Post by scorpion42 on Jul 20, 2009 16:37:56 GMT -7
Jerry Rice not optimistic about Favre's skills
www.startribune.com/photos?img=two0719rice.jpg&c=y
Arguably the greatest receiver in NFL history, Jerry Rice sounded pessimistic over the possibility Brett Favre might have success this season.
By CHIP SCOGGINS, Star Tribune
Last update: July 20, 2009 - 12:24 AM
Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice was in town recently with a group of top players who were working out with Arizona All-Pro (and former Holy Angels star) Larry Fitzgerald. Other players included Denver's Brandon Marshall and Green Bay's Greg Jennings. Here are some excerpts of a conversation Rice, 46, had with staff writer Chip Scoggins about the Vikings' pursuit of Brett Favre:
Q What are your thoughts on Favre's likely return?
A You have two quarterbacks [Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels] who don't know exactly what is going to happen. All of a sudden these two guys thought they were going to be competing. To be honest with you, I thought Tarvaris would be the starting guy this year. I've watched him off and on. The most important thing for him is the consistency. He shows that at times, "OK, I can do this." I think he was moving in the right direction, making progress. Now you have this saga, and everybody is sitting back wondering what is going to happen.
Q What do you think the expectations should be with Favre? He's going to be 40 and is coming off arm surgery.
A In New York, you hear about what happened, and it was not very good. I think Brett showed some great flashes last year. Did some good things. But then towards the end he didn't play as well. If they feel like bringing him in is going to get them to the next level, I think they should. But to be honest with you, I think the two guys with the team right now should be the two guys that they should be focusing on.
Q You don't sound too convinced that Favre will play at a high level for the whole season.
A I really don't. Brett is a competitor. But I know towards the latter part of my career, even though I still wanted to be out on that football field, it was like things became a little bit more difficult. But my job was different. It consisted of a lot of running and stuff like that. With Brett, the thing for him is dropping back, planting himself and throwing the ball downfield so it might be a little bit different for him. But he's a competitor. I think if he still wants to play, I think he should. But I really thought this team would be moving and looking down the road instead of trying to look for the one-year miracle.
Q How hard is that for guys like yourself and Brett to walk away from it?
A It's hard. It's hard because you love the game. I was listening to some guys doing commentary the other day. If you have other things going on in your life and you have other businesses going on, I think then you have other things you can focus on. But if it's just football and that's it ... and I think with Brett right now, he's been so in love with the game and he still wants to play. I tip my hat to him for going out there and giving it everything he can give it, but I don't know if it's going to be a good year.
Q What happens if he does struggle or is not healthy with a team that is built to win now?
A Then everything backfires. You've got a major problem. Also you have to look at the scenario that happened in New York. If he pretty much distances himself completely from the players, then all of a sudden you're going to divide the players because a lot of the players are going to say, "Hey, Tarvaris Jackson should be in here or Sage." You don't want this to divide the team. So this could really backfire.
www.startribune.com/photos?img=two0719rice.jpg&c=y
Arguably the greatest receiver in NFL history, Jerry Rice sounded pessimistic over the possibility Brett Favre might have success this season.
By CHIP SCOGGINS, Star Tribune
Last update: July 20, 2009 - 12:24 AM
Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice was in town recently with a group of top players who were working out with Arizona All-Pro (and former Holy Angels star) Larry Fitzgerald. Other players included Denver's Brandon Marshall and Green Bay's Greg Jennings. Here are some excerpts of a conversation Rice, 46, had with staff writer Chip Scoggins about the Vikings' pursuit of Brett Favre:
Q What are your thoughts on Favre's likely return?
A You have two quarterbacks [Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels] who don't know exactly what is going to happen. All of a sudden these two guys thought they were going to be competing. To be honest with you, I thought Tarvaris would be the starting guy this year. I've watched him off and on. The most important thing for him is the consistency. He shows that at times, "OK, I can do this." I think he was moving in the right direction, making progress. Now you have this saga, and everybody is sitting back wondering what is going to happen.
Q What do you think the expectations should be with Favre? He's going to be 40 and is coming off arm surgery.
A In New York, you hear about what happened, and it was not very good. I think Brett showed some great flashes last year. Did some good things. But then towards the end he didn't play as well. If they feel like bringing him in is going to get them to the next level, I think they should. But to be honest with you, I think the two guys with the team right now should be the two guys that they should be focusing on.
Q You don't sound too convinced that Favre will play at a high level for the whole season.
A I really don't. Brett is a competitor. But I know towards the latter part of my career, even though I still wanted to be out on that football field, it was like things became a little bit more difficult. But my job was different. It consisted of a lot of running and stuff like that. With Brett, the thing for him is dropping back, planting himself and throwing the ball downfield so it might be a little bit different for him. But he's a competitor. I think if he still wants to play, I think he should. But I really thought this team would be moving and looking down the road instead of trying to look for the one-year miracle.
Q How hard is that for guys like yourself and Brett to walk away from it?
A It's hard. It's hard because you love the game. I was listening to some guys doing commentary the other day. If you have other things going on in your life and you have other businesses going on, I think then you have other things you can focus on. But if it's just football and that's it ... and I think with Brett right now, he's been so in love with the game and he still wants to play. I tip my hat to him for going out there and giving it everything he can give it, but I don't know if it's going to be a good year.
Q What happens if he does struggle or is not healthy with a team that is built to win now?
A Then everything backfires. You've got a major problem. Also you have to look at the scenario that happened in New York. If he pretty much distances himself completely from the players, then all of a sudden you're going to divide the players because a lot of the players are going to say, "Hey, Tarvaris Jackson should be in here or Sage." You don't want this to divide the team. So this could really backfire.