A Green Bay fan burns a Brett Favre No. 4 Packers jersey. Another puts a jersey on a doormat. Others act even more childish toward their former hero.
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But the disdain is misguided. Wheres the disgust towards Packers management?
Green Bay fans live in denial. They are hanging on to some delusional, invented belief that Favre owed it to them to never play for the hated Minnesota Vikings, even when their team no longer wanted him.
Huh?
Green Bay fans no doubt love their franchise more than they do any one single player, even Favre. But the fact that many hold a grudge against Favre for playing for Minnesota, which defeated the Packers 30-23 on Monday night, seems preposterous.
It wasnt Favre's decision to ultimately end up in Minnesota over Green Bay. He sought to wear green and gold again. If anything, Packers fans should be upset with general manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy. They, more than anyone else, are responsible for Mondays debacle.
Yes, Aaron Rodgers is a fine quarterback, good enough to maybe one day lead the Packers to the Super Bowl. But Favre is Favre. And the same passion that causes Packers fans to destroy No. 4 jerseys should have led them in 2008 to demand that the Packers bring back Favre at all costs prior to the 2008 season.
Sure, Favre "retired" and then unretired over and over. And yes, he threw that horrid interception against the Giants in the NFC championship game. But Favres only crime is being indecisive about giving up something he loves. In the end, isnt that the type of competitor youd want leading your team?
favrerodgers.JPGAP Photo/Morry GashMinnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre (4) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers meet after the Vikings beat the Packers 30-23 on Monday night. Favre proved last year with the New York Jets that he could still play until an injury slowed him down late in the season. And look at him now. Hes got the Vikings at 4-0 with eight touchdown passes and one interception on the season.
Monday he completed 24 of 31 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, a performance that included several vintage, breathtaking throws.
None of this should be shocking. He had a MVP-caliber season in 2007 with Green Bay. And a team should never tell a MVP-caliber quarterback get away under any circumstances.
What does Green Bay have to show for its troubles? An 8-12 record over the last two seasons. Favre is 13-7, 12-3 when healthy. Granted, Rodgers has not been the problem in Green Bay. It would be unfair to lay the Packers demise at his feet.
But Favre has proven in the past that he can lead his team to victories when the defense is suspect. Rodgers has not.
Rodgers put up 384 yards on Monday. But he was sacked eight times. Some of those were his fault. Some can be blamed on a poor and battered offensive line. But does anyone truly believe that if the two quarterbacks switched teams on Monday that Green Bay would not have won?
Thompsons move not to bring back Favre was a power play. It had little to do with Rodgers development. Thompson and McCarthy wanted to move forward without the legend of Favre hanging over their heads. Understandable. But regrettable.
On Monday, Favre became the only NFL player to have won against all 32 NFL teams. That distinction could have been avoided.
But dont blame the man who has given Green Bay fans countless thrills. Blame those whose names youll barely remember a decade from now.