Who Will Scratch Favre’s Itch?

By Adam Ruggiero
Love of Sports Correspondent

It’s the bombshell everyone saw coming: Brett Favre wants to play football again ... again.

After what many considered a hasty retirement decision in March, good ol’ #4 has given rise to rampant speculation that he’s ready to return by contacting the Packers to discuss things. Though reports have varied as to the legitimacy and substance of these talks, most agree Favre said he still had an “itch” to play football and that his family had been pushing him out of retirement.

Unfortunately for Brett, and hundreds if not thousands of Favre-opaths, the Packers have already begun the transition to life after him and have invested their future in the hands of young Aaron Rodgers. So, the question now stands: If Brett plays again, whose colors will he be wearing?

First things first; a lot will have to happen for Brett to find himself playing again with another team, and most of it is unlikely at best. For example, the Packers would have to release him (assuming they stuck to their guns and stood behind Rodgers) for him to come back someplace else. Magnanimous as cheese-head nation no doubt is, such an action wouldn’t be in the Packers’ best interest.

Still, the potential is there, and that makes great fodder for debate. And since it’s all hypothetical at this point anyway, let’s put aside the fact that Green Bay would NEVER hand over the rights to their beloved gun slinger to a division rival, and consider the suitors in the NFC North.

Why the North? Quite simply, the rest of the division as a whole has had more QB struggles than any other in football. The other three teams combined have had 54 QBs play at some point during Favre’s 17-year stint as the unrivaled starter in Green Bay!

Here’s a look at how Brett stacks up against the remarkable mediocrity of his black-and-blue foes and where he would fit should he find himself among them.

Chicago Bears

The list of great Chicago quarterbacks is short and forgettable. We all know Jim McMahon and his eerie eyewear habit, but true fans will also put Sid Luckman (1939-50) and Erik Kramer in their pantheon. That’s right, Erik Kramer. That’s how bad things have been for the Chicago football Cubs behind center. Since Favre’s first season in Green Bay, there have been 20 tries at the position, of which Kramer, Shane Matthews and Jim Miller have been the bright spots, and Rick Mirer, Cade McNown and Kordell Stewart the rather-not-talk-abouts.

If Favre landed here he’d have to beat out Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton for the spot ... so he’d definitely start. His success would hinge on three factors: his O-line, the Bears’ scheme and his receivers. If Favre’s career were measured in dog years, he’d almost certainly be dead, so he’ll need protection. Unfortunately, the Bears O-line is abysmal, and the loss of their key blocking tight-end, John Gilmore, leaves another hole up front. Which brings us to the Bears’ position as a run-first offense. With question marks on the line and a proven QB like Favre at point, you’d have to think the team would happily transition to an air attack mentality.

Onto the playmakers. Marty Booker returns to the Bears this season after four solid, if unremarkable, seasons in Miami. Across the field, young Brandon Lloyd will be looking to make good on the potential he’s failed to fill in his stints with the 49ers and Redskins. Favre probably would’ve been better off with last year’s receiving corps of Mushin Muhammad and Bernard Berrian, but if Devon Hester proves as amazing a receiver as special teams man, then Favre could put up big numbers as a Bear.

Detroit Lions

Could Favre “Restore the Roar?” After an amazing first-half 2007 campaign, going 6-2, Jon Kitna and the Lions remembered they’re Jon Kitna and the Lions and lost seven of their last eight games. As a Lion, Favre would look to breathe life into a receiving dynasty that’s been both highly touted and profoundly bad. Four of the Lions’ last six first-round picks have been standout receivers - beginning with Charles Rogers, then Roy Williams, Mike Williams and most recently Calvin Johnson - now down to just Johnson and Roy Williams. Johnson enters his sophomore season sans the college hype from the outstanding highlight reel he manufactured at Georgia Tech. He’s a solid wideout with unproven potential, just the type Favre likes to make famous. As for Roy Williams, he’s the No. 1 guy despite missing the final quarter of last season with a knee injury. He’s got more upside now than Johnson, but together the two comprise a trademark Favre aerial threat.

Kitna would make for an excellent backup option if Favre’s age caught up with him in ‘08, but the friendly confines of Ford Field would rob both players and fans alike of Brett’s cold weather panache. Moreover, if he did come back you’ve got to think he wants to win now, and the Lions are a second-place threat at best in the North.

Minnesota Vikings

And then there’s the Vikings, long the rivals to the West, whose ankle-breaking turf and thunderous (perhaps artificially assisted) crowd noise confounded Favre and his Packers for most of the QB’s tenure (6-10 in the Dome all time, winning four of his last five). Yet, the Metrodome was also host to Favre’s record-breaking 421st career touchdown last year, surpassing Dan Marino - both statistically and in lore, as Favre’s lone Super Bowl ring all but trumps Marino’s legacy.

In Minneapolis, Favre would reunite with Robert Ferguson, who came to the Vikes last year and put up less-than-expected numbers. Two other NFC North wideouts accompany Ferguson, both former Bears, Bernard Berrian and Bobby Wade. Sidney Rice rounds out Minnesota’s passing options; a second-year big man - a strong 6-foot 4-inches - he adds another dimension to the team’s otherwise vanilla corps. Favre would test the strength and durability of these guys’ hands, and he’d surely try to stretch the field beyond what they (and the Vikings) are used to.

The wild card in this offense is Adrian Peterson, whose stunning rookie campaign made fans all but forget Randy Moss’ breakout rookie year. In Green Bay, Favre had Dorsey Levens, a power back, and Ahman Green, a quick-footed work horse who could bump it outside or take it between the tackles. Peterson rivals Levens’ strength and far surpasses Green’s speed. With him in the backfield, Favre would have defenses in check like he’s never known, and it would be interesting to see what the two could do.

All of this is moot, however, if the Packers play it safe and simply talk Favre back into retirement. His “itch” is probably just as impulsive as his retirement was. A little golf and a few brewskies and Brett could just drop the whole issue. Besides, can you imagine the legend wearing Bears navy (no, it’s not black), Lions silver, or… my God, Vikings purple?!

No, me neither. Still, it’s fun to pretend.