Brett Favre and Larry Foote. That's pretty much the sum of the news we had Tuesday in the NFC North. I think that's enough for the first full week of May. Don't you?
In case you missed it, our reaction to the looming meeting between Favre and Minnesota coach Brad Childress is here, here, here and here. Wednesday morning, we had columnists from the two newspapers in Minnesota present dueling viewpoints.
Jim Souhan of the Star Tribune believes Favre would be a sideshow whose baggage might actually block the Vikings from their ultimate goal.
"There are lots of good reasons for coaxing a future Hall of Fame quarterback out of retirement. As long the Vikings don't think one of them is an aging Favre's ability to propel his team to the Super Bowl, then, what the heck? Sign Favre, watch the fireworks, and understand that this January, Favre might wind up looking all too much like a cross between Brad Johnson and Tarvaris Jackson. Favre is the supermodel who maxes out your credit cards. He is the sports car that wipes out your bank account. He is enticing, and he is captivating, and he is trouble."
Tom Powers of the St. Paul Pioneer Press believes the sideshow would be too much fun to avoid.
"Even if you hate the idea of Favre joining the Vikings, think of the excitement it would create. This is exactly the type of kick-start the Vikings need in this tough economy. Interest will go off the charts. But more important than any intangibles is the simple fact that he is a better quarterback than anyone the Vikings have on their roster. Favre is better than what they have, he won't cost any players or draft choices in return, and they have the money to pay him. Signing him should be a no-brainer. Some will see it as the equivalent of Robert E. Lee commanding the 1st Irish Brigade of the Union Army. But they'll get on board after Favre does his thing in the fourth quarter a couple of times. I've been stumping for the Vikings to acquire Favre for a couple of years. For me it's not so much about how he plays. Instead, it just seems like it would be a blast having him here. What a ruckus that would create throughout the whole NFL."
Anytime there's potential for a ruckus, I'm on board. We'll keep you updated.
Continuing around the NFC North:
- Greg A. Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wonders if Favre would shift from idol to enemy in Wisconsin if he follows through with this move. Also, check out the photo-shopped image of Favre in a Vikings uniform.
- Mike Vandermause of the Green Bay Press-Gazette offers pros and cons to the issue. One con that we will delve into later Wednesday: The Vikings' reported desire to have him at their offseason workouts. Favre doesn't do offseason workouts.
- Foote told Michael Rosenberg of the Detroit Free Press that he is looking forward to reinvigorating his career in Detroit.
- It seems as though quarterback Drew Stanton is on his last leg of his career with the Lions. Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com speaks with Stanton after the Lions' first Organized Training Activity of the spring. Stanton: "I'm still here. Until I'm no longer here and don't get a shot then we can look back and say [things weren't fair]. But right now, I'm a Detroit Lion, and as long as that's the fact, I'll go about my business."
- David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune notes that tailback Matt Forte will earn his diploma from Tulane on May 16.
- Jerry Bonkowski of ESPN Chicago puts his flair on the story of Bears defensive linemen Adewale Ogunleye and Israel Idonije funding the trip for a Nigerian girl to have heart surgery in Texas.
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