GhosT^x0
12-29-2002, 06:55 AM
Packers Notebook - Favre In MVP Hunt
by Jason Bellamy, Packers.com
posted 12/27/2002
Although they clinched their division title weeks ago, the Packers have more than enough motivation to give their best effort against the New York Jets this weekend.
A win would clinch at least a first round bye. And if the New York Giants are kind enough to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles this Saturday, a Green Bay victory would also clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
But Sunday's game is significant in yet another way.
Like a late campaign stop on the eve of a presidential election, New York will be the site of Brett Favre's last chance to rally votes for an unprecedented fourth NFL Most Valuable Player award.
"That would be a great achievement," said Favre, who earned the honor three straight seasons from 1995-97.
"The third one was way more than I ever dreamed of. I would rather win a Super Bowl, but to be thought of as the best player in all of football, it's a great honor."
Statistically, Favre isn't the NFL's leading quarterback this season. That honor belongs to the Oakland Raiders' Rich Gannon, who has completed an NFL-record 411 of his 604 attempts (68 percent) for 4,610 yards, 25 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions.
But few, if any, quarterbacks can boast of being more important to their team, or to have generated such success in the face of overwhelming adversity.
After all, how many quarterbacks watched a pair of offensive linemen go down for the season, a starting center move to left tackle, a pair of veterans worth 26-years of NFL experience combine for 20 starts, with an undrafted rookie stepping in for two more?
How many quarterbacks kept the offense moving in instances where a pair of rookies played running back or a linebacker played fullback?
How many quarterbacks started the year with an almost entirely new receiving corps and the burden of Super Bowl hopes?
How many quarterbacks had a leg folded sideways like a lawn chair midseason, but didn't miss a start despite a torn knee ligament?
How many quarterbacks experienced all that and yet have their team headed into the final weekend of the season at 12-3?
Only one. Only Favre.
As extraordinary as he's been however, ask him if he should win the award and he might tell you no.
"I remember the first time I won it, I heard that I'd won it, and I went home thinking, there's no way -- there's no way I'm the best player in this league," Favre said. "And I said that after the second one and I said that after the third one, and I still feel that way ...
"If I was fortunate enough to win it again, we all know that it wasn't because of me, it was because of a lot of people.
"For me, it's a great feeling to be mentioned every year for at least a brief time as a potential MVP candidate, because it means I'm doing something well. As opposed to, 'I remember he used to win MVPs and we used to mention his name, but now he's just a has-been.'"
I think he's gonna retire if they win the Superbowl. Great ****in player though... will be one of the best of his generation, no doubt.
by Jason Bellamy, Packers.com
posted 12/27/2002
Although they clinched their division title weeks ago, the Packers have more than enough motivation to give their best effort against the New York Jets this weekend.
A win would clinch at least a first round bye. And if the New York Giants are kind enough to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles this Saturday, a Green Bay victory would also clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
But Sunday's game is significant in yet another way.
Like a late campaign stop on the eve of a presidential election, New York will be the site of Brett Favre's last chance to rally votes for an unprecedented fourth NFL Most Valuable Player award.
"That would be a great achievement," said Favre, who earned the honor three straight seasons from 1995-97.
"The third one was way more than I ever dreamed of. I would rather win a Super Bowl, but to be thought of as the best player in all of football, it's a great honor."
Statistically, Favre isn't the NFL's leading quarterback this season. That honor belongs to the Oakland Raiders' Rich Gannon, who has completed an NFL-record 411 of his 604 attempts (68 percent) for 4,610 yards, 25 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions.
But few, if any, quarterbacks can boast of being more important to their team, or to have generated such success in the face of overwhelming adversity.
After all, how many quarterbacks watched a pair of offensive linemen go down for the season, a starting center move to left tackle, a pair of veterans worth 26-years of NFL experience combine for 20 starts, with an undrafted rookie stepping in for two more?
How many quarterbacks kept the offense moving in instances where a pair of rookies played running back or a linebacker played fullback?
How many quarterbacks started the year with an almost entirely new receiving corps and the burden of Super Bowl hopes?
How many quarterbacks had a leg folded sideways like a lawn chair midseason, but didn't miss a start despite a torn knee ligament?
How many quarterbacks experienced all that and yet have their team headed into the final weekend of the season at 12-3?
Only one. Only Favre.
As extraordinary as he's been however, ask him if he should win the award and he might tell you no.
"I remember the first time I won it, I heard that I'd won it, and I went home thinking, there's no way -- there's no way I'm the best player in this league," Favre said. "And I said that after the second one and I said that after the third one, and I still feel that way ...
"If I was fortunate enough to win it again, we all know that it wasn't because of me, it was because of a lot of people.
"For me, it's a great feeling to be mentioned every year for at least a brief time as a potential MVP candidate, because it means I'm doing something well. As opposed to, 'I remember he used to win MVPs and we used to mention his name, but now he's just a has-been.'"
I think he's gonna retire if they win the Superbowl. Great ****in player though... will be one of the best of his generation, no doubt.