ESPN really unfair to Brett Favre (2 Viewers)

[timschochet]

In the segment about Brett Favre's "mentality", they compared him to 46 year old pathetic boxer Evander Holyfield, who refuses to officially retire, and to Michael Jordan returning to the NBA with the Washington Wizards. There is NO comparison between these situations:

1. Brett Favre is getting paid 12 million dollars.

2. Brett Favre is going to a team that may be primed to win a Superbowl, which they would not without his presence.

3. Brett Favre is still one of the best quarterbacks in football.

That's it. All this other talk about Brett's mentality, his refusal to see that his "time" has passed him by, his "betrayal" of the Packers- all of it is ridiculous. Though I'm not a Viking fan, I am a Favre fan, and I'm getting sick of all of this talk. I'm rooting for him to shut up all the critics and win this year. So, long as they don't face the Steelers, I'll be rooting for Minnesota this year.

 

[Jason Wood]

To be fair, I hardly think making a 40-year old QB the lead story in EVERY show for the last few months as being unfair. And having watched that segment, I didn't see them as comparing him to Holyfield, but rather using Holyfield (and Jordan) as current examples of other former greats who can't/don't know how to retire on their own terms.

 

[JKL]

And I thought the crew was really unfair to the good quarterbacks in the league when they said he was better than all but 4 or 5 quarterbacks for this season.

 

[Picklepete]

Favre is a Drama Queen who's act is getting tired !

Enough already...........

 

[timschochet]

To be fair, I hardly think making a 40-year old QB the lead story in EVERY show for the last few months as being unfair. And having watched that segment, I didn't see them as comparing him to Holyfield, but rather using Holyfield (and Jordan) as current examples of other former greats who can't/don't know how to retire on their own terms.

But that's the point- all this talk about how Favre doesn't know how to retire- he never should have retired in the first place. I would compare Brett Favre instead to greats like Sandy Koufax, Jim Brown, Barry Sanders- all of whom retired too early. They were perfectly welcome to do so, but in the case of Sanders (I was too young for the others ) as a fan I regretted it- I loved Barry Sanders and wanted to see him play some more, while he still had something to offer. I feel the same way about Favre. And the difference is, Favre can WIN.

 

[burritobrother]

2. Brett Favre is going to a team that may be primed to win a Superbowl, which they would not without his presence.3. Brett Favre is still one of the best quarterbacks in football.That's it. All this other talk about Brett's mentality, his refusal to see that his "time" has passed him by, his "betrayal" of the Packers- all of it is ridiculous.

I disagree with your points 2 and 3, and I think criticism of the media over the circus that is Favre's career is ill-placed.

 

[Phase of the Game]

Favre is a Drama Queen who's act is getting tired !Enough already...........

It is always amsuing to see how a future HOF QB can get people so riled up.

 

[timschochet]

And I thought the crew was really unfair to the good quarterbacks in the league when they said he was better than all but 4 or 5 quarterbacks for this season.

BradyPeytonRoethlisbergerBreesThat's it. I know people love Rivers, Rodgers, Cutler- they're all unproven. I'd take Favre over any of them. For this season.ETA- Maybe Warner and McNabb.

 

[JohnnyU]

3. Brett Favre is still one of the best quarterbacks in football.

He's barely the best QB on his team, let alone the entire NFL. I would venture to guess that Favre's best days are behind him

 

[timschochet]

3. Brett Favre is still one of the best quarterbacks in football.

He's barely the best QB on his team, let alone the entire NFL. I would venture to guess that Favre's best days are behind him

We'll see. I hope you're wrong; I think you are.

 

[FF Newbie]

Oh, boo freakin hoo. We're so sorry you're sick and tired of poor Brett getting picked on. After all, it's not like he did anything to deserve it.

 

[timschochet]

2. Brett Favre is going to a team that may be primed to win a Superbowl, which they would not without his presence.3. Brett Favre is still one of the best quarterbacks in football.That's it. All this other talk about Brett's mentality, his refusal to see that his "time" has passed him by, his "betrayal" of the Packers- all of it is ridiculous.

I disagree with your points 2 and 3, and I think criticism of the media over the circus that is Favre's career is ill-placed.

You disagree with point 2? Minnesota has one of the best defenses in football. And they have the best running game in football. Doesn't an elite QB put them in position to be one of the best teams?

