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Shutdown Corner

Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:49 pm EDT

It's déjà vu all over again: Favre-to-Vikings rumors heat up

By Chris Chase

Let it be noted that on April 28, 2009 the sun rose in the east, it set in the west and a Brett Favre comeback rumor began circulating. All in all, just another routine day on planet earth.

In a column from today's Chicago Tribune, David Haugh speculates that Favre's release by the New York Jets will pave the way for the 39-year old quarterback to go to Minnesota, the destination he originally desired last year. I expect SportsCenter to lead with this story for the next 57 days. I also expect the rumor to eventually come to fruition. 

Oh, officially the Wrangler Jeans-wearing gunslinger says he's not coming back, but he hedged that statement with a classic Favrian qualifier:

"At this time, I am retired and have no intention of returning to football."

Ahh, good ol' "at this time." I like that. At this time I have no intention of calling Favre a faded star who hasn't won anything of consequence in 12 years and is desperately clinging onto his career like a bald guy trying to convince himself that his combover looks good. But, like Favre's plans, that's subject to change. 

The sad part is, Favre to the Vikings (oh, I'm going to hate myself for saying this) actually (gulp) makes sense for Minnesota. This isn't because Brett Favre is a high-quality quarterback anymore (he's not), but because the Vikings' quarterback situation is about as stable as Favre's ability to stick to a retirement.

Whether or not this will happen comes down to two factors. First, does Favre still want to play football? By not closing the door on a comeback, I think it's safe to say that he thinks he still does. Second, would the Vikings want him? That's also a probable "yes". While Favre was only a middling quarterback last year, he's still an improvement over Sage Rosenfels and Tavaris Jackson.

Translation: You may want to prepare yourself for another eight months of hearing about Brett Favre non-stop. The only question now is, what impact will this have on John Madden's retirement plans?

Thanks to Cory Hollenhorst for that old Photoshop masterpiece.

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1210 Comments

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  1. *M*
    1. Posted by *M* Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:02 pm EDT

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    y not? makes vikings better
  2. The Wiz
    2. Posted by The Wiz Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:03 pm EDT

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    Favre will never retire...he would come on the field in a wheel chair if it were up to him 20 years later...this will never end
  3. Arup S
    3. Posted by Arup S Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:12 pm EDT

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    I find it sad that these "expert" writers take great joy in disparaging and bashing Favre..
    Whilst he certainly has been someone that found it very difficult to stick to his decision to retire, since that is all he has known for his life, it is very difficult to finally quit, if he feels he can still contribute at a high level.
    After the first few weeks last season, he was the NUMBER ONE RATED QB for TD's, and only went downhill after he injured his bicep, and the Jets started to play crap. It was NOT just Favre that fell apart, and at least Favre had the excuse that he was injured !!!
    Who knows whether he decides to come back, and whether Minnesota wants him, I think the animosity towards the packers has faded, from interviews at the end of last season, so I don't think he particularly wants to "stick it to them" any more.
    Give the guy respect, and stop writing crappy articles just to get yourself noticed.
  4. BernardM
    4. Posted by BernardM Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:17 pm EDT

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    Nooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!
    Sincerely,
    Tavaris Jackson
  5. Scott E
    5. Posted by Scott E Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:17 pm EDT

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    I can hardly wait for Brett's 3rd comeback to pro walker jousting...
  6. me me me
    6. Posted by me me me Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:18 pm EDT

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    hell yeah bring him to Minnesota!
  7. Devastator
    7. Posted by Devastator Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:22 pm EDT

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    sure, longer Brett plays, more chance to pad your place in NFL history.
    Go Favre.
    this coming from a Cowboys fan too. lol
  8. Jigga man
    8. Posted by Jigga man Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:23 pm EDT

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    I like how you added "The only question now is, what impact will this have on John Madden's retirement plans?"
    Priceless .
  9. Bob the Viking
    9. Posted by Bob the Viking Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:32 pm EDT

