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It's quite amazing to think this, but if you look at Favre's interception totals over the years, you can see that for the first time in his career, Favre is playing within the system. He is taking what defenses are giving him and not taking chances with the ball.
From 2002 to 2008 Favre threw 148 interceptions. I divided these interceptions into 2 categories: interceptions thrown on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th down, and interceptions thrown on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th down while in the oppositions 30 yard line (field goal range). I'll note, I started at 2002 because that is as far as ESPN's archived play by play went and there are 8 unaccounted for interceptions from 2003 as ESPN's archives did not have play by play available for a few games.
Here are the numbers.
In 2009, Favre has thrown just 3 interceptions. They are as follows.
2 thrown on 3rd down situations and 1 on 2nd down inside the Pittsburgh 30 yard line. This one, however, was tipped by the running back before it was intercepted.
I would argue that interceptions inside field goal range are almost always unacceptable (exception being tipped passes). Most of these interceptions are probably Favre thinking he could fit it into a tight spot or thinking he could make a throw. These INT's almost always take points off the board. In close games, these INT's are killer.
Then the 73 interceptions thrown on 1st and 2nd down are also almost unacceptable. I understand that INT's are not always avoidable and that some of those are tipped passes, etc. BUT, how many times do you remember the defense getting the ball back time after time only to have Favre toss a lame duck up in the air on 1st down to a guy in triple coverage? Way too often. There MUST have been a guy open if someone was in triple coverage, yet Favre took unnecessary chances and was picked off for it.
Interceptions on 3rd down are the most forgivable. I don't have much of a problem taking a chance on your last attempt before a punt and if it's picked off, it might have been equal or better than a punt (not always but for the most part).
Comparing those years with this year, you can see that Favre is NOT taking chances. He is NOT throwing up lame ducks to covered receivers on first down. He is playing within the system and taking what the defenses give him. Why is he doing this? I asked that question in another thread that you can read here if you are interested. http://packerrats.com/ratchat/viewto...209&highlight=
Amazing to think though that it seems Favre has actually changed for the better. Can you imagine how many Super Bowls we would have won in the 90's and even the 2000's if Favre had played the system?
From 2002 to 2008 Favre threw 148 interceptions. I divided these interceptions into 2 categories: interceptions thrown on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th down, and interceptions thrown on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th down while in the oppositions 30 yard line (field goal range). I'll note, I started at 2002 because that is as far as ESPN's archived play by play went and there are 8 unaccounted for interceptions from 2003 as ESPN's archives did not have play by play available for a few games.
Here are the numbers.
Code:
Interceptions 1st down 41 2nd down 32 3rd down 33 4th down 4 Field Goal Range Interceptions (within opp. 30) 1st down 16 2nd down 5 3rd down 9 4th down 0
2 thrown on 3rd down situations and 1 on 2nd down inside the Pittsburgh 30 yard line. This one, however, was tipped by the running back before it was intercepted.
I would argue that interceptions inside field goal range are almost always unacceptable (exception being tipped passes). Most of these interceptions are probably Favre thinking he could fit it into a tight spot or thinking he could make a throw. These INT's almost always take points off the board. In close games, these INT's are killer.
Then the 73 interceptions thrown on 1st and 2nd down are also almost unacceptable. I understand that INT's are not always avoidable and that some of those are tipped passes, etc. BUT, how many times do you remember the defense getting the ball back time after time only to have Favre toss a lame duck up in the air on 1st down to a guy in triple coverage? Way too often. There MUST have been a guy open if someone was in triple coverage, yet Favre took unnecessary chances and was picked off for it.
Interceptions on 3rd down are the most forgivable. I don't have much of a problem taking a chance on your last attempt before a punt and if it's picked off, it might have been equal or better than a punt (not always but for the most part).
Comparing those years with this year, you can see that Favre is NOT taking chances. He is NOT throwing up lame ducks to covered receivers on first down. He is playing within the system and taking what the defenses give him. Why is he doing this? I asked that question in another thread that you can read here if you are interested. http://packerrats.com/ratchat/viewto...209&highlight=
Amazing to think though that it seems Favre has actually changed for the better. Can you imagine how many Super Bowls we would have won in the 90's and even the 2000's if Favre had played the system?
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