BFD...Brett Favre Deal....

Ok, I was thinking about just ignoring this story completely, but a loyal reader has requested a rant about the Vikings' signing of #4. I've never been particularly a fan of Favre, but since I wasn't a Vikings fan I didn't have any reason to dislike him either. I don't have strong enough feelings to write a rant about Brett Favre, but there are a few aspects of this story that I thought deserve a little more attention.
1. "Coming Out of Retirement"
Given that Favre has yet to actually miss a game was he ever retired more than just on paper? He might not have been on any team's roster, but he played his last game less than a year ago at about the same time as the majority of other NFL players. I've heard and read people talking about an old athlete soldiering on. Maybe if Favre had not played for the Jets last year and had actually sat out a year I could buy into this, but he's doing the exact thing he's done every season of his football career.
2. He just waited until training camp was over/he's a prima dona
Veteran NFL players hate training camp. Very rarely are they in a position battle that makes the physical pounding of four extra games and extra weeks of full contact practice a worthwhile experience. Training camps were designed to get players back into shape after off seasons selling cars or lounging by the pool. They were designed to help new players learn the playbook and practice those plays and they were designed to allows players to hone a specific skill or technique that needed improving. For the most part the preseason is no longer necessary. For a player like Favre, this is especially true. Favre has not been at team workouts, but he's been a professional athlete for the last 20 years. He's spent pleanty of time on the treadmill or stationary bike to be in playing shape for a drop back passer. His arm might be a question since much like a pitcher a QB's arm strength has to be rebuilt a little bit every season. But Brett hasn't been sitting on his porch letting his arm get flabby - he's been throwing passes all spring and summer. His arm is probably in as good shape as it would have been had he signed with the Vikings in May. Favre missing the beginning of training camp saved him wear and tear.
In terms of having to learn the playbook Favre is at a distinct advantage over a typical new QB. Favre already knows the system and has played with enough other players that he'll get the timing down quickly.
3. He was jerking the Vikings around.
I don't think we have any evidence of this in fact, I think that the Vikings and Favre probably made this deal or made a provisional deal a month ago. I hve two sources with sources of thier own who reported two things. 1. The Favre family has rented out two floors of a hotel in Green Bay for the weekend the Vikings and Packers play. Then made the reservations several months ago and never cancelled them. 2. Favre reportedly bought a townhouse here a couple of months ago that he hadn't put back on the market. 3. A buddy who works for the Vikings told my source that the deal was done about 4 weeks ago.
These all make sense and are probably verifiable by someone with better access to some people than I have. It would not surprise me if Favre agreed to sign after the first game contingent on the performance of the Vikings QBs.
4. He makes the Vikings a Super Bowl Favorite
Given that the Vikings have the best running game in football, an outstanding defense and more than serviceable receivers, most people felt they needed a QB to get over the top. The question is what kind of QB did they need. Talent wise Favre is an improvement, but temperament and style also are important. This wasn't a team that needed a QB who could throw the ball with a rocket arm. The Vikings need a QB who won't make mistakes, won't throw 20 interceptions and won't play like a "gunslinger" and throw it up for grabs and try to make plays that aren't there. They need someone who can manage a game which Favre could do, but isn't what he's known for. Favre might make the a difference of 10% completion rate and maybe 5 extra TD passes. The Vikings won 10 games last year. I don't think they'll win any more than that this year. There were 2-3 losses that Favre might have made a difference in, but there were also 2-3 wins that they probably didn't deserve.

In 6 months, I might end up being totally wrong about this, but I doubt it. This will help the Vikings sell tickets and, if they win the Super Bowl, make a new publicly funded stadium a much easier sell, but his decision to play and the never ending saga that led up to his signing got a lot more coverage than it deserved or needed. His season will be interesting, but will get more hype than it deserves. The Vikings vs. Packers games will get even more coverage which will be annoying and people will make Favre the story of the Viking season regardless of any other reason for success or failure.