NFC North Intelligent, Civilized Discussion 09/10 season

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Favre opened the window of opportunity, no question, but surprising to nobody,  took that chance and threw it to the Saints with a stupid decision in a big spot. The problem for the Vikings of course is that they don't have Aaron Rodgers sitting on the bench for next year, so its back to trying to develop Jackson or Sage. A good year for Viking fans to be sure, but the teams has very little to show for the Favre experience. Teams go up and down real quick in the NFL, so who knows what will happen. One things for sure, if Adrian Peterson doesn't turn back into Adrian Peterson next year, the Vikings are going to SUCK!

To be fair, I think he surprised all of us with how good he still is.

You can pound your chest now all you want, but nobody predicted that he'd play this well this season. 

[NavinRJohnson]

He had a good game today outside of teh fumbles, but the second half of the year, hsi carries were down and he was quite average.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

He had a good game today outside of teh fumbles, but the second half of the year, hsi carries were down and he was quite average.

Absolutely, he didn't dominate in the 2nd half of the year.

But, I don't think that has to do with Favre, do you? It seems like that's what you are getting at.

He had 163 carries in the first half of the season, 151 in the second half of the season. Not a huge difference when you factor in that he only had 9 carries against the Giants in week 17.

Plenty of blame to go around, but I'm not sure Favre is responsible for Peterson's production.

[GGGG]

Favre opened the window of opportunity, no question, but surprising to nobody,  took that chance and threw it to the Saints with a stupid decision in a big spot. The problem for the Vikings of course is that they don't have Aaron Rodgers sitting on the bench for next year, so its back to trying to develop Jackson or Sage. A good year for Viking fans to be sure, but the teams has very little to show for the Favre experience. Teams go up and down real quick in the NFL, so who knows what will happen. One things for sure, if Adrian Peterson doesn't turn back into Adrian Peterson next year, the Vikings are going to SUCK!

I can't blame the Vikings for taking a shot with Favre.  They clearly had all the pieces in place for a run this year...they just needed a better quarterback.  And they got one.  This is why I am pretty certain that he comes back next year.  The Vikings have everyone back...they are loaded.  I see no reason why they wouldn't be considered one of the NFC favorites.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I can't blame the Vikings for taking a shot with Favre.  They clearly had all the pieces in place for a run this year...they just needed a better quarterback.  And they got one.  This is why I am pretty certain that he comes back next year.  The Vikings have everyone back...they are loaded.  I see no reason why they wouldn't be considered one of the NFC favorites.

I agree with this... BUT

I think the defense is starting to age, and the drop-off of an "old" defense is usually very dramatic (see: Bears, Chicago).

It will be interesting to see what offseason moves the Vikes make.

I don't think Favre could possibly be as good next season, but he could be "good enough" if they can reload some talent into the right places. (d-line is great, but high mileage, secondary could use some youth and an impact player (only 11 INTs this season) and the offensive line was not as good as advertised, but has some decent young guys)

It's an uncapped year, but there are restrictions on the best teams, so that could limit their ability to try to sign a veteran player(s).

I think the Packers are set up nicely if they can have another good draft.

I think the Bears are in deep trouble unless they can find some diamonds in the rough in the late rounds of the draft.

[GGGG]

Well, if the defense is *that* old, than the window is even smaller.  IMO, that makes a Favre return even more likely.  And I think even if they have a fall off, they will be good enough.  Face it, it should have been good enough yesterday against one of the more high-powered offenses in football.

The Packers should do well, but I think Thompson needs to take a page out of Wolf's book and sign a couple free agents that can add some leadership to the defensive side of the ball.

The Bears will be bad.  That defense is getting very old...they still have no receivers...and their search for offensive and defensive coordinators is almost comical.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Well, if the defense is *that* old, than the window is even smaller.  IMO, that makes a Favre return even more likely.  And I think even if they have a fall off, they will be good enough.  Face it, it should have been good enough yesterday against one of the more high-powered offenses in football.

The Packers should do well, but I think Thompson needs to take a page out of Wolf's book and sign a couple free agents that can add some leadership to the defensive side of the ball.

The Bears will be bad.  That defense is getting very old...they still have no receivers...and their search for offensive and defensive coordinators is almost comical.

Agree 100% on all points.

[ATWizJr]

Favre will be a Bear next season!

[damuts222]

I can't blame the Vikings for taking a shot with Favre.  They clearly had all the pieces in place for a run this year...they just needed a better quarterback.  And they got one.  This is why I am pretty certain that he comes back next year.  The Vikings have everyone back...they are loaded.  I see no reason why they wouldn't be considered one of the NFC favorites.

  Brett Favre did not lose that game there was plenty of blame to go around, plus the Saints defense has lived off of turnovers this season. They don't have the best defense but they are ball hawks just as the Bears were several years ago. More and more it seems as if receivers are either becoming more careless with the ball or corners are just looking to punch it out more.

As a Bears fan, I can admit I was rooting for the Saints. Yet IMO I have a ton of respect for Favre and he pours his heart into the game and he just looks drained after this season. Joe Buck even pointed out that he looked exhausted in an interview midweek before the game. That being said I hope he comes back because it is good for football.

[LON]

  Brett Favre did not lose that game there was plenty of blame to go around, plus the Saints defense has lived off of turnovers this season. They don't have the best defense but they are ball hawks just as the Bears were several years ago. More and more it seems as if receivers are either becoming more careless with the ball or corners are just looking to punch it out more.

