Lakeland Mirror

Issue date: 2/15/07 Section: Sports

Last week, Brett Favre announced that he will return for a 17th NFL season and his 16th as a Green Bay Packer. This will most likely signal an end to Dan Marino's stranglehold on most of the NFL's passing records.

Now that Favre is back, the 2007 season could mean a lot more for him and the Packers than just records.

The Packers needed Favre to return, moreso than they did last season. Consider this: Last season was a rebuilding year. Had Favre not returned for 2006, Aaron Rodgers would've been allowed to grow with the rest of the team. The fact that Favre is keeping Rodgers from playing may widely be considered a bad thing, but I don't think I'm alone when I say that Favre gives the team a better chance to win than Rodgers. As long as Favre still has the ability to help the team win, he should stay.

The fact that Favre announced his return early this off season, the Packers can focus on improving the team without having to worry so much about the quarterback position.

This opens the door for a draft completely void of picking a quarterback, allowing the Packers to focus on other positions, like picking a backup to the aging Ahman Green, who may prove valuable alongside a quick running back like Marshawn Lynch from California in a dual back system like the Bears and Colts used to get to the Super Bowl.

A pick like that and with the rumored addition of Randy Moss to the already strong receiving corps could put the Packers among the top five offenses in the NFL. Couple that with a defense that allowed an average of just 10 points over its last four games, and you have yourself a championship caliber team.

However, had Favre retired, the Packers probably could not accomplish nearly as much this off season than they might. Without Favre, the Packers are still only a .500 team. Now they can take another year to evaluate Rodgers and give themselves an opportunity to take a Brian Brohm in next year's draft, if needed.

Let's not forget that the Packers were picked to finish last or second last in their own division last year, but instead went 5-1 against NFC North division foes (yes, that includes the NFC champion), had the third best conference record and were one New York Giants' loss away from the playoffs. Would that have happened without Favre? Not a chance.

Whether you love him or hate him, the NFL just wouldn't be the same without him. It will be a sad day when he finally does retire, but for one more season we can appreciate the great quarterback he is.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools