Jerry Rice weighs in on Favre
July 8th, 2009 – 12:27 PM by Chip ScogginsJudd and I had an opportunity this morning to watch Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and wide receiver great Jerry Rice work out with a group of NFL players at the Gophers football facility.
Fitzgerald has invited a number of NFL players to the Twin Cities to train, including Greg Jennings, Brandon Marshall, Michael Clayton, Antrel Rolle, Matt Spaeth and James Laurinaitis — all of whom were at Wednesday’s workout. Quarterbacks Tony Romo and Joe Flacco are expected to be here next week.
We spoke to Rice about Brett Favre’s expected to return to play for the Vikings this season. Rice said he applauds Favre’s desire to continue to play, but he questioned whether it is the best move for the Vikings, saying “this could really backfire.”
Here is what Rice said:
What are your thoughts on Favre’s likely return?
Rice: “You have two quarterbacks [Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels] who don’t know exactly what is going to happen. All of a sudden these two guys thought they were going to be competing. To be honest with you, I thought Tarvaris would be the starting guy this year. I’ve watched him off and on. The most important thing for him is the consistency. He shows that at times ‘OK, I can do this.’ I think he was moving in the right direction, making progress. Now you have this saga, and everybody is sitting back wondering what is going to happen.”
What do you think the expectations should be with Favre? He’s going to be 40 and is coming off arm surgery.
Rice: “In New York, you hear about what happened, and it was not very good. I think Brett showed some great flashes last year. Did some good things. But then towards the end he didn’t play as well. If they feel like bringing him in is going to get them to the next level, I think they should. But to be honest with you, I think the two guys with the team right now should be the two guys that they should be focusing on.”
You don’t sound too convinced that Favre will play at a high level for the whole season.
Rice: “I really don’t. Brett is a competitor. But I know towards the latter part of my career, even though I still wanted to be out on that football field, it was like things became a little bit more difficult. But my job was different. It consisted of a lot of running and stuff like that. With Brett, the thing for him is dropping back, planting himself and throwing the ball downfield so it might be a little bit different for him. But he’s a competitor. I think if he still wants to play, I think he should. But I really thought this team would be moving and looking down the road instead of trying to look for the one-year miracle.”
How hard is that for guys like yourself and Brett to walk away from it?
Rice: “It’s hard. It’s hard because you love the game. I was listening to some guys doing commentary the other day. If you have other things going on in your life and you have other businesses going on, I think then you have other things you can focus on. But if it’s just football and that’s it … and I think with Brett right now, he’s been so in love with the game and he still wants to play. I tip my hat to him for going out there and giving it everything he can give it, but I don’t know if it’s going to be a good year.’
What happens if he does struggle or is not healthy with a team that is built to win now?
Rice: ”Then everything backfires. You’ve got a major problem. Also you have to look at the scenario that happened in New York. If he pretty much distances himself completely from the players, then all of a sudden you’re going to divide the players because a lot of the players are going to say, ‘Hey, Tarvaris Jackson should be in here or Sage.’ You don’t want this to divide the team. So this could really backfire.”
60 Responses to "Jerry Rice weighs in on Favre"
I have heard from reliable sources that at workouts Jerry Rice looks like he can still play. Maybe HE should attempt a comeback.
Excellent presentation of situation.
Expect that Childress may have same misgivings but needs to get the season tickets sold.
[…] Read the entire interview here. […]
I think Rice was on “Dancing With The Stars” not Running with the stars.
Completely agree with Rice’s assessment. Best take I have heard on the situation to date. Its a double-edged sword with Favre, and both blades are extremely sharp. If he succeeds, then its glorious. If he fails, it will be very painful to be a fan this year.. more painful than if TJack or Sage were at the helm. That’s the way I see it.
