guard Steve Hutchinson and kicker Ryan Longwell to pretty much beg him to come back.
"We told him how much all the guys loved playing with him and that we would love to do it again," Hutchinson said. "We also told him that if he didn't want to do it, then congratulations, you deserve it. You've had an incredible career, but we've got to know one way or another."
Then the rest is history. The 40-year-old quarterback offered little resistance and confirmed that he would rejoin the team for another season. So what does this mean for the Vikings? Are they guaranteed another division title? Will they have another brilliant season? Are they Super Bowl pound?
It’s easy to think that having a future Hall of Fame quarterback guarantees your franchise all of the possible suggestions listed above, but the reality is that it doesn’t. As much of a benefit as having Favre in the lineup will offer the team, duplicating last season’s success is a stretch at best for the Vikings. The odds are against the quarterback – not even Favre can pull the rabbit out of the hat or some of that “Brett Favre magic” that we have all seen over and over.
The three-time NFL MVP had surgery on his ankle in June, then reportedly told teammates and some team officials earlier in August that his surgically repaired ankle hadn't healed enough for him to return for a 20th NFL season.
Then there is the fact that he hasn’t played a single snap since the NFC Championship loss to the New Orleans Saints last January. No OTAs, (Organized Team Activities), no training camp, no preseason games. That translates into no football for over seven months and the regular season opener is in just a few weeks away. Sure he was tossing the ball to a bunch of youngsters in high school in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, but that doesn’t even constitute as practice, let alone staying in shape.
Favre is also coming off one of his best single-season performances last year. He did great protecting the ball and did not throw double digits interceptions. His touchdowns were up, and he showed good speed and lower body leg strength on rollouts and moving out of the pocket.
It’s hard to think that he will have the same type of productivity in the 2010 season. But Favre’s teammates will take him any way they can as he still gives the Vikings the best chance to win.
Receivers Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, Bernard Berrian and running-back Adrian Peterson trust that number four can lead them to the promise land and are excited about his return. "Brett Favre for President!!" Vikings Berrian tweeted.
Favre is scheduled to make $13 million in the last year of a two-year deal with the Vikings. But The Star Tribune reported that the Vikings have offered to increase Favre's salary to $16 million guaranteed and another $4 million in incentives for the upcoming season.
The Vikings will open the 2010 season against the defending Super Bowl champions New Orleans Saints. Then the Vikings will play two more games before they enter their bye week. That means that Favre will have to play 13 straight games on that bad ankle. Surely the long season and consecutive games will take a toll on his body.
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