Favre's Return May Boost Vikings On & Off The Field - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Wreckless · 08-19-2009, 05:14 AM

and Ron Jaworski said that they are finally a complete team now, and the team to beat (among all NFC teams this season) lol.....

STORY

By Erik Matuszewski

Aug. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Brett Favre’s latest comeback may lift the Minnesota Vikings on and off the field.

The National Football League’s all-time leading passer and three-time Most Valuable Player yesterday agreed to join a team that last season boasted the league’s top-gaining running back and stingiest rush defense.

Favre’s arrival in Minneapolis has lowered the Vikings’ odds of winning the Super Bowl and his presence will boost sales of tickets and merchandise, said Rick Gentile, professor of sports management at Seton Hall University in New Jersey.

“It’s a win for the NFL, it’s a win for the Vikings during the baseball season, it’s good for the Fox network, it’s good for all (television) rights holders,” Gentile said in a telephone interview. “That high could last all year if he has a good season.”

Favre’s return for a 19th season comes less than a month after he told Vikings coach Brad Childress that he’d stay retired and about three weeks before the team’s Sept. 13 regular-season opener in Cleveland.

While he missed all of training camp, Favre comes with quarterback records including 464 touchdown passes and 65,127 passing yards. ESPN said he signed a one-year contract worth $10-12 million.

‘Experience and Leadership’

“It really is a perfect fit,” Favre, who spent his first 16 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, said yesterday during a news conference. “We have a really good football team here, a really good running game and I felt I could offer some experience and leadership.”

The Vikings wasted no time in touting their new addition.

“Are you ready 4 some football?” was the message posted on the team’s Web site minutes after the signing, a reference to Favre’s jersey number. There was also a link to purchase Favre jerseys for $260, or earrings and shot glasses bearing his name and number.

Favre had the best-selling jersey in the league with the Jets last season and the NFL Network said yesterday that NFLShop.com sold out the initial allotment of his 1,200 Vikings jerseys within hours.

Favre will probably also impact ticket sales. While the Vikings had about 55,000 season-ticket holders last year, they failed to sell out several games and turned to sponsors to buy tickets to avoid local television blackouts, according to the Business Journal of Milwaukee.

Super Bowl Odds

Favre’s arrival has dropped the Vikings’ odds of winning the Super Bowl to 14-1, according to Las Vegas Sports Consultants, which advises Nevada sports books on betting lines. Minnesota, which had odds of 22-1 at the end of last season, is the eighth favorite among the NFL’s 32 teams.

Former quarterback Ron Jaworski, now an analyst for ESPN, said the Vikings are now “the team to beat” in the National Football Conference.

“They are now a complete team,” Jaworski said.

Minnesota last year made the playoffs with a 10-6 record, yet a different quarterback has led the team in passing yards each of the past three seasons. Favre now moves to the top of the depth chart, ahead of Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson.

“We felt like we had an opportunity to add a piece to the puzzle,” Childress said at a news conference. “The more good tools you can have on a team, the better off you are.”

Several months ago, Favre appeared poised to join the Vikings after having surgery to repair a torn biceps muscle in his throwing arm, an injury suffered last season with the Jets.

He met with Vikings’ officials, underwent rehabilitation and worked out with a high school team in his home town of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

He then decided to remain retired before the start of the Vikings’ training camp, having also found a tear in his shoulder’s rotator cuff.

When Childress reached out again two days ago, Favre said he reconsidered after talking to James Andrews, who performed his surgery.

“I had to be reassured that this wouldn’t be an issue once again, but my arm has felt good,” said Favre, who led the Jets to an 8-3 start last season but struggled to a 1-4 finish with the torn muscle.

Favre has started 269 consecutive games, the longest streak by a quarterback and one short of the NFL record held by former Viking Jim Marshall.

“After I said no three weeks ago, at times I was okay with it, other times I felt like I could really help that team,” Favre said. “That was the competitive fire in me. I didn’t want to look back. I didn’t want to say, ‘What if?’”

After opening the regular season against Cleveland, Detroit and San Francisco, Minnesota hosts the Packers on Oct. 5, five days before Favre’s 40th birthday. The Vikings visit the Packers on Nov. 1.

“I think I made the right decision,” said Favre, who might play in the Vikings’ next exhibition game on Aug. 21. “Time will tell.”

Big C · 08-19-2009, 02:27 PM

I still have them third in their division behind Green Bay and Chicago.

Doodyville10019 · 08-19-2009, 10:12 PM

Adrian Peterson better have his Iron Man armor ready if the Vikes want to make a playoff run this year. Most defenses are going to be keying on both him and Farve all season.

Farve is really too old and too beaten up to make much of a difference anymore - he should have stayed retired.

I can see Brian Urlacher licking his chops now...

Wreckless · 08-20-2009, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big C

I still have them third in their division behind Green Bay and Chicago.

Me too

James · 08-22-2009, 01:12 PM

He was only 1/4 for 4 yards, no touchdowns vs. the Chiefs!

He's looking at being as effective as Michael Jordan was that year with the Washington Wizards!

Wreckless · 08-24-2009, 03:26 AM

In that preseason game, he was about as effective as Michael Jordan in BASEBALL!!!! LOL.

James · 09-01-2009, 12:59 PM

Whoa, is it "No more Mr. Nice Guy" for #4? http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shu...urn=nfl,186324

So much for having a 119 passer rating.

That'll certainly take the wind out of his--and the Vikings'--sails (no pun intended!).

Mr. Television · 09-01-2009, 04:46 PM

I thought he played pretty well last night. He really doesn't have to do much...just don't turn it over.

TVFactFan · 09-01-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

I thought he played pretty well last night. He really doesn't have to do much...just don't turn it over.

