Bradley R. Weissenberger wrote:

Farve should open a theme restaurant in New Orleans or something. Get a FEMA business loan. Revive the New Orleans economy single handedly. That would be nice.

He's done playing football.

Brett Favre has completely let down the brilliant football team that the Green Bay Packers currently field.

What's particularly damning about Brett Favre's performance in 2005 is the fact that there are many quarterbacks throughout the NFL who are currently leading their NAIA-talent level teams to the playoffs.

Brett Favre should be particularly ashamed of watching his performance diminish this year as his supporting cast, which was decimated by free agency in the first place, fell around him.

Now please allow me to use a term that I have never used before:

Wtf.

Thank you, Bradley R. Weissenberger.

Anyone who thinks Favre's skills are on the decline is an idiot or isn't paying attention.

This year, despite the craptacular team that surrounds him, Mr. Favre has thrown for 3000 yards in an NFL RECORD 14th consecutive season. He has tightened his grip on the 2nd place position for all-time career touchdown passes, and only needs to play for one more year to pass Marino. Oh, and he STILL hasn't missed a game.

I will say this: Despite the season of horrors that has been the 2005 Green Bay Packer campaign, i have not once thought to stop watching the team, because Favre is still incredibly fun to watch. I mean, fuck! The guy refuses to concede defeat, no matter how certain it bears down upon him. That's goddamned inspiring.

His interceptions are not a sign of failing skills, it is a sign of a leader trying to pull the rest of his team up to his level and refusing to play down to them. It's unfortunate that the talent level isn't there, but he doesn't quit, and i love it. Seriously, people.

Although he may be pondering his future as I write this, I have the feeling Brett still likes playing too much to quit. He is the best quarterback in the NFL, and the history books will be very kind to him.

I'm not going to pretend that I know my head from my ass about football.

That stated, how is it that his supporting cast sucks so horribly, but a third string RB from Liberty University is freaking Barry Sanders now? How is it that GB disintegrates when there is no running game? How does a great quarterback throw into triple coverage multiple times in a half (to be intercepted by Deion Sanders - time machine play)? I understand that Javon Walker is out, but Donald Driver is a pretty good number 2. One WR is out and everything goes to shit?

What am I missing?

vockins wrote:That stated, how is it that his supporting cast sucks so horribly, but a third string RB from Liberty University is freaking Barry Sanders now?

He's not. If anything, i'd say his success in the last few weeks is a combination of steady improvement on his part combined with an offensive line that's finally starting to gel again after losing two pro bowl guards in the offseason. But if Ahman Green were still in there, i'll bet he'd be tearing shit up the way the line has started playing in the last few weeks.

How is it that GB disintegrates when there is no running game

Find me a team that doesn't?

How does a great quarterback throw into triple coverage multiple times in a half (to be intercepted by Deion Sanders - time machine play)?

Here's what i thought immediately after Favre threw an interception on 3rd and long, putting the Ravens on the 3 yard line: "Wow, that was actually a smart interception." Favre had nothing open, so he went for the home run, thinking, well, shit, if it's picked off, at least the dude will likely be tackled on the 3. Considering the fact that BJ Sander is an average punter who doesn't have the placement and pooch skills of say, Craig Hentrich from the '96 Super Bowl team, and he basically went for either a touchdown or a great punt. It's the defense's fault that they then went 97 yards for a score.

I understand that Javon Walker is out, but Donald Driver is a pretty good number 2. One WR is out and everything goes to shit?

Not just a wide receiver, but a pro bowl wide receiver with a gift for snagging deep jump balls ala Randy Moss; a pro bowl running back who catches as often as he runs; and a pro bowl tight end who demanded coverage, especially in the red zone (i don't have the numbers, but at least 50% of Brett's red zone TD passes have to go to Bubba Franks, just based on my observation in the past 3 years). That's a lot of weapons.

DrAwkward wrote:

vockins wrote:That stated, how is it that his supporting cast sucks so horribly, but a third string RB from Liberty University is freaking Barry Sanders now?

He's not. If anything, i'd say his success in the last few weeks is a combination of steady improvement on his part combined with an offensive line that's finally starting to gel again after losing two pro bowl guards in the offseason. But if Ahman Green were still in there, i'll bet he'd be tearing shit up the way the line has started playing in the last few weeks.

I like Gado. He seems like a nice boy.

Still, if the o-line is gelling, why has it been three games since Favre has thrown a TD pass?

How is it that GB disintegrates when there is no running game

Find me a team that doesn't?

Didn't you use the Marino Dolphins as a standard? I think you did.

The Pats, Vikings, and Carolina seem to be coping.

How does a great quarterback throw into triple coverage multiple times in a half (to be intercepted by Deion Sanders - time machine play)?

Here's what i thought immediately after Favre threw an interception on 3rd and long, putting the Ravens on the 3 yard line: "Wow, that was actually a smart interception." Favre had nothing open, so he went for the home run, thinking, well, shit, if it's picked off, at least the dude will likely be tackled on the 3. Considering the fact that BJ Sander is an average punter who doesn't have the placement and pooch skills of say, Craig Hentrich from the '96 Super Bowl team, and he basically went for either a touchdown or a great punt. It's the defense's fault that they then went 97 yards for a score.

Didn't Sanders make it to the 35?

How'd you feel about the other INT?

I understand that Javon Walker is out, but Donald Driver is a pretty good number 2. One WR is out and everything goes to shit?