 

[timschochet]

Oh, boo freakin hoo. We're so sorry you're sick and tired of poor Brett getting picked on. After all, it's not like he did anything to deserve it.

But he didn't. He changed his mind and decided to play again because of a great opportunity. What's wrong with that?

 

[Fragis Frodum]

 

[Sabertooth]

In the segment about Brett Favre's "mentality", they compared him to 46 year old pathetic boxer Evander Holyfield, who refuses to officially retire, and to Michael Jordan returning to the NBA with the Washington Wizards. There is NO comparison between these situations:

1. Brett Favre is getting paid 12 million dollars.

2. Brett Favre is going to a team that may be primed to win a Superbowl, which they would not without his presence.

3. Brett Favre is still one of the best quarterbacks in football.

That's it. All this other talk about Brett's mentality, his refusal to see that his "time" has passed him by, his "betrayal" of the Packers- all of it is ridiculous. Though I'm not a Viking fan, I am a Favre fan, and I'm getting sick of all of this talk. I'm rooting for him to shut up all the critics and win this year. So, long as they don't face the Steelers, I'll be rooting for Minnesota this year.

This just isn't true. They won the division championship last season with Gus Frerotte in there. Rosenfels is an upgrade. So is Harvin. The rest is up for debate, but the Vikings were going to be good regardless of Favre's decision.

 

[Buffaloes]

3. Brett Favre is still one of the best quarterbacks in football.

I laughed.

 

[swirvenirvin]

 

[Frank Costanza's Lawyer]

Leave Brett alone!

 

[burritobrother]

2. Brett Favre is going to a team that may be primed to win a Superbowl, which they would not without his presence.

3. Brett Favre is still one of the best quarterbacks in football.

That's it. All this other talk about Brett's mentality, his refusal to see that his "time" has passed him by, his "betrayal" of the Packers- all of it is ridiculous.

I disagree with your points 2 and 3, and I think criticism of the media over the circus that is Favre's career is ill-placed.

You disagree with point 2? Minnesota has one of the best defenses in football. And they have the best running game in football. Doesn't an elite QB put them in position to be one of the best teams?

Of course it would.

 

[timschochet]

In the segment about Brett Favre's "mentality", they compared him to 46 year old pathetic boxer Evander Holyfield, who refuses to officially retire, and to Michael Jordan returning to the NBA with the Washington Wizards. There is NO comparison between these situations:

1. Brett Favre is getting paid 12 million dollars.

2. Brett Favre is going to a team that may be primed to win a Superbowl, which they would not without his presence.

3. Brett Favre is still one of the best quarterbacks in football.

That's it. All this other talk about Brett's mentality, his refusal to see that his "time" has passed him by, his "betrayal" of the Packers- all of it is ridiculous. Though I'm not a Viking fan, I am a Favre fan, and I'm getting sick of all of this talk. I'm rooting for him to shut up all the critics and win this year. So, long as they don't face the Steelers, I'll be rooting for Minnesota this year.

This just isn't true. They won the division championship last season with Gus Frerotte in there. Rosenfels is an upgrade. So is Harvin. The rest is up for debate, but the Vikings were going to be good regardless of Favre's decision.

They were a playoff team, but nobody thought they were a SB contender. Let's revisit this topic 10 weeks from now and you'll see how it's obvious Favre has made a HUGE difference for them.

 

[JohnnyU]

3. Brett Favre is still one of the best quarterbacks in football.

I laughed.

I cried laughing, then we all sang Kum Ba Yah.

 

[zanti8]

although the consecutive starts is amazing he would not be in my top 10 to start a playoff game now, and not in my probably 30 all time . he is an interception machine . they will not do anything with him this year . i dont even think they make the playoffs . if they do and he is healthy, watch 3 int 1st playoff game .

 

[Chase Stuart]

And I thought the crew was really unfair to the good quarterbacks in the league when they said he was better than all but 4 or 5 quarterbacks for this season.

Agreed. Not one of the best 16 QBs in the league. NOt sure Minnesota wouldn't have been better with Jackson or Rosenfels.

 

[ScottNorwood]

Your first mistake was watching ESPN

 

[Ghost Rider]

And I thought the crew was really unfair to the good quarterbacks in the league when they said he was better than all but 4 or 5 quarterbacks for this season.

