For the life of me, though, I cannot figure out why he is advertising the problems with his ankle. If he's hoping that talking up his vulnerability will prompt NFL officials to go easy on him, that might work. But I doubt it will provoke defensive coordinators to take pity on him and dial back the pressure (and if it does, shame on them and they need to be fired). Other than a few concessions from officials, I don't see what he has to gain from this tactic.

"Nonstopdrivel" wrote:

As others have noted, the sense is that he's downplaying expectations - giving himself an excuse to fail. I think that's iffy, but no matter what his motivation is, I think that not it'll not only fail to get opposing Ds to back off, it'll more likely give them all a target to aim for. I have no doubt that NO provided the blueprint last season that other teams will follow - sell out to get the old man, and then hit him hard when you have the chance. And with that line the way it's looking now, he'd better hope he can still scoot on that ankle, because he's going to need to do so.

"ILikeThePackers39" wrote:

Get Brett to play from behind. Why? Because he doesn't have confidence in his team to pull it out no matter what he says. Actions speak louder than words. He's alluded to this theory several times. Most notably during his retirement speech, the first one that is, by saying living up to Brett Favre is just too hard. He also questioned whether he wanted the ball in the final two minutes. Why? Because he didn't feel he could shoulder the team to victory as he feels he has to.

Even at 40, 41, if Brett relies on his TEAM to pull HIM through, he'll be dangerous. For some reason or other, late in the game, or post season games, he gets overwhelmed with a feeling that he needs to win it for the team, instead of providing an avenue for the team to win it for the ... team.

Against the Saints last year. Tuck it down, run/hobble it forward as much as you can, or out of bounds. Let Ryan kick the FG to win the game. That would have been the smart, veteran play. I'd trust the leg of Ryan anywhere within 55 yards in a dome.

I know what I'm trying to say, surely I failed in expressing it accurately though.

"Zero2Cool" wrote:

"Zero2Cool" wrote:

WARNING: We are are WAY too overconfident about the Vikings demise.

What is the difference between the beginning of last season and this season? Did everyone expect Sidney Rice to blow up like that? No, so what makes you think this year someone like Harvin or Berrian or Shanicoe or Camarillo or whatever might not do the same.

As much as everyone hates Favre, he makes receivers play well (e.g., Rice and Shanicoe last year). Irregardless of Favre, they have AP! He's hard to stop if he's on.

They won the division two years ago with basically no WRs and no QB!

Quick, someone go nuts because I see the division objectively!

"RedSoxExcel" wrote: