The Brett Favre Soap Opera

The Brett Favre Soap Opera started before the NFL draft when Brett Favre announced his retirement from the NFL. With out question a very hard and emotional decision for the future Hall Of Fame quarterback. After his hour long press conference to announce his retirement we all expected Favre to simply walk away from the game. Yeah right, the guy has suited and played every Sunday for almost 2 decades and he had his best season in years in 2007. I do believe that Brett Favre was asked to make a decision he wasn't ready to make and made the wrong one.

A couple of months later the talk of Favre coming back to play again started. The Packers denied the rumors and simply stated Brett has retired and Aaron Rodgers is are quarterback. The old gunslinger however still had the burning passion to play again. A few weeks later the rumors became reality and Favre has expressed his interest to come back and play.

Then came the report from Green bay that the Packer organization intends to start Aaron Rodgers regardless of Brett Favre. Wow the Green Bay Packers finally said no to the legend Brett Favre. The fact of the matter is that Favre has been holding this franchise hostage for years with his constant retirement talk. The Packers just simply had enough and wanted to turn the page. Favre completely understood the Packers decision to stay with Aaron Rodgers considering we are now 1 month away from training camp he asked to be traded our released. After the Packers declined Favre"s request to be released our traded Favre talked about coming to the Packers training camp. The Packers in a desperate attempt to avoid a media circus gave into Favre and began to discuss potential teams to trade Favre to.

Lets look at all the facts here first. Brett Favre is 38 years old and proved last season that if he has talent around him he can play good. If there is little talent Favre will be a gunslinger and is prone to turning over the football. The packers have asked the price of a 1st round pick for a quarterback with a max of 2 seasons left to play. That is a huge price to pay for a two year stop gap, unless you have the talent to win the super bowl now. Okay we know that Favre will want to play for a bona fide suber bowl contender. So what teams would be the best fit the Vikings, Lions, and Bears are eliminated because the Packers will not trade in the division. To bad because all three teams would be serious contenders with Favre. That leaves only a handfull of teams that might be interested in Favre the Jets, Chiefs, Ravens, Redskins, and Tampa Bay.

Lets examine these teams to figure which one makes the most sense starting with the Chiefs. I believe the Chiefs are an unlikely choice because there are to many holes on both sides of the ball. The offensive line needs some work,tight end Tony Gonzalez is the only proven receiving option, and the defense is average at best. If Favre ends up in Kansas City the Chiefs could make a playoff run but will get beat quick the playoffs. The Redskins on paper could be a great home for Favre a playoff team from 2007. In the draft the Redskins drafted two 2nd round receivers to go with proven play makers Santana Moss, Chris Cooley and Clinton Portis. First year head coach Jim Zorn has history with Favre and the offense is similar to Green Bay. The big problem here is that QB Jason Cambell played respectable last season before getting hurt in 2007. In the end I think this would be a great fit for Farve but the price of 1st round pick will be to much to pay for Washington.

The Ravens are hard figure out, the defense is getting old but if the offense can play better the defense could be top 5. On the offense the Ravens lack skill players,running back Willis Magahee is solid but the wides are only average. Considering the Ravens best choice for a quarterback this year is a rookie, I just don't see Favre making that much of difference to justify a 1st round pick. The Bucs could be a good choice for Favre considering how well Rich Gannon, Brad Johnson, and Jeff Garcia have played in Jon Gruden's pass happy offense.

The Bucs still have a good defense but outside of wide receiver Joey Galloway they have no talent on offense. If Brett is a Buc in 2008 expect Favre to have a good season and lead Tampa into the post season. The most logical choice to me would be the N.Y Jets. the Jets have an excellent offensive line, two quality wide receivers, and what could be a vastly improved defense. I think when the bomb goes of and the Packers do the unthinkable and trade Brett Favre the smoke will clear and Favre will be a Jet. Which could make the Jets a bona fide contender in the AFC.

Looking back on The Brett Favre Soap Opera when its all done I really don't think there will be a winner. The Packers are right in the decision to go with Rodgers and he will be a solid quarterback for years to come. I hate to say Brett Favre will only do damage to the team that trades for him but it is true. It doesn't matter where Favre plays in 2008 he will not lead them to a super bowl trophy but will cost a 1st round pick. The only real chance Brett Favre had to go out on top was to stay in Green Bay. Look on the bright side though Brett you did stick it to the Vikings one more time the Vikings will be fined future draft picks because of their contact with Favre this off season. Till next time on The Brett Favre Soap Opera.