2008 Woodie Awards
Favre Regains Pro Bowl Form of Old
Alex Whitaker
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: Sports
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Against all odds, the Green Bay Packers are currently one of the teams to beat in the NFC and appear to be playoff-bound. While the defense has played admirably and the offensive line has held steady, there is inevitably only one person who deserves the majority of the credit: quarterback Brett Favre.
Sure, he is a gun-slinging, throw-happy, interception-laden quarterback, but despite what his critics say, he is a winner. Favre has simply carried the Pack on his shoulders so far this season and the numbers speak for themselves. His 2,757 passing yards are the most in the league so far (90 yards ahead of Tom "All-American" Brady) and his 16 passing touchdowns are tied with the likes of Peyton "Six-Picks" Manning and Carson "Give Me A Defense" Palmer. In addition, he has thrown only eight interceptions, putting him on pace for his lowest season total since 1996, the year of Green Bay's last Super Bowl.
But the most incredible aspect of Brett Favre's performance is that he is doing it in the very late stages of his career. Many believed that he was finished after throwing as many picks (18) as he did touchdowns. Even the Packers seemed to sense that the end was coming when they drafted Aaron Rodgers with their first pick in 2005. Yet at 38, Favre keeps making the big plays and continues to perform like the ultimate man's man. He doesn't point fingers, plays through injuries and gives his best every week. Indeed, Favre has not missed a Packers game since 1992. Can you even imagine if your favorite team had the same quarterback for 16 straight seasons?
No matter how you slice it, the 2007 Packers are 8-1 and Frave is playing like it's 1996 all over again. So what can we say about his incredible resurgence? Right off the bat, we must recognize his improved receiving corps. Veteran Donald Driver has been Favre's most consistent wide receiver for the past several seasons and is on pace for 1,000 yards this year. Also added to the mix is third-year receiver Greg Jennings, who is having a spectacular season, and rookie James Jones, who has contributed several big plays so far. While these players have improved their game tremendously, they have also benefited from tapping into Favre's vast football knowledge and leadership abilities. Even more worrisome for opposing defenses is the imminent return of the talented but troubled Koren Robinson. Who knows what Favre will be capable of when Robinson lines up as the slot receiver?
Sure, he is a gun-slinging, throw-happy, interception-laden quarterback, but despite what his critics say, he is a winner. Favre has simply carried the Pack on his shoulders so far this season and the numbers speak for themselves. His 2,757 passing yards are the most in the league so far (90 yards ahead of Tom "All-American" Brady) and his 16 passing touchdowns are tied with the likes of Peyton "Six-Picks" Manning and Carson "Give Me A Defense" Palmer. In addition, he has thrown only eight interceptions, putting him on pace for his lowest season total since 1996, the year of Green Bay's last Super Bowl.
But the most incredible aspect of Brett Favre's performance is that he is doing it in the very late stages of his career. Many believed that he was finished after throwing as many picks (18) as he did touchdowns. Even the Packers seemed to sense that the end was coming when they drafted Aaron Rodgers with their first pick in 2005. Yet at 38, Favre keeps making the big plays and continues to perform like the ultimate man's man. He doesn't point fingers, plays through injuries and gives his best every week. Indeed, Favre has not missed a Packers game since 1992. Can you even imagine if your favorite team had the same quarterback for 16 straight seasons?
No matter how you slice it, the 2007 Packers are 8-1 and Frave is playing like it's 1996 all over again. So what can we say about his incredible resurgence? Right off the bat, we must recognize his improved receiving corps. Veteran Donald Driver has been Favre's most consistent wide receiver for the past several seasons and is on pace for 1,000 yards this year. Also added to the mix is third-year receiver Greg Jennings, who is having a spectacular season, and rookie James Jones, who has contributed several big plays so far. While these players have improved their game tremendously, they have also benefited from tapping into Favre's vast football knowledge and leadership abilities. Even more worrisome for opposing defenses is the imminent return of the talented but troubled Koren Robinson. Who knows what Favre will be capable of when Robinson lines up as the slot receiver?
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Kyle Favre
posted 11/15/07 @ 1:13 PM EST
Dear Alexander,
My name is Kyle and I'm Brett's nephew and I think what you have done here is just wonderful. The past few years had been tough, not just on the field, but off it as well. (Continued…)
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