Sid Hartman: Saints coach urged Favre's return

This past week I had a chance to do a 1-on-1 interview with Vikings quarterback Brett Favre. Here's what he had to say before NFC Championship Game with the New Orleans Saints on Sunday:

Q Is there some doubt whether you would be in a Vikings uniform today had coach Brad Childress not called you back a final time to see if you had changed your mind about playing this year after you had announced your retirement after last season?

A No, I can't sit here and say that I was hoping he would call back, I just didn't think it would happen. I knew that when I said 'no' at the start of training camp, I knew that he -- as well as the rest of the guys, if I were to play -- needed to be in the first day of camp. I just didn't feel ready and was not willing to take that chance. And I knew that I probably just let a great opportunity slip through my hands. But, you know, as much as I may have wanted to, I was not going to make that call. When he called, I just felt like that it was divine intervention -- plus, I was running out of time. I mean, the longer I waited, the harder it would be to fit in and to play at a high level.

Q You told me that one of the big reasons you came back this year is that Sean Payton, the coach of the Saints, has been a good friend of yours for some time and Payton had a lot to do with you facing his team today for the NFC title and the right to go to the Super Bowl.

A Yeah, you know, we never worked together, but we've talked a fair amount in the last couple of years. He was actually pretty adamant about me coming back; he just felt like that was the right decision. He has been in my corner from Day 1. We're playing against each other and obviously they want to win, and we do, too -- but I can't tell you how many times he's sent me a message and said, 'Aren't you glad you came back?' and, 'I told you you could do it.' He really gave me an extra vote of confidence throughout this whole process.

Q Visiting with you quite a bit this year, I get the impression that this has been one of the most fun years for you.

A Well, it would seem that way. Now, I've played so long they sort of run together, but it's really been a blast this year, a great group of guys. No doubt winning and having a chance to go to the Super Bowl sure plays a big part in it, but I would say it ranks right up there near the top.

A Yes, it will. A lot of factors will go into that decision, but I do know it's been a great year on and off the field. I've really enjoyed working with the guys. It's been fun. The family likes it; I haven't done a whole lot aside from coming to practice and playing games. But people have been wonderful to me and my family and it's just really a nice place.

Q You're 40 years old, you've been in the NFL for 19 years, how would you say you are, mentally and physically, compared with, say, last year with the Jets?

A Well, I think for me, that was one of the keys to my success, and for our team, is for me to physically and mentally get better. I mean, that was the thought, to get better each week. But I have to admit, there've been times this year where even I have had to pinch myself and say, 'Boy, you know, I probably have played even above what I thought I was capable of at times.'

Q Talk about the development of wide receivers like Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice.

A I've played with a lot of great receivers at Green Bay, but these two guys have a chance to be as good a wide receivers as any I have been around. They have gotten better and better with each game.

A Without a doubt.

Q You refuse to take a lot of credit individually for your success, even though it is doubtful this year the Vikings would have gone as far without you. How do you account for the fact that the Vikings went so far this year?

A There's no doubt that my success is due in large part because of those guys [teammates]. ... The line and Shianc [Visanthe Shiancoe] and Bernard [Berrian] and Adrian and Chester [Taylor], I mean I can go on down the line. The two obvious guys, Percy and Sidney, just from what they've done this year -- but my success has always been only as good as the guys around me, and this year it's been, collectively, a great effort.

Q You look back to last year at this time with the Jets, and you were out of football. Did you think you would be playing this year at that time?

A Yes, I was home last year at this time. I really was not considering coming back, because if I wanted to play I had to have surgery on my arm. Who would have thought we'd be sitting here right now having this conversation and have a shot to win this championship and go on to the Super Bowl?

A You know, it really hasn't bothered me. Up until the day I came in, there would be times when I would throw in preparation for this season, where my arm would feel great and then all of a sudden I would have a little pain and that obviously concerned me. But, once I got in my throws gradually increased in practice and I've been pretty blessed; I mean I haven't had any issues.

Q Are you pretty sore after a game or are you in good shape to go into the practice the following week?

A The little nagging stuff that at 30 years old or 25 that you don't really think about -- both ankles are always sore, you get banged up in a game, and it just takes longer to recover -- but all in all I can't complain. I feel pretty good.

Q The last time you were in the Super Bowl, John Elway of Denver was the opposing quarterback and he has been retired now for 11 years. He went out on top the next year. Did you consider that, too, when you talked about retiring?

A I came back for the opportunity and the hopes of getting back to the Super Bowl, no doubt about it. People may think I am pulling their leg, but I really don't feel there is anything left to prove. The thing with playing 19 years is like you saying that Elway retired for so long people actually forgot that I had success, had been in the Super Bowl. I have to remind them sometimes: 'He and I played in the Super Bowl.' And they say 'Really?' I guess I played so long that I have to re-justify that I played, that I was a pretty good player at one time. I've played in a big game before. Actually was lucky enough to win one. Unfortunately, we lost one, but I don't know how many guys [remaining] in the league who were in those games.

A Well, you know, as much as our crowd was a factor in us winning this past week [against the Dallas Cowboys], it will be that big of a challenge for us this week in dealing with their crowd. I've been in that dome before; I know how loud it is. I've been in the Metrodome as a visitor, and it's a huge advantage. We have to be able to handle that. There's no way that we're going to completely quiet them down, but we have to be able to handle that part of it more than anything in order to have success.

Q You played several years with Darren Sharper when he was the Packers safety; you are good friends, too. Sharper is now with the Saints. He has been quoted as saying that he knows a lot about your style and what you do, and he believes he will have an advantage going against you in the big game.

A Well, you know, Sharper's always a tough challenge because of the way he plays, and he's playing outstanding right now, as is their defense, really their whole team. So, there's so many factors that we have to consider in order to win this game, and Sharper is right there at the top of that list. It's always a chess match with a guy like Sharper and you have to be sound in what you're doing. It will be a huge challenge for us.

Q How much will the championship experience you have had in NFC title games and Super Bowls will help you and others on the team in this game?

A I hope the little experience I have in these games -- which is most of anybody [on the team] -- will help some.