Memo to Minnesota: The Young Guns Rule the North

(Photo by David Sherman/Getty Images)

The NFC North is nicknamed the black and blue division for a reason.

Not always known for prolific offenses, but more often for offensive ineptitude, it seems the majority of these teams have turned the corner, or at least are making an attempt towards shedding the old-school tag. 

The Packers are pleased with the production from Aaron Rodgers in his first year as a starter. The Bears welcome with open arms Jay Cutler, who is more talented than anyone the franchise has had in decades at that position.

And, if all goes according to plan, the Detroit Lions have found the face of their franchise in signal caller Matthew Stafford, the first overall selection out of Georgia in April's draft.

However, the defending NFC North Champion Minnesota Vikings continue to waste their time flirting with 39-year-old Brett Favre, something that may make defending their title in coming years very difficult. 

The idea of having the Brett Favre of old is just as unrealistic an idea as it is a good one. The Favre that the Vikings watched from the opposing sideline for 16 seasons is clearly not the same No. 4 that may potentially be calling signals for them this September. 

So, is bringing a 19-year veteran who is a fraction of what he once was worth the effort Minnesota is putting in? Will it put this team over the hump and make them a contender? Absolutely not.

Perhaps the most effective thing Favre does now is put every quarterback on the roster in a bind by creating an entire offseason of uncertainty throughout the locker room. 

This isn't to say that he has nothing left in the tank. Favre's competitive fire burns brighter than any other, and I will forever be a fan of his for what he did for the Green Bay Packer franchise. 

But training camp is quickly approaching, and we're talking about a man who is not guaranteed to even be physically able to perform.

Each of the other three teams in this division is getting younger and has what they feel is the future of their franchise at quarterback.

The Vikings still have one of the more talented offensive lines in football and, combine that with the most dangerous halfback in the game in Adrian Peterson, they have the makings of a championship offense for years to come.

Just imagine if they could compliment that with a young signal caller with even above-average talent that Brad Childress can groom into a stud. The fact that they are going after Favre would lead one to believe the Tarvaris Jackson experiment is over, but Childress and company are yet to implement a backup plan.

It's not like finding a franchise quarterback is easy, but seeing as the Vikings are not making strides in that direction whatsoever has me feeling like they aren't too serious about winning in the future.

Rather than building an offense that is bound for serious success in the long run, Minnesota remains stuck in the past, playing in to Favre's plan to spite Green Bay by facing them twice a year. 

How this year's edition of the Favre Saga will play out, nobody knows. However, it is safe to say that by investing all their stock in an over-the-hill quarterback is the perfect recipe for setting your franchise back.

Now, sit back and watch the young guys steal the show!

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