Not just a wide receiver, but a pro bowl wide receiver with a gift for snagging deep jump balls ala Randy Moss; a pro bowl running back who catches as often as he runs; and a pro bowl tight end who demanded coverage, especially in the red zone (i don't have the numbers, but at least 50% of Brett's red zone TD passes have to go to Bubba Franks, just based on my observation in the past 3 years). That's a lot of weapons.

Driver had 1,200 yards last year. He's good! Ferguson is decent.

I like Gado. He seems like a nice boy.

Still, if the o-line is gelling, why has it been three games since Favre has thrown a TD pass?

I like Gado too. He can be a solid backup.

Has it been three games? Yikes. That's gotta be some sort of career low. Look, i'm not saying that he doesn't have off games; i've pulled hairs out of my head watching him at times. But let's not forget your thesis here: you think Favre is washed up. If i were to judge based on the last three games alone, maybe you'd have a compelling argument, but i've still seen him do some amazing crap this season. That TD pass to Driver in the Monday night game against the Vikings was sick.

Incidentally, talk in the office this morning is pretty much in agreement that the receivers weren't trying last night. Not saying my co-workers are sports experts, but that sentiment is out there.

Find me a team that doesn't? Didn't you use the Marino Dolphins as a standard? I think you did.

The Pats, Vikings, and Carolina seem to be coping.

Wait, i did? When did i do this?

But still, how does the collapse of the passing game all fall on the QB? All of it? Conversely, does this mean that Brad Johnson is a great QB? Tom Brady? I like Brady, but he's not on Favre's level.

Didn't Sanders make it to the 35?

I wasn't talking about the Sanders interception. But yes, that one sucked. Favre's always thrown tons of picks, though. Why his interceptions are supposed to show a decline in talent is beyond me.

Driver had 1,200 yards last year. He's good! Ferguson is decent.

Yep. That's two weapons, when the team had 5 or 6.

As a Bears fan with a great deal of respect and admiration for Favre and what the Pack has been able to accomplish it is with great joy that I await this coming Sunday's game. I recognize the Bears have a very good defense and an average at best offense. Having gone to school and lived beyond the Cheddar Curtain and taken much guff from friends over the years I will gladly take the over, whatever it might be and await the pile up.

I don't think Grossman is a savior although he is an improvement over Kyle.
The running game works and I'll take it. How far, I don't know but given the drought, until very recently, in Chicago sports. The cup runneth over.

DrAwkward wrote:I like Gado too. He can be a solid backup.

Not anymore. Out for the year with a torn ACL.

Has it been three games? Yikes. That's gotta be some sort of career low. Look, i'm not saying that he doesn't have off games; i've pulled hairs out of my head watching him at times. But let's not forget your thesis here: you think Favre is washed up.

I do think he's washed up, but even if he wasn't, I think he should be benching himself to pass the torch.

Find me a team that doesn't?

Didn't you use the Marino Dolphins as a standard? I think you did.

The Pats, Vikings, and Carolina seem to be coping.

Wait, i did? When did i do this?

Here:

DrAwkward wrote:He has tightened his grip on the 2nd place position for all-time career touchdown passes, and only needs to play for one more year to pass Marino.

In all his years, Dan Marino never had a running game to fall back on.

But still, how does the collapse of the passing game all fall on the QB? All of it?

Is this an admission that the passing game has collapsed? I think that's the first step to recovery.

Conversely, does this mean that Brad Johnson is a great QB? Tom Brady? I like Brady, but he's not on Favre's level.

I don't know shit about Brad Johnson so I won't say shit about Brad Johnson.

For the record, I think Tom Brady is a bird turd. I hate him for no good reason. Despite my hate, the fact of the matter is that Tom Brady and Brett Favre had very similar team situations this year, and Tom Brady has emerged like a golden boy. In fact, I would say the Pats situation is worse, because the Pats defense is absolutely dog shit. The Pats lead their division and the Packers are in the running for first pick in the draft.

But don't take my word for it, here's some goon from ESPN.com talking about how awesome Brady is.

Half the INTs, too. Half. There's really no measure that shows Favre is better than Brady this year.

Didn't Sanders make it to the 35?

I wasn't talking about the Sanders interception. But yes, that one sucked. Favre's always thrown tons of picks, though. Why his interceptions are supposed to show a decline in talent is beyond me.

Driver had 1,200 yards last year. He's good! Ferguson is decent.

Yep. That's two weapons, when the team had 5 or 6.

The team had five or six options?

Why is Favre so good again?

vockins wrote:In all his years, Dan Marino never had a running game to fall back on.

Well, i was referring to his record TD passes, not his ability to pass without a running game. I mean, heck, early in this season while all the running backs were going down and the running game was in total disarray, Favre was passing really well. *shrug*

Is this an admission that the passing game has collapsed? I think that's the first step to recovery.

I never said it hadn't. Just that it's not entirely Favre's fault, if at all.

The team had five or six options?

Why is Favre so good again?

Cute. Too shay.

Kyle Boller has looked genuinely pathetic every time I've seen him so far. Like you literally feel bad for terrible he is. I was more impressed with the quarterbacks playing for the ravens while he was injured. With that said, I'm glad he actually showed he can play. I am however kind of sickened by brian billick and the team running up the score like that. The final fumble touchdown isn't a big deal, but up 31-3 and you're still throwing bombs down the field. That's not the classiest way to play a game. I really don't like billick. I actually felt bad for him earlier in the season. I am from Pittsburgh and The Ravens are a division rival, so I'm probably biased, but it cretainly showed a lack of class by billick.