If at First You Don't Succeed, Come out of Retirement...Again

Yes, no matter how much we wish it weren't true, he's back. Well, not all the way back, but it's likely just a formality now.

We're one Brad Childress conversation away from hearing that good ol' Brett Favre is coming back to play football for one—or perhaps more than one—year.

Seriously? Did I just write that?

When he announced his second retirement after he fizzled out with his New York Jets to finish what originally seemed like a promising 2008 season, I believed him.

I also breathed a sigh of relief. 

One of my favorite players was doing the smart thing. He was recognizing his limitations and setting aside his desire to play for the betterment of the league and the team.

And now look at this latest mess he's getting himself into.

I told a colleague of mine today that after the season Favre had in 2007, I could understand his desire to play again. I didn't care for his methods, but I did understand.

He finished a few plays from another trip to the Super Bowl and had a near-career year in many offensive categories.

Who wouldn't think they might have enough left to finish the job?

But after last year—and particularly the end of last year—I wouldn't get it at all if he returned.

Favre was sloppy and sluggish, a shell of his former self, and he finished the year so badly injured that every pass looked like it was thrown in horrible pain.

When he retired, I thought he understood at least a little bit about anatomy. There's that little thing about how the body breaks down with age and doesn't come back 100 percent. 

He must have missed that day in health class.

When word came yesterday that he was meeting with Vikings head coach Brad Childress about a possible return, I realized the only thing Favre learned in the past year and a half was how to be unrealistic and resentful.

Now, before you call me a Favre hater, understand that he was my second favorite quarterback of all time next to John Elway. 

But the guy needs to stay retired this time.  

Favre was quoted recently as saying that he was motivated to play by his resentment toward the Packers.

Resentment for what, exactly?

Does he resent them for not being all warm and fuzzy when he suddenly decided on the eve of training camp that he didn't want Aaron Rodgers taking snaps for the Packers?

Does he resent them for asking him to—if he must come back—compete for a job on the roster or take a coaching position?

Does he resent them for moving on?

Perhaps it is all three. Perhaps more. 

The bottom line is resentment won't fix his torn biceps or win football games. It won't prevent mind-numbing interceptions at critical points in games.

It also won't win Super Bowls.

If he or the Vikings think a resentful quarterback makes them Super Bowl contenders, then they have a lot more problems than who is—or who isn't—on the roster.

What are they going to do next? Ask Mike Holmgren to come out of retirement to help Brad Childress do game plans?

Here's hoping that good ol' No. 4 stays where he belongs—fishin' back home.