OFFICIAL BRETT THE LIVING LEGEND THREAD

[Pugger]

That quote kinda says it all - Favre pretty much is saying that he'd do it all over again (and probably will). He's a stubborn dude. Part of his success/charm but also part of his failing, like Fritz suggests.

As I said earlier this year - he is who he is. Yes he had his best season statistically ever, and he "stayed away" from the bad throws... or maybe he didn't? No one seemed to explore the fact that he still threw risky passes, and for what seemed like the first time since the 90's, they almost always worked.

That throw is excusable only if it was 100% necessary, like a 4th down need 8 yards or you lose situation. It wasn't excusable when it's a tie game and you at least have a fleeting shot at a very long FG.

Favre isn't why they lost, but he had a chance to lift his team late and he blew it.

I mean, naturally some of it is also on the WR - at least for the interception aspect. Like favre said, the week prior the same play happened and Rice came back TO the ball, and if he did that in the saints game he would of most likely broke up the int. To that, I agree, Rice should of broke back towards Favre and he just sort of stood there.

Favre is right in that regard. In terms of trying to defend the throw itself - there really is no defense for that decision, other than he is Brett Favre and this what he does. It had been working all season, hell look at the games against the packers where he threw TD passes into tripple coverage in tight games. It is what he is, and this is the downfall of how he plays.

He is a risk taker, a gun slinger, and a highly entertaining player on the field. He does stuff that just makes you go "WoW" - but that same stuff makes you go "man he is stupid" when it goes wrong.

He will be remembered as possibly the most entertaining and fun to watch QB to ever play, and as the biggest high risk, high reward thrower in the history of the game. He gets it to work more than anyone else who tries the same passes, and thats why he is still around and still putting up great #'s. It's also why he needs luck on his side to win another SB.

Right on!

Luck? No, he should consider playing smarter in big games, something he has failed to do for a while now. He might be entertaining to fans but I seriously doubt coaches find his gunslinger mentality all that endearing. Of course they'd never say so in public. High reward? With his raw talent he should have won more than just one SB but his penchant to take risks has prevented him from doing just that.

[RashanGary]

He's like an and-1 basketball player. He's amazing but fundementally rough around the edges. He thrives on doing this his way. Watching the way he plays, he wants to win, but the drive inside him to try to make the amazing and-1 play gets in the way of him wanting to win, even thought he put that on hold for most of last year (making only one or two highlight plays all year)

To a casual football fan or even some serious football fans, his risk/reward, and-1 style is exciting and it draws fans, keeps interest.

To real football guys, and hardcore fans, I think just about everyone prefers to watch a Tom Brady, Joe Montana and maybe even Troy Aikman to a Brett Favre who just can't stop himself from ruining the game. In football, I appreciate a winner more than a few amazing plays.

I'd compare Brett Favre to Allen Iverson. Amazing numbers, some of the most amazing plays of all time, but not a champion, not a guy who makes the guys around him better, not a guy you want in crunch time of a playoff game.

[Patler]

To real football guys, and hardcore fans, I think just about everyone prefers to watch a Tom Brady, Joe Montana and maybe even Troy Aikman to a Brett Favre who just can't stop himself from ruining the game. In football, I appreciate a winner more than a few amazing plays.

Bart Starr, Bart Starr, Bart Starr!

[HarveyWallbangers]

http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/lionsblog/index.php#ixzz0tsxlMbIl

Favre recently gave a revealing interview to Men's Journal magazine. He detailed his willingness to be traded to the Lions during his standoff with Packers general manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy in 2007 after he ended his first retirement.

"There was just silence," Favre told the magazine. I said, 'Well, what are we gonna do?' They made it pretty clear I wasn't going to play there, and I said, 'How about the Vikings or even the Lions?' I wanted to stay in the same division."

[Fritz]

I thought at the time Favre said it wasn't about revenge, not at all.

Then why would he want to stay in the division?

I thought, at the time, he'd like to play somewhere closer to home. But I guess not.

Damn, Ted should've traded him to the Lions. He could've gotten Matt Millen to give up an entire draft.

[Scott Campbell]

Bert Favre Excusomatic Bingo:

[packerbacker1234]

He's like an and-1 basketball player. He's amazing but fundementally rough around the edges. He thrives on doing this his way. Watching the way he plays, he wants to win, but the drive inside him to try to make the amazing and-1 play gets in the way of him wanting to win, even thought he put that on hold for most of last year (making only one or two highlight plays all year)

To a casual football fan or even some serious football fans, his risk/reward, and-1 style is exciting and it draws fans, keeps interest.

To real football guys, and hardcore fans, I think just about everyone prefers to watch a Tom Brady, Joe Montana and maybe even Troy Aikman to a Brett Favre who just can't stop himself from ruining the game. In football, I appreciate a winner more than a few amazing plays.

