With the official arrival of quarterback Brett Favre in Minnesota likely a week or so away, another future Hall of Famer who was in the Twin Cities for reasons other than joining the local NFL team offered his two cents regarding the coming marriage.
“[T]his could really backfire,” Rice told Chip Scoggins of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Rice pointed out that, if Favre is not healthy or ineffective, the Vikings will have a real problem on their hands.
Really, what are they going to do, bench Favre?
“Also you have to look at the scenario that happened in New York,” Rice said. “If he
pretty much distances himself completely from the players, then all of
a sudden you’re going to divide the players because a lot of the
players are going to say, ‘Hey, Tarvaris Jackson should be in here or
Sage.’ You don’t want this to divide the team.”
Of course, the division might already be happening. We recently heard that some players want Jackson to be the starter. And defensive end Ray Edwards and linebacker Chad Greenway have suggested in the past that they’re not completely keen on the idea of the organization rolling out the purple welcome mat for Favre.
So Favre comes back…okay fine, maybe he will do good and the Vikes will win the Super Bowl…okay, on the flip side, he comes in and flops, gets hurt or otherwise generally sucks, then what? Will he quit halfway through the season? He is throwing his post-football career into serious jeopardy with this revenge plan, and if it fails, he becomes more of a joke than he already is…but right now, it’s not that bad. If he comes back and blows, he will be a laughingstock.
Finally someone credible (sorry Florio) goes against the norm and says what everyone outside of Minnesota is thinking. I don’t see them making the playoffs with this move. He has more negative affect on a locker room than T.O. Everyone should rally around a quarterback but it’s hard to do that when he has a senior citizens locker room to himself.
A little late Florio.. This was news in Minnesota at Noon today!! Farve+VIKINGS=Best Year Ever
If Brent Favre totally sucks, the question is, would the Biqueen fans even notice it?
After watching crummy qB’s for all these years, they just might think Brent is as good as they are going to get.
I don’t see how Brent is going to “destroy” the locker room, hell, Col Klink does that just fine on his own with public comments on his players. The locker room will be mellow once Percy sneaks in his stash, the blue cloud of smoke will promote its own sense of unity.
Days Without a Fart/Favre Meter now reset to zero.
July 8, 2009 8:29 PM
hmm
I just looked up the word justice in the dictionary. I found a picture of Brett Favre being carted off of Lambeau Field (with a non life-changing injury) and a caption reading “Favre’s consecutive start streak ends one game short of 300 due to injury suffered in week 8 against the Packers”
Good point by Jerry Rice. If this thing doesn’t work because expectations are too high, etc … heads. will. roll. (Figuratively. I think.)
I can’t wait to sell my four tickets to that Lambeau game to some sucker Vikings fan who will be sorely disappointed, and a few grand lighter in the pocket.
Me thinks ganggreenphan is bitter. Rice obviously has not seen “tjack” play. Gus Ferrotte took the starting job last year…What does that tell you, Rice? Gus Ferrote got them to the playoffs…What does that tell you, Rice? Hey Florio…What side of the ball to Edwards and Greenway play? What does it matter to them who plays QB? You “heard” some players wanted tjack. Hmmm. I have ACTUALLY heard from the the players on offense that matter most and they seem to be in favor of a QB move. Quit trying to get vague stories out there to make money and do some real reporting
Vikings want to sell tickets, and this deal will sell tickets.
If they get a Super Bowl championship out of it, that’s a cherry on top.
If it does backfire – and I certainly hope it does – I may have to start believing in justice and karma and all that good stuff again. Whoa.
I hope the defense is looking for ol’ number 4 while blocking on an interception return. Traitor meets turf.
Just because Jerry’s experiment in Oakland backfired doesn’t mean this one will. Why so negative Jerry? Probably a side affect from being dethroned as the greatest receiver of all time by a former Viking WR named Moss.
Jerry should know when a old man has stayed to long, see Oakland and Seattle Rice.
Jerry Rice should definitely know something about hanging around too long. Maybe Favre will go on a dancing show in a few years after football and then speak out on someone else hanging around too long…. Maybe T.O.?
BTW, I would take T.O. over Favre any day. At least dropped passes do not go the other way for a TD.
It could backfire, but then anything can backfire.
Do I like the fact that Favre is very likely to play for the Vikings (I still hold out a little hope it won’t happen)? No. Does it worry me? No not really.
Favre likely will play within the systems for some games but Viking fans better prepare themselves for the bonehead, gunslinger plays and the multi-int games that come with it, even more so during a likely playoff run (just google final int by Favre during the NYG/GB NFC Championship game).
Why Jerry Rice didnt retire off and on he hung on way too long. Hes a jealous old man now. Hey Jerry go back to bed.
Also nice to see the site getting back to what really matters. Maybe later you can tell us what kinda liquid Farve stired his Metamucil into tonight.
