Mark Wilf: Favre welcome to return

OWATONNA, MINN. - Vikings owner and President Mark Wilf said Tuesday the franchise has received the boost it was looking for when it signed Brett Favre and made it clear the quarterback would be welcomed back in 2010 to play the second season of the two-year, $25 million deal he received in August.

This comes as no surprise, given the Vikings are 8-1 and atop the NFC North in large part because of Favre's performance. The 40-year-old Favre has an NFL-leading 107.5 passer rating and has thrown 17 touchdowns and only three interceptions. "When we signed Brett, we were hoping he would give us a spark," Wilf said. "He's got that great track record and so far, so good."

Wilf said Favre's contribution has been more than just on the field. "He brings a great football IQ and really a Hall of Fame career behind him," Wilf said. "But also he adds levity to the whole team, and he makes it fun. He loves football. He's passionate about it and from that standpoint, I think it's infectious."

Wilf was in Owatonna along with a few other team executives and offensive linemen Phil Loadholt and Bryant McKinnie as part of the Vikings' "You Made the Team" community tour that visits areas outside the Twin Cities. The group made a stop at an intermediate school and at a luncheon at the VFW.

As for Favre returning for a 20th season in 2010, Wilf said: "That is the hope. You'd have to ask him down the road. I'm sure that's a topic that will come up now and again."

There has been speculation that Childress, in the fourth season of a five-year contract, will soon receive an extension. Wilf said there is nothing new to report on that front.

"But again," Wilf added, "we feel really solid about the entire team. From Brad on down, we feel very solid and confident in the type of people we have in our organization right now."

Running back Adrian Peterson headlines a group of 10 Vikings who lead their respective positions in the NFC fan voting for the Pro Bowl on Jan. 31 in Miami. Fan voting counts for one-third of the total, with coaches and players also casting votes.

No Viking is going to want to play in the Pro Bowl, because the all-star game will be held a week before the Super Bowl. Players taking part in the NFL's title game will not participate in the Pro Bowl.

Peterson has received 529,319 votes via NFL.com, putting him third in the NFL behind Saints quarterback Drew Brees (539,228) and Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (532,455). Favre is fourth with 476,799 votes.

The Vikings who lead at their positions are Peterson, McKinnie, fullback Naufahu Tahi, guard Steve Hutchinson, center John Sullivan, defensive end Jared Allen, defensive tackle Pat Williams, kick returner Percy Harvin, kicker Ryan Longwell and special teams player Heath Farwell.

Fan voting will end Dec. 21 and players and coaches will vote on Dec. 22 and 23. The teams will be announced Dec. 29.

Sidney Rice, who had 201 receiving yards on seven catches in Sunday's victory over Detroit, has been named NFC offensive player of the week.

Rice is the first Vikings wide receiver to receive the award since Randy Moss captured it in 2001. It is the fifth time this season a Viking has been recognized as the NFC player of the week.