Sal Palantonio and others who say Favre is overrated are looking strictly at certain plays and stats. Some of his interceptions might look worse than other QBs’, but an interception is an interception. How many times do other QBs throw into coverage? But, because they might not be scrambling, it might not look as bad. As I point out on a recent post, they need to look at his offensive coordinators. He’s been handcuffed his entire career. The reason his stats are better this year than any of his MVP years is because they are finally letting him throw on early downs. It’s absolutely amazing what he accomplished all these years with conservative coordinators. Please also see my earlier post regarding a few years ago when everyone said he should retire, they were 1-4, offensive coordinator Tom Rossley was hospitalized, Sherman decided to let him throw, and they went 10-6, he threw for over 4000 yards, etc. Put Favre in New England’s or Indy’s offense, and he’ll outperform both those QBs. Brady’s stats never came close to Favre’s average year until he got Moss. Manning is great, but so is Favre. Put Manning on those Packer teams with those coordinators and see what he does. Many of Favre’s interceptions come when the Packers are behind, which they wouldn’t be if they had thrown earlier in the game. Manning was allowed to build leads by throwing, so he didn’t have to play desperately. This year, only 22% of Favre’s passes came when the Packers were trailing, as opposed to a “whopping” 47.3% last year. New England and Indy rarely trail, and now that they let Favre throw on early downs, the Packers rarely trail. Furthermore, how many times do you watch teams that are out of a game not do everything they can to get back in the game? Favre hates to lose, and he will do whatever he can, right or wrong, to try to win. I respect that much more than a QB who won’t take chances to try to win so he can protect his stats. He’s playing with young receivers, young running backs, a young and changing offensive line, etc., and he keeps the team together. Has Brady or Manning ever done anything with a bad team? IF THE REFS HADN’T STOLEN ABOUT 8 SUPER BOWL VICTORIES FROM THE PACKERS, THEY WOULD BE WAIVING RULES AND PUTTING HIM IN THE HALL OF FAME WHILE HE IS STILL ACTIVE. It’s a crime what the refs have done to his teams.
Favre
One further point about Favre. He played entire seasons badly hurt, which affected his stats. I remember one season where broadcasters would look at his thumb and marvel that he could even grip the ball, let alone throw it. He’s played when he couldn’t get out of bed until late in the week. No other QB does this. When you consider some of the stats he had when his thumb was badly injured (more than one year), that even makes him greater.