MANKATO, Minn. -- There isn't any Brett Favre debris to clean up within his team or his organization, Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress insisted Thursday, because the once, twice, three times-retired former Packers and Jets quarterback did not accept Minnesota's proposal to take over the starting job.Childress said he has no regrets about his team's distracting three-month pursuit of Favre, which began immediately after the Jets released the 39-year-old from his contract in May, shortly after the NFL draft.
The courtship – played out in full view of the media, incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson and newcomer Sage Rosenfels -- continued like a bad reality show until Tuesday, when Favre confirmed his latest retirement is for real this time – no really. Seriously.
"It was important to have it done before training camp,'' Childress said of his talks with the perpetually indecisive Favre. "Bud Grant was always big about players not getting to the stadium too soon, OK? I always talk to my team about, 'Kickoff is at noon. I don't want to see you sitting in front of your locker at 8 o'clock in the morning.
"So [Favre] didn't have to be here one second before [the July 30 reporting day for training camp]. And we didn't have to know before that. Those guys [Jackson and Rosenfels] took all the turns they could possibly get in the springtime. If anything, they worked a little bit harder in the summer. "
So an offseason spent looking over their backs, wondering if their mini-camp and organized team activity work was for naught, that dynamic was motivational for Jackson and Rosenfels?
"I have no regrets, no,'' Childress said flatly.
The Vikings coach held a team meeting Thursday morning with the 79 players who reported to Minnesota State University-Mankato -- the only no-show is first-round draft pick Percy Harvin, who remains unsigned.
Childress doesn't believe the extended Favre negotiations were in any way detrimental to his quarterbacks' psyches, or to Vikings' team chemistry in general. Childress dealt with Favre primarily by telephone. Other members of the Vikings' organization were more hands-on, making the trek to Hattiesburg, Miss., to personally watch Favre work his way back from offseason biceps' surgery, including offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. Team trainer head trainer Eric Sugarman visited Favre in Mississippi twice."I don't think they're scarred at all,'' Childress said of his quarterbacks who are actually on the roster. "As a matter of fact, we had a laugh with the whole team this morning. If anybody thinks Sage Rosenfels or Tarvaris Jackson are going to incomplete a pass or scuff a pass and turn around and said, "Sh*t, I wish you wouldn't have been talking to Brett Favre,' that's preposterous. We're good."
As far as the Vikings are concerned, it's as if this madcap Favre-to-the-Vikings saga never happened at all. The team will not be pursuing other quarterbacks to compete in training camp with Jackson and Rosenfels, Childress said – unless there is a significant injury to one of the quarterbacks under contract. That means John David Booty might even see a snap or two in Mankato.
"Yeah, it's behind us. No rear view mirrors on those little golf carts we have," Childress said. "Just moving forward. Kind of have the blinders on."
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Any mention of competition between Jackson and Rosenfels should result in the termination of Childress. The competition should be between Rosenfels and Booty. Jackson sucks and has had enough chances.
I am sick and tired (like his arm) of hearing about Farve. Retire and move on, he has DESTROYED any legacy he may have had.
Good Riddens Favre.
Did you guys see T.O.'s cereal? Maybe they should put Favre on a 'Frosted Flakes' box!
http://su.pr/1s0fLV
Hey David Upwad, do me a favor. On the left hand side of this page are team links, click on the Viking link and pull up the roster, then click on T. Jackson and look at his number of games played and the stats, then go to Atlanta and do the same thing for Matt Ryan and compare the two players stats. As even as they are why is everyone saying Ryan had a great year if T-Jack did not? Also Ryan was picked #3 over all and T-Jack was a mid second round pick. Ryan also had much better WR that Tavaris, B. Berrian came in last year. Who was their big WR before him? Look at Atlantas WR corp. Now, is Tavaris really that bad? He is a young QB and is coming along but he has potential. I would have rather had a 100% healthy Favre teaching him for another year but if he plays as well as he did in the last 5 games he will be fine.
why in the hell arnt they trying 2 talk 2 vick they should be that would be the smart thing 2 do
It's kind of sad that Vick only got conditionally reinstated - I think the man has served his time and deserves a second chance. It would be shame if no NFL team takes the chance to pick him up and he has to play in the UFL.
Anton, I beg to differ with your comparisons my friend. Are you forgetting the Vikings have the biggest, best, O-line in footbal, Atlanta`s line is lacking to say the least. T-Jerk also relied heavily on the best running game in football, the opposition dared Jackson to throw because they knew he couldnt complete a pass. Last but not least, you ignore winning pct. one of the most telling stats of a quality QB. Jackson sucks.
I agree with Upwad, Anton. How many chances are you willing to give a guy ? The problem with holding Jackson`s hand for another year while he learns on the job is that this team is built to win NOW. Peterson is also having his career shortened by the lack of a passing game and defenses keying on him. Forget Jackson, he sucks.
So what are you trying to do, get a new QB every year? No T-Jack is not the best, he can develope into a good QB but like any QB he needs time. Coach Bill Cower is a big fan of T-Jack, he has said many times that he has the arm and the smarts he needs the playing time. I think they should go with the best QB they can and right now it is T-Jack. And I will stick to the stats, Matt Ryan is no better than T-Jack, stats do not lie. Uless the Vikes get in a better QB they have to go with him. Look back at the 99 QB class, amd al the QBs that have come and gone that were franchise players when they signed. Yoy cannot give up on a QB that has only played 16 games, Both Mannings started slow, Big Ben and Trent Dilfer were not that great when they won their SB rings. They won on a good running game and a good D which the Vikes have, they are not out to win the game through the air, they are a run first team. T-Jack is the best player they ahve at that position, like it or not.