I am enjoying the reports out of Minnesota about how quarterback Brett Favre has no problem letting Coach Brad Childress who is running the team, and that it’s not Chilly. On Sunday, Favre refused to leave the game when asked by Childress, with the quarterback airing the dispute publicly after, and not keeping it in-house.
Now come reports from ESPN that Childress and Favre battle over who should have the biggest say in running the offense.
According to sources, Favre dislikes that Childress seldom discusses the game plan with him during the week, and does not encourage the quarterback to offer suggestions as to which plays he feels most comfortable calling in certain situations. When Favre changes the play at the line of scrimmage — using his film study and experience — Childress bristles, even when the audible Favre calls works perfectly.
This should not be a surprise to anyone who has followed the Favre drama the past two years — for No. 4, it’s all about him, not the team. He’s the ultimate sports diva. I have no great love for Childress as a coach, but it’s a bad sign of your control when the quarterback consistently shows you up.
This had been papered over by the team’s 10-1 start where Favre played very well. But the Vikes have lost two of their last three and are having trouble scoring. As should be expected of a 40-year-old gunslinger who is a real competitor and is having fun out there, Favre has a hit a wall. Russell, an Outsports reader, sent me these stats: Favre has a QB rating of 79.4, 73.2, and 73.7 in has last three games. His last five games last season were 60.9, 60.8, 61.4, 48.7, and 45.1.
Favre is slowing down, his coach knows it, yet is powerless to stop it. That’s the deal you make when you woo a diva. The Vikings are far from dead, but they desperately need to get the No. 2 seed and a bye to have any hope in the playoffs. I am hoping the implosion continues. Schadenfreude is a lovely thing.
on Dec 23rd, 2009 at 3:52 PM
Diva is too mild a word for Favre. He quit caring about anyone other than himself about five years back. His QB rating will likely drop more over the next two weeks.
on Dec 23rd, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Does anyone really think that even Brett Favre, at 40, could just walk onto a team and throw the ball like a top QB for 17+ weeks?
Personally, I think Childress make a mistake when he let Favre come back on his terms (i.e. let’s pretend I’m retired so I can get out of training camp). This whole concept that Favre is a god and you should bow down to him is just insane.
This is exactly why the Packers let him go.
on Dec 23rd, 2009 at 7:28 PM
I can’t wait to see the drama when the Vikes are one-and-done in the playoffs.
and just how awesome would it be to see hot ass Aaron Rodgers and the Pack knock them out?!?
on Dec 23rd, 2009 at 8:11 PM
I agree that Favre is a diva, but Childress is a fool if he hasn’t tried all year to keep Favre happy by at least talking to him about the game plans. If Favre at least felt like he was being listened to a little, then he’d be more likely to shut up.
As for the other issue — trying to take Favre out of the game on Sunday — that was just stupid. The Vikings had the lead and it wasn’t a meaningless game. Thanks to the Saints loss the door was opened for the Vikings to perhaps finish first overall. If the Vikes were locked into their playoff spot or if they were way behind at that point, then sit Favre. Otherwise, do you really want to entrust your offense to Tarvaris Jackson???
on Dec 23rd, 2009 at 10:30 PM
As a teacher, I have met many students over the course of my career. Recently, one of my students visited me. He was fortunate enough to play in the NFL and make a fairly solid career. He played at Green Bay, and told me that Favre was not even a part of the team, because he had his own parking area, office, etc. I asked him what kind of a leader Favre was, and my student told me “Brett was all about Brett”. This was before the meltdown in Green Bay, New York, and now Minnesota. Truly, his ego has always prevented him from becoming great. Years from now, when people speak of Brady and Manning, they will well up…when they speak of Favre, they will laugh- That is fitting, I think.
on Dec 24th, 2009 at 9:10 AM
eagles will get the bye first roundddddddd :
on Dec 24th, 2009 at 11:14 PM
Hey what was that bro thinking, that’s nuts