I know I am late coming into the game, but since the saga doesn't seem to be going anywhere, I figure I might as well weigh in on the Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings.
First, if Brett Favre wants to play, who are we to tell him no. All this talk of tarnishing legacies for aging superstars is ridiculous. Michael Jordan went through the same thing, or George Foreman, or any athlete who has stuck around well past their prime. If an athlete wants to keep competing and somebody is willing to pay for their services, great. Go ahead and do it. It isn't my legacy that is possibly being tarnished, so really, why doesn't it matter to me. If anything, I should be glad that I get to see an all-time great play another year, even if he isn't at is peak.
The story of will he or won't he get's old, yes. That is true. However, that isn't necessarily Favre's (or any other athlete's) fault. They aren't the ones putting it front and center on Sportscenter, or in the paper every day. That is the media responding to what people want to read about. Don't blame the subject of the story. Blame our insationable appetite for football or for celebrity news.
So if Favre wants to play, let him play. It does't affect any of us in our day-to-day lives.
With that being said, I think the Vikings should sign him if he wants to play. Is he as good as he was five years ago? No. But is he better than any of the other quarterbacks on the Vikings? Probably. I'm not sure, but I do know that he isn't worse. The worse thing that could happen if Favre comes to the Vikings is they become a pass first team, and make Favre the center piece of the offense instead of Adrian Peterson. I don't think it'll happen, but it is a concern. When you look at Favre's best years, it was when he had a solid running back and wasn't asked to be the entire offense. Well, that is the situation he would have in Minnesota. The Vikings already have a lot of pieces, they are just missing a quarterback. An aging Favre can provide them with the needed balance on offense they have been lacking. He won't be throwing into double coverage very often because the opposing defense can't double team because of Peterson. Favre can do well here, if healthy.
So Favre probably makes the team better, but even if he doesn't, he is still worth a signing. With him on the team, the Vikings will no have no problem selling out every game of the upcoming season. Last season, they struggled to sell out the games, with blackout threats numerous times last season. Favre on the Vikings is a HUGE marketing too for Minnesota. Ticket sales are a gimme. The merchandise sales would be huge. A purple 4 jersey would be an instant seller. The Vikings instantly become incredibly interesting. All six games against the NFC North become must see TV, plus they will be favored to win the Central and probably to go to the Super Bowl. They become a fascinating team, no matter if they win or lose.
And from a Vikings fan who doesn't live in the area, if Favre is on the team, Minnesota becomes a national story. They will be on Sportscenter, featured more in Sports Illustrated or on ESPN.com. They immediately become a national story, which is great for me. But it should be exciting for all Vikings fans. I know I always get excited when any of the Minnesota sports team are prominently featured on national TV or in national magazines.
And finally, so see Brett Favre run out onto Labeau Field wearing the Purple and be booed without mercy is something that would be incredible, proving that fans are loyal to a bunch of colors, not players.
Minnesota Vikings, please sign Brett Favre. He won't hurt your team, he markets himself and it personally helps me. Get 'er done.
