Come to Think of It: Football Fans Feeling Favre Fatigue

I heard a Millwaukee Journal Sentinal writer on the radio the other day use the term "Favre fatigue" to describe what NFL fans are going through as Brett Favre waffles his way back and forth, in and out, of everybody's football consciousness.

And while his act may be tiring, there is, at least to me, no question that this is a solid gamble for the Minnesota Vikings.

After all, they already had a terrific running game and a strong defense. All the Vikings were lacking was a competent and experienced QB. Enter Mr. Favre.

If the 39 year old gunslinger can tone down his act, and refrain from trying to be THE MAN, he can help the Vikings. Without him, the Vikings are in the mix with the Bears and Packers for the NFC North.

But with him, the Vikings are the favorites to win the division.

Sure, the Bears finally have a franchise QB. But the receivers are bad, and that defense...not good.

Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see how Favre responds to being on a club where he isn't the primary offensive weapon.

Sure, the Jets had a great year from running back Thomas Jones last year, but Jones doesn't have the cachet of an Adrian Peterson.

Favre will need to check his ego at the door if he is going to truly help the Vikings win (and not just sell tickets).

We all heard the world's smallest violin playing when Favre, who sounded as if he were reading from a movie screen play, recounted the reasons for his return to the NFL. Yet besides money, and the fact that he has nothing better to do, it's clear that Favre would love to stick it to his old employer.

But that old employer is pretty good.

As a Bears fan, it pains me to say this, but it looks like the Packers will be Minnesota's closest challenger this season. How ironic that the North may be decided between two teams forever linked by the presence of Brett Favre.

Packer fans, who used to adore him, now mostly hate his guts. And Vikings fans, who are hungry to win, are cautiously optimistic.

"As the Favre Turns" may be tiring, but once the games start, it should be fun, come to think of it.