Brilliant mind, ESPN's Bill Simmons, created a new nickname for Vikings quarterback Brett Favre: "VD" -- because we can't get rid of him. One key flaw in that logic: Favre is unquestionably the best option head coach Brad Childress has. With Favre, like analyst Ron Jaworski said Tuesday, the Vikings can win the NFC. That makes him wanted unlike the aforementioned disease.
It's been unsettling to watch QBs Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels perform in practice throughout camp, to say the least. Granted, they have to face a top-six defense from a year ago that returns all of its key ingredients, but way more often than not they've resembled Spergon Wynn.
With a healthy Favre, and his torn rotator cuff is the headline from Tuesday and should be a bit worrisome, the Vikings can win the NFC. Taking Favre at face value, he's been reassured by sports power broker Dr. James Andrews that he can continue to play through said tear. Favre is unsure when the injury happened, but has been told he's been playing with it for some time. That would likely include the 2007 season when he led the Packers to within minutes of the Super Bowl. No offense to T-Jack/Sage, but at best with either, they would've won the division and had a repeat of last year -- a first round playoff loss at home.
Is Favre the ultimate drama queen? I have no comeback to that. Are the Vikings enablers? Sure. But does any of that matter when the regular season starts? The players saw what I saw in Mankato. With as many elite players as any team in the league, they are built to win and win big now. But T-Jack/Sage failed miserably. The players can connect the dots. Favre is the Vikings' and more importantly Childress's best option to win the Super Bowl. I raise Childress because this is it for him. One way or another, this year will define him. It could earn him a contract extension and a long stay as head coach or leave him searching for another offensive coordinator's job. Childress has to think: This very easily could be my one and only chance to be an NFL head coach. If my head coaching future is on the line, who would I rather have at QB -- Favre or T-Jack/Sage?
The answer is an easy one. The Vikings simply need a QB that can make four-to-six key throws a game. Someone who doesn't curl up in the fetal position in the four-minute and two-minute offenses and someone who can convert on selected third downs and make the right decisions in the red zone. Favre isn't Tom Brady, but he's their best option. Before injuring his biceps last year, he was good enough for the Jets.
Vikings TE Vistanthe Shiancoe: "He's a legend. We can't wait to get to work because we have a lot of work to do on the road to the Super Bowl."
Having been around the team everyday since camp began for cbssports.com, this is the first time I remember the words "Super Bowl" being brought up. Sure, there's been lots of talk about repeating as division champs and going further than they did last year, but that was it. It's a different vibe now.
Former head coach Mike Tice once said, "Enjoy the season."
Mike, we most certainly will.