Jerry Rice: Bringing in Favre Could Backfire on Vikings

There's a feeling of inevitability that Brett Favre will be coming to Minnesota anytime now. But it's not hard to find people who are wondering why he's doing it. Add Jerry Rice to the list of naysayers, as the future Hall of Famer thinks that the Vikings would be better off sticking with the status quo.

"If they feel like bringing him in is going to get them to the next level, I think they should. But to be honest with you, I think the two guys with the team right now should be the two guys that they should be focusing on."

Rice seems to think that Favre is hanging on when it's time to hang it up. Of course it's worth noting that while Rice is the best wide receiver in NFL history, he did stick around long enough to go out with a wimper -- a 30 catch season split between Oakland and Seattle.

But Rice does have a point about Favre. If he doesn't play well, the Vikings won't really have a whole lot of options.

"Then everything backfires. You've got a major problem. Also you have to look at the scenario that happened in New York. If he pretty much distances himself completely from the players, then all of a sudden you're going to divide the players because a lot of the players are going to say, 'Hey, Tarvaris Jackson should be in here or Sage Rosenfels.' You don't want this to divide the team. So this could really backfire."

Maybe Favre will defy his age and play like he's 35, but if he doesn't he's unbenchable. So what happens if the Vikings find that Favre isn't the final piece they think he is?

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-10-2009 @ 9:46AM

Jeff Ircink said...

my God - Rice is one person who should NOT be telling Favre to not hang around too long. geezuz. and hey, any situation can backfire. ANY SITUATION. screw Rice and Rodney Harrison and anyone else who jumps on Favre's arse. what about Namath, Starr, Hornung, Jerry Kramer - they've all come out and said Favre should play if he wants to.

7-09-2009 @ 10:03AM

William D. Mack said...

The only reason Rice finished with 30 catches in his last season is because he played with 2 different teams in his last 2 years under 2 different systems. Not to mention he was used only as a fourth option. Your fourth wide out typically will only see about 30 catches and that's a good year for a fourth wide out. Rice could have probably had at least 60 catches as a starter somewhere, but in the NFL the young guys must be developed.

7-10-2009 @ 4:14AM

cjgdnight said...

mack, he had 30 catches because he was running close to a 5 sec 40 and couldn't get out of his breaks worth anything... development's interesting, but winning is the nature of the NFL.

I LOVED watching Rice play, but between us, he had no business out there his last two years other than enjoy his time playing the game.

7-09-2009 @ 4:41PM

dscarrollinlv said...

Farve will only need 10 to 15 passes a agame withPeterson in the back field. let them stack the line......... let the old man play and show you what he still has in his arm. He still throws the slant play better than most, and his ball always has fire on it. I am ready to by a # 4 Jersey and watch my direct tv weekly again. They ran him out of Greenbay, now let him Play in Minn. He will only help the team get to the next level. as far as Rices comments on the back ups, dump em and get some new blood to learn from Farve. Look what the bears did this off season, wow what a catch at Q.B. I know all pro's want to win but not all Pro's have the fire to take it to the next Level. I say let Farve Play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

7-09-2009 @ 7:26PM

jon said...

Favre will have to learn how not to throw the ball to the opposing team. Among all his records he is the worst ever with interceptions and blowing the chance of winning the game at the end.

7-09-2009 @ 10:45PM

Art Fuscardo said...

Dont worry Jerry, The players wont be saying, "Hey, Tarvaris should be in there". Certainly not Peterson. (or his Dad).

7-10-2009 @ 4:17AM

Agree... would have been fitting for him to retire from GB after throwing the game ending pick in the playoffs... live by the sword and die by the sword.

He is fun to watch just for the unpredictability of what color jersey he is throwing to.

7-10-2009 @ 6:28AM

imshortyk said...

It's a risk versus reward game with Favre, most definitely, but the Vikings shoulder definitely take that risk. They only have one of the best o-lines in the business, plus THE best running back in the game. They have three studs at wide receiver (Percy should be if he isn't sick or injured). Adding Favre only seems logical. If he only gets 20-25 throws a game I think he'll be a-okay. If there's a team he SHOULD play for it'd be the Vikings. The perfect offense for him. Reminiscent of his last year in Green Bay when Ryan Grant was running all over everybody and he had his awesome wide receiving corp.

should** Lol.

7-10-2009 @ 7:34AM

packerbf4tb said...

Rice should remember at the end of his career
nobody was saying Rice should retire...so Rice
should MYOB...Favre loves the game...period....
When he comes back this season he will be ready
...He will be in better shape and with Childress
as coach he will be the difference maker........
Favre isn't out there badmouthing anybody but all
I read and hear is Favre bashing...I say to all
of this just let the guy alone...he will play no
matter what anyone says about him...he wants to
go out on a high note...he deserves that much...
I hope it happens for him...I will be cheering
for him again....if you don't want to see him
play then don't watch....win or lose he is still
a Hall of Fame player .......

7-10-2009 @ 8:18PM

wckline said...

Jerry who? The same Jerry Rice who also didn't know when to quit. The other two guys in line are not even on the same page with the gunslinger. Best chance to win now is with Brett Farve the proven winner.

7-11-2009 @ 11:24AM

jndstigs said...

wouldn't be having these stupid conversations if the vikings front office did what they were supposed too do when Cutler said "i'm out of Denver any club want a stud QB call" Wait no call from Minnesota hey let our division rival get him and let's give our great defense another test they don't need

How dumb are they? Seems like a no brainer to go after a QB with 10 years in his tank Sorry Culter you would have been the final piece to the Vikings never win the big one puzzle -

7-11-2009 @ 10:29PM

Bud Slommer said...

jnd, the reason they didnt go after Cutler is because Childress still desperately wants to play Jackson, and he will. Wait and see. The Vikings will miss the playoffs because of his insistance on it.