Fav-re!

I had been sort of a harsh critic of Brett Favre for the past couple of off seasons, but I've gotta say that without him the Vikings probably wouldn't have even made the playoffs. Statistically he had one of the best - if not the best - season of his career, and that's saying something for a 40 year old who's been in the NFL every season that I've been alive. Even more amazing about the Vikings season is that they were able to make it to the championship game with a greatly decreased emphasis on the running game, which had been their forte the last few years with arguably the best running back in the league, Adrian Peterson.

But the Vikings problem with the game today seemed to have less to do with Brett Favre and more to do with the phrase "high and tight." If you get one fumble in a conference championship game it can be detrimental, but six?? That's just unreal. They only lost three, but it speaks to the coaching priorities of Brad Childress when the ball pops out of your players six times in a CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. And as I watched the game, I saw even more opportunities for the Saints to strip the Vikings because the ball was held low like the player was walking a loaf of bread home from the store.Visanthe Shiancoe was a particular loaf of bread violator, but Peterson and Chester Taylor seem to have the same problem. It's probably worth noting that the Saints also fumbled three times as well, losing one. Definitely something they're going to need to work on before the Super Bowl because Peyton Manning and the Colts offense always capitalizes on points off of turnovers.

I'm of the camp who believes that Favre will be back for another season next year. I think he'll still have that itch that needs to be scratched. He probably won't attend training camp again (and, really, should he? I mean, after this year it's pretty apparent that he doesn't really need it...) but I definitely think he'll be in the NFL. If not with the Vikings - who would be incredibly stupid to not welcome him back with open arms - then with some other NFL team who could use a veteran quarterback with a laser-rocket arm. I would say that the Browns could be an option but... I don't think we want chapter two of Favre-Mangini. Although chapter two of Favre-Holmgren could be interesting...

But if you do retire, Brett Favre, know that you have had a wonderful career. You will be a first ballot Hall of Famer. You will be a great coach, if that's what you want to do. And your presence on the field and in the locker room will be missed. Guess we'll have to find someone else to smack asses and go "WHOO!" for the clips on the NFL pregame shows every week.