As a Bears fan, I can admit I was rooting for the Saints. Yet IMO I have a ton of respect for Favre and he pours his heart into the game and he just looks drained after this season. Joe Buck even pointed out that he looked exhausted in an interview midweek before the game. That being said I hope he comes back because it is good for football.

He was exhausted because of the man on man session Buck had with him earlier this week.  It continued well into the game...I could hardly hear the play by play over all the slurp noises.

[RawdogDX]

  Brett Favre did not lose that game

Yes he did.  They were tied and in (or at least close to?) field goal range, he could have ran 3 yards and slid but instead he threw the ball cross body, into the center of the field.  It was the most bone headed decision a qb can make.  And would be the perfect ending to his carreer.  Played well, won a lot of games and killed his team with a rookie mistake at a big moment.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I think Trent Dilfer said it best this morning on Cowherd's show.  Favre is the reason his teams get where they are and he's been the reason they leave when they do (though I don't totally agree with that on yesterday's game....could have been 9 turnovers, but 5 is still a killer).

He's a player that just sucks you in because he does things that are so incredible and yet he does things that are so incredible (negatively).

I think he comes back, but who knows.  If this game was in Minnesota, they win.  Basically they screwed the pooch down the stretch losing to some teams they probably shouldn't have.  Tough way to go out, dumb dumb throw (again), but he was magnificent last week against Dallas and this week his team couldn't hang on to the ball (doesn't excuse the dumb throw). 

Another year....probably.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Yes he did.  They were tied and in (or at least close to?) field goal range, he could have ran 3 yards and slid but instead he threw the ball cross body, into the center of the field.  It was the most bone headed decision a qb can make.  And would be the perfect ending to his carreer.  Played well, won a lot of games and killed his team with a rookie mistake at a big moment.

I don't think one play loses anything.  It's a game of plays all game long.  Two key turnovers in the red zone by the Vikings that cost them a minimum of 6 points if not 14 were killer.  If they don't blow those, Favre is not in that position to throw the pick.  That being said, another dumb throw in a critical playoff game.  Favre leads the NFL in history in those.

[Jay Bee]

I can't blame the Vikings for taking a shot with Favre.  They clearly had all the pieces in place for a run this year...they just needed a better quarterback.  And they got one.  This is why I am pretty certain that he comes back next year.  The Vikings have everyone back...they are loaded.  I see no reason why they wouldn't be considered one of the NFC favorites.

You might even say... CONSENSUS! 

Great year, painful ending.  I just hope to know whether or not Favre is coming back sometime in the next 4 months and not in September. 

[MU B2002]

Basically they screwed the pooch down the stretch losing to some teams they probably shouldn't have. 

Like the Bears.   

[ChicosBailBonds]

Like the Bears.   

Yup...Bears, Panthers, etc

[MU B2002]

You might even say... CONSENSUS! 

Great year, painful ending.  I just hope to know whether or not Favre is coming back sometime in the next 4 months and not in September. 

When is the last day of 2 a day practices.  I suspect there will be a press conference about 2pm that day with his announcement. 

[SaintPaulWarrior]

He is already playing the game.

Brett Favre's return for another season is "highly unlikely, but it has been an awesome year," the Minnesota Vikings quarterback told ESPN's Ed Werder after the Vikings' loss to the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2009/news/story?id=4857006

[damuts222]

 You have to give it to Favre he took a beating last night. I have never seen him get hit so hard and so often whether you hate the guy or love the guy he was gritty. He wore it out on the football field and during the press conference.

[LON]

You have to give it to Favre he took a beating last night. I have never seen him get hit so hard and so often whether you hate the guy or love the guy he was gritty. He wore it out on the football field and during the press conference.

But did he fart in the huddle?

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

He is already playing the game.

Brett Favre's return for another season is "highly unlikely, but it has been an awesome year," the Minnesota Vikings quarterback told ESPN's Ed Werder after the Vikings' loss to the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2009/news/story?id=4857006

I understand that Packer fans are rolling their eyes at Brett again, but in reality, what is he supposed to say?

I'm by no means excusing his previous flip/flopping ways... but in all honesty, there is nothing he can say right now that would please anybody. If he says he's retiring, nobody would believe him. If he says he's coming back, people would doubt that as well.

His best bet is to keep a low profile, but he's not the best at that.

[NavinRJohnson]

You have to give it to Favre he took a beating last night. I have never seen him get hit so hard and so often whether you hate the guy or love the guy he was gritty.

Yep, and like always, he made sure to put on a good show for the TV cameras to demonstrate just how gritty he is as well.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

I understand that Packer fans are rolling their eyes at Brett again, but in reality, what is he supposed to say?

I'm by no means excusing his previous flip/flopping ways... but in all honesty, there is nothing he can say right now that would please anybody. If he says he's retiring, nobody would believe him. If he says he's coming back, people would doubt that as well.

His best bet is to keep a low profile, but he's not the best at that.

For the record, not a Packer fan.

[IAmMarquette]

I understand that Packer fans are rolling their eyes at Brett again, but in reality, what is he supposed to say?

I'm by no means excusing his previous flip/flopping ways... but in all honesty, there is nothing he can say right now that would please anybody. If he says he's retiring, nobody would believe him. If he says he's coming back, people would doubt that as well.

His best bet is to keep a low profile, but he's not the best at that.

Agreed on the former. Precedent has been set. Disagree on the latter. When he's said he's coming back, he's come back.

All he has to do is say "I'm coming back" and that pretty much solves it.

[NavinRJohnson]

http://media2.620wtmj.com/sportscentral/FavreINT%5B1%5D.mp3