I'd compare Brett Favre to Allen Iverson. Amazing numbers, some of the most amazing plays of all time, but not a champion, not a guy who makes the guys around him better, not a guy you want in crunch time of a playoff game.

Well he is a winner. He has had far more success then AI ever had in the NBA. He got a ring, he owns the record books, he has won more football games than any other QB, and he been the the big game twice, and had 5 total trips to the NFC championship game, which is far more than a player like AI ever accomplished.

And, of the 3 NFC Champ games he lost, he was not the only factor that lead to loss, he is just the one people remember. People easily forget all the other crap.

That doesn't excuse his poor play in other playoff games in the last decade, but is McNabb at Favre's level then? He can't seem to get it done in the playoffs either, despite all his trips to teh nfc championship team. It takes a "team" to win it all - thats what I keep seeing of late.

Peyton finally got a ring, and he played like crap. His team lifted him. In 2007, favre threw the OT int, but we couldn't run the ball like, at all, the OL played like shit, the DL played like shit, and we never gave any help to Harris on Plexico.

Vikings had 5 turnovers to the saints none, correct? Only 2 of those are on #4. His offense fell apart around him. OL played like shit, the players around him played like shit, and the only thing that went right for the vikings was that defense in the second half.

I am not trying to excuse his mistake and horrible throw - what I am saying is that I don't like the analogy. It's one of those things. Should he have more rings? Yes. Is it all his fault he doesn't? No. You need the complete package as a TEAM to get that ring, and throughout most the years in GB we didn't really have that complete team. We had glaring weaknesses that were taken advantage of, on top of favre playing bad.

Win as a team, lose as a team. Look at Drew Brees. He played great last year in the playoffs, and still his team was pretty close to not getting to the super bowl.

No matter how great you "should be" or you "are" - it still takes a team to win it.

Even without some of his playoff blow ups, I don't know if we would of won those games regardless.

[woodbuck27]

Sorry if this has already been posted (new article)......Favre blames Rice for throw:

Favre Speaks To Men's Health
By Bill Michaels
Portions of this stroy were reported by the AP, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Access Vikings and USA Today.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre tells Men's Journal magazine that playing another year "probably isn't going to make a difference" when it comes to his long-term health.
Favre tells the magazine that enough damage has already been done to his body. The issue comes out on Friday.
The Vikings are still waiting to learn whether Favre will return for a 20th NFL season. His agent, Bus Cook, tells The Associated Press in an e-mail that he has no update on Favre's status.
Favre is scheduled to appear at the ESPY Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Wednesday night. He has four nominations.

Star Tribune / USA Today -- Favre spoke of his final discussions with the Packers, prior to his trade to the Jets, "There was just silence. I said, 'Well, what are we gonna do?' They made it pretty clear I wasn't going to play there, and I said, 'How about the Vikings or even the Lions?' I wanted to stay in the same division. They said that wasn't going to happen, but maybe Tampa. I said, 'Fine, trade me to Tampa. I'll whip your asses in week four.' Maybe that was a mistake. I'm flying back to Hattiesburg thinking I'm going to the Bucs, and I get off the plane and Bus tell me I've been traded to the Jets. I said, 'Bull,' but they were smart; they released the news so I'd look like an ass if I backed out."

Access Vikings received an advanced copy (don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll get mine very soon) of Brett Favre’s interview in Men’s Health which will be released on Friday. Chip Scoggins’ snippets of the story are fairly revealing and have sold at least one more copy of Men’s Health (if they don’t get that advanced copy to me, that is).

The story includes a firsthand account of Favre’s agent Bus Cook going bonkers over the fact that Favre decided to tell ESPN’s Ed Werder about his ankle surgery. The story goes on to chronicle the phone call from the clueless Brad Childress inquiring about the surgery.

Favre also seems to still be smarting from the loss to the Saints in the NFC Championship Game, and speaks at length about the ill advised interception that ended the Vikings hopes of winning in regulation.

“The previous week against the Cowboys, we did the same exact play to Rice,” Favre told Rodrick. “We were up about 25 at the time, so it was different. He came back to me on a broken play, and we got 20 yards. This time, when I let it go, I’m thinking he’s going to come back to me. As he drifted farther and farther away, I could see the corner come in from the other side, and I’m thinking, Oh, sh-t.”

“As a player you’ve got to pull the trigger,” Favre added. “You can’t say, Well, is he going to do what I think he’s going to do? He wasn’t wrong, and in some ways, I wasn’t either.”

Favre was criticized for taking a gamble at such a crucial time. Rodrick wrote: “Some say it’s the Football Gods settling the score for his yearly tease.”

Responded Favre to the criticism: “They were the same people who said I’d suck all season. I don’t worry about that. A lot of plays go into a game; that was just one of them.”

However, Rodrick writes that Favre brought the subject up again a different day.

