Brett Favre: 5 Reasons the Gunslinger Should Come Back to Minnesota in 2011

I know, I know.  Am I crazy? The man’s retired...Well, sort of.

Thousands of fans are saying, "No more. Please, Brett. Stay retired!"

I said at one point that Brett Favre would have to be carried off the field in a body bag. Well, how about carried off by teammates?

What follows are five “reasonable” explanations as to why Brett should return to play for the Minnesota Vikings.

To quote Forrest Gump: “Mama always said, [Brett Favre] is like a box of chocolates—you never know what you’re gonna git.”

5. Give the Media Something To Talk About Other Than the Lockout

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings talks at a post game press conference after a 13-20 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Everyone knows Brett loves the spotlight. Call him narcissistic, vainglorious or whatever, but he is entertaining. Favre is the antithesis to Brady. Brady shuns the spotlight, whilst Favre eats it up.

I love the NFL Network, but things are becoming redundant. In the age of 24-hour news coverage redundancy is bound to happen, but the lockout has been ridiculous. Get Scott Hanson down to Mississippi and camp out in front of Brett’s home to give us daily reports.

Also, I want to see the veins protruding of those former players on ESPN, foaming at the mouth and lambasting Favre, because they couldn’t get past age 35 when they were playing. Jealousy baby, pure jealousy.

If a guy wants to take his car 100 mph down the highway, he knows the risks. If Brett Favre wants to walk back on to that field, then by the gods he should do so.

4. Familiarity and Love for the Game

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 14: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings talks to his offensive teammates in the huddle during a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 14, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Vikings 27-13. (Photo

No one questions Favre’s love for the game. To go through what he has gone through is nothing short of miraculous.

Favre is familiar with the Vikings. Childress is gone—a seeming nemesis to him last year—and even though Bevell is gone as well, Musgrave would most likely embrace Favre, and it could provide a rejuvenation for Favre as well. I am sure Brett was pretty pissed when Randy was cut. Besides, Musgrave could be more patient with Ponder and Favre could quickly adapt to Musgrave’s modified West Coast system.

Also, don’t you think the veterans on the team would embrace Favre’s return? Wouldn’t McKinnie feel as though he owes something to the old guy?

No offense to Ponder, but if you are Pat Williams or Steve Hutchinson, going with a rookie QB may deflate you a bit. Maybe Ponder comes in and pulls a Matt Ryan and all is well. Yes, that would be great. But to have Favre in there is a nice insurance policy.

I think Favre's familiarity with the players would create a more relaxed atmosphere, whereas a new FA coming in would feel the pressure of acceptance, and taking on a leadership role could be overwhelming.

3. Mentor the Youth

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TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 07: Quarterback Christian Ponder #7 of the Florida State Seminoles throws a pass as he is hit by defensive lineman Steven Wesley #90 of the Miami Hurricanes at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 7, 2009 in Tallahassee, Florida

It’s probably realistic that, if Favre gets slammed to the ground a few more times like he did last year, it’s an official knockout they should call in the medics. But there is an opportunity for him to mentor Minnesota’s next signal-caller.

I am certainly not advocating Favre starting off the season and then handing it off to Ponder Week 8 or Week 9, but what I am advocating is that Favre can show the youngster how to manage a game.

Green Bay fans are probably fumbling over their keyboards just aching to get at me here, but I believe much of Rodgers' success is due to Favre. The years he was able to sit back and watch how the man managed a football game was nothing short of total maturation on Rodgers' part.

Ponder can learn from someone he admires, and would have the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge relative to the game and all that goes into it.

2. Unfinished Business

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings is checked on by medical staff after getting injured on a play against the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Championship Game at the Louisiana Superdome on January 24, 2010 in New Orlean

The inglorious conclusion to Favre’s year last year was either completely appropriate or utterly unfair, depending on how you look at things.

It was completely appropriate because, at some point, you really need to get it handed to you before you are humble enough to say, "No more." On the other hand, a man who gave heart, soul, blood and tears does not deserve to go out the way he did.

Favre could come back with a team that is suddenly resurgent under new coaching (of which he is probably more receptive to), and it would give the Vikings a chance to not have to rush Ponder.

All the records have been set—there are no more to contemplate. Favre's only reason would be about unfinished business and saying, "Uh-uh, this isn't the way I want it to go." I think at the end of last year there was much frustration for everyone.

To some degree, injuries, desire and drive must have impacted Favre's final days, and to see him walk quietly into that good night just didn't seem right. My gut tells me there is unfinished business.

1. Why Not?

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MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 7: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates as he heaves the field after the game with the Arizona Cardinals at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 7, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings won 27-2

The lockout is killing any prospect of a real free-agency season, and trade possibilities are worsening every day.

Let’s say FA begins and Minnesota tries to pursue Matt Hasselbeck. Is there any guarantee that he would play any better than a 41-year-old Favre?

The Vikings would have to negotiate a trade for Donovan McNabb, and why would McNabb want to come to Minnesota to be a one-year stopgap?

Most of the other FA quarterbacks are vying to be starters, so what is their desire to come to Minnesota when they know the No. 12 pick will be starting soon? Plus, they would be coming in late and how fair would that be to them?

Favre's statistics last year were abysmal, so wouldn't it be safe to say that, should he return, those statistics would improve? A healthy Rice (if he stays), Harvin is a favorite of Favre's and Rudolph adds another dimension to the passing game. If they decide to get another WR in FA, then Favre would have even more toys in which to toss the rock. Bryant McKinnie is said to be working out very hard, and Adrian Peterson is always on a mission.

It is also safe to say the defense will improve from last year as well.

There is no doubt that the lockout is hurting the likes of Ponder, Locker, Newton and Dalton, and their respective teams need immediate solutions.

We know one thing for sure: Favre is a one-year solution. To come back would enable Favre to finally have that farewell tour. One last year would enable him to say, “I did it my way,” and isn’t that what most of us desire? 

Your thoughts are always welcome.