I am sorry, but anyone who still thinks Favre is one of the best 5 or 6 QBs in the league needs to get a clue. Brady, P. Manning, Roethlisberger, Brees, and Rivers are all unquestionably better, and there are a handful more who are better right now, too. Tom Jackson throwing in the "if he is healthy" line was dumb. The fact that he is old and brittle is part of the reason WHY he is no longer a top QB.

 

[JKL]

And I thought the crew was really unfair to the good quarterbacks in the league when they said he was better than all but 4 or 5 quarterbacks for this season.

BradyPeytonRoethlisbergerBreesThat's it. I know people love Rivers, Rodgers, Cutler- they're all unproven. I'd take Favre over any of them. For this season.ETA- Maybe Warner and McNabb.

Well, Favre did make the pro bowl over Rivers last year, so I guess Rivers has proven that leading the league in touchdowns is less important than leading in interceptions.

 

[timschochet]

And I thought the crew was really unfair to the good quarterbacks in the league when they said he was better than all but 4 or 5 quarterbacks for this season.

Agreed. Not one of the best 16 QBs in the league. NOt sure Minnesota wouldn't have been better with Jackson or Rosenfels.

Chase, I acknowledge you know a ton more about football than I do, but I really think the bolded is nuts.

 

[Phase of the Game]

And I thought the crew was really unfair to the good quarterbacks in the league when they said he was better than all but 4 or 5 quarterbacks for this season.

Agreed. Not one of the best 16 QBs in the league. NOt sure Minnesota wouldn't have been better with Jackson or Rosenfels.

Chase, I acknowledge you know a ton more about football than I do, but I really think the bolded is nuts.

Chase has never thought too highly of Favre. It is well documented.

 

[Chase Stuart]

And I thought the crew was really unfair to the good quarterbacks in the league when they said he was better than all but 4 or 5 quarterbacks for this season.

Agreed. Not one of the best 16 QBs in the league. NOt sure Minnesota wouldn't have been better with Jackson or Rosenfels.

Chase, I acknowledge you know a ton more about football than I do, but I really think the bolded is nuts.

Chase has never thought too highly of Favre. It is well documented.

Yes, I thought he was not very good and overrated ast year, and was clearly proven wrong.

 

[datonn]

In before:

[shonuff] I thought folks said there wouldn't be any drama in Minnesota with Favre around this year?! [/sho nuff]

Seriously though, let's just let him see how he does on the field. Quit annointing the Vikings into a Super Bowl contender. Quit talking about how old-man Favre sucks. Quit dwelling on the past (2007-2008, in particular). Just see how things go. More walking...less talking.

ETA: I agree about the assessment of Favre being maybe QB16-20 in the NFL at the moment. That's fair. However, an even better thing to talk about is where Favre ranks as a QB in the NFL compared to where T. Jackson and S. Rosenfels might rank as a QB in the NFL. If Sage and TJax don't rank as high as QB16-20, then it was a good addition for the Vikings. If one of them (or both) do rank in the QB16-20 range (I think they obviously don't, but maybe some do), then it probably wasn't that good of an addition for the Vikings. ON the field, anyway. Off the field, outside the locker room, it has been fantastic so far (ticket sales, jersey sales, national/local media buzz, etc.). Let's talk 3-4 months from now though...

 

[snogger]

Gold stuff in here I tell you..

 

[Phase of the Game]

And I thought the crew was really unfair to the good quarterbacks in the league when they said he was better than all but 4 or 5 quarterbacks for this season.

Agreed. Not one of the best 16 QBs in the league. NOt sure Minnesota wouldn't have been better with Jackson or Rosenfels.

Chase, I acknowledge you know a ton more about football than I do, but I really think the bolded is nuts.

Chase has never thought too highly of Favre. It is well documented.

Yes, I thought he was not very good and overrated ast year, and was clearly proven wrong.

QUOTE (packersfan @ Nov 29 2008, 10:12 AM) QUOTE (Chase Stuart @ Nov 28 2008, 05:26 PM)

2) Favre won't be the best QB ever, let alone the best player ever. He might just into the top five, but I doubt it. He's not in my top 10 right now, but that could change, I suppose.

While acknowledging that these types of lists are entirely subjective, I find it hard to believe that most knowledgeable football fans wouldn't have Favre ranked among the Top 10 QBs of all time. I'm not trying to rip on you Chase, but you really don't believe the only three-time MVP in league history who has won a Super Bowl and holds most of the major QB records (not to mention an incredible durability streak) doesn't rank in the Top 10 QBs of all time?

