The Favre saga

When you hear a player like Brett Favre insist that the Jets find a new QB, it kind of pisses you off as a Jet fan. This is a story that is clearly developing but let's remember one thing about Brett Favre. Everything about him, says that nothing is exactly what it seems.

Just think about him a year ago. A man who was a legend in a uniform that you would probably have to surgically remove from his body leading his franchise into the playoffs for what seemed like a magical ride to a Super Bowl and a ride off into the mist as a champion.

But then an INT, a championship loss, a retirement, a comeback and a face off with a management team that had moved on put a damper on all the love.

I never blamed the Packers for the way they handled the entire Brett Favre fiasco. They had to put their foot down in a situation where one man was able to hold an entire franchise hostage.

His trance like control over the media has always been somewhat troubling for teammates who know that nobody will blast Favre for his play. Even in NY, big bad NY where everyone's in line for a media beatdown no matter how good you are, and how many championships you bring, Favre got a little jab and nothing more for his lackluster season finale performance and throwing three INT's.

I like Brett Favre, but in my book he's never been the greatest thing since sliced bread that everyone likes to make him out to be. All year long I have said that this will be Favre's only season in NY so the Jets better get all their money's worth. When they let go of Pennington and kept Kellen Clemens, I understood their decision to keep the young gun slinger and let go of veteran, but thought personnel wise they let go of their better second option.

Now, Pennington is in the playoffs with the Dolphins and the Jets are left staring down the barrel of another Brett Favre lengthy should I retire, or should I not retire conversation which, mixed with the NY press' inability to let go of mundane things like this, should make this a very contentious summer for many Jet fans and players alike.

The problem for Favre is this. Jets have no long history with Brett. He's never led them to anything but a 9-7 record and well, that doesn't mean diddly. So when Brett does his whole I am not sure I want to come back, Jet fans won't sit by Florham Park, NJ having signs saying we love you Brett, please don't retire. They will be over it as quickly as you can say Blue 92.

New Yorkers dont have much emotionally invested in Brett Favre that he can do his whole act so it was wise for him to perhaps state that the Jets should start looking at alternatives. The Jets in turn had to save face and state that they want Favre to come back because of the fall out from Pennington's success in Miami (notice how many MVP votes he got?) and the Jets lack of success with Favre his replacement.

The talk of last week was teammates turning on their franchise QB echoing some of the complaints that teammates from his Green Bay days had of Favre. The superstar Favre has his own office and likes to spend time by himself and away from the team. The guy we see jump on teammates and run like a little kid is just that. Its a show. Its an unrealistic vision of Favre the teammate. The guy everyone loves.

His years of touchdowns and showing up every Sunday to start has made him an icon within the league but it clearly has made him forget what comraderie is. Remember how pissed off Laverneus Coles was that Pennington had left? That feeling of brotherhood won't be felt if Favre were to leave. Think Coles will shed a tear? Think Thomas Jones is going to protest Favre leaving? No. Fact is, Favre has never been that kind of guy. He's a professional. A guy who comes out on Sunday and every other day just practices and leaves.

I have no problem with players like that. If they come to play for you every Sunday, it doesn't mean that you should expect them to hang out after victories to soak in the night life with everyone else.

So what will this off season hold for Jet fans with Favre? I know one thing, folks in Green Bay will be snickering glad that it is no longer their problem. Because for all the great things that Favre brings with him. The magical escapes and late game heroics, he brings with him the flip side that no one can ignore.

Do I think he's finished? No. He may come back to the Jets but I highly doubt it. I think he has some unfinished business in the NFC and he could go to Minnesota next year. I imagine after today's loss to the Eagles, they might have an opening there and they will allow Brett to hold the reins and try to give that franchise a kick in the butt that it needs. If so, watch out for Tarvaris Jackson next year folks!