And then he came back and led the Packers to the NFC Championship game the next year. I'm not necassarily advocating he comes back, but this guy has been considered to down and out before and came back and had one of his best seasons yet. Who's to say if Ryan comes in and installs an offense similar to Baltimore's where Favre isn't taking as many chances, throwing on 3rd and 2, trying to get too cute, etc. he couldn't at the very least be a an average to above average QB?
Favre said he was done after '07.... And then he came back and led us to nowhere the next year. I'm not advocating he comes back, for he is down and out after having one of his worst seasons yet. I am to say that if Ryan comes in and installs an offense similar to Baltimaro's where Favre isn't taking as many chances, throwing on 3rd ad 2, trying to get too cute, etc. that he couldn't at the very least be an average to above average QB.
Everyone also said Pennington was done after '05 and '07. "Everyone" is obviously related to "Anonymous."
What happens if he goes and sprains his back in week 7? He's an old man, those kinds of things happen to old people. And God knows he'll try and play through it.
Is it possible that Brett Favre comes back, commits himself to this team, plays good football, and leads the team to the playoffs and maybe beyond? Sure, it's possible. But he's had one year of that caliber out of his last five or so (not looking at stats here), and at 40 years old, it's hard to imagine him lighting it up. He didn't have one 300-yard game. All season. Not one. Matt Cassel had two 400-yard games. Even when he was playing well, it was more of a "Sure, Brett's playing well, especially considering he just got here two months ago." He was never playing GREAT football. Even the Arizona game, he played well, but the Cardinals secondary was completely lost (Adrian Wilson didn't play), and his touchdowns were largely set up by turnovers. And anything less than a Super Bowl can pretty much be considered a failure, making 2009 a lost year. Clemens will be close to being a free agent, and I imagine Ratliff will be, too. It will be another year of having no clue what either of them are. It would really just be postponing finding a solution at quarterback another year. Sure, he can play mediocre football. But I'd rather have a young guy play mediocre football, and then either decide to keep him around and develop him or determining he can't do it and getting someone new.
Brett needs to go. We need to find someone who can be the QB of the future, and Brett is just a QB of the past
My sentiments exactly. And likely Rex Ryans. Hes a first year head coach, so he's got a grace period of a couple years to get things going real well, and the smart thing to do is to use that time to find a quarterback who can get things done. This year would be especially ideal, since (and this is still somewhat speculative I guess) Schottenheimer is staying, so you can evaluate the three young guys on the roster without having to make writeoffs for newness or inexperience. Theyve all been around the team, they know the coaches, the playbook, and their teammates, so whatever they have to offer, theres no reason they can't show it now. As much as I hate to say it, I also wouldnt rule out signing Cassel if the Patriots somehow don't franchise him. Just looking at Ryan's background in Baltimore, for years they had a dominant defense, that was openly frustrated with the inability of the offense to hold up its end of the bargain, mostly because of the quarterbacks. I think if Ryan sees the opportunity to harness a sure thing that he can have for five or six years, he's going to want to jump at it, and if Cassell's available, thats the closest thing to a proven commodity at quarterback you can ever find without giving up a kings ransom in draft picks. And to go back to the original topic, yes its possible that Favre could come back and be fantastic in 2009, just like its possible that Vinny could if the Jets were to sign him. But its far more likely that he'll come back, give a half-assed effort, throw tons of ints, and then go to another undeserved pro bowl. I personally have no interest in another season of this sideshow. If Im going to watch a struggling quarterback, Id rather it be a young guy, trying to prove himself, who has some future upside, than a 40 year old who just doesnt feel like retiring yet.
Excellent post, I agree, and this comes from someone that was optimistic about the trade and enjoyed a lot of what Favre brought to the offense. Early in the season he was making throws you expected of Favre, I don't think he has lost it, but I question his commitment to doing the work required to be able to do it through an entire NFL season and post-season.
