Favre's grit and perspective
Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 12:21 am
In short, I wonder if Favre is willing to fight through extreme immediate discomfort and grittily WILL his way to a win anymore.
If you put it in perspective, he's done it all. He has the accolades, the championship, a nice family to go home to, and other priorities more important than football. He's older, wiser, and more balanced as an individual.
The result is that he's a better person now, but I wonder if it has negatively affected his on-field grit? It seems like now, if Favre gets knocked around a few times, he gets that look in his eye, like "Eh, who cares," and starts pressing. Today's weather took him out of the game - he made hasty decisions, worried about the wind, and locked in to his receivers. He looked like he didn't want to be there going through all that discomfort. After all, there are more important things in life, right?
Remember the mid 90s? When hitting Favre in the mouth meant that he's becoming even more focused and willing the Packers to a victory? Remember when the Steelers made him cough up blood, and then he proceeded to put the Packers on his back and lead them to the win? That was because he had that hunger. He had to prove himself; he had to win an MVP, and he had to win a Super Bowl. By whatever means necessary.
I don't think this is there anymore. Favre has the physical tools to play into his mid-40s, but now requires "perfect conditions" for him to be effective. That includes weather that's not terrible, good protection, and an adequate supporting cast. Otherwise, he'll be tempted to mail it in, because he subconsciously thinks, "I've proven everything already - why push myself past my limits? It's just not worth it." Note, it's subconscious. He wants to have fun out there, but it's not fun at all when you're getting knocked around in 0 degree weather, for example. And the result is the games that we'd seen in recent history: Today against Chicago, Dallas, the playoffs against Minnesota, the Philly game, etc.
From a human standpoint, this is a good thing. He seems a lot happier and at peace now. He's said that he's fine walking away from the game, and he says he's realized that there are bigger things than it. True - he's right. But that doesn't translate as well onto the field if you are not willing to forget everything and be willing to die out there.
For us to do well in the playoffs, we have to make sure Favre's mind stays focused and hungry. That's all it really boils down to.
If you put it in perspective, he's done it all. He has the accolades, the championship, a nice family to go home to, and other priorities more important than football. He's older, wiser, and more balanced as an individual.
The result is that he's a better person now, but I wonder if it has negatively affected his on-field grit? It seems like now, if Favre gets knocked around a few times, he gets that look in his eye, like "Eh, who cares," and starts pressing. Today's weather took him out of the game - he made hasty decisions, worried about the wind, and locked in to his receivers. He looked like he didn't want to be there going through all that discomfort. After all, there are more important things in life, right?
Remember the mid 90s? When hitting Favre in the mouth meant that he's becoming even more focused and willing the Packers to a victory? Remember when the Steelers made him cough up blood, and then he proceeded to put the Packers on his back and lead them to the win? That was because he had that hunger. He had to prove himself; he had to win an MVP, and he had to win a Super Bowl. By whatever means necessary.
I don't think this is there anymore. Favre has the physical tools to play into his mid-40s, but now requires "perfect conditions" for him to be effective. That includes weather that's not terrible, good protection, and an adequate supporting cast. Otherwise, he'll be tempted to mail it in, because he subconsciously thinks, "I've proven everything already - why push myself past my limits? It's just not worth it." Note, it's subconscious. He wants to have fun out there, but it's not fun at all when you're getting knocked around in 0 degree weather, for example. And the result is the games that we'd seen in recent history: Today against Chicago, Dallas, the playoffs against Minnesota, the Philly game, etc.
From a human standpoint, this is a good thing. He seems a lot happier and at peace now. He's said that he's fine walking away from the game, and he says he's realized that there are bigger things than it. True - he's right. But that doesn't translate as well onto the field if you are not willing to forget everything and be willing to die out there.
For us to do well in the playoffs, we have to make sure Favre's mind stays focused and hungry. That's all it really boils down to.