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    That seals it...09 NFC Champs.......PUT IT ON THE BOARD!!!!!
  10. cowboy hype
    10. Posted by cowboy hype Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:37 pm EDT

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    My question is (and maybe i just don't know any other reason as to why) but WHY if he has no intention to return to football would he care if & when the Jets release him...he had asked for this to happen last week before the draft...hmmmmmmmmmm
  11. Lewis
    11. Posted by Lewis Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:37 pm EDT

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    Well said Robertxscott...
  12. ken
    12. Posted by ken Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:37 pm EDT

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    cant blame him for wanting to play its in his blood. i am not a farve fan but i do admit that he makes the nfl more interesting. i would like to see him go to the vikings!
  13. joshua m
    13. Posted by joshua m Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:37 pm EDT

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    He hasnt won anything of consequence in 12 years? Hmmm I guess MJD also thinks that Dan Marino never accomplished anything in his career.
  14. Scott E
    14. Posted by Scott E Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:43 pm EDT

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    Remember when your Dad used to take you into the backyard and show you how to hold and throw a football. Take that picture and project it into the Vikings training camp. I can hear Brett saying, "Now kids, here's how to throw the fade pass into the corner of the end zone. First....."
  15. Adam M
    15. Posted by Adam M Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:49 pm EDT

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    NOOO! please dont let this happen!
  16. Steve
    16. Posted by Steve Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:49 pm EDT

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    Can we please stop talking about this over rated player. He has thrown almost as many INT's as TD's. He has lost as many games for his teams as won. Most over rated player in the history of the NFL.
  17. tsylvia
    17. Posted by tsylvia Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:51 pm EDT

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    There are only 2 places in the USA that care if Favre came back to play for the Vikings- a small town in Wisconsin and a big city on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, And there is one emotion that the citizens of these 2 places feel about him coming back - Fear. Unadultarated, unmitigated fear.
  18. Bob the Viking
    18. Posted by Bob the Viking Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:51 pm EDT

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    well put Josh...I tell ya....straight from the tundra, this would be a great fit in many ways. The Pack-Slap would just be the cherry on top. This is a DONE deal, no doubt about it.
  19. gregory m
    19. Posted by gregory m Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:52 pm EDT

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    Who is Chris Chase?? Who made him an expert on Brett Farve??
  20. Bob the Viking
    20. Posted by Bob the Viking Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:56 pm EDT

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    some guy who's parents got rich in the credit card business...now he thinks he's Mr Knowitall...
  21. Fritz S
    21. Posted by Fritz S Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:58 pm EDT

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    I agree with poster number three.....this guy is just another piss ant little blogger (not even a real journalist btw) whom is trying to make a name for himself at the expense of a legend. Mister Chase wouldn't even be writing this smut if he believed he'll ever be even half as good at writing as Bret Favre was at football.
  22. BA sports
    22. Posted by BA sports Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:00 pm EDT

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    Favre still has the competitive nature but the aging body won't do what the mind thinks it can do. He is exciting to watch and being a Lions fan, this isn't going to effect a lose for them. We will still lose.
  23. K Smith
    23. Posted by K Smith Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:01 pm EDT

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    "You may want to prepare yourself for another eight months of hearing about Brett Favre non-stop."
    Because you "writers" bring him up every chance you get? Shut up about it and we don't have to hear about it. Done and done.
  24. FairlyHonestBob
    24. Posted by FairlyHonestBob Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:07 pm EDT

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    He'd have to get back on Vicodin. Come on, he has had his day.
  25. Jitesh P
    25. Posted by Jitesh P Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:07 pm EDT

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    Go for it brett, his image has been tarnished beyond repair so what does farve have to loose? he always wanted to go to a team with a strong defense solid running game well he just go his wish by the jets releasing him he would be insane not to return heck he hasnt yet hit 40 years old the vikes play in a dome no wind issues he can still put up the numbers if they secure home field advantage in the playoffs brett cant loose unless its in the superbowl thats another issue..........

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Shutdown Corner is an NFL blog edited by Matthew J. Darnell. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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