It’s really hard to believe that Brett Favre is now a New York Jet. #4 is a Jet, not a Packer. Who would have thought that? Darn. Even an icon like Favre can wear out his welcome – at least with Packer management.
Brett Favre is a good NFL quarterback, probably in the top 10 or 15 of all time depending on whose list you view. But Favre will always be remembered as the quarterback who, for the last four or five years, strung the Packers along keeping them guessing if he would come back to play the next season. Normally he made up his mind late in the spring. I think the management grew tired of Favre’s annual guessing game.
After the Packers went all the way to the NFC championship game last season with Favre playing one of his better seasons in years (28 TD/15 INT Passer rating of 95.7), I expected him to stop the annual soap opera and come back this season.
Instead, he announced his tearful retirement in March. I thought that was finally the end of it.
Then the desire to throw another pass in the NFL got the best of Favre once again. He wanted to play, but the Packers management was getting a little tired of the annual soap opera. This whole episode with Favre and the Packer management was a lot like a recess at a typical middle school with rumors flying left and right: “He said that.” “They said this.” It went on and on. The sports reporters went wild.
As a New York Jet this season, I expect it to be tough for Favre early in the year because this is a new offense for him to run. On the other side, if the Packers lose a few games early in the season, or if they don’t do as well as last year, the Packer nation may kill and grill the coach and general manager right in the middle of the parking lot in the shadow of Lambeau Field. This makes the upcoming NFL season a little more exciting. It would be even more exciting if the Jets and the Packers played each other, but that won’t happen unless they meet in the Super Bowl. Fat chance.
We’ve seen other great quarterbacks leave the teams they led to championships for another shot at glory. Many fail. Joe Montana got another shot of glory, and since I am a Kansas City Chiefs fan, his two years in KC were golden for me. On my shelf sits a Joe Montana football card. Of course he wears his Kansas City Chiefs uniform.
Montana went from the 49ers to the Chiefs and led the Chiefs to the AFC championship in the 1993 season. In 1994, Joe Montana played in the ultimate revenge game as he led the Chiefs to victory over the San Francisco 49ers and Steve “monkey off my back” Young – his replacement in San Francisco. 1994 is also special for the Chiefs, as this was the last time they actually won a playoff game. They’ve made the playoffs five times since then, but have not won a game.
Some of my readers may remember one of the greater games ever played on Monday Night Football. It happened in 1994- the Chiefs taking on the Broncos in Denver. John Elway and Joe Montana. Montana gained a little more glory that historical night. The Chiefs won the game 31-28 when Montana hit Willie Davis with a five yard TD pass with 8 seconds left to play. Watch it HERE. Right after the touchdown, Monday Night Football’s color commentator Dan Dierdorf said it best, “Lord, you can take me now, I’ve seen it all.”
Will we see Brett Favre bring some magic to the New York Jets? I imagine he has some left, but only time will tell. But just as Joe Montana will almost always be remembered as a 49er to most people, Brett Favre will always be a Green Bay Packer.
The Western Word 
Wulgar -I agree the Jets of 2008 are a lot different than the Chiefs of 93-94. I don’t know about the Jets O-Line of 2008, but if they are not too good, Favre may not be able to stand the punishment. Any way, it may be fun to watch which way the Packers and the Jets head this year. -Jack
JP – You are correct. The smaller market in GB had it’s perks. You may actually run into one of the players at the store. The large market in NY and the sports media may make him wish for the “Simple Life.” -Jack
It’s difficult to see the comparison between Montana and Favre here. Montana went to a very solid Chiefs squad, needing little more than a good field general to put the pieces together. And field generalship is what makes Montana one of the 4 best of all time.Farve goes to a Jets team that needs a lot more than just a great arm. He is not the field general that Montana was, and he has been shown to suffer when he doesn’t have protection. Don’t get me wrong. I know he’s tough as nails. But he has to play sandlot he throws lot of touchdowns … and a ton of interceptions. The Jets appear to have done everything they can to bank winning on a quarterback. I don’t think that’s enough.The Montana-led Chiefs had to play in a division in transition. The Broncos (Elway not withstanding) were getting used to a new coach and new scheme. The Raiders were building from the dregs (which eventually led them to the Show). And the Chargers … come on. You do remember the woeful Chargers of the ’90’s, I’m certain.Favre, on the other hand, steps in against a mean and tough Buffalo squad improving with every year. The Dolphins are weak, but putting things together in a nasty division. But ole Brett gets to face the Patriots twice this year. Expect misery. I really don’t see Favre having success in New York. And that will sadly taint him as the whiner egoist that many are painting him as. When Montana was traded, it was not as his whim. And it was obvious that he had game left (San Fran just wanted him out of Young’s way.) Favre is gonna have to convince me.I will state plainly that if he does, I’ll be the first to say I was way wrong about him.
I’d also say that the New York crowd is a different animal. Brett was revered in Green Bay. I’d bet he’ll get a pretty chilly reception if he throws five picks in a game in NY. First time he gets beer dumped on him, I’ll bet he rethinks this whole ‘coming out of retirement’.
Steve- I always enjoy watching Pennington play as he seems to love what he is doing. We’ll see if he can survive as the QB for the fins. -Jack
As a Jets fan, I’m a little underwhelmed by the whole thing. It’s going to be hard for me to cheer for Favre at first, but I should get used to it if he brings us some wins.More than anything, it’s hard to watch Pennington go to the Dolphins. Despite his weak arm, he’s still one of my favorite players. For them to let him go for someone who has a year left in the tank is tough.We’ll see what happens though. A playoff trip will probably mean all is forgiven.