Most Packer fans will be disappointed if the great one doesn’t play in Minnesota this year. The expecations are going to be so high that anything short of winning the Super Bowl will be considered unacceptable. Then next year the great one will be 41 and Minnesota will either have to play him or start all over at quarterback. The circus is in Minnesota this year not Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Chiller is hoping for a 1-year miracle.
[…] Read the entire interview here. […]
This whole thing “is what it is”. (I love that phrase.) Some think it will work, some don’t. Fact is…No one knows, but I am among those who see more downside than up. Even so, it is apparently worth the risk to Chili, who may be one more year and done if something wonderful doesn’t happen.
Right now Chili is just focusing on having enough kegs ordered for his daughter’s wedding reception, and who to call when the last one starts spitting at 9:30.
test
It always boils down to the bottom line. Favre will put asses in seats.
Zygmund wants that.
It’ll generate buzz and increase the viewing public for Viking games, creating more ad revenue.
Goodell wants that.
Will it work for US, the Vike fans who want a Super Bowl win?
Take everybody’s opinion, expert or not, throw it in a jug, shake it up real good, pour it in a glass and take a big ol’ sip of who the hell knows.
what I wanted to say didn’t come through….all that wisdom went to waste……the boys don’t like my thoughts today!
The Minnesota legislature seems disinclined to build a new stadium for the Vikings. History repeats itself: Minneapolis Lakers become the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Vikings become the Los Angeles Vikings. Packer fans should be glad that their team will always be in Green Bay even though the great one is no longer on the team. I guess the great one isn’t bigger than the team.
I’m always a fan of imparted wisdom. I lament the loss, krug.
Seems like the only issue not yet addressed here is context. Chili doesn’t have luxury of time and neither does Favre. Both are motivated to win and win now. It is just a big gamble!
I want to know what the hell these people outside the TC are watching to think that T-Joke was gonna be a quality QB. The game against the Cardinals where they had nothing to play for (and looked like it)? The game against the Giants 3rd Stringers? Obviously noone watched the first two games of last season, the playoff loss to Philly, or pretty much any game he started in 2006-2007
This is all fine and good, but Fred really wants to know about Tomb’s weekend with his lady friend and no kids…. Freds hopes you were a gentleman Tombs and didn’t watch ESPN all weekends!
What I really want to know is if the Williams will be there at the start of the season?…Also if I should spend $117.00 on the cheapest ticket stub hub has to the Minnesota/Greenbay game. And aside from that the Tomorrow night the Meat Puppets Will be playing at the Whats up lounge in Mankato…
Cliffs
- Should you spend $117 to go? Do it Cliffs!! Fred sure won’t. He will be sitting at home with very cold Colts 45s and his 19 inch tv with “digital” rabitt ears.
Freds really has no desire to comment on your Meat Puppets activities in Mankato. Sounds like you could use a girl friend, but whatever.
Why not Favre, even if only for a season? Minnesota doesn’t have a starting QB anyway, so they may as well take the risk.
Good day to my ol’ pal Smooter!
Had a great time with the lady friend…just what a guy needs to put a little extra spring in the step.
Everyone, including Jerry Rice, seems to want to put their two cents in.
But only Favre knows the condition of his shoulder and whether he can play like the start or end of last year. I don’t think he will play if he can’t do it well. If he decides to play, he will be a huge upgrade at the position for the Vikings, with all due respect to Jerry Rice.
I thought Rice was a complete idiot to try to play so soon after his catastrophic knee injury. Perhaps he was humbled and is transferring his pessimism to the Favre situation.
Krug,
I also posted a reply that didn’t make it.
Maybe the posts that are the most informative get eliminated?
That’s what I’m thinking. . .
who gives a rats azz what jerry rice thinks
…probably not Mrs. Rice.
Rice knows it was the HGH that kept him going in the later years.
Rice is the greatest reciever of all time and is respected. However, has he really even seen footage of Sage and the 7 INTS vs the Colts??? or the Tardvaris meltdown in the Eagles game????
