I'm not going to write one of those sappy love letters to Brett Favre that I keep seeing all over the Internet.
The fact is, I've never really been a Brett Favre fan. I've always considered him one of the most overrated quarterbacks in the NFL.
In fact, I'm convinced that the Packers are better off without him. And trust me, there is a contingent in that organization that agrees; you don't accidentally post his retirement news on your website, then quickly accept his retirement without any effort to talk him out of it if you want him back.
After all, his awful game against the Giants cost his team a trip to the Super Bowl.
Yes, there was extremely bad weather (understatement of the year), but the game was nothing more than a continuation of Brett Favre's disappointing showings in big games.
Since Mike Holmgren left, Favre has consistently come up small in big games.
Yet somehow he continues to get a free ride. The media loves him.
Note to NFL quarterbacks: be nice to the media, leave ESPN writers nice cell phone messages, and every mistake you ever make will be overlooked.
He made every offseason about himself. The will he or won't he stories keeping his franchise in a holding pattern. The press conferences called to tell everyone that there was nothing to tell everyone.
It was the second most annoying story in NFL history (the most annoying, of course, being Congress' involvement in Spygate).
Brett Favre even got away with putting his own selfishness ahead of a fellow player when he called out Javon Walker for threatening to hold out in a contract dispute. Contrast that with how Tom Brady handled the Deion Branch situation, offering nothing but support publicly to his fellow player.
Perhaps privately he felt the same way Favre did, but you just don't call out another player.
Yet Favre remained the golden boy.
I'll never understand it. Ever.
He broke records, mostly because of his longevity. At a position where longevity isn't exactly common, that is something to celebrate. But longevity doesn't make you great.
He wasn't Dan Marino. He wasn't Tom Brady. He wasn't Peyton Manning.
He was one of the better middle-tier quarterbacks. A definite Hall of Famer for what he accomplished (accumulated stats get you into the Hall of Fame), but not among the greatest ever.
So why don't I like Brett Favre?
Outside of his selfishness late in his career, he was one of the most frustrating players I've ever watched.
My frustration with him is simple: he should have been better.
Favre had all the tools, all the skills, all the competitiveness — everything he needed to be the greatest quarterback of his generation.
But he was stubborn.
He always thought he could make every play, make every throw, and could win every game himself. He thought he could walk on water when he was on a football field.
Some say that's what made him great.
I say this is what made him so damn frustrating. I'm confident most of his former coaches would agree.
No way a guy as great as Favre should be throwing six interceptions in a playoff game. No way he should have a 20 touchdown and 29 interception season.
Favre should have celebrated playoff numbers like Tom Brady, instead his post-Holmgren career is filling with celebrated playoff failures. He's only 2-5 with 11 touchdowns and 16 interceptions since Holmgren left the Packers.
Not exactly the stuff of legends.
Aaron Rodgers may or may not be the answer, but for the young and talented Packers, Brett Favre is definitely not the answer.
So goodbye, Brett.
I'll always remember you as the guy who could have been the greatest ever, but wasn't.
I'm SeanMC.
SeanMC is a senior writer for Bleacher Report and writes a column for Sports Central every other Thursday. You can read more articles by SeanMC on his blog.
March 6, 2008
Marc James:
I totally disagree.
1. If Favre was overrated, is that his fault? Blame the media, not him. He was always humble.
2. If you think the Packers wanted him to retire, I think you’re crazy. What evidence do you have that they didn’t try to persuade him otherwise? I think everyone knew this day would come and when he made the decision, they respected that.
3. He made every offseason about himself, or the media did? Again, he can’t control the media’s obsession over him. You can’t blame him carefully deliberating over what was best for himself and his family. He only called a press conference because of the media circus, not because he wanted attention. I mean, c’mon! Has Favre ever been the type of guy who craves attention? He’s a humble country boy who likes riding his tractor in Mississippi.
4. Longevity alone doesn’t make you great. But what about Cal Ripken, Jr.? Favre’s record is just as, if not more, impressive. It may never be done again.
5. He wasn’t Marino, Manning, or Brady in the 2000s. But you seem to forget about the mid-’90s where Favre was TRULY great. The league’s only three-time MVP. A Super Bowl ring. There is no way in hell Favre was a middle-tier QB. Sure, in his later years he was, but you’re forgetting his prime. And to Favre’s credit, he’s the best 38-year-old to ever play in this league. You’re judging him with a perspective of the last few years when you need to consider his entire career.