On my QB list, I've Marino, Montana, Manning and Young ahead of Favre. I feel pretty safe doing that. Unitas and Tarkenton rank higher as well, and I don't think that's very controversial.

Then there are a big group of players that are on the same level, and I have Favre there with Staubach, Fouts, Elway, Warner, Van Brocklin, Jurgensen, Brady, Dawson, Starr, Anderson and Graham. You may not agree with all of them (Staubach, Anderson, Dawson and Starr seem to get little love these days) but I don't think it's hard to put four of those guys ahead of Favre.

YMMV.

 

[Das Boot]

And I thought the crew was really unfair to the good quarterbacks in the league when they said he was better than all but 4 or 5 quarterbacks for this season.

Agreed. Not one of the best 16 QBs in the league. NOt sure Minnesota wouldn't have been better with Jackson or Rosenfels.

Chase, I acknowledge you know a ton more about football than I do, but I really think the bolded is nuts.

You have to factor in more than ability...How much will Favre's injuries detract from his skills?

How much did the pre-season circus atmosphere hurt the team?

How much will the dissension (whatever level it is at, it's there to some degree) in the locker room over who each person thinks should be the starter hurt the team?

How much aggravation is there on the team over Favre's "preferred" treatment and status on the team?

How much respect have the players lost for the coach due to the Favre situation's handling?

How well will Favre do with the extremely limited amount of practice he's had with the team?

How much is Favre's heart really in this season?

As soon as Favre's consecutive starts record ends, will he lose a lot of his motivation?

If the Vikings lose a few games and Favre plays poorly, how will he react?

Etc...

Lots of questions about Favre besides just his historical ability, and even his ability is an open question due to lack of practice/conditioning, injuries, and age.

One thing's for sure...

Get your popcorn out.

 

[bcr8f]

2. Brett Favre is going to a team that may be primed to win a Superbowl, which they would not without his presence.

How is this different than any other year? Last I checked Holyfield didn't warn he may not be able to finish every fight.Last year ESPN was bronzing Favre's jock.

 

[smackdaddies]

In the segment about Brett Favre's "mentality", they compared him to 46 year old pathetic boxer Evander Holyfield, who refuses to officially retire, and to Michael Jordan returning to the NBA with the Washington Wizards. There is NO comparison between these situations:1. Brett Favre is getting paid 12 million dollars.2. Brett Favre is going to a team that may be primed to win a Superbowl, which they would not without his presence.3. Brett Favre is still one of the best quarterbacks in football.That's it. All this other talk about Brett's mentality, his refusal to see that his "time" has passed him by, his "betrayal" of the Packers- all of it is ridiculous. Though I'm not a Viking fan, I am a Favre fan, and I'm getting sick of all of this talk. I'm rooting for him to shut up all the critics and win this year. So, long as they don't face the Steelers, I'll be rooting for Minnesota this year.

1. True2. False3. FalseOther than that, good post

 

[j3r3m3y]

2. Brett Favre is going to a team that may be primed to win a Superbowl, which they would not without his presence.3. Brett Favre is still one of the best quarterbacks in football.That's it. All this other talk about Brett's mentality, his refusal to see that his "time" has passed him by, his "betrayal" of the Packers- all of it is ridiculous.

I disagree with your points 2 and 3, and I think criticism of the media over the circus that is Favre's career is ill-placed.

You disagree with point 2? Minnesota has one of the best defenses in football. And they have the best running game in football. Doesn't an elite QB put them in position to be one of the best teams?

Sure, but they are starting a formerly elite QB.

 

[Sinrman]

To be fair, I hardly think making a 40-year old QB the lead story in EVERY show for the last few months as being unfair. And having watched that segment, I didn't see them as comparing him to Holyfield, but rather using Holyfield (and Jordan) as current examples of other former greats who can't/don't know how to retire on their own terms.

Exactly what I was thinking. EVERY SINGLE NFL Live started off with "Favre Watch" and it was absolutely nauseating. So much so that since I DVR'd it, I fast forwarded through it. It was annoying as heck. So saying they are unfair to him is ridiculous... ESPN worships the ground that Favre walks on.

 

[cacksman]

Brett Favre one of the best QBs in football?