“Sometimes I say to myself, An interception? A whole year of making great decisions and it ends on an interception? You have got to be kidding me.”

The most touching quote (and, no, that isn’t sarcasm) comes when he speaks about what the 2010 season meant to him.

“I’ve had games when I almost threw seven picks,” Favre told Rodrick, laughing. “It was unreal. Before last year, I’d reached a point where I was sitting in meetings with guys 15 years younger than me thinking, What the hell am I doing here? Football became work. But last year it went back to being a game.”

Yes here is the portion of the story Re: Favre pass to Sidney Rice and the pick.

“The previous week against the Cowboys, we did the same exact play to Rice,” Favre told Rodrick. “We were up about 25 at the time, so it was different. He came back to me on a broken play, and we got 20 yards. This time, when I let it go, I’m thinking he’s going to come back to me. As he drifted farther and farther away, I could see the corner come in from the other side, and I’m thinking, Oh, sh-t.”

The same play was called earlier in the season Vs 'the Cowboys'... and that was successful because Sidney Rice came back to the ball on a possible 25 yard pass and catch play.

Favre only says.. he threw (that ball that was picked) thinking that, Sidney Rice would come back to the throw. That he didn't and as a consequence the DB was able to come between Rice and the released ball and make the pick was 'just one of those things' that happens when execution isn't as perfect as the called play is designed for a positive result.

Favre doesn't per say blame Sidney Rice. He doesn't throw Sidney Rice under the bus. That was only one play that went bad and cost the Vikings a Super Bowl shot.

Favre played courageously in that game. It was brutal the pressure and pain (hurt) he endured and still pass for over 300 yards. It was brutal to see the results of the pressure that the Saints threw at Favre....and him just keep on producing in his position.

That game was alot more than that particular play gone bad and pick. I will not defend Favre on that play. He had an option he failed to see as he was too focused on a pass to Sidney Rice but he doesn't lay the blame on Sidney Rice. He threw that ball as it turned out into close coverage as Sidney Rice positioned himself to make the catch.

One of those things. No blame is layed.

GO PACK GO!

[HarveyWallbangers]

He learned from Obama. It's my fault, but here are the reasons it's not my fault.

[mission]

He learned from Obama. It's my fault, but here are the reasons it's not my fault.

I was gonna say!! If that's not passing the buck then I don't know what is ... he's perfect at blaming something while still leaving himself an out of not blaming anyone. It takes awhile to develop that kind of political ability.

[Bretsky]

I thought at the time Favre said it wasn't about revenge, not at all.

Then why would he want to stay in the division?

I thought, at the time, he'd like to play somewhere closer to home. But I guess not.

I find it hard to believe anybody thinks revenge isn't part of the reasoning
I find it equally hard to believe anybody thinks Ted and MM wanted him back

Ted and MM wanted to move on and there was nothing wrong with that
Brett was offended and wanted to stick it to them and still does

Now if everybody can just acknowledge those ideas then people can stop acting like divas (just as Favre often did) who are so and obsessed enough about the guy who hasn't played for us in two ye ars they can't even refer to him by his real name

P.S.- end commentary is not specifically for you or any particular poster

[HarveyWallbangers]

That's a nice response, Bretsky. For me, the wound isn't open anymore. Sure, I hope he fails miserably with the Vikings, but life goes on. (Unless, of course, the Vikings win a Super Bowl with him at the helm. Then, I'll never forgive him.) I still think he's a great player and decent person. He is a diva though, and I've seen the light on a lot of stuff that I was blind too or overlooked when he was a Packer. Tons of money + 20 years of being coddled/worshipped will do that to a person.

[Joemailman]

While there are many fans who cant just let it go, the fact is Favre can't either. His recent comments seek to justify his position, while trying to cast the Packers in a bad light. I am more and more convinced that there will never be a reconciliation between Favre and the Packers because Favre doesn't want one.

[Scott Campbell]

Favre doesn't per say blame Sidney Rice. He doesn't throw Sidney Rice under the bus.

That's what Chilly tried to tell Sidney, but Sidney isn't buying it. And neither are we.

[Scott Campbell]

I thought at the time Favre said it wasn't about revenge, not at all.

Then why would he want to stay in the division?

I thought, at the time, he'd like to play somewhere closer to home. But I guess not.

I find it hard to believe anybody thinks revenge isn't part of the reasoning
I find it equally hard to believe anybody thinks Ted and MM wanted him back

Ted and MM wanted to move on and there was nothing wrong with that
Brett was offended and wanted to stick it to them and still does

Now if everybody can just acknowledge those ideas then people can stop acting like divas (just as Favre often did) who are so and obsessed enough about the guy who hasn't played for us in two ye ars they can't even refer to him by his real name

P.S.- end commentary is not specifically for you or any particular poster

I think people should feel however they want to feel about it. And I'd like you to stop your obsession with telling us how we should feel about it.