Why is Favre performing so well this year?

[channtheman]

I've been trying to figure out why Favre has been playing so under control this year and can't figure it out. I've heard people say it's because he finally has a good running game but I disagree with that. I went back and looked up Ahman Green's stats from 2000-2004 and also Favre's stats that same year. Just for comparison's sake I also added in Favre's 2007 and 2009 season stats.

Ahman Green
Rushing	
  Year	Att	Yds	TD	Lng	Yds/Att					
   2000	263	1175	10  39	4.5				
	2001	304	1387	9	83	4.6				
	2002	286	1240	7	43	4.3				
	2003	355	1883	15  98	5.3				
	2004	259	1163	7	90	4.5

Receiving				
	Year	Rec	Yds	TD	Lng	Yds/Rec					
   2000	73	 559	3	 31	 7.7				
	2001	62	 594	2	 42	 9.6				
	2002	57	 393	2	 23	 6.9				
	2003	50	 367	5	 27	 7.3				
	2004	40	 275	1	 48	 6.9				
 
Brett Favre	

   Year	Cmp	Att	Cmp%	Yds	TD	Int	Yds/Att	Lng	Rtg
	2000	338	580	58.3	3812	20	16	6.6	    67	 78
	2001	314	510	61.6	3921	32	15	7.7	    67	 94.1
	2002	341	551	61.9	3658	27	16	6.6	    85	 85.6
	2003	308	471	65.4   3361	32	21	7.1	    66	 90.4
	2004	346	540	64.1	4088	30	17	7.6	    79	 92.4

	2007	356	535	66.5	4155	28	15	7.8	    82	 95.7

Vikings
   2009	174	256	68	  1925	16	3	 7.5	    63	 106

As you can see, in 2003, Green had an amazing year. Favre threw far fewer passes than he usually does and yet he still somehow managed to throw 21 interceptions. Even in 2007 on his amazing year he still threw 15 INT's. However, this year he is on pace for only 6, which would be his lowest total ever. Does anyone know exactly why Favre is doing so much better?

[rbaloha1]

My guess is Chilly would bench #4 if he played like the 05 season. Also #4 may buy-in to the Minny's system more than MM's system.

[Noodle]

Very good post.

I can't figure it out. He has the same QB coach that he had here, yet he's playing so much better. In fact, I think he's playing the best football of his career, particularly from the mental aspect.

I would never have guessed that he was capable of this. His play shows a much higher level of film study and discipline than he has ever displayed.

Could he hate us so much that he's finally become the QB we all hoped he could become? (OK, that's a little over the top, but what's YOUR explanation?)

[sharpe1027]

My guess is Chilly would bench #4 if he played like the 05 season. Also #4 may buy-in to the Minny's system more than MM's system.

The same Chilly that was Favre's personal chauffeur? Doubtful, especially given he'd have to put in TJack or Sage instead, not to mention all the $$ Favre brings in to the Vikings.

He's a simple answer: Favre's older and more experienced, he's trying to fit in with a new group of teammates and he has a chip on his shoulder to prove everyone wrong.

[denverYooper]

Some of it can be probably be explained by his later-season fades. We're only looking at half a season. IIRC, it seemed like he had started out with a QB rating >100 for a few of those years after 8 games and went downhill. The same thing happened last year with the Jets -- everyone was riding high on Favre for about 10 games. Then, BANG-O.

I'm not saying it's going to happen this year, but there has been such a trend in Favre's play over the last few.

In fact, didn't the chart of his second half fades make its way around here? I'll see if I can dig it up.

[Partial]

Talent. Percy Harvin is a freak of nature (super star) and while Green was the best all-around back (or top few) during his prime, he's no AP.

Favre also has an elite D behind him which is not to be under estimated.

[rbaloha1]

My guess is Chilly would bench #4 if he played like the 05 season. Also #4 may buy-in to the Minny's system more than MM's system.

The same Chilly that was Favre's personal chauffeur? Doubtful, especially given he'd have to put in TJack or Sage instead, not to mention all the $$ Favre brings in to the Vikings.

He's a simple answer: Favre's older and more experienced, he's trying to fit in with a new group of teammates and he has a chip on his shoulder to prove everyone wrong.

