METAIRIE, La. -- New Orleans defensive end Will Smith gave a very honest answer when asked why Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre, who has had some seasons with a lot of interceptions, has only seven this year.

“I think the difference is he's on a much better team,’’ Smith said. “I think in the past he probably felt as if he had to do everything himself. He has a great offensive line, a really good running back, some terrific receivers. They have a solid defense, good special teams. They're a very talented team. So I think he feels as if he doesn't have to put everything on his shoulders. He just has to make the plays when they call his number, I guess.”

Sounds simple enough and I don’t think Smith was intentionally slighting the New York Jets of last year or any of the Green Bay teams the quarterback played for. As good as some of those teams were, I don’t think Favre has played on a team with more talent than the one he is on right now.