Bottom line: Favre makes Vikings a contender

   The reasons behind Brett Favre not signing with the Vikings in July are moot for the on-field product Minnesota will roll out for the regular-season opener.

   The bottom line is Favre will be wearing No. 4 – which was stripped from now-fourth-string John David Booty upon Favre’s signing – as the Vikings’ starting quarterback.

   Favre’s arrival immediately vaulted the Vikings to among the top contenders in the NFC among those who believed the quarterback position was what was holding Minnesota back. The Vikings now have dynamic playmakers at quarterback, running back (Adrian Peterson) and wide receiver (Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin). Oh, and one of the league’s top offensive lines.

   "I am excited about the opportunity to join this football team," Favre said. "From ownership, to coaching to the players, it is evident that everyone in the Vikings organization is committed to bringing the fans of Minnesota a Championship. I am eager to join my new teammates and get to work towards that goal."

   Sage Rosenfels performed very well in the preseason opener, but that had no relevance when Favre and the Vikings began communicating again. The simple fact is Favre brings the strong arm defenses must respect – which could lead to a huge season from Peterson.

   Rosenfels figures to become Favre’s primary backup, with Tarvaris Jackson potentially the odd-man out. However, Jackson denied rumors that he wants to be traded.

   "I heard about that," he said. "I never said that. I never said anything like that at all."

   Rosenfels had appeared to be taking the lead in his quest to become the opening-day starter for the first time in his career, but was diplomatic Tuesday.

   "I'm just going to keep working.  Keep working, stay ready, stay focused and be ready when this team needs me," Rosenfels said.

 

Favre throws in front of Vikings OC Bevell

QB Brett Favre performed a "rigorous" throwing session that included about 100 passes in front of Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell last week, according to ESPN.com. The report said Bevell, a personal friend of Favre's since Bevell was an offensive assistant for six years in Green Bay, traveled to Hattiesburg, Miss. to watch the quarterback throw. Favre apparently indicated that he wants to play for Minnesota this season, but only if his surgically-repaired right shoulder is 100 percent. That means he might not make a final decision until just before the Vikings open training camp July 29.

Think hard before coveting Favre

When Brett Favre was at home riding tractors in Hattiesburg, Miss., most people were more than willing to conveniently forget that his final pass in the NFL was an interception that essentially ended the Packers' dream season.

We wanted to focus on the 38-year-old finding the fountain of youth, and carrying -- sometime literally -- his teammates around Lambeau Field and to an improbable NFC Championship Game appearance.

Now that he has the "itch" to return, we're forced to debate whether it's a good idea.
And the debate shouldn't be a long one.

It won't be in Green Bay, so Favre will have to learn a new offense and get comfortable with new personnel in training camp.

We know he' not going to Chicago, Detroit or Minnesota. Carolina and Washington would be getting a bigger distraction than the possible upside is worth, considering Favre can't be considered a major upgrade over Jake Delhomme or Jason Campbell.
Kansas City, Miami and the Jets won't be contenders, so there's little point in shipping Favre off to any of those three.

It essentially boils down to Tampa Bay, where coach Jon Gruden has always had an affinity for older players and acquiring as many arms as possible. Favre fits both descriptions, and Gruden's version of the West Coast Offense should be among the easiest for Favre to pick up in a matter of weeks.

But that doesn't make it a good idea for the Bucs, who reached the playoffs last year with Jeff Garcia. Would Favre be much of an upgrade, if any?

Consider that Favre has thrown 100 interceptions over the past five years alone. Garcia threw just four all last season and has a 23-six TD-to-INT ratio the past two years.

For every highlight-reel touchdown, there are still far too many negative plays. The Bucs have a perfectly serviceable aging quarterback who doubles as a team leader. No need to bring the circus to town when the Bucs have an excellent chance to win one of the league's weakest divisions.

Sadly, Peterson and injury reports go hand in hand

Six teams passed on Adrian Peterson in last April's draft, mainly because he couldn't stay healthy at Oklahoma.

His combination of size, speed and vision made him one of the most tantalizing prospects in years. But his upright and physical running style that led to a dislocated shoulder, high ankle sprain and broken right clavicle during three seasons with the Sooners also made him a clear big risk/big reward draft pick.

It hasn't taken long for the Vikings to jump on the rollercoaster for a dizzying ride.

After steamrolling through the first half of the season and threatening to make a run at a slew of single-season NFL records, Peterson's season -- and the Vikings' hope for being competitive down the stretch -- took a serious hit when he suffered a partial tear of his lateral collateral ligament in his right knee Sunday.

Minnesota's athletic trained, Eric Sugarman, said there is "absolutely, no question" Peterson will play again this season. There's even a chance he could return after missing just one game -- not that Minnesota has any need to rush its prized possession back into the lineup other than to keep fans in the seats.

Regardless of when Peterson returns to breathe life to the moribund Vikings offense, Minnesota fans have had their first taste of what is likely to be a history of injuries Peterson will have to fight through.

It's too bad, too, because Peterson is unquestionably one of the most exciting talents in the NFL. He's good for the Vikings, and he's great for the game in general. Here's to hoping we see his name associated more with records than with medical reports.