6. I’m one who says his stubbornness made him great. And the most exciting QB to ever play, arguably. He’s make boneheaded plays, but he’s made just as many brilliant plays out of nowhere. Once again, you only focus on the bad plays. What about all the incredible ones?!
7. My problem with your argument is your overall opinion of Favre seems to be based on the post-Holmgren years. But you completely disregard the Super Bowls, the three MVPs, and his brilliance in his prime. This is a very flawed assessment. Sure, he was middle-year in his late career, but even that is far better than Brady or Manning will likely be when they are in their late-30s.
8. Could have been better? I’d say owning most of the major records, a Super Bowl ring, three MVPs, the most winningest QB of all-time, and being the iron man of the league is pretty f’n good.
March 6, 2008
Sean NoNo:
Yep. Much worse than Marino, who never won a Super Bowl. And why you’re at it, ask Brady about his last Super Bowl performance and, um, rising to the occasion. This “essay” is middling bar stool commentary at best, no matter how many times you insinuate you’ve got telepathy about what someone in an NFL organization might be thinking. Dropping in the fact that spygate was “annoying”, well, your favorite team cheats. If “all of them do” is your response, well, then you’d think belichick would have found a way to conceal it. Genius that he is and all.
March 6, 2008
Dane:
Favre may have made many mistakes, but that is one of the things I always liked most about him. He wasn’t afraid to send a rocket into double or triple coverage, thinking the receiver was good enough to bring it down. How many other QBs would take that kind of chance on his receiver? And Brady tossing a jump ball to Moss doesn’t count; Moss made Daunte Culpepper look like a good quarterback.
March 6, 2008
Sean Crowe:
To answer Marc’s comments:
1. Admittedly, part of my hatred is caused by the media.
2. I do think the Packers wanted him to retire. Do you think it was an accident that they posted it on their web site a few days before Favre told them he’d have his decision? And I’m not the only one, people close to Favre say the same thing: http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/42150
3. He made it that way! If he just said, look guys, unless I announce otherwise, I’ll be back next season, there wouldn’t be half the ridiculousness.
4. I give him credit for his longevity, but like I said, you play long enough you’re certain to get records. Doesn’t mean you’re better than the guy whose record you’re breaking.
5. The bulk of his career he was mediocre. He was too wild his first few years, had a great 4 or 5 year stretch, then 10 years of mediocrity. Not exactly the stuff of legends.
6. Holmgren beat him into submission and stopped him from playing stupid. After Holmgren, Favre would consistently make 2 awful plays for every great one.
7. Kurt Warner had a few terrific years, better years than Favre ever had. But I’m not calling him one of the greatest QBs ever either. A few great years, a decade of mediocrity.
8. Again, you play long enough…. He had a tremendous arm, great talent. Maybe the best arm ever. He should be the best quarterback ever. He should have multiple Super Bowls. He should be, bar none, the greatest ever.
But he’s not. Hence my frustration. In the end, you have to wonder what could have been if he only wasn’t so damn stubborn.
March 6, 2008
Sean Crowe:
One more thing, to Sean NoNo:
I didn’t say Spygate was the most annoying story ever, I said Congress’ involvement in Spygate is the most annoying story ever.
Check out my article from a few weeks ago: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/9917-NFL-New_England_Patriots-Enough_is_Enough_A_New_England_Patriot_Fan_s_Rebuttal-170208
March 6, 2008
Archie Moses:
You are seriously one big Idiot…or should I call you a wizard because you think you know so much. Favre, no matter if you are a fan or not, he defines football. He is truly one of a kind! Players like this only come around once in a lifetime. He is what a football player is all about, the pride, the passion and leadership. The NFL is not the same without him…
March 6, 2008
Dane:
More Super Bowls? How can a QB be defined by how many Super Bowls they won? Green Bay has had some good teams, but there was never a year that Favre cost them a chance at a title.
March 7, 2008
Sean Crowe:
Dane,
Did you watch the NFC championship game back in January? The worst interception of his career cost the Packers a chance at the 2007 Super Bowl.