So from recent hisory, what would make us think Lord Favre will be any better… He has not won a Superbowl in what, 14 years? And hasn’t it been a while since he has been to the pro bowl? This is a BIG mistake!!!!
It should be noted that Tjack outplayed Favre down the stretch last season. And save your “injured biceps” excuses……Favre has thrown at least as many INT’s as TD’s 3 of the last 4 seasons.
# Tundrastruck says: July 8, 2009 9:33 PM
I can’t wait to sell my four tickets to that Lambeau game to some sucker Vikings fan who will be sorely disappointed, and a few grand lighter in the pocket.
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I’ll buy those tickets instead and be some sucker Packer fan who will be supremely satisfied
so if you take a chance on something/someone, that plan could possibly backfire?? wow! this Jerry Rice fella must be a real football guy hey?
Favre gets benched at “home” vs. the packers. That would be something to see. Of course, it will not happen, but it would be pretty damn cool.
Tarvaris Jackson was finally starting to get it. Bring in Favre now and Jackson is done. Let Jackson keep playing and he may develop into a decent QB. He’s no superstar but at this point neither is Favre.
If the object is to win games, you let Jackson and Rosenfels battle it out in camp.
If the object is to sell tickets, you sign Favre.
I think it will soon be obvious what Zygi’s priorities are.
Someone should tell Brett that Moss is no longer with the Vikings
Also- conspiracy theory: maybe pack did pay favre on that deal last offseason – job was to come out of retirement late, join col klink and the viqueens, divide locker room and maximize distraction with prima donna routine and media circus, set vike qb situation back a few years, set up fans for biggest implosion since Herschel walker, blow out vikes salary cap, throw 28 int to 16 td, take a crap down the stretch when it matters, cause offseason chaos and pre draft uncertainty in 2010 with will he or won’t he routine
Thanks for the schadenfreude Brett from pack fans everywhere
There is a reason no one cares what Jerry Rice says about anything two actually.
1. Rice was an asshole when he played and he is still an asshole now with zero personality.
2. He has no idea what he is talking about. He is an idiot always has been always will be.
Man he could catch a ball though (especially when being thrown to by hall of fame quarterbacks on teams that demanded he be played one on one often throughout his career).
kudos on his records but he was a product of a great system with great players too.
Get real. Jackson has as much chance at being a decent NFL quarterback as Carrot Top has ending up with Megan Fox. Next to Spergon Wynn he’s the worst QB in Viking history and he’ll be in the CFL after his next team let’s him go. Haven’t seen enough of Rosenfels to make a judgement. Favre is a no lose situation. If has anything left, and there’s no reason to think he doesn’t, the Vikings have their first dependable QB since Cunningham. If he stinks, they still have Rosenfels/Jackson. It’s a no-brainer with the QBs they have.
Favre was selected for the Pro Bowl two years ago, but didn’t attend.
I don’t frankly see the downside. The Vikings have nothing at quarterback; the league got to see just how well Tarvaris had developed in the playoff game; anyone claiming otherwise is just blowing pre-season or some other kind of smoke. “Gee, he looks great in a T-shirt and shorts with nobody trying to take his head off.” And Sage struggled even as the backup in Houston when given a chance to play. Favre has won multiple MVPs and a Superbowl and more games at QB than anyone else still playing for a reason.
Last year Favre posted more wins as quarterback than either of the current Viking qbs did. I know he’s not young or hip or one the fellas or out making the scene with 20 yr. old girlies but let the grizzled old man play.
Farve+VIKINGS=Best Year Ever
nice… so they finally will be able to dump that “best 15-1 non-Super Bowl team ever” label… or maybe there will be a new moniker for the team —- “Best 0-5 Super Bowl Franchise ever!!!”
Devils Advocate says:
July 8, 2009 9:12 PM
Days Without a Fart/Favre Meter now reset to zero.
July 8, 2009 8:29 PM
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If you’re going to follow through with the “Days without a Fart/Favre Meter” you ought to at least tell us how high it reached each time you reset it.
Otherwise, this’ll get just as annoying as your “Who gives a fart in space” BS.
mrviking28 says:
July 8, 2009 9:34 PM
Me thinks ganggreenphan is bitter.
Why would I be bitter? Because my Eagles shut you down in the playoffs last year or because you won’t make the playoffs this year due to inefficiency at QB? I’ll still be rooting for my team in January.
MasterShake says:
July 8, 2009 9:59 PM
Just because Jerry’s experiment in Oakland backfired doesn’t mean this one will. Why so negative Jerry? Probably a side affect from being dethroned as the greatest receiver of all time by a former Viking WR named Moss.
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Lay off the jimson weed, man. That’s a ridiculous statement.
Randy Moss lags behind Jerry Rice by:
706 receptions
9,694 receiving yards
62 TDs
Basically, if Randy Moss were to have Gary Clark’s entire career tacked onto his totals he’d catch Jerry Rice statistically.
