10/05/09
Senior Writer John C. Redfern
The week was an intriguing time involving the hype-fest about the Monday night game between the Packers and Vikings. The endless frenzy of headlines became a center of the universe stage about the legendary QB Favre, the Packers, and the NFC North rivalry game:
20. Will Favre Fade?
23. Let the Duel Begin.
Is Favre still magical: Video Comeback Analysis? Fox says: "Brett Favre is winning over critics who think the 'Ol Gunslinger is poised to make Packers fans feel...."
Writing-on-The-Wall: MNF announcer Gruden reminded us of Brucie from the "We can kill them" scene in The Longest Yard when he asked Brett, "How much do you want to beat them?"
Injury Report: Probable--DE Raji, DE Jolly, WR Jennings, CB Woodson & DE Jenkins; Questionable--LT Clinton; Out--SS Bigby, LB Thompson & RB Jackson.
Previews: NFL.com. CBS Sports. Jsonline1. Jsonline2. Fox. Espn. Packersnews.
Packers writers' picks?: GenerallyVikings to win: Jsonline1. Jsonline2. Packersnews.
Gameday details:
Event: Green Bay Packers (2-1) vs. Minnesota Vikings (3-0).
When: Monday night; October 5th, 2009.
Where: H.H.H. Metrodome.
Time: 7:20pm CT TV: ESPN, DirecTV – CH 206.
Radio: Packers Radio Network, 126 (GB)'; 125 (MIN), Westwood One.
When: Monday night; October 5th, 2009.
Where: H.H.H. Metrodome.
Time: 7:20pm CT TV: ESPN, DirecTV – CH 206.
Radio: Packers Radio Network, 126 (GB)'; 125 (MIN), Westwood One.
Great Quotes:
1. Jerry Kramer [who blames GM TT]: “It’s kind of like a love affair that went bad. Favre wearing a Vikings uniform playing the Packers? That's about as bad as it gets.”
3. Antonio Freeman: “I believe this is reason he came back for this game [and revenge].”
4. Fan Greg Boyce: “He’ll go into the Hall of Fame as a Packer. It’s such a big deal there. Such a betrayal. But it’s not all his fault. It’s like a Greek tragedy.”
5. LB Barnett: “This is the type of thing that makes football. It’s this type of game. It’s going to be a big circus and it’s going to be fun.”
6. QB Favre: “But no one’s called me. I talk to Driver every once in awhile and some of the older guys, but I don’t know what to tell you. Either you're told you're not the best or you feel that someone is going in a different direction. I think you'd want to prove that you can still do it."
8. K Longwell: "When I left I wanted to prove to them that they made a mistake. You don't necessarily do it in one game. S Sharper wanted to do the same. You want to perform well."
9. MNF announcer Gruden: “This was handled in one of the strangest fashions I’d ever seen. I felt like I was watching a soap opera. I just don’t know that the timing of this thing was appropriate. That a guy like this would go to play for the Jets. I sense some bad blood here.”
11. Espn Producer Rothman: "Favre's rare athlete. He's a legend. He's a folk hero."
12. Twins outfielder Cuddyer: "We'll give Brett the dome for a day."
13. WR Driver: “I still love him and that’s all that matters.”
Commentary--Fair & Balanced: GM TT may privately wish the "fun" postFavre era in the Rodgers era could fade away into NFL history. Yet, the fans must decide Favre's legacy and remember these facts: (1) he is one of the greatest NFL quarterbacks to play the game (2) the Packers will retire his No. 4 and (3) he will be a Hall of Famer. Meanwhile, the press and the fans can’t wait to see the next episode in the Favre soap opera. Maybe all good things under a golden sun in an autumn day can go on forever forever....It’s great theater & great football.
