For the past few years we have all witnessed what Favre does to his team in the offseason.  He holds the team hostage until training camp (this year it was until after two-a-days), then decides to return.  Year after year he talks retirement and returns to play, but will this year be different? I think not.

This year is eerily similar to the way Favre imploded in the 2007 NFC Championship game.  He then proclaimed that he was retiring, which turned out to be a lie, and wanted to come back after the Pack had moved on.  He tried to hold the whole business/organization hostage even after they presented Favre with a fair offer, which was that he would compete for the starting spot. What more can you ask for?

Nothing is given Brent, everything is earned.  I hope Vikings fans were watching when that drama queen wanted his way because they are in for a parade.  Yes, Favre has proven that he has some fumes left in the tank, but will he finally hang it up?

I caught the beginning of the press conference after the 2010 NFC Championship game last night. Favre held back the water works this time, but he sounded like an old man at the end of his road.  He sounded drained, especially after losing in the manner that he loves ( going down in flames). The gunslinger has lost a few MPHs on that fastball of his – he may need to use that Wrangler Jean wearing brain of his and make better decisions.  But has he ever?  No.  Will he ever?  I hope not (retire!)

It has been a long and storied career for the Ironman, and he should go down as the second greatest QB of all-time – second to Peyton Manning.  Favre should think about his last two shots at getting to the Super Bowl.  Once he threw the ball right to Corey Webster and once into a group of Saints with the same outcome – interceptions that blew his team’s shot at winning an overtime game to get to the Super Bowl.

I think Favre’s main reason for unretiring was to stick it to the Packers, but did he?  Yes, he won both games against the Packers.  Yes, he ALMOST made the Super Bowl which was the team’s goal, but he has also stunted the growth of whomever is going to be the Vikings quarterback – which I appreciate!  He is also the sole reason why Brad Childress got  a contract extension – which I also appreciate!  As a Viking, Favre has done some good for us Packers fans.  But that should all be over now. Let’s enjoy as the Packers control the NFC North for years to come.

I hope the next time i see Favre will be on a “Just for Men” commercial, starring opposite Emmitt Smith.  Now that’s entertainment.

Lineup:

Brett Favre could return to the Super Bowl

It’s a great time to be a Packers fan.  Three straight wins, a newly ranked #1 defense, and a pretty good chance of earning a wild card home game are all things to relish at the moment.

However, what the Packers need is a signature win to prove they can make a run in the playoffs.  Most people are quick to argue that the win over Dallas could be considered the biggest W of the year, but the Boys’ have proven to be a flash in the pan with a few lackluster performances since then, so unfortunately the win doesn’t look or sound as impressive as it might seem.

The good news is that the Packers have, in my humble opinion, two remaining games that could truly build momentum going into the playoffs. I’m talking about Baltimore on Monday night, and December 20th at Pittsburgh.

Yes, Baltimore and Pittsburgh are holding on for their playoff lives at this point.  But you can’t ever discount a defending Super Bowl champion at any point in the season, and winning a game at Heinz Field would be something that not even Minnesota could do.  If Pittsburgh remains in the playoff hunt until that game, it’ll be a showdown for the ages.

The Packers will face off against the two Rays on Monday Night Football

As for Baltimore, they looked solid in their win against Pittsburgh on Monday. The defense showed signs of life, albeit against a Dennis Dixon-led Steelers team (note: I’m not slamming D.D. at all. Dude can throw, showed some flash running the ball, and looked confident in the pocket. In fact, that one start could earn him millions this offseason).

Plus,  you can’t forget about the budding chemistry between Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, and their veteran receiving core.  These guys are legit, and the strong veteran leadership will make sure they don’t quit at any point in any remaining games.

The rest of the schedule consists of a trip to Chicago (sandwiched between the Baltimore & Pittsburgh games), home against Seattle, and a finale at Arizona.  You could make an argument about Arizona being a big game, but it’s only worthy of the “signature” status if a victory that day assured us a playoff spot. And with the wild card race shaping up as it is, I could very well see that happening.

Mike McCarthy has most likely saved his job by passing the win total from last season, but questions about his coaching will linger if we can’t get a truly big win this year.

A few months ago many Vikings fans thought Head Coach Brad Childress’ job was in jeopardy. Sure, the Vikings did win the NFC North last year with a 10-6 record. But they lost in the first round of the playoffs with a dominant defense and running game. Fan sentiment in the Twin Cities was that the Vikings needed a new Head Coach to get them over the hump of mediocrity.

Then a young whipper-snapper named Brett Favre came along. OK, maybe he’s not so young anymore. But 10 weeks into the NFL season, 40 year-old Brett Favre has the Vikings off to an 8-1 start and a commanding lead in the NFC North division.

Brad Childress’ ass four months ago:  Definitely on the Hot Seat

Brad Childress’ ass right now:  Quite Possibly on a Gold Toilet Seat

Financial terms have yet to be officially disclosed, but ESPN is reporting that the deal is between $4 and $5 million a year through the 2013 season (for the sake of comparison, the Packers’ Mike McCarthy is signed on through the 2012 season for about $4 million a year).

Why was Childress on the Hot Seat, you ask? Well, we could go for hours on that topic. But here is a microcosm of Vikings fans’ frustrations from the past few years under Childress:

3rd Down & 9.
Handoff to Adrian Peterson Off Tackle.
7-Yard Gain.
Vikings Punt.

Isn’t it funny what a good Quarterback can do for a Head Coach? Despite having one of the best defenses in the league (no question best defensive line) and easily the best Running Back in the league, the Vikings could only go so far without a decent Quarterback.

While frustration over Childress’ conservative offensive play-calling of years past is certainly understandable, it is also very misguided. What, besides the best Running Back tandem in the league (Chester Taylor would be starting for the Packers), is a coach supposed to lean on when he has no legitimate Quarterback?

Which brings me to my next question. How much of Childress’ new contract is he forking over to #4 for essentially saving his ass?

"Chili, give me your wife for one night and we'll call it even"