Brett Favre officially retired yesterday, again. This time there were no tears and no world-stopping press conference, just a phone call to ESPN, and the familiar ambiguity in his words.
Is Favre done playing football forever or is this “Phase II: Viking Quest?”
This is what he said on March 6, 2008.
“I don’t think I’ve got anything left to give, and that’s it. I know I can play, but I don’t think I want to,” said Favre.
He was in a New York Jets jersey three and a half months later.
This is what he said yesterday.
“It all comes down to physically how I feel. That could change after arthroscopic surgery,” said Favre in a conference call with ESPN.
Favre does not need arthroscopic surgery. It will help with comfort and pain, but he has 152 days to rest until July 14, the date he announced his last comeback and 10 days before the Vikings veterans reported to camp last year.
The salary-cap troubled Jets do not have room to keep Favre in case he has a change of heart. Once the retirement papers are signed and the Jets release Favre, he can apply for reinstatement as a free agent
The Vikings need a quarterback.
They can offer Favre a starting position, familiar coaches, a climate controlled dome, and a team that can compete for the winnable NFC North title again.
And maybe next year Favre will be shouting “victory” in Miami.
Packer Talk 