The Ghost of Ice Bowl 1.5

So just after the draft up pops old Brett to menace Ted Thompson and cause a minor aftershock to last summer's Cheese War. Bedard points out that Favre and ESPN are pretty much business partners by now. Brett Favre doesn't talk to the Wisconsin media, he talks to ESPN.

So has the national branding of Brett begun? How much is this grudge against Ted Thompson showmanship casting Favre as the star who loved the game so and would not go gladly into that good night?

Favre as a Viking right now is very attractive for the Vikings. He's got Bevell. He's got a great running back and a strong defense. But his WR would be 2007 1st round disappointment Sidney Rice and Bear castoffs Bernard Berrian and Bobby Wade. Last year the Vikings passing attack was #25 in the NFL just behind the Lions. And Favre in a dome? I know cold weather games have become a problem for old Brett, but is he now going to start playing well in domes?

In 2007, Farve wasn't magic by himself. Jennings, Driver, along with alternative targets James Jones, Ruvell Martin, Koren Robinson, and Donald Lee all contributed to the #2 passing attack in the league. So could the Vikings with Favre go far? Could Favre bring them up to an average passing attack that would gain an additional edge because of the Adrian Peterson threat? It's conceivable enough to give you nightmares. But it's not probable.

With Favre the Vikings could make the playoffs and when you do that anything can happen. But we Packer fans have been disappointed enough times by teams with clear weaknesses. In 2001, the Packer defense couldn't get off the field and the Packer running game couldn't take any heat off Favre who threw six picks vs. the Rams.

In 2002, the Packers got Vicked by the Falcons. In 2003, the Pack when down on 4th & 26. They fizzed in the Wildcard vs. the Vikings in 2004, before losing Walker & Green and 2005. Those were some good Packer teams led by Favre. There were a few years Green was as effective as Peterson is today.

But what if Favre did get the Vikings deep in the playoffs? I wanted nothing more than for him to get another SB ring with the Packers. The specter of having that occur with Favre and the Vikings is something I'd rather not think about. Fear is never rational.

Last year I could think about the day when Ted Thompson is no longer GM and Brett Favre comes back to Lambeau to have his number retired. This storybook franchise and its fans and Brett Favre and his crazy clan have a lot to celebrate together. Now it seems like that day is a lot farther off.

For those of us feeling collaterally damaged by Favre's dalliance with the Vikings, it is important to remember that time passes quickly in the NFL and this too shall pass, just like the Packers' offense last year which slipped from #2 to #8 in the league in total yardage by air.

I still think Ted Thompson will historically bear some fault for not developing a warmer relationship with Brett and his brood. The unexpected 2007 magic merit ted some warmth in January & February 2008. Losses like the one to the Giants at home can haunt a team beyond the memory of players & coaches involved. Let's ask a Cleveland Browns fan about haunted football teams. I'll post his reply if it's printable.