Leave Brett Favre Alone!

I keep hearing the pundits on television and on the radio giving poor Brett Favre a hard time for his seeming indecision about whether or not he is going to play for the Vikings this year. Some give him a hard time based on his timing of his surgery, alleging that he is trying to escape mandatory work-outs. Others slam him for being a prima donna. Some slam him because they think that his sole reason for even wanting to play for the Vikings is so that he can get "revenge" on Green Bay twice a year.

They're all wrong.

First, we have to look at the timing. He wasn't released from the Jets until April 28th. Prior to his release, he simply wasn't free to even communicate with the Vikings. He told us last year that he wouldn't ask for his release from the Jets. He didn't. They released him gratis.

So, it hasn't been even two months since Favre could seek other teams upon which to play.

Second, we have to consider what happened last year -- from Brett's perspective. He had a hell of a good season until he got injured. He hadn't been released by the Jets, so he had no reason to undergo surgery to repair the injury. The injury is one which might "repair" itself through use or might not (a partially torn right (throwing arm) bicep tendon). A little more than two weeks after his release, after the Vikings expressed interest, Brett consulted renowned sports surgeon, Dr. James Andrews. A little more than two weeks later, he had the surgery.

So, Brett, who had an amazing first 11 games of last season and 5 terrible games to end the season, doesn't yet know whether or not he's physically capable of playing the position.

Third, we have to look at things from the Vikings perspective. They don't know whether or not Brett Favre is the Brett Favre of last season's first 11 games or last 5.

So, what do we have? A prima donna who is milking his time in the spotlight? A Hall of Famer who put off his surgery just to avoid training camp?

No.

What we have is a quarterback who thinks he can still play at the highest level -- if he's healthy -- but doesn't know if he's healthy. We have a Super Bowl caliber team lacking a Super Bowl caliber quarterback who thinks that Brett Favre can be that quarterback -- if he's healthy -- but doesn't know if he's healthy.

So, both are in the process of finding out to their individual satisfaction whether he is healthy, and if so, can he play at the level that can get the Vikings over the hump.

So...Leave Brett Favre alone!