What About Tarvaris?

Posted by Zach Silva on May 26, 2010   Jump To Comments

Who didn’t see this one coming? Brent Favre has undergone surgery on his ankle, making it clear that he intends to play next season. Great. Let’s start the circus up all over again. However, even though my hatred for him may run deep, I can’t actually blame him for coming back. He had his best season statistically last year, and he was one errant throw from being in the Super Bowl. And the Vikings didn’t lose too much and are probably primed for another playoff run.

Not everyone is happy about this news, though. The Vikings quarterbacks must be heartbroken. Most notably – Tarvaris Jackson. He was drafted in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He started 19 games in three seasons before Brent showed up and took his job from him. I personally feel a little bad for the guy. Sure, he wasn’t great, but he tried. He has a good back story, too. Drafted out of Alabama State, many analysts thought he was taken way too early in the draft. But Coach Brad Childress had a vision for him, calling him a “diamond in the rough”. (Not really sure if the second round is the rough, Brad…)

Jackson was quite underwhelming when he started, eventually losing his starting gig to Gus Frerotte (seriously…Jackson lost his starting job to this guy). He was expected to compete with Sage Rosenfels (boy…those Vikings sure know how to find quarterbacks) last season, but then Mr. Favre showed up and destroyed that dream. And it looks like he’s going to do it again. Tarvaris will put in all the time in practice, training camp, and preseason in the hopes of getting the starting job. He may perform unbelievably well, but it won’t matter. The job is Favre’s, and both guys know it.

Honestly, I do feel bad for Tarvaris. To be drafted four rounds ahead of your draft grade, to be handed the keys to the Vikings team at such a young age, and then to lose it to an old man from Mississippi…that’s a roller coaster of emotion in three years. The NFL is a cruel world.

But I hope Brent doesn’t come back, and that Tarvaris gets the chance to start. It would make me happy. I’d be happy for Tarvaris, sure, but I’d be giddy at the thought of him lining up against the Packers this season. Think of how many interceptions he would throw. He’s not a good quarterback, but Brad Childress seems to think he is. And if Favre doesn’t come back, and Childress goes with Tarvaris Jackson as his quarterback, I can guarantee you that they won’t make the playoffs. Which is great news for Packers fans everywhere. So here’s hoping for the best for you Tarvaris. If you start, you’ll have the whole state of Wisconsin cheering you on…albeit for different reasons, but still.

Questions? Ideas? Hate mail? Send it all to zdsilva@brentfavre.com – I’d love to hear from you all!