He really should grab a DVD player and have KLINK get him some highlight reels of those 2 clowns because then he would be singing a different tune. Honestly I am tired of the former NFL greats and their opinions on the Favre thing.
Favre is a free man and can play if he wants to and he does not need permission from anyone.
Hence, Jerry can shut his cake hole!
I just don’t see what Favre did for the Jets last year as to say he “failed”..
First off Brett gets sent to a team “not” of his choice by the Packers…(with no complaints)..Then
L Coles declares his “man crush” on Pennington…And has no trouble expressing his remorse on his favorite QB leaving for weeks afterwards…Then Brett gets in late to training camp and has to learn a “new” offensive scheme very quickly…And “still” is winning games while learning the system early in the season…Then when his shoulder flares up with some problems in the second half of the year…T Jones is “very quick” to throw Brett under the bus…Saying he is a cancer to the team because he doesn’t party with them ??..And needs some space to himself in the locker room…(gosh..I wonder why??)…But yet Favre still does the best he could do to finish the year out for the Jets…Even with severe pain in his shoulder..
Favre is coming to a system at Mn he knows inside and out..Front to back..and on a team “I hope” has a lot less “whiners” and a great deal more talent !!
Go Vikes !!!
I find it interesting that all these old stars are negative on Favre playing for vikes. I think just maybe they are from big market teams and are scared that a small market not big market team may destroy them! Tarkinton doesn’t want Favre to acomplish a feat he could not. The only one that made sense is Tony Romo when he said if Favre joins vikes they will be a very scary team that they are already scary add Favre really scary. I think packer fans are very scared they know Favre and deep down respect his abilities and know if he plays halfway decent he will be tough to beat. Two years ago I went to greenbay for vikes game wearing AD jersey. I wanted to see the best Qb Brett and best Rb AD the pack won 35 to 0. I never dreamed of seeing the two together on same team. I’m looking forward to see them in action. What an exciting year for NFL if it all works out. Even though I’m a vikings fan I have always enjoyed watching Favre play even with jets last year. I’m probably in a minority but I want vikes to win but if they don’t ironicly the pack is 2nd favorite team. Go vikes
I bleed purple,
I’m with you on that. Good post.
I look for favre to sign next week. Somone called into kfan radio today and said that favre will be back in minny friday and may attend a function at a golf course with chilly. I don’t believe this will happen as chillys daughter wants her special day. Also mcnairs funeral will be in hattisburg on saturday. July 15th sounds good to me. Jerseys on sale 16th can’t wait
Scenerio: CBS Special Report. Live from somewhere in Mississippi. Brett Favre announces that his shoulder has not healed to his satifaction and the ability to perform to the level he needs is not there. Therefore, he will for go playing in the NFL for the 2009 season.
Ok, the ballon bursts, wind goes out of the sails, and the sun sets in the east. It would be a major shock for those of us having our dreams and expectations grounded. But were this to happen, I would have to respect the man for his honesty. I would applaud the Vikings for making an attempt to better the team in making a deep playoff run. I, for the life of me cannot see TJack leading this team. Sage being the only hopefull shot and a last chance at that. But then isnt that the way of things, beings a Viking fan, seems we always get the chair kicked out from under us. ya could say that makes us tougher than the rest.
I wonder if he would have to sell his new condo in eden prairie or where ever he put 30000 down on already. I think his arm is fine and will play
Jerry Rice obviously doesn’t watch the Vikings.
Hi!! This just in from an ‘un-aimed’ source. Favre will play for the Vikes. He would already have said “NO” IF HE WASN’T COMING. Brett is taking all the private time he should have…like the other players in the NFL..for off-season activities. Once he lets the feline out of the sack, it will be PoP-A-Rottsie time.
