More than 20 years ago on a spring afternoon Boston’s Larry Bird was so magnificent in a playoff game against Atlanta that it prompted CBS broadcaster Brent Musburger to remark, “Folks, you’re watching what greatness is all about.” Today you can dust off the soundtrack of that comment and use it to describe the season that Brett Favre finished yesterday for the Vikings.
The Vikings, who had lost three of their previous four games, were desperate for a final regular season win to provide confidence and momentum for the playoffs ahead. The team that had reached early December with just one loss saw its momentum and possible guarantees of home field advantage throughout the playoffs slip away with one-sided losses to Arizona and Carolina, and then an overtime defeat in Chicago.
Those losses weren’t on Favre, though, who played consistently, often brilliantly, throughout the 16 game schedule. The offensive line abandoned him at times, his receivers occasionally dropped passes, and even the all-world running back Adrian Peterson gave away the Bears game with his fumble in overtime.
The defense also faltered during the year. Injuries contributed to the problem but lack of performance did, too, including in the secondary where the Vikings broke down covering passes.
If any sport is a team game, it’s football. But seldom (if ever) in Vikings history, has one player meant more to the team’s success. Disappointed in the team losing three of its last five games and finishing 12-4? Well, what do you suppose the record would have been without Favre?
Favre’s final seconds miracle pass to Greg Lewis beat San Francisco, 27-24. He threw three touchdown passes (21 of 29 passing) as the Vikings won in a close game against Baltimore, 33-31. It’s not likely, either, that without Favre the Vikings would have defeated Green Bay twice and almost rallied last week against the Bears who led 16-0 at halftime.
Then there was yesterday when Favre completed 25 of 31 passes for 316 yards and four touchdowns before he went to the bench and ended his day in a 44-7 victory over New York, a must win game. Favre had directed the Vikings to a 31-0 halftime lead, among the largest in franchise history. Combining the second half of the Bears game and first half against the Giants, Favre had led his team to 61 points.
At age 40, Favre was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl, all with different teams. His stats for the season were almost stunning. He threw only seven interceptions, the best of his career as a starting NFL quarterback dating back to 1992. His passing rating of 107.2 was also a career best, and only three previous times did he ever total more than the 33 touchdown passes of this season.
Remarkably, Favre played the entire season without being injured enough to miss time on the field. He performed with passion, often displaying as much exuberance as teammates 15 years younger. He worked the locker room and the sidelines developing rapport with teammates.
But it is on the field, of course, where he made his most important contributions. Favre sees the game not only as a player, but also like a coach where his experience is so valuable. Vikings head coach Brad Childress hinted at that last week when he said that Favre “had pretty good license to go back and forth” regarding changing plays.
In the game yesterday Favre threw a pass to Bernard Berrian who appeared not to have control of the ball before going out of bounds. Favre hurried the team to the line of scrimmage so the Vikings could get off another play before there was time for a review of Berrian’s catch and a possible incomplete pass ruling by the officals.
Sometimes it was not only doing his job, but helping to transform others like wide receiver Sidney Rice from obscurity to the Pro Bowl roster. But Favre has helped all the receivers and the Vikings have six players, including running backs, with 40 or more catches for the season.
What does that say about Favre and the offense? “I think it speaks to both,” Childress said. “It speaks to him being an equal opportunity thrower. I think sometimes there’s a perception that he singles out Sidney Rice. …As I always say, he (Favre) knows where all the bones are buried.”
Now Favre will take his old bones and try to help the Vikings to a playoff win in two weeks. Win or lose, he’s already given this town a season long performance that people should describe for years to come as “what greatness is all about.”