Listen to the Brandt interview. Chilly "Kissed #4's ass" to lure him in. Once signed Chilly dictates.

[denverYooper]

Hm, here's 2005-2009

Category 	First 11 games 	Last 5 games
Comp pct 	     64.8 	         56.1
Pass yards       253.8 	        211.4
TD-Int           75-50            13-34
Passer rating    88.2 	         59.9

[Patler]

A couple things:

For the first time in his career, Favre admitted last year that his play hurt his team. He had the crutch of the injury for an excuse, but he admitted that the interceptions hurt the Jets. In the past, he excused it by "trying to make a play."

Favre HAS changed. Almost an awakening of sorts. Both Percy Harvin and T. Jackson have commented on how much Favre has tried to help them this year, explaining things, giving advice, etc. Contrast that with his cold attitude toward Rodgers (saying it wasn't his job to teach Rodgers anything) and the article about how he barely even spoke to Jennings as a rookie.

After the Packers and Jets were willing to move on without him, perhaps he is making more of an effort in those areas.

[channtheman]

Talent. Percy Harvin is a freak of nature (super star) and while Green was the best all-around back (or top few) during his prime, he's no AP.

Favre also has an elite D behind him which is not to be under estimated.

I'm not even talking about wins though. His defense should not play in to the fact that he's thrown only 3 INT's this year.

Is Favre not taking risks this year?

[channtheman]

A couple things:

For the first time in his career, Favre admitted last year that his play hurt his team. He had the crutch of the injury for an excuse, but he admitted that the interceptions hurt the Jets. In the past, he excused it by "trying to make a play."

Favre HAS changed. Almost an awakening of sorts. Both Percy Harvin and T. Jackson have commented on how much Favre has tried to help them this year, explaining things, giving advice, etc. Contrast that with his cold attitude toward Rodgers (saying it wasn't his job to teach Rodgers anything) and the article about how he barely even spoke to Jennings as a rookie.

After the Packers and Jets were willing to move on without him, perhaps he is making more of an effort in those areas.

Interesting point. It's just surprising to me that after so many years he would change now.

[Partial]

Talent. Percy Harvin is a freak of nature (super star) and while Green was the best all-around back (or top few) during his prime, he's no AP.

Favre also has an elite D behind him which is not to be under estimated.

I'm not even talking about wins though. His defense should not play in to the fact that he's thrown only 3 INT's this year.

Not true. Everything is inter-related.

With a good D, you know you don't need to score say 30 pts, for example, and that say 17 will do. Ipso facto, he doesn't take the risk of chucking it down field for a pick, for example.

[denverYooper]

More interesting, maybe

splits by location:

     Outdoor     Indoor
04     87.5       102.6    
05     67.8       83.6
06     66.9       112.5
07     92.2       108
08     81.0        --
09     97.5       111.3

splits by weather:

        >40F     80+F
04       91.3     --     
05       57.4     --
06       54.2     90.9
07       87.8     104.1
08       57.4     --
09        --        --

[MichiganPackerFan]

At the risk of being to hard on the guy, maybe after 16 years it became mundane and he mailed it in. It's a well known fact that he hates offseason work. That's why so much was reported when he actually did some core training a few years back. It took him a season in NY to realize he couldn't just show up any more and actually had to plan and focus. New team + payback mission = new focus.

[channtheman]

Talent. Percy Harvin is a freak of nature (super star) and while Green was the best all-around back (or top few) during his prime, he's no AP.

Favre also has an elite D behind him which is not to be under estimated.

I'm not even talking about wins though. His defense should not play in to the fact that he's thrown only 3 INT's this year.

Not true. Everything is inter-related.

With a good D, you know you don't need to score say 30 pts, for example, and that say 17 will do. Ipso facto, he doesn't take the risk of chucking it down field for a pick, for example.

I disagree. I remember at least one game against Cincinatti a few years ago where Favre threw 5 INT's and we lost 21-14 or something like that. Or are you saying that Favre must take risks if he doesn't have a good D? The playoff game against the Eagles or the Vikings where he would launch a lame duck to no one was a result of a less than stellar defense?