Philadelphia Eagles: Should Brett Favre Be Michael Vick's Backup?

There seems to be a growing notion around Philadelphia that Brett Favre would make for a good backup to Michael Vick in 2011.  This, of course, would be only if the Philadelphia Eagles trade Kevin Kolb as expected once the lockout is over.

Garry Cobb of gcobb.com wrote an article today speculating on the possibility. He apparently got the idea after hearing a few radio personalities discuss it on 610 WIP. I've also heard a few Eagles fans around the Bleacher Report community talking about it as well.

Brett Favre to Philly as Vick's backup?  Seriously?  Brett Fah-ver-ah?  

Hey, I have his rookie-year leather helmet. Maybe he could sign it.

But in all seriousness, I understand why this idea might be growing on some folks. Andy Reid was the old man's QB coach in Green Bay for a few years, and Farve knows the West Coast offense like no other (he and Bill Walsh chiseled diagrams on their cave wall). 

Once Kolb is gone, the Eagles will be in need of a veteran backup for a year while Mike Kafka gets more time to develop into a decent No. 2 option. Adding Favre does make sense in this regard.

If he is, in fact, itching to return for yet another season of football, I'm sure he will only be considered for a backup position on any team—with his age and banged-up body, that would be all he can handle.

Favre's injuries from last year are believed to be healed, although that is just an assumption on my part. The past two years, he has dealt with ankle and shoulder injuries as well as suffering a concussion towards the end of last season.

Gil Brandt, a former executive with Dallas, recently speculated that he thinks Favre would be interested in returning for another year. 

Favre himself has not stated any such thing. 

As a matter of fact, there was another article last month on SunHerald.com that quoted him answering the question of if he would want to play again. Here is what Favre said:

"“I don’t want to put my body through that anymore,” he said. “I’ve been beat up enough.” "

Of course, it's Brett Favre we're talking about here—given his history, would you believe him? 

I give it a 50/50 shot that he stays retired (and he did file his retirement papers to the NFL, by the way). 

Last year Favre struggled and looked every bit of his 41 years of life, 20 of which he has spent being pounded by NFL defenders.

He looked downright sad at times. 

I'm hoping that Brett just decides to stay home. However, if he decides he wants to give it another whirl as a backup, that puts a slightly different spin on it. Looking at him as a No. 2 rather than as a starter is a little easier.   

Favre could be great as a guy that comes off the bench, plays well for a few games, and keeps the offense chugging along. 

If he ended up having to play for an extended period of time, though, it could get ugly.   

But if Favre would come back as Vick's backup, I'd be willing to take a one-year flier on him even if it meant having another circus in town. 

Just make sure he doesn't get your cell phone number—you don't want to get Jen Sterger-ized.