Favre’s Talent
& IQ
Gives Vikings Player-Coach on Field
Darrell Thompson grew up in
Rochester, was a school record-setting running back for the Gophers and
played for the Green Bay Packers where his teammates included
Brett Favre. Thompson is a sharp football
analyst so his opinion was sought about Favre, his teammate from
1992-94.
Favre and the Vikings defeated Detroit
yesterday at the dome, 27-10, and Minnesota’s record is now 8-1.
Since Favre came here in August the
Vikings have all but clinched the NFC North championship and moved into
fast company among the NFL’s elite teams
At age 40, Favre has led the Vikings
offense with remarkable intelligence and efficiency. He and offensive
Darrell Bevell are almost kindred spirits and the two are in
agreement about the team’s offensive plan and execution. Favre has
thrown 17 touchdown passes and only three interceptions. Last year
after nine games with the Jets he had 16 touchdown passes and 12
interceptions.
With Favre on the filed it’s like having a
combination player and coach. It’s another version of the 12th
man, only this time it’s a legend in uniform, not spectators in the
seats.
Thompson said it’s not unlike years ago
when hall of fame quarterback Joe Montana was still playing in
his late 30’s. “Probably similar to any time you have a quarterback
that plays that long, they get to be a little bit of a coach on the
field,” Thompson said. “Probably every 10 or 15 years someone comes
along like that, but it’s not common.”
Thompson disagrees with those who think
Favre is no longer a "gunslinger," a long time Favre label because of
his strong arm and willingness to thread passes into spaces where they
aren’t supposed to fit. At times that style resulted in a rainfall of
interceptions as well as touchdowns. During three of the previous four
seasons Favre has either had as many or more interceptions than
touchdown passes.
In the last second comeback over the 49ers
Favre threw a miraculous touchdown pass to Greg Lewis in the end
zone for a 27-24 Vikings win. The pass and the drive leading up to the
score was archive video of a younger Favre.
Mostly with the Vikings, according to
Thompson, Favre finds himself in an “environment” that allows him to put
his “gun” on the bench. Favre manages a system he’s comfortable with,
surrounded by talented defensive and offensive teammates including
the world’s best running back in Adrian Peterson.
“You know what? I don’t think the
'gunslinger' mentality is gone, but I don’t think it’s needed,” Thompson
said. “I know from the time we were together he’s a real common sense
person. He’s going to listen to you but then when it comes down to game
time he knows that players play and coaches coach.
"And when it comes to game time, I (Favre)
am going to do the best I can to try to win. If I feel like I gotta fit
the ball in tight spots, I am gonna fit it. If I don’t have to, and I
got a big fabulous tailback behind me, and I got some receivers and I
got a good defense, then I can survive. Then I will get the ball again
and I’ll get to make more decisions.”
Last week both Favre and Vikings coach
Brad Childress were asked about the quarterback’s minimal
interceptions. Favre credited Bevell, his teammates, and being in
manageable down and distance situations that don't demand extreme
responses. “I don’t feel like my approach
has really been any different than it has
in the past,” Favre said.
Childress pointed out that two of Favre’s three interceptions were tipped
balls. He also said that Favre isn’t trying to “stick a round peg in a
square hole.”
Usually Favre doesn’t try impossible physics exercises but we know
he might complete such an assignment.
