What's changed with Favre (for the better)?

[NewsBruin]

I'm not talking about our offense or records, but does anyone think there's been a positive change in Brett himself?

I remember thinking in last season and the one before, the articles of Brett kinda isolating himself from fans and players. I remember hearing how different it was without Dos Amigos or receivers whose names he knew, and how his dad's and Reggie's passings affected him. I thought it would only get lonelier without William Henderson in the backfield. I remember how he didn't know any wideout other than Driver at the start of '06.

But, dangit, I've been pleasantly surprised that he seems to really like his receivers. He's getting chemistry with Jennings and Jones has been a great fantasy pickup...I mean...rookie surprise.

Is it the ankle surgery or a relatively drama-free offseason? Does anyone else think something's gotten better for Brett this season?

[Partial]

I'm thinking not having a throbbing ankle would make him more pleasant.

[Patler]

I think it is that McCarthy has entrusted him with the offense. Favre is given complete freedom to change the play, or to run variations as he sees fit based on the defense alignment. It was much more rigid under Sherman. Favre even expressed frustration a few years ago when he said it was difficult coming to the line of scrimmage, realizing that the play called would not work because of the defensive alignment, but not having the freedom or flexibility to change it. Sherman feared feared screw-ups or mis-communications so much that he preferred to just throw a play away when the defense had guessed right. Then, too, he had a lot of different player packages and each different combination only practiced certain plays. Favre said at times when he could check off to a different play, the players in at the time were not the ones who had run it, so he couldn't check to that play.

McCarthy seems to have designed a scheme with much more flexibility in it, and leaves it up to Favre to call the variation among several running and receiving options that he thinks will work best. This has to be refreshing and exciting for a player as experienced as Favre who hasn't had that kind of control in the past. It should make it much more exciting and rewarding for him.

Heck, on the record-setting throw he looked like Payton Manning, running down the line to make sure the TE knew the changed route expected from him. Did you ever see that under Sherman?

[FritzDontBlitz]

i think that brett is reinvigorated by the idea of teaching a bunch of new guys how to be winners. i have never seen him go through so many adjustments before each play. i cant remember a time in his career where so many sportswriters are giving him credit for making pre-snap adjustments - most of the time they are too amazed at his physical abilities to notice.

which makes me wonder: ron jaworski says brett favre is onlty the seventh best qb of all time. i am trying to figure out how he only merits a 7 ranking when he owns every significant qb record there is?

[woodbuck27]

Favre looks more alive, more in tune with the fact we are very young and need to develop.

I believe he has bought into MMs plans and schemes and has decided to just trust.

To just be one very important piece in the machinery.

[MadScientist]

McCarthy seems to have designed a scheme with much more flexibility in it, and leaves it up to Favre to call the variation among several running and receiving options that he thinks will work best. This has to be refreshing and exciting for a player as experienced as Favre who hasn't had that kind of control in the past. It should make it much more exciting and rewarding for him.

Heck, on the record-setting throw he looked like Payton Manning, running down the line to make sure the TE knew the changed route expected from him. Did you ever see that under Sherman?

I think you've nailed it. For all the talk of corralling the gunslinger, MM seems to have instead given Brett free range. Almost saying, here Brett, the offense is yous, do something that will work.

Brett is now using all his knowledge, and preparing more than he ever has, and because of it all, the offense is working.

[Noodle]

i think that brett is reinvigorated by the idea of teaching a bunch of new guys how to be winners. i have never seen him go through so many adjustments before each play.

I have to disagree. Given his druthers, my sense is that Favre does not enjoy teaching anybody anything -- he'd far prefer it if everyone knew what they were doing and he could do what he does.

But as I said in another thread, this may well be the best that I've seen Favre play. Ever. Better than the MVP seasons.

He is doing so many smart things that don't show up in the stat line. He throws balls away when nothing is there, he's avoiding sacks, he's going with underneath stuff instead of chucking it up for grabs down deep, and he's demanding an extraordinary level of excellence in his receivers.

The most telling stat for me is that he's converting (and yes, it's him, since we can't run for dick) an amazing 44% on third down for the season, with a 50% conversion in the dome. That requires smarts, accuracy, and incredible talent.

Simply put, I'd take the Favre of 2007 over any other version I have ever seen.

[woodbuck27]

i think that brett is reinvigorated by the idea of teaching a bunch of new guys how to be winners. i have never seen him go through so many adjustments before each play.

I have to disagree. Given his druthers, my sense is that Favre does not enjoy teaching anybody anything -- he'd far prefer it if everyone knew what they were doing and he could do what he does.

But as I said in another thread, this may well be the best that I've seen Favre play. Ever. Better than the MVP seasons.