It's easy to play well when it doesn't count-lol Farve will be back to normal in 2 weeks-lol

08-19-2009, 05:14 AM	#1
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	Favre's Return May Boost Vikings On & Off The Field and Ron Jaworski said that they are finally a complete team now, and the team to beat (among all NFC teams this season) lol..... STORY By Erik Matuszewski Aug. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Brett Favre’s latest comeback may lift the Minnesota Vikings on and off the field. The National Football League’s all-time leading passer and three-time Most Valuable Player yesterday agreed to join a team that last season boasted the league’s top-gaining running back and stingiest rush defense. Favre’s arrival in Minneapolis has lowered the Vikings’ odds of winning the Super Bowl and his presence will boost sales of tickets and merchandise, said Rick Gentile, professor of sports management at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. “It’s a win for the NFL, it’s a win for the Vikings during the baseball season, it’s good for the Fox network, it’s good for all (television) rights holders,” Gentile said in a telephone interview. “That high could last all year if he has a good season.” Favre’s return for a 19th season comes less than a month after he told Vikings coach Brad Childress that he’d stay retired and about three weeks before the team’s Sept. 13 regular-season opener in Cleveland. While he missed all of training camp, Favre comes with quarterback records including 464 touchdown passes and 65,127 passing yards. ESPN said he signed a one-year contract worth $10-12 million. ‘Experience and Leadership’ “It really is a perfect fit,” Favre, who spent his first 16 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, said yesterday during a news conference. “We have a really good football team here, a really good running game and I felt I could offer some experience and leadership.” The Vikings wasted no time in touting their new addition. “Are you ready 4 some football?” was the message posted on the team’s Web site minutes after the signing, a reference to Favre’s jersey number. There was also a link to purchase Favre jerseys for $260, or earrings and shot glasses bearing his name and number. Favre had the best-selling jersey in the league with the Jets last season and the NFL Network said yesterday that NFLShop.com sold out the initial allotment of his 1,200 Vikings jerseys within hours. Favre will probably also impact ticket sales. While the Vikings had about 55,000 season-ticket holders last year, they failed to sell out several games and turned to sponsors to buy tickets to avoid local television blackouts, according to the Business Journal of Milwaukee. Super Bowl Odds Favre’s arrival has dropped the Vikings’ odds of winning the Super Bowl to 14-1, according to Las Vegas Sports Consultants, which advises Nevada sports books on betting lines. Minnesota, which had odds of 22-1 at the end of last season, is the eighth favorite among the NFL’s 32 teams. Former quarterback Ron Jaworski, now an analyst for ESPN, said the Vikings are now “the team to beat” in the National Football Conference. “They are now a complete team,” Jaworski said. Minnesota last year made the playoffs with a 10-6 record, yet a different quarterback has led the team in passing yards each of the past three seasons. Favre now moves to the top of the depth chart, ahead of Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson. “We felt like we had an opportunity to add a piece to the puzzle,” Childress said at a news conference. “The more good tools you can have on a team, the better off you are.” Several months ago, Favre appeared poised to join the Vikings after having surgery to repair a torn biceps muscle in his throwing arm, an injury suffered last season with the Jets. He met with Vikings’ officials, underwent rehabilitation and worked out with a high school team in his home town of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He then decided to remain retired before the start of the Vikings’ training camp, having also found a tear in his shoulder’s rotator cuff. When Childress reached out again two days ago, Favre said he reconsidered after talking to James Andrews, who performed his surgery. “I had to be reassured that this wouldn’t be an issue once again, but my arm has felt good,” said Favre, who led the Jets to an 8-3 start last season but struggled to a 1-4 finish with the torn muscle. Favre has started 269 consecutive games, the longest streak by a quarterback and one short of the NFL record held by former Viking Jim Marshall. “After I said no three weeks ago, at times I was okay with it, other times I felt like I could really help that team,” Favre said. “That was the competitive fire in me. I didn’t want to look back. I didn’t want to say, ‘What if?’” After opening the regular season against Cleveland, Detroit and San Francisco, Minnesota hosts the Packers on Oct. 5, five days before Favre’s 40th birthday. The Vikings visit the Packers on Nov. 1. “I think I made the right decision,” said Favre, who might play in the Vikings’ next exhibition game on Aug. 21. “Time will tell.”

08-19-2009, 10:12 PM	#3
Doodyville10019 Meet my new friend Sparkie! Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 08, 2008 Location: Competition Square, located in Doodyville Park Posts: 877	Adrian Peterson better have his Iron Man armor ready if the Vikes want to make a playoff run this year. Most defenses are going to be keying on both him and Farve all season. Farve is really too old and too beaten up to make much of a difference anymore - he should have stayed retired. I can see Brian Urlacher licking his chops now...
	__________________ Hi! Hey! Hello again, here we go again!

09-01-2009, 04:46 PM	#8
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I thought he played pretty well last night. He really doesn't have to do much...just don't turn it over.
	__________________ Sonny

08-19-2009, 02:27 PM	#2
Big C I Heart Angie Watson Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 21, 2006 Posts: 3,531	I still have them third in their division behind Green Bay and Chicago.

08-22-2009, 01:12 PM	#5
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	He was only 1/4 for 4 yards, no touchdowns vs. the Chiefs! He's looking at being as effective as Michael Jordan was that year with the Washington Wizards!

08-24-2009, 03:26 AM	#6
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	In that preseason game, he was about as effective as Michael Jordan in BASEBALL!!!! LOL.

09-01-2009, 12:59 PM	#7
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	Whoa, is it "No more Mr. Nice Guy" for #4? http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shu...urn=nfl,186324 So much for having a 119 passer rating. That'll certainly take the wind out of his--and the Vikings'--sails (no pun intended!).