Green Bay Packers Are Green with Envy Over Brett Favre and the New York Jets

The New York Jets may or may not make the playoffs this season. While as of this writing they are in a three way tie for first place in the tough AFC East, they need to win their last two games to assure a playoff spot. But envy if they lose their last two games, the Jets and the NFL's all time passing leader, Brett Favre will still accomplish something that the Green Bay Packers will not this year; finish with a winning season. The Jets are 9-5 with two games to go while Green Bay is a poultry 5-9 and are assured of not only missing the playoffs, but having a losing record as well (source: espn.com). This leaves many feelings of regret and maybe even envy among the Green Bay Packer fans and management alike.

No one really needs to revisit the decision that the Green Bay Packers management made when they decided to let Brett Favre go in place of first year starter Aaron Rodgers and the blame doesn't seem to be able to rest solely on Rodgers shoulders. But the fact remains that the Green Bay Packers for all intense purposes were a better football team with Brett Favre at the helm as are the New York Jets this season. But why is this?

When you look at the stats of Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers you will not notice much of a difference. If anything you may give the slight edge to Rodgers as Favre now leads the NFL this season in the interception area (source: espn.com). And when you look at the rosters of the two teams from last season to this season, the only major differences are the quarterbacks. But the Packers were one win from the Super Bowl last season and the Jets had another disappointing year. So what gives?

Well unless you are blind, Brett Favre not only brings leadership and experience with him wherever he goes, he also brings his desire to win. He did it in Green Bay and now he is doing it in New York. Brett Favre has the charisma to make others want to be better. His winning attitude is so contagious that the defense even seems to pep up and try harder. So while Rodgers may look a little better on paper, charisma is something you either have or you don't. When Favre was in Green Bay the other players bought into him, just like the player now in New York are. While the players may over time buy into Rodgers in Green Bay, they sure don't seem to be doing so right now.

This year will certainly be one of reflection in Green Bay. How much better could they have been if they just let Favre back in the door instead of slamming it closed in his face? The NFL and the fans will never know. All that is left is for the fans and management in Green Bay to do now is sit at home and be green with envy over the New York Jets and Brett Favre. But take heart Packer fans, the Jets haven't made it to the Super Bowl (or the playoffs for that matter) just yet; but God help us all (especially Packer's management) if they do.