He is doing so many smart things that don't show up in the stat line. He throws balls away when nothing is there, he's avoiding sacks, he's going with underneath stuff instead of chucking it up for grabs down deep, and he's demanding an extraordinary level of excellence in his receivers.

The most telling stat for me is that he's converting (and yes, it's him, since we can't run for dick) an amazing 44% on third down for the season, with a 50% conversion in the dome. That requires smarts, accuracy, and incredible talent.

Simply put, I'd take the Favre of 2007 over any other version I have ever seen.

I am in that boat with you Noodle.

He was on fire today. Way too hot. A fantastic QB.

Wondering where Aaron Rodgers will land. . . .

[FritzDontBlitz]

i seem to remember favre mentioning how he enjoys the idea of teaching the new guys the game, but i could be wrong. but it looks to me like he's enjoying what he's doing. try not to let the chinstrap rippoing incidents like the one he had in week one fool you.

[GrnBay007]

He seems much more focused this year. It almost seems like he's more at peace out on the field. Who knows, it could be something as simple as his struggle with the retirement decision. Maybe this is the first year over the past 2-3-4 that he really deep down felt good about coming back. Maybe it's that there's some time now between all the tragedy his family has gone through. Believe me, that can wear on you physically and mentally. Sometimes it's hard for us to remember he's human. Add those things together with him seeming to feel very comfortable with MM and I think we have our "Favre on a Mission".

[Iron Mike]

i seem to remember favre mentioning how he enjoys the idea of teaching the new guys the game, but i could be wrong. but it looks to me like he's enjoying what he's doing. try not to let the chinstrap rippoing incidents like the one he had in week one fool you.

They even commented during the game that Favre has told Donald Driver that he needs to run better routes.

[Bretsky]

I think it is that McCarthy has entrusted him with the offense. Favre is given complete freedom to change the play, or to run variations as he sees fit based on the defense alignment. It was much more rigid under Sherman. Favre even expressed frustration a few years ago when he said it was difficult coming to the line of scrimmage, realizing that the play called would not work because of the defensive alignment, but not having the freedom or flexibility to change it. Sherman feared feared screw-ups or mis-communications so much that he preferred to just throw a play away when the defense had guessed right. Then, too, he had a lot of different player packages and each different combination only practiced certain plays. Favre said at times when he could check off to a different play, the players in at the time were not the ones who had run it, so he couldn't check to that play.

McCarthy seems to have designed a scheme with much more flexibility in it, and leaves it up to Favre to call the variation among several running and receiving options that he thinks will work best. This has to be refreshing and exciting for a player as experienced as Favre who hasn't had that kind of control in the past. It should make it much more exciting and rewarding for him.

Heck, on the record-setting throw he looked like Payton Manning, running down the line to make sure the TE knew the changed route expected from him. Did you ever see that under Sherman?

This is spot on

[The Leaper]

I think you've nailed it. For all the talk of corralling the gunslinger, MM seems to have instead given Brett free range. Almost saying, here Brett, the offense is yous, do something that will work.

I agree. The difference is that McCarthy had far more experience as a coach coming into his role as a head coach, especially in his area of specialty on offense. Sherman really had no business being a head coach when he took over here. He didn't have the experience to run a team like it needs to be run in today's game. It limited what we could do and how the team could adjust to things adequately during a game.

Favre now is more in control of the offense...which is what you would expect from a QB who has 16 years of experience in the offense and against the defenses he sees from week to week. Why should Sherman or McCarthy be the one making the decisions? Favre is the guy getting paid $10M a year...it is for a reason.

[mraynrand]

Patler's got it. Also, Favre is spending more time looking at film and in preparation. He's working with receivers a lot in practice. How can that not be a good thing? - he's building these guys up, it helps with comaraderie, and it keeps everyone on the same page. The obvious point is that this is Favre's team (at least on offense) - and doesn't that make sense? He's the most talented guy at his position on offense. I've said it before, but it reminds me of the control Gannon had over Gruden's offense at Oakland in 2002. The difference: Gannon was a runner while Favre has a much better arm.

[mraynrand]

I think you've nailed it. For all the talk of corralling the gunslinger, MM seems to have instead given Brett free range. Almost saying, here Brett, the offense is yous, do something that will work.

I agree. The difference is that McCarthy had far more experience as a coach coming into his role as a head coach, especially in his area of specialty on offense. Sherman really had no business being a head coach when he took over here. He didn't have the experience to run a team like it needs to be run in today's game. It limited what we could do and how the team could adjust to things adequately during a game.

I disagree. Sherman had his problems, but he was the O-coordinartor for Holmgren for at least a year in Seattle, and had been in the system for a while. He was certainly capable of running an offense and did it very well. I will agree that his most glaring problem was that he was slow to adjust to changing conditions on the field, but I think that was due more to the design of the offense or his philosophy than his experience as a coach.