I'll Admit It: These Days, I'm a Favre Fan First

MaxMember

For the record, I've been a Packers fan since I was a kid in the '70s and '80s. I still remember those great slugfests with our offense of Lynn Dickey, Lofton and Jefferson, and Paul Coffman. The heartbreak of missing the playoffs on the final Monday Night game of the '89 season, while ABC had a camera in Majkowski's living room as he and his teammates watched the Bengals lose a game we needed them to win.

But gradually over the last 15 years, I've become a bigger Favre fan than a Packers fan. I'm not defending it, but that's how it is. I want the team to win, but I want The Streak to continue, forever.

I guess that's what makes this particular loss even more painful. I think the future looks bright for the Packers. I think we've got a good GM and head coach in place, which will help us be a playoff team or contender for the next 5-10 years, assuming we come up with a replacement for Favre, whether it's Rodgers or someone else.

But for Favre, I think this might have been his last chance. I don't know that next year will be as good, that we'll have as much good fortune as far as health, and that our older veterans will still perform at as high a level. Maybe we'll be the best team in the North, but one of the top two seeds, with a pair of home playoff games all that stand between us and the Super Bowl? Doesn't seem likely. Sure, you can win as a