Watching Brett Favre: Vikings Week 1 at Cleveland

(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Will Brett Favre be in his own version of "training camp" as he leads the Minnessota Vikings Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns?

Joe Theisman says that is essentially Favre's situation going into the first few weeks of the regular season.

I agree with Theisman in the summation that Favre will be bulding that undefinable "chemistry" with his offensive personell throughout the first quarter of the season.

I also agree with Favre's assesment that such a progression will continue to take place throughout the season - up until the last game.

To the ultimate end of looking for Favre to make the Vikings offense complete, here is what I will be looking for from #4 against the Browns.

Statistics:

To give an indication that the Vikings offense will build to a truly feared multi-dimensional beast, these are the numbers Favre should put up.

Passing Yards: 250

Touchdowns: 2

Interceptions: 1

As anyone who follows the Vikings knows, the offensive plan is to give Adrian Peterson more opportunities for big plays. The flip side of that coin is that Peterson's presence frees up passing opportunies for Favre.

Anyone who follows Vikings football also knows Favre will have a setlist of backfield dump-offs already drawn for him. With Peterson, Chester Taylor and Percy Harvin, that strategy is strong on its own offensive merits. 

However, to demonstrate that the Browns game is a step forward for Favre in building the offensive dominance the Vikings are capable of in 2009, he needs to throw some solid 10-plus-yard routes and flip a few trademark slants.

Darrell Bevell also needs to prioritize luanching one or two bombs detonated with play action.

Favre can't be constrained by an offensive system. Contrary to some opinions, he needs to let loose if the Vikings are going to experience a climax of the modern West Coast offense.

In order for that Kick-Ass-Offense of Vikings Coach Brad Childress to be realized, Favre needs to start getting his reps in Week 1 - plenty of audibles and downfield passes to diversify the attack.

The Vikings should win this game by double digits regardless of what offensive tactics they apply - they are simply that talented.

But if the Vikings can diversify their downfield march and their entrance patterns into the end zone, they will have shown progression since Favre's arrival.   

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?