Also, you won’t find more of a team player anywhere in any sport at any time..than Brett Favre! Practice time & game time are ALL TEAM..ALL THE TIME! In street clothes, Brett is a family man. He is not a carouser or skirt chaser or bar hopper. He loves his wife & kids & family life. My, how refreshing. Some of you Goulish Wags would prefer seedy headlines about a really great man and athlete so you could make your lunch money. Brett is the last of the breed. You fans of anything decent better enjoy what you have ’cause after him, there ain’t no more. See what I’m sayin? “I’ll leave the Light on for ya!”
[…] Access Vikings: » Blog Archive » Jerry Rice weighs in on Favre […]
Gatorade
Great post agree with you
Sounds like arm is ready to go according to sid and vikings trainers whom visited favre today
He’s comin he’s comin lookout nfl this could be one heck of a year for the NFL and viking fans
Ah, Gatoraide, I don’t know how to tell you this, but Brett has never been an angel, and we’ll just keep that quiet. The PoP-A-Rottsie let that out of the bag a long time ago.
The thing a lot of ‘experts’ and former NFL players don’t see is that Brett doesn’t have to throw the ball 70 yards, he just has to be good and consistent. We are a run first team so he can pick his spots to unload the ball. We know he can read defenses. The thing I will want to watch, what does he do with the called play, does he audiblize? I would hope so but Chilly has no history of allowing this. We’ll see I guess. Go Vikes!
[…] Retired wide receiver great Jerry Rice has been at the University of Minnesota’s training facility this week working out with a group of NFL players. The NFL’s all-time leading receiver opened up to the Star-Tribune about the likely return 39-year old QB Brett Favre. […]
[…] Retired wide receiver great Jerry Rice has been at the University of Minnesota’s training facility this week working out with a group of NFL players. The NFL’s all-time leading receiver opened up to the Star-Tribune about the likely return 39-year old QB Brett Favre. […]
[…] Retired wide receiver great Jerry Rice has been at the University of Minnesota’s training facility this week working out with a group of NFL players. The NFL’s all-time leading receiver opened up to the Star-Tribune about the likely … […]
I hope that the Vikings will at least show more class by supporting a great assett like Favre. the Packers could not do that in his last FEW years in GB. At 40, and maybe 70% of what he once was, he is still very capable of running a very good offense like Minn. has, if they rally around their leader. I believe BF absolutely could have one more great year in him. He won’t have to carry this team alone.(are you listening Brett??)
Personally, I can’t forgive the Packers for what they did to him. I am a Packer fan, but I hope Favre/ Minn. sticks the dagger in GB this year. This year I’m rooting Purple. Under Ted Thompson, the Packers are gonna fail, miserably.
[…] Access Vikings: » Blog Archive » Jerry Rice weighs in on FavreRetired wide receiver great Jerry Rice has been at the University of Minnesota’s training facility this week working out with a group of NFL players. The NFL’s all-time leading receiver opened up to the Star-Tribune about the likely … Read more […]
[…] Access Vikings: » Blog Archive » Jerry Rice weighs in on FavreRetired wide receiver great Jerry Rice has been at the University of Minnesota’s training facility this week working out with a group of NFL players. The NFL’s all-time leading receiver opened up to the Star-Tribune about the likely … Read more […]
Has anyone considered that maybe the end of last season was his way out of NY? I’m not saying he faked his injury but maybe overstated it. Alot of players have stated that they have played through this type of injury and it seems like it was the quickest way he could get to the team he really wanted to play for. Something to consider anyway.
[…] Read the interview HERE […]
[…] In a recent interview, the NFL’s all-time leader in touchdowns, receptions and receiving yards, Jerry Rice didn’t show a lot of confidence in Favre. Rice said the stress of a 16-game season might be too much for a 39-year-old. “Brett is a competitor. But I know towards the latter part of my career, even though I still wanted to be out on that football field, it was like things became a little bit more difficult,” Rice told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. […]
[…] Access Vikings: » Blog Archive » Jerry Rice weighs in on Favre Tags:Feels, Does, Really, Find […]
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