Favre returns to finish the deal
By: Larry Fitzgerald
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 08/25/2010
If ever there were a team game, it is football. It takes everybody working on the same page to win.
Brett Favre last week arrived in Minnesota for his second year with the Vikings and his 20th and final season. Favre immediately makes the Vikings a serious Super Bowl contender, as they were last year. Upon his arrival, Las Vegas odds-makers made the Vikings a nine-to-one choice to win the franchise’s first Super Bowl.
Previously they were a 16-1 choice; they are a good, solid football team, but last year’s 12-4 march to the NFC North title and NFC Championship game is far from automatic. However, the Vikings are doing more than just rolling the dice. This is an experienced football team with 10 Pro Bowlers.
Head Coach Brad Childress has a different challenge with this team. First he has to deflate some of the egos and make certain everybody is committed to the mission.
If you believe Favre only returned last week because teammates Jared Allen, Ryan Longwell and Chad Hutchinson jumped on owner Ziggy Wilf’s private jet to get him, you’re a fool. Favre is here for the big picture, and he is who he is, a living legend, maybe the greatest quarterback ever. He brings a dynamic to your franchise and to your locker room that is priceless. Favre and Childress are not fishing buddies, and they do have philosophical differences. But Favre has had differences with other head coaches and won, including Mike Holmgren. Favre and Childress will work it out; Childress has to relinquish some play-calling control and trust Favre to do what’s right.
This team is not just a running team anymore with Adrian Peterson. There are times when Favre goes up to the line that he has to have the freedom to change plays. He has seen every defense there is — you cannot fool Favre.
Some of the challenges facing the Vikings on the field are: Percy Harvin and his migraines — last week he collapsed on the practice field and was rushed to the hospital; Sidney Rice and his hip — or it may be agent Drew Rosenhaus trying to get a new deal; and center John Sullivan’s calf injury.
Favre will play a role this year in helping the Vikings in their pursuit of a new stadium. The Vikings this week host the Seattle Seahawks Saturday at Mall of America Field. Sunday’s 15-10 loss to San Francisco squares the Vikings record at 1-1.
Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:20 am, and on WDGY-AM 740 Monday & Saturday mornings at 7:50 am and Fridays at 3:50 pm; he also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Larry welcomes reader responses to lfitzgerald@spokesman-recorder.com , or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com .
