What’s up with Brett?
Posted by My Dog Ate My Blog on November 15, 2010
Carted off the field on Sunday, motionless, grimly holding a towel against his face, Brett Favre looked broken. The 41-year old Vikings starting quarterback was battered once again by the New England Patriots, culminating in the hit that would force him to leave the game — only to get eight stitches to his chin in the locker room.
The chin laceration is the least of Favre’s injury woes. Coaches and trainers were worried about a possible concussion from the hit, but the future Hall-of-Famer appears to be fine. What really bothers them: a sore ankle with two fractures, further limiting the mobility of a QB who often looks like he has cement cleats.
What is undeniable is that Favre is a gamer, a true tough guy who is in the midst of a record-setting streak for consecutive games started. He has played a long and fruitful career, and last season, at the age of 40, had one of his best statistical season in leading the Vikings to the NFC championship game. But after yet another preseason retirement saga and a terrible 2-5 start for his team, once again, the question needs to be raised: what’s up with Brett Favre? Does he need to hang it up before he hurts his team too badly?
One has to wonder if the team has overstated his injuries to allow Favre to retire gracefully and let the young, talented Tavaris Jackson reclaim the starting role he had before Favre joined the team in 2009. No one wants to be told they’re too old and not good enough, and no team wants to so unceremoniously show a football legend the door in that manner. Are the Vikings just giving Favre an out, so that he can retire gracefully?
Whether they are or not, what is undeniable is that Favre looks like he just doesn’t have it anymore. He’s old, and he’s been hit a lot, especially this season. There’s only so much a body can take, especially given some of the hits that have been leveled against him this season due to a struggling offensive line.
The Vikings are in a tailspin, and either need to right the ship fast or start looking ahead to the future. In either case, Favre probably does not fit into the picture. He is certainly not a piece of their future: he’s 41 for crying out loud. And if his current performances are any indicator (11 picks, a 69.8 passer rating), he will not be able to turn the team around this season.
Edward Stern is a guest blogger for My Dog Ate My Blog and a writer on Online Degree for Guide to Online Schools.