In terms of natural talent, Moss beats Rice. In terms of actual game play, results, and effort it’s Rice hands-down.
Julius Brown says:
July 9, 2009 4:13 AM
I don’t frankly see the downside. The Vikings have nothing at quarterback; the league got to see just how well Tarvaris had developed in the playoff game; anyone claiming otherwise is just blowing pre-season or some other kind of smoke. “Gee, he looks great in a T-shirt and shorts with nobody trying to take his head off.” And Sage struggled even as the backup in Houston when given a chance to play. Favre has won multiple MVPs and a Superbowl and more games at QB than anyone else still playing for a reason.
Last year Favre posted more wins as quarterback than either of the current Viking qbs did. I know he’s not young or hip or one the fellas or out making the scene with 20 yr. old girlies but let the grizzled old man play.
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The downside is that you’re not addressing an urgent need. You’re putting a band-aid on it. That’s all. You get one year and Jackson and Rosenfels probably regress. Whatever they learn from Favre will be in watching him. Ask Aaron Rodgers what a great teacher he is. He won’t help them along.
Let’s remember that Favre will mostly be handing off to Adrian Peterson, who I think could rush for 2,000 yards this season. He won’t be throwing his arm out like Mangini foolishly had him do last year. But an occasional deep ball to Berrian or Harvin will really open things up for Peterson. Scary.
You mean the occasional deep ball to the opposing safety…
Scary, indeed.
I can’t believe any of the players (other than Ray Edwards) would actually want Jackson to start. I simply cannot believe it. Edwards wants Jackson to start only because they are friends, Jackson is black, and Edwards doesn’t have to try to catch the horrible wobbely ducks and atrocious jump passes that Jackson throws.
The guy (Jackson) is absolutely worthless, and during the last two years, he’s been the only thing holding them back from the big dance.
Brooks Bollinger was clearly better than Jackson.
Gus Ferrotte was clearly better than Jackson.
Sage Rosenfelds is drastically better than all of them.
And as for Brett Favre, well… he’s frickin Brett Favre.
$0.02,
–Z
I don’t know how many times people can say TJack is starting to develop into a real NFL QB. He always shows signs of learning, then gets too confident and goes downhill and spends the rest of the season relearning. As a Vikings fan, I would rather take a chance and have Favre come in for one year then sit through another season of TJack. Anyone who says Favre will bring the team down, didn’t watch all our games last year. I’m more interested in seeing what he can do for us in the red zone, not the deep ball. Vikings could not score a TD to save there life last year. Just look at the Colts game.
patsSB44champs says:
July 9, 2009 10:38 AM
Let’s remember that Favre will mostly be handing off to Adrian Peterson, who I think could rush for 2,000 yards this season. He won’t be throwing his arm out like Mangini foolishly had him do last year. But an occasional deep ball to Berrian or Harvin will really open things up for Peterson. Scary.
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I keep hearing this argument and frankly, I don’t buy it. In 2003 Ahman Green rushed for 1883 yards and a 5.3 ypc average. Two other Packers RBs (Davenport and Fisher) also averaged 5+ yards per carry. The Packers averaged 160 yards rushing per game, good for 3rd in the league.
Favre still attempted 471 passes, tied for 14th in the league that season. It was by far the least number of passes he’s ever attempted in a full season.
Favre will be slingin’ it. Make no mistake about that.
“Probably a side affect from being dethroned as the greatest receiver of all time by a former Viking WR named Moss.”
I’m guessing you’re either a pissed off Vikings fan or a delusional Patriots fan if you seriously think Moss is greater than Rice.
“1. Rice was an asshole when he played and he is still an asshole now with zero personality.
2. He has no idea what he is talking about. He is an idiot always has been always will be.
Man he could catch a ball though (especially when being thrown to by hall of fame quarterbacks on teams that demanded he be played one on one often throughout his career).”
I can tell the guy who made the above statement is a straight jackss and a blind Rice/49er hater. For starters, Rice was always a class act. Second, he does know a thing or two about football considering he’s the second greatest player in NFL history. And he still put up stats when Joe Montana was missing games due to injury (Which was quite frequently) And he was constantly being double teamed. This kid has no idea what he’s talking about.
No Rice was not always a class act. He was known to sometimes make comments to the press about not getting the ball and negative comments about the tenor of the locker room and he has shown a persistent insecurity over his career and since retirement. Including this desperate bid for attention. Sadly it worked.
Rice was a great receiver; the best ever. And I really despise the 49ers of that era but it won’t change the facts. I just wish Rice was a little more secure about his position in football and not always trying to grab attention or make it about himself just as he’s always done with the sports media.
Characterizing him as an asshole might be a bit much but it’s probably not too far from the mark. You never really heard what a great locker room guy he was and you don’t hear it now. It’s hard to stand out in San Francisco sports as an asshole when you’ve got Barry Bonds there at the same time.