Leader of the Pack: QB Favre

John C. Redfern

08/16/07

by John C. Redfern  8-16-07

The winds of change are blowing with elements of the sports management media trying to slowly adjust Packers' fans to a future "post-Favre era" scenario in  Green Bay.  Recently, I conducted a sports poll with most fans feeling Favre will retire after the season.   Maybe.  After the 1st offensive team had a predictable sluggish start in the 1st preseason game, backup QB Rodgers followed with an overall good performance against backups  in a win.  A  typical postgame headline said, " Favre, Roethlisberger do little as Packers prevail."  Next, with three preseason games left, the Favre bashing headlines hinted that maybe it's time for the aging sports icon "to play it safe" and/or to be replaced when he struggles in the new season.

During his press conference, Favre expressed strong frustrations with the young team:

"I was as frustrated when I came out as I think I've ever been in preseason," Favre said. "I just expect more, not only from myself, but from the offense in general. It wasn't so much what (the Steelers) did. I give them credit, but it was what we did — or didn't do.”

Favre explained the sluggish start through the crucial role of "chemistry" in a team:

"Talent alone does not get you championships. Chemistry does. We have to find it fast, and there's going to be a lot of ups and downs along the way. The only way we have success here is each week we get a little bit better."

The sports legend reflected showing the timeless themes of an aging pro quarterback:

"He talked about his glory days a decade ago when a talented and experienced cast knew exactly what one another would do. He spoke about how his fresh-faced teammates 'keep me youthful.' And he talked about compartmentalizing his approach in '07."

Stoicly, the aging gunslinger summed up the basic issues:

 "They know," Favre said, referring to McCarthy and Thompson, "as well as I do, what we're up against offensively. It's a lot different than five years ago, six years ago, seven years ago. But at some point, I have to play the game." 

By Tuesday afternoon, the sports headlines followed:  "Coaches ask Favre to play safe"; "Favre 'frustrated' but not overly concerned with performance";  "Favre's slow start doesn't concern Packers"; "Favre hopes youth goes wild"; and so on.

McKenzie had a good analogy about the chemistry problem:

"I think it's all timing, Packers director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie said when asked why Favre has struggled. I just think you get a couple more preseason games and a couple more weeks of practice, that will work itself out. I'm not worried about it, especially with him....I think he's still working on his timing with the guys....That's going to come. Now if we had three Donald Drivers, I don't think that would be an issue." 

Our modern day aging Huck Finn begins a new season leading the Pack:

"It's a new season for an old quarterback charged now with not losing the game.  How Favre performs and chooses to perform, without seasoned professionals around him might well tell the Packers' story in '07."  

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At the end of the 2007 season or maybe the next, Brett will walk away & retire from the game having earned the timeless records, the glowing awards, and the solitude of endless offseasons. The dusk of a timeless fall day at the mythic stadium will come to the Holy City in the middle west landscape far away from the concrete & plastic jungle of the megalopolises.  Until that day, Bret will step back into the pocket, protected by the "hopes from the glory days" supported by a young rising offensive line, throwing defiant brilliant passes of hope to rising young stars under a golden sun cheered by the greatest fans against the perplexing chaos, the aging odds, and the final goodbyes.