March 7, 2008
Sean NoNo:
Dude, the whole Packers team played lackluster. Don’t bend the facts to fit your story. Did Favre stink it up? Yes. Were the rest of the Packers lethargic at best? Yes. Jesus.
Favre was exciting. He won one Super Bowl for his team, and gave them a bunch of great seasons. He is now at the top of a lot of stat sheets, but I don’t think a lot of people are saying he is the best ever. A lot of people are saying that they will miss him. He was a true character.
March 7, 2008
J-Rza:
Super Bowl titles do not make a QB great. Tom Brady, he is the most overrated QB in the NFL. He is a good QB in a great system. Winning Super Bowls takes a TEAM effort, and yet, Favre, more than any other of the great QB’s, was more instumental in taking his team there than anybody. Favre is a one-of-a-kind QB. Look at Marino, Montans, Brady, etc., they are all guys who played in the pocket, and were accurate and got the ball to their receivers. Favre did that this past year, and was amazing. But his style of play is completely differnet, which is what makes him the best. He proved that he can play their style of QB and be great, but tell me, how many of the QB’s you think are better could’ve played his style of QB and been as successful as he was … ZERO. This is why, to me, he is the best ever. Can you honestly tell me that Marino could’ve scrambled around the pocket, escaped three tackles, then thrown an underhand pass for a TD? Or Brady or Montana? No f*cking way! Yes, I admit, he made a lot of mistakes (288 INT’s), but obviously, he made more good plays, or he wouldn’t have more TD’s, wins, passing yards, etc. than anybody else ever. And the longevity arguement, all I have to say to that is Vinny Testaverde, Warren Moon, John Elway, etc. All played as long, or longer, than Favre, and none have any of his records.
March 7, 2008
Dane:
Yes I watched that game. Favre’s interception was costly, but was it solely because of him that they lost? No. Al Harris couldn’t stop Burress, and towards the end of the game the Packers couldn’t stop the run. Also, Grant couldn’t run the ball well so there were many factors to that loss. The Giants simply out-played them.
March 8, 2008
Mike Round:
This is the sort of stuff Dr. Z had been pedalling for a few years, though it’s less considered and more personal.
Your examples of Favre’s “selfishness” are pretty tame. The will-he-won’t-he stuff was driven by the sports media rather than the player and to call out Favre on the Walker dispute rather than Walker himself is just laughable. Favre is/was the face of the organization and can hardly do anything else but tow the company line.
It’s interesting you have a man-crush on the robotic, product-of-the-system QB Brady yet Favre’s risk-taking annoys you. I guess you’re more of a systems analyst type of person than a lion-tamer.
Cheers
Mike
March 9, 2008
Mark DeGeorge:
Look at all the great QB’s and what they had 4 recievers. No QB has done more, with less, than Brett Favre. I remember a season when Bill Schroeder, yes, Bill f*cking Schroeder was his #1 reciever!! He never called out Javon Walker. He was asked about the situation and answered that a player should honor the contract he signed. What’s wrong with that? And where is Javon Walker now after his brilliant decision? Bottom line - the winningest QB ever!!! God bless you Brett. Sundays won’t be the same 4 a long time!!
March 9, 2008
Sean Crowe:
Mark,
Tom Brady, until this season, did it without the aid of a single #1 quality wide receiver. Great QBs make it happen no matter who they’re playing with.
Look at 2006. He took the Pats to the AFC championship game with Caldwell as his #1. Favre would have thrown 29 interceptions and his team would have won 4 games with that crew.
That is my overall point. Enough with the lovefest. He was a decent QB, an OK guy as far as we know, but he’s not even a top 5 QB in today’s NFL….never mind NFL history.
March 9, 2008
Sean Crowe:
And let’s not forget, as Sal P on ESPN also pointed out today, he threw two of the most egregious playoff interceptions in NFL history. Directly costing his team two playoff games. He’s also the only guy in history to have two overtime playoff interceptions.
And he hasn’t had a decent performance in a big game since 1997…
March 11, 2008
Dane:
Ok, I see your point. But with that thinking, I’m going to argue the Packers don’t win against Denver, Kansas City, San Diego this year, plus countless other games without Favre. Who’s to say Favre wouldn’t have taken the Patriots team as far as Brady? Favre haters will say he couldn’t, Favre lovers will say he could. It’s an argument that can never be won.