On a perfect summer morning yesterday, news of Brett Favre’s decision to join the Vikings as their quarterback imploded across this metropolis. On talk radio, in cell phone conversations and around water coolers the passionate citizenry and even the not so engaged were talking Favre and the Purple.
This town has never seen anything quite like the arrival of Favre, the 39-year-old legend who set numerous NFL career records, quarterbacked Green Bay in two Super Bowls, directed countless fourth quarter comebacks, and gutted his way through physical and emotional trauma. Late in their careers, Paul Molitor and Dave Winfield, both on their way to the hall of fame, came home to join the Twins. Lou Holtz set off a huge upsurge in Gopher football interest when he became coach. Herschel-mania was the rage for awhile when the Vikings acquired Herschel Walker in the franchise’s most infamous trade. But no sports god the equal of Favre has ever set ground on the prairie here to join one of the local teams. How Favre got here after months of speculation about whether he wanted to retire or play for the Vikings is a story of luck, relationships, perseverance, the right opportunity and negotiating skill.
If the Vikings hadn’t hired Brad Childress as head coach in 2006, Favre might not be practicing this week at Winter Park. Childress had been an assistant coach with Wisconsin in the 1990s and the team’s quarterbacks included Darrell Bevell who helped the Badgers to a 1993 Big Ten championship. Later Bevell became quarterback coach with Green Bay where he developed a solid relationship with Favre.
Bevell left the Packers to become Childress’ offensive coordinator in 2006. He and Childress have been looking for consistent and high level quarterback play ever since. This off-season Bevell and Childress have pursued Favre who obviously feels comfortable with them and what he considers an ideal opportunity with the Vikings.
Favre said earlier this summer he wouldn’t be coming out of retirement to play for the Vikings. Yet communication between Favre and the organization continued. Favre had the passion to continue playing if he was convinced his right arm was healthy. It was obvious to he and the franchise leadership that exceptional quarterbacking was the team’s missing asset. Perseverance on both sides and the willingness of Vikings owner Zygi Wilf to offer a reported $25 million two year contract resulted in a deal being finalized.
At least a couple of questions deserve attention in this story. If Favre debated (perhaps even agonized) for so long whether he could push himself through preseason camp and a 16 game regular season, did he make the right decision yesterday? Did his heart finally overcome his head?
Only those who have played football, or are close to the game, fully realize the physical wreckage the sport causes. Favre knows this as well or better than anyone. I thought that because Favre was so unsure for so long as to whether to play, he made the right decision not to. If a decision to come back for another season was that difficult, wasn’t there a strong message to that?
The other question is will the Vikings keep four quarterbacks? They might. Tarvaris Jackson is only 26 and John David Booty is even younger at 24, and during the last off-season the club made the effort to acquire Sage Rosenfels, 31. Jackson, who has been unreliable, could be offered up in a trade. He might be the most interested of the three reserves in wanting out of Winter Park, too, after never convincing the coaching staff he was the answer.
And then there’s the most important question of all. Will Favre and the Vikings play at a level that can return the franchise to the NFC championship game, or even the Super Bowl? The answers start coming on September 13 in the opening game at Cleveland.