Mike McCarthy feels Brad Childress’ pain.
More than any current coach, McCarthy knows how difficult it can be to manage Brett Favre, quarterback, at the same time as Brett Favre, legend. Tom Pelissero of ESPN1500.com recounts a story at halftime of the NFC Championship in January of 2008 when McCarthy was frustrated with Favre.
“If that guy weren’t Brett Favre, I’d bench his ass!” McCarthy reportedly vented to others in the corner of a locker room.
The threat was empty, of course. It was a coach blowing off some steam. Aaron Rodgers stayed on the sidelines, and Favre threw two interceptions after halftime as Green Bay blew a lead against the Giants on a bitter night in Packers history.
Two years later, that guy is still Brett Favre. And his larger than life persona and salary make him just as difficult to bench. Childress can “lean” towards Tarvaris Jackson or grumble about Favre’s play, but Childress knows he signed up for this.
In many ways, Childress is just along for the ride like the rest of us. Just like McCarthy. Just like Eric Mangini, who watched a Favre injury sap the life out of the 2008 Jets season.
Benching Favre would be a career-altering decision for the Childress. There may be a moment to make that move in this increasingly depressing Vikings campaign, but Week Eight in Foxborough isn’t the time.
