Why I’d Want Favre
• One of the best quarterbacks in the history of football
• Familiar with the West Coast Offense that he would play in Minnesota
• Play with something to prove to Green Bay
• Minnesota needs a QB better than Gus Frerotte
• He is an experienced leader who could take the Vikings to a Super Bowl
• One of the best quarterbacks in the history of football
• Familiar with the West Coast Offense that he would play in Minnesota
• Play with something to prove to Green Bay
• Minnesota needs a QB better than Gus Frerotte
• He is an experienced leader who could take the Vikings to a Super Bowl
Why I Wouldn’t Want Favre
• He’s coming off surgery on his throwing arm
• He wouldn’t join the team any sooner than the start of training camp—not really enough time to get to know his receivers, coaches, and new playbook
• He’s practically 40 years old
• He would be asked to be Minnesota’s starting quarterback, which makes signing him a big risk
• If he takes a whole off-season to decide whether to play or not, how committed is he?
• He’s coming off surgery on his throwing arm
• He wouldn’t join the team any sooner than the start of training camp—not really enough time to get to know his receivers, coaches, and new playbook
• He’s practically 40 years old
• He would be asked to be Minnesota’s starting quarterback, which makes signing him a big risk
• If he takes a whole off-season to decide whether to play or not, how committed is he?
Why I’d Want Vick
• If he got signed, it would be with a team that already has a QB in place—he would be a backup/goal line specialist/wildcat quarterback, LOW RISK
• Would keep defenses on their toes if he got a few snaps per game
• He’s a lefty, which defenses aren’t used to seeing
• Dual-threat passer and scrambler, one of the best athletes in the game
• If he got signed, it would be with a team that already has a QB in place—he would be a backup/goal line specialist/wildcat quarterback, LOW RISK
• Would keep defenses on their toes if he got a few snaps per game
• He’s a lefty, which defenses aren’t used to seeing
• Dual-threat passer and scrambler, one of the best athletes in the game
Why I Wouldn’t Want Vick
• Hasn’t played since 2006, probably a little rusty
• Fan backlash, still guilty in the court of public opinion
• Might not be able to play a full season with a team due to a possible 4-game suspension by commissioner Roger Goodell to start the 09-10 season
• Possible distraction for his team
So who would I rather have? I’d rather have Vick. He’s low-risk, and if he signs with his team, he would by no means be the starting quarterback. Instead, a good coach would play him where he’s most dangerous: at the goal line, where defenses would have to be wary of the option pass, the QB draw, or a scrambling Vick. Another place he would be ultra-effective would be in the wildcat formation. The wildcat offense continues to hurt defenses, and no one is more well-suited for the formation than Michael Vick. You could also throw him in the game to return a kickoff or punt; he can avoid tackles as good as anyone in the league, and would be a devastating returnman. As far a team distraction and fan backlash goes, if a team lets one man disrupt an entire locker room, that team has no business playing professional football. I’m always baffled when teams declare that a player like Terrell Owens is responsible for their under-performing. One player cannot possibly cause a whole team to underperform. When each player is able to go out on the field and do his own job to the best of his ability, ignoring fans and media, then you’ve got yourself a team. If Vick lands himself on a team that already has a stable QB, a good receiving crew, a coach that would know how to utilize his skill sets, and has loyal fans that would root for their team before thinking about what having a convicted criminal on your team means, then Vick’s transition back into the NFL should be smoother than ever.
Brett Favre 2008 season with the Jets:
• Threw as many TDs and interceptions for only the third time in his career
• Threw 7 passes for 40+ yards, tied for his lowest since 1996
• Second lowest total passing yards and yards per game since 1993
• Scrambled less than 23 times for the fourth time in his career, feet aren’t what they used to be
• QB rating in 2008 lower than his career QB rating
• Failed to complete a pass longer than 56 yards for the second time in his career
• Compared to his 2007 season, every single passing statistic was worse in his 2008 season
• Hasn’t played since 2006, probably a little rusty
• Fan backlash, still guilty in the court of public opinion
• Might not be able to play a full season with a team due to a possible 4-game suspension by commissioner Roger Goodell to start the 09-10 season
• Possible distraction for his team
So who would I rather have? I’d rather have Vick. He’s low-risk, and if he signs with his team, he would by no means be the starting quarterback. Instead, a good coach would play him where he’s most dangerous: at the goal line, where defenses would have to be wary of the option pass, the QB draw, or a scrambling Vick. Another place he would be ultra-effective would be in the wildcat formation. The wildcat offense continues to hurt defenses, and no one is more well-suited for the formation than Michael Vick. You could also throw him in the game to return a kickoff or punt; he can avoid tackles as good as anyone in the league, and would be a devastating returnman. As far a team distraction and fan backlash goes, if a team lets one man disrupt an entire locker room, that team has no business playing professional football. I’m always baffled when teams declare that a player like Terrell Owens is responsible for their under-performing. One player cannot possibly cause a whole team to underperform. When each player is able to go out on the field and do his own job to the best of his ability, ignoring fans and media, then you’ve got yourself a team. If Vick lands himself on a team that already has a stable QB, a good receiving crew, a coach that would know how to utilize his skill sets, and has loyal fans that would root for their team before thinking about what having a convicted criminal on your team means, then Vick’s transition back into the NFL should be smoother than ever.
Brett Favre 2008 season with the Jets:
• Threw as many TDs and interceptions for only the third time in his career
• Threw 7 passes for 40+ yards, tied for his lowest since 1996
• Second lowest total passing yards and yards per game since 1993
• Scrambled less than 23 times for the fourth time in his career, feet aren’t what they used to be
• QB rating in 2008 lower than his career QB rating
• Failed to complete a pass longer than 56 yards for the second time in his career
• Compared to his 2007 season, every single passing statistic was worse in his 2008 season
What does all this tell us? Brett Favre isn’t what he used to be. Coming off surgery, he will turn 40 in October this year. How much gas does he have left in the tank? Already, people are doubting Kurt Warner, who turned just 38 last month; out of either quarterback, I would expect Warner to have a better 2009 season. Favre should get worn out earlier than Warner, who has taken half the sacks Favre has, and played in less than half as many games, over his career. I don’t see why the Vikings would have so much faith in Favre, yet the Cardinals almost didn’t resign the QB who took them to the Super Bowl, fearing his age might catch up with him. If Favre arrives in training camp in Minnesota, he’ll have to get acquainted with a whole new receiving corps, learn a new playbook, establish himself in the locker room, and prove his worth, all in the six weeks of training camp. Not to mention, he's indecision is keeping the entire Minnesota team wondering who will be their starting quarterback at the start of the season, which is not fair to anyone. Finally, the Vikings have a decent quarterback in Tavaris Jackson: he started the last three regular season games for the Vikings, won two of them, and compiled a 109.0 passer rating, 7 touchdowns to 1 interception, while completing 62% of his passes. Brad Childress, if you can hear me, give Jackson the starting job, and let the Favre saga come to an end. Please.
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