Near the end of a low-key Wednesday press conference during which Vikings quarterback Brett Favre addressed the status of what he called on at least one occasion his “broke foot” (they should have had a banjo player in the room to set the right mood), Favre addressed the public criticism that coach Brad Childress lobbed Brett’s way after Favre’s three-pick performance against the Packers.
Favre projectred a calm, flat demeanor, but he seemed to get a little pissy when uttering the words that we selected for the headline of this item.
“Every coach is different,” Favre said of Childress. “Emotions run high for players and coaches. I can’t disagree with some of his comments. I’d be the first to tell you there’s plays that I should have made, plays that maybe I should have read things differently. So on and so forth. And I can go back throughout my whole career and say that.
“We had a talk yesterday, not necessarily about that. But just injury, things in general. I wanted to address to him that I would like to play, or at least had that mindset as the week progresses. I think we’ve been able to talk about things. Do we necessarily agree? No. But I think that’s part of it. You know, so i think both of our intentions are to win, and we gotta get this on track. We know that. How we get there remains to be seen. But as long as we’re both focused on the right prize, that’s all that matters.
“I didn’t come here hoping to get along with Brad any more or less than I did last year or whatever. He’s the head coach. I’m the quarterback. I know what’s expected of me. I don’t need him or anyone else to tell me that. My intentions are to do that and help this team win. So that doesn’t mean we have to agree all the time.”
Favre also addressed at length his “broke foot”, at times almost boasting about his ability to recover quickly from injuries.
“I’ve been able to play with different types of injuries that most people wouldn’t have even attempted,” he said.
And it’s not about the streak. (Which likely means it’s about the streak.) “I’m very proud of the streak, but it probably should have ended a long time ago,” Favre said.
He said he wants to play the whole game, not just a few plays. The decision will come, Favre said, at any time -- “pregame, right before kickoff, tomorrow.”
He also addressed the perception that this injury will provide cover for a graceful exit to Mississippi. “This could easily be an injury where I say, ‘I’m gonna slip under radar, see you later,’” Favre said. “And people may think that.”
Favre said that’s not the case. He claims he’s even more committed to helping the team win.
Our guess? Favre will start. If he sputters or if he gets injured, we’ll see Tarvaris Jackson.
So the streak will continue. Though Favre claims he has lost track of the number, he surely realizes that starting each of the next nine games will push his run to 300
That’s a number that any other player in the present or future has a better chance of reaching by bowling while blindfolded.