Say it aint so... Vikings Coach Childress rumored to be flirting with Brett Favre

Brett Favre was released from the New York Jets last week as an unrestricted free agent, and ever since the gossip has been swirling that Head Coach Brad Childress has been trying to woo Favre to his former rival team the Minnesota Vikings. At Favre's press conference he stated that he was retired from the National Football League "at this time" and the rumor mill has been churning up stories ever since. But whats the truth? It was reported that Childress flew to visit Favre at his home in Mississippi on Wednesday May 6, but Childress arrived the Vikings training facility the following morning. Are we to believe that if such meeting did occur, that it was so cut and dry as to be concluded in less than a day. Fans don't know whats going on, and its stirring up some unpleasant feelings from many die hard Vikes fans who will forever view Brett as the most loathesome of rivals, a Green Bay Packer. And on the other hand, there are some fans who overlook Favre's green and gold upbringing and view him simply as the best man for the job, as many folks have speculated that the Vikings are just a great Quarterback away from being a true Super Bowl Contender.

 I personally choose the former. Brett Favre, truthfully, has accomplished many great things in his career. He holds many NFL records and, as I see it, could have been remembered for greatness. Instead, he seems to have chosen the path as the "Come Back Kid", trying to reinvent himself - and failing - more times than Britney Spears. The legacy of Favre would have been that of greatness - had he stayed retired after the 2007 season. The end of his 16th season as a Packer was a golden time in his career, he was at the top of his game, he was 38 years old, he was retiring a legend. Then he got antsy to get back in the saddle. The Packers insisted that if Favre were to come back he would have to compete for his former job against Quarterback Aaron Rogers. The long and the short of it is that Brett chose to leave Green Bay for the bright lights of New York City, taking a huge step backward in his career as starting QB for the lackluster Jets, finishing a respectable but not good enough for the playoffs 7-9. Favre's contract with the Packers restricted him from signing in 2008 with NFC North division rivals the Minnesota Vikings, but his release from the Jets has left him an unrestricted free agent.

Favre could wind up in Minnesota in 2009, realistically. But it would just be a middle finger in the air directed at Green Bay Packers General Manager Ted Thompson, and would ultimately be more trouble than its worth. Bringing Favre on board would alienate Vikings fans and players alike, and for what? One good season. MAYBE. If Favre stays healthy, and with the bicep injury he sustained last year, not to mention the fact that the guy is pushing 40 years old in a sport that is dominated by athletes in the prime physical condition of their youth, its not too likely. If one sack goes awry, he's likely to break a hip. But in all seriousness, the Vikings need to develop a franchise QB that will be around to help the team grow over coming seasons, and that is not Brett Favre. I believe that the efforts are better spend on Tarvaris Jackson. Jackson has had his struggles, and lost his job as starting Quarterback last season to veteran Gus Frerotte. I think that was a wake up call that T-Jack needed to help him focus. Don't hand the kid a job as starter, make him earn it. Bringing in former Houston Texan Sage Rosefelts was a good move to make the light a fire under Jackson and make him better. Jackson is a good Quarterback, but he could be great. The Vikings need to take the time and effort to groom him, and not jump to conclusions signing Favre for a bit of nostalgia. Favre was great once. His time is done. Give someone else a chance.