FAVRE SILENCES THE HATERS

by Mac G, Mac G's World

I might as well bust my Epic Carnival cherry on a topic that I know very well, Brett Favre and my beloved Packers. If you are tired of the national media's recent slurp fest of Favre and the Packers, I suggest stop reading right now.

"Favre is old and washed up, Favre needs to retire, Brett is selfish, He is only playing to break the TD record, The Packers are better off without him, Aaron Rodgers should play."

I have heard these same endless refrains from NFL pundits and sports bloggers/commenters over the past two years. All of these opinions were spouted off from fans from other teams. Most true Packers fans knew Favre played his A$$ off every game and his play alone was not the main problem in their quick demise. They also remember what the days of Lynn Dickey, Robbie Bosco, and Majik Man days were like. I sure do. Horrible times Awful equals Miserable.

All the media and fans' scorn was ignited by Favre's tendency to be honest in interviews (ESPN) about being unsure over whether or not to retire. Everyone hammered him for it. How dare he not know? No one seemed to care when Junior Seau cried at a Charger press conference announcing his retirement, only to suit up for the Pats weeks later. Clemens first retired after the 03 World Series and he continually returns every season like Punxsutawney Phil. Deion Sanders retired and came back to the Ravens. Where was the outrage from fans and the national media over these instances?

Believe me, I have watched Rodgers play QB and he is more a long term question mark than solution. How did that Tommy Maddox first round pick work out for Dan Reeves and the Broncos? Shanahan and Elway won 2 Super Bowls together. Reeves ended up being fired by 3 teams. Maddox needed a rare combination of Vince McMahon's XFL and Kordell Stewart's inefficiencies to briefly resurrect his short career, before sucking again. Rodgers reminds me exactly of Maddox. Favre gives the Packers their best chance to win, no matter how many picks he throws.

Favre was outspoken in his frustration with the lack of play makers on offense. I do not blame him. In 3 years as the GM, Ted Thompson has used his 2 first round picks on defense and a backup QB. Thompson continually refuses to sign any key free agents on offense and recently mistakenly passed over Randy Moss. As his career was coming to a close, Favre seemed out of Thompson’s youth movement.

The Packers currently play 2 rookie RBs and they no longer have the Javon Walker/ Robert Brooks/Antonio Freeman types to stretch the field. Rookie WR James Jones and 2nd year wide out Greg Jennings have shown promise but they are not Streling Sharpe either. Bubba Franks dropped over half the balls thrown to him last season and he barely made the roster. Donald Driver is still money in the slot but no one will confuse the talent on this team with the 00 Rams or 98 Vikings.

Through it all, the Packers are 3-0. Aside from what his critics said, Favre still has the fastball and he has been nearly flawless in the past two wins over the Giants and Chargers. Go watch those 2 games and tell me he is still not one of the top 10-15 QBs in the league.

Favre throws the slant pass better than anyone in the NFL and the young players around him are quickly gaining confidence.

The Packers D could be the fastest it has been in over 10 years. They can pressure the QB again with a deep Dline rotation and MLB Nick Barnett is all over the field. The corners play tough man to man and the safeties display the ability to tackle without giving up the deep ball.

The Packers still have shown the inability to run the ball effectively and the NFC North is a much improved division.

Favre is arguably one of the greatest QBs of all time and is about throw more TDs than any player in the history of the NFL. I do not remember Elway or Marino getting treated in such a negative light at the end of their careers. Maybe it is ESPN fatigue or the rise of the “he sucks” culture on the internet.

Favre never misses a game, his teammates still play hard for him and opponents always have high adulation for playing against him. He is a living legend and most of all, he is fun to watch.

The jury is still out on how far the 07 Packers can go but the verdict of the Packers of being a better a team without Favre hopefully has been resolved for good.

Do not put dirt on the Old Man and the Packers just yet. He might just have one more last run in him. I promise this to be my last homer post and thanks for the opportunity to contribute to this site.

Sorry, I gotta jam. I have to go pick up my Favre jersey from the dry cleaners. I am thinking of buying some Wranglers too. Word, Mac G.