Brett Favre, NFL Great, Hall of Famer... but Could He Have Been Even Better?

This article is not an apology for Brett Favre, nor is it a rant against him.  I am focusing on his on-the-field greatness, not his off-the-field infidelities and antics. With the news of Brett recently confirming his retirement, it seems appropriate to revisit and examine his career with fresh eyes. 

Paul Zimmerman, Dr. Z, a former writer for Sports Illustrated, originally enlightened me to take a step back and examine Favre from a more objective perspective.  Upon reading his article written in response to Favre's initial retirement, many feelings and thoughts that were once vague and ill-formed in my mind began to take shape.  As these thoughts began to solidify and become clearer, I began to examine with fresh eyes my favorite quarterback.  I came away less a Favre apologist, but also further in wonder of his natural abilities. 

For me, growing up a Packer fan in the early to mid-'90s, Brett Favre could do no wrong.  He was equal parts athlete, improvisational maestro and devil-may-care competitor.  Couple that exciting combination with his everyman personality, enduring toughness and genuine love for the game, and Packer fans had a true legend for whom to root. 

His fearless approach, and physical skills created a multitude of highlights that entertained and wowed both fans, and opponents alike.  Who can forget the many underhanded tosses, shovel passes and completely off-balance miracles that he was able to conjure? While they did not always work, as a fan, I was transfixed regardless. 

Brett was exactly what the NFL wanted.  He was always entertaining, consistently won and was a player with whom fans felt they could identify.

Without dismissing his virtuoso talent, Favre's blessing was also his curse.  His maddeningly mercurial inconsistency produced fantastic highs, as well as heart-wrenching lows. Many quarterbacks make many a foolish mistake early in their careers, only to mature and grow in wisdom on how to take calculated risks. 

Brett never truly grew up, and while this risk-taking enabled him to throw 508 touchdowns, it also contributed to high 336 interceptions. 

Statistics illustrate that the seasons in which his touchdown-to-interception ratio were at their highest were typically seasons in which he had a capable coach to harness his ability.  Holmgren, McCarthy, even Childress to a lesser degree provided a steadying influence.  Favre never wanted for talent, but he often lacked discipline.

Some of the most legendary stories about Brett revolved around his ability to play so incredibly well while hurt.  The other side of this capability was that it appeared to foster a sense of entitlement to play no matter how his play was affected.  It also minimized his accountability to coaches in the same regard. 

This became clear last season in Minnesota, and even to a lesser degree when he played for the Jets. 

This lack of accountability impacted more than him playing hurt.  It took a special kind of coach to harness him.  Early in his career, he needed a firm hand on him due to youthful indiscretion and inexperience in a complicated offense. 

Later, he required a similar coach due to his own bad habits and inattention to detail.  Brett was like a finicky sports' car; flashy, eager and immensely capable, but also prone to being out of control.

Everyone that watched him knew that his fundamentals were terrible often times.  He got a pass on improving on them because his unnaturally strong right arm compensated for his sloppy mechanics.  Too many times he threw across his body, into coverage, giving the defense an all to easy interception.

In an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Favre admitted to rushing through his progressions because of the many times that he'd seen a particular result.  His instinctive feel for the game, along with his superb, near photographic memory contributed to him taking even more chances in his later years.  Many of these chances worked, while others did not. 

I doubt that impatience and lack of discipline were the cause of all his big mistakes.  I would argue that his toughness and courage left Favre vulnerable to being hit as he threw, causing the pass to change course. 

Furthermore, in the NFL, great players on defense can have anticipation and instincts as well, allowing them to pick him off just like any other quarterback. What made Brett so maddening was his tendency to make boneheaded plays in crucial times that demonstrated a lack of discipline, such as the NFC Championship against the Giants.

To sum up my views on Brett Favre, knowing what I know now, I still watch old game tape of him as a Packer, launching lasers into ludicrous windows.  I still miss him running around like a kid winning a pickup game with a play he drew up in the dirt. 

I also believe, however, that with his football instincts, his athletic ability, great memory, and toughness, he could have been one of the best three quarterbacks ever.  Alas, it was not to be, and he settles for a spot in the top 10, possibly even top five ever. 

Not a terrible concession for the gunslinger from Kiln.