Brett Favre Disaster Should Keep Minnesota Vikings out of Peyton Manning Race

For as great as Brett Favre was throughout his NFL career, if there's anything we learned about his time spent after Green Bay, it's that he should have retired sooner than later.

Despite his magical season in 2009 where he threw for 33 touchdowns to just seven picks and had over 4,200 yards, it really was nothing more than a last hurrah.

After all, when you're 40 years old and playing around other world-class athletes, not training on their level in the offseason will show when the real game begins. Favre had enough natural and raw talent to last the 2009 season, but his egotistical ways got the best of him in 2010.

In short, it was a sad ending to such a historic career that won't be remembered for two Super Bowl appearances and three NFL MVP awards.

As for the Minnesota Vikings current situation, there are more reasons in addition to Favre as to why they should defer from pursuing Peyton Manning, that is, if Manning becomes available.

For one, it is an eerily similar situation in terms of Manning's age (he'll be 36 before 2012 kicks off), so we know that Peyton isn't going to play for another five to seven years.

That being said, Manning doesn't have Favre's ego, which is obviously a good thing, and although Peyton would greatly improve Minnesota's offense, it's not an idealistic fit.

Yes, Christian Ponder would learn a great deal from Manning about how to quickly develop into a legitimate NFL quarterback. But as we've seen with younger players, it's trial-by-error. It happened with Cam Newton and Andy Dalton, so why can't Ponder have his full season opportunity in 2012?

Plus, the Vikings other old quarterback experiment with the washed-up Donovan McNabb failed after six games. Also, Minnesota hasn't seen a quarterback younger than age 35 since Tarvaris Jackson (now 28) in 2008. That year, Gus Frerotte started 11 games.

And for those that forgot about Frerotte, he was the guy who jammed his own neck into a wall. So, for the sake of youth and potential under center in the Twin Cities, Christian Ponder needs to remain at the helm.

It's not that Peyton Manning couldn't get the job done, but much like Favre, McNabb and Frerotte, he'll be gone just as quickly as he showed up.

The Vikings need something more long-term and after compiling 1,853 yards, 13 touchdowns to 13 picks and rushing for an additional 219 yards through just 11 games, Ponder has displayed promise.

If the franchise then meets him halfway and proves to give him an opportunity, he can produce. There's no reason to pursue Manning as Minnesota hasn't had a prominent franchise quarterback since Daunte Culpepper.

John Rozum on Twitter.