At the Vikings Organized Team Activity last week at Winter Park reserve quarterback Tarvaris Jackson was asked in what way is he better than a year ago. He told Sports Headliners his focus at practice has improved, admitting that at times concentration lapsed in the past.
Watching Brett Favre last season has helped “a lot,” Jackson said. “The way he prepared,” Jackson said. “The way he took every throw like it was a Super Bowl game throw out here. So I took that same approach that he took.”
Jackson started 19 games for the Vikings in the three seasons before Favre signed on last summer. He said if Favre says no to another season, teammates will be disappointed but they also realize they have to move on and “compete.”
What would Jackson’s reaction be? “Get ready to play,” he said. “Obviously, if he’s not coming back, I am thinking I am going to be the guy. …”
Favre’s close friend and teammate Ryan Longwell isn’t sure if Favre will return. The two were once teammates in Green Bay and have talked during this off-season but not about a second Vikings season for Favre. Instead they have chatted about golf and family.
Although Favre will be 41 in October, Longwell won’t dismiss the possibility the Vikings No. 1 quarterback could play even better than last season when his performance ranked among the best of his legendary career. “I was with him for two of the three (NFL) MVP years (in Green Bay) and he was better last year than he was for any of those years,” Longwell said.