This is the response to a friend who had feedback on the Favre post:
Since Favre wanted to make a play to win, he wanted to be the hero and that was his focus? A 55-yard field goal, while makeable by Longwell, is not “very makeable.” The coaching decisions in the 4th-and-26 game led to that play, including the previous play on the punt, which I stated prior to the play. The playcall in the Giants game was what was wrong. But, let me get this straight. Manning throws a ball to Assante Samuel on the last drive of the Super Bowl 4 years ago, but that’s okay and not highlight-seeking. The game was on the line, and he threw a terrible pass that should have been intercepted, costing his team the game. He then threw 2 passes in the 49er game this year right to 2 defenders, who collided both times. Either, let alone both, were terrible passes and should have cost his team the game. But, that wasn’t highlight-seeking and is okay. Brady’s 4th-quarter Super Bowl interception was a terrible play, but isn’t highlight-seeking and is okay. Brady’s two interceptions in the Ravens game, and a third called back by penalty (I’m not including the free-play fourth one) were terrible passes and should have cost them the game, but that wasn’t highlight-seeking and was okay. Brees’ interceptions weren’t highlight-seeking and were okay. Only Favre’s were. And, let’s talk about the Saints game since you brought it up. Favre was far and away the best player on the field for 59-1/2 minutes. Not only did his coaches and teammates make critical error after critical error, but despite this, and despite the fact that he was 40 years old, and despite the fact that the Saints intentionally tried to injure him all game (more on that in a minute), he was dominating the entire game. It got to the point that the league had to release a video from the head of officials showing some of the terrible calls against the Vikings that cost them the game, and they didn’t even talk about the two horrendous calls in overtime that gave the Saints the game! So, he’s incredible the first 59-1/2 minutes, everyone else lets the team down, the refs steal the game, he’s playing the 4th quarter on basically a broken ankle, he’s 40 years old, they were looking at a 55-yard FG, and it’s his fault they lost. Got it. Now, to the game. It was obvious in the first quarter that the Saints’ gameplan was to intentionally injure Favre and get him out of the game. I stated that after the first dirty play, and more followed. Had I been the Vikings coach, after the first occurrence in the first quarter, I call timeout and get the refs together, and ask for Sean Payton to be in the meeting. I then state that I understand what the Saints are trying to do. We’re talking about it now before anything else happens. However, should anything else happen, it’s obvious the Saints want to play that way and are establishing the rules, so my team will be forced to play the same way. Should Favre get hurt on a cheap shot, I will threaten to have my players slam Brees into the ground even if it’s after the play over and over until he’s also playing hurt, or if Favre is knocked out of the game, my players keep taking shots at Brees until he’s out of the game even if it’s well after each play is over. If the refs won’t stop it or kick guys out of the game or threaten a forfeit, then it’s only fair that my players can do the same thing. Of course I wouldn’t do that, but that is what I’d threaten. What went on in that game was ridiculous, and they finally did almost break his ankle. However, on one leg, he led 3 fourth-quarter drives. The first went to the Saints’ 10 where Berrian fumbled. The second went for a TD. On the third, with little time left and people saying they should play for overtime, he led them into FG-range only to be penalized for 12 men on the field.
Aside from the fact that Favre won 9 Super Bowls (including the one with the Vikings) and won a ton of games by throwing the passes you mentioned, which also put his teams into the playoffs, I think the “blind allegiance” you refer to is a double standard on your part. Manning’s pass 4 years ago was right to the Patriots, and should have cost his team the Super Bowl. His two passes right to two 49er defenders should have cost his team this year’s NFC Championship game. Brady’s interception probably did cost his team the Super Bowl this year, and his three interceptions against San Diego didn’t help his team. Brees’ two interceptions cost his team in the playoffs this year. Favre’s teams were not winning at those points, although the games were tied. You conveniently don’t mention the fact that if the NFL-admitted numerous bad calls didn’t happen (as well as the overtime bad calls that gave the Saints the game), the Vikings easily beat the Saints, and it was largely due to Favre. You conveniently didn’t mention that if Sherman doesn’t punt from the Eagle 34 on 4th and 1 before the 4th and 26, and had they blitzed on that play which was working every time, Favre would have led his team to the victory. At the end of the first half, Favre drove the team to the Eagle 1 where a TD would have basically put the game away, and on 4th and 1, Dorsey Levens (I think he was the running back) tripped on his lineman and didn’t score. Had the Packers not had a bad-call block-in-the-back penalty on the punt before the interception (I said before the play they shouldn’t be blocking at all), they are almost in field goal range and that play doesn’t happen. You don’t mention any of these things. In the Giant NFC Championship Game, as I mentioned, it wasn’t Favre’s fault he threw that interception unless he audibled to that play. Anyone who would call a play like that in those conditions doesn’t have a clue. Favre showed he could march down the field with short passes in those conditions, but the playcalling didn’t take advantage of this. Prior to all of these situations, Favre showed he could march his team, but others’ mistakes (players and coaches) put the games in jeopardy. Even at 40 years old, he was the best QB in the league (you could make a case for Peyton Manning).