The Packer Pundit

Favre's return:
Decision brightens Packers' prospects
By Pete Dougherty
greenbaypressgazette.com
Brett Favre's early announcement of his return for the 2007 NFL season changes the tenor of the Green Bay Packers' offseason from a year ago. This year was going to be different, anyway, because coach Mike McCarthy and his assistants have had a year to establish their program. Last year at this time, McCarthy was a first-time head coach putting together a staff and identity for the team, and General Manager Ted Thompson was remaking the Packers' roster. Favre's announcement Friday profoundly enhances the team's stability going into the offseason, whereas last year, his status was the major question that lingered over the team until he determined in late April he was coming back. When McCarthy and Thompson met with Favre after the season, they agreed they couldn't repeat last year, when the Packers went into the start of free agency in March not knowing whether Favre would return and didn't find out until the week of the draft. "All of us," Thompson said, "Brett included, knew it was better for the organization, better for him, better for everybody and his teammates, who he was quite concerned with, to decide this earlier. There were fewer uncertainties going into this offseason. Last season, there was a coaching change and other things that (the Favres) had to work through." With Favre coming back, the Packers don't have to pursue a veteran quarterback in free agency to back up Aaron Rodgers, who would have been in his first season as an NFL starter had Favre not returned. "I'd think (the early decision) would help (Thompson and McCarthy) a lot, particularly when you consider the alternative," said Ron Wolf, the Packers' former GM. "What would be the alternative in free agency if he says, 'I'm not coming back?' Who do you go get to be your (backup) quarterback? So, I'd think that would help them immensely." -- More




Favre's favorite receiver?
Whoever is open
By Eric Groska / gbpost gazette
Running back Walt Williams' caught just one pass in three games in the NFL and it came from the arm of quarterback Brett Favre. Corey Harris played a bit longer, but the two receptions he snagged from Favre early in his career probably are as memorable as any of the 11 passes he intercepted in the dozen years he suited up. Guard Mike Wahle continues in the employ of the Carolina Panthers, but a 7-yard toss from Favre turned him into an offensive weapon for one play in September 2002. Favre, who announced Friday his intent to return for another season, has been an equal-opportunity quarterback since coming to Green Bay in 1992. The Kiln, Miss., native is not particular about whom he throws to, provided a receiver is open. Unlike Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who has had wide receiver Marvin Harrison to throw to in each of the nine years he has played, Favre has had multiple leading receivers in his 15 years as a Packer. Sterling Sharpe was followed by Robert Brooks, who gave way to Antonio Freeman before Donald Driver emerged in 2002. Favre has thrown to 86 players (including one to himself), by far the most of any quarterback in Packers history. Bart Starr, who played 16 years, completed passes to 44 receivers, and Lynn Dickey utilized 43 players in nine seasons. Of course, Favre threw many more passes than either Starr or Dickey. Plus, the dawn of free agency in 1993 increased the likelihood of new faces showing up on a roster from year to year. Still, Favre is slightly better at spreading the wealth than quarterbacks Dan Marino and John Elway, two longtime passers who spent their entire careers with one team. Marino threw to no more than 78 receivers in 17 years with the Dolphins and Elway employed at most 84 pass catchers in 16 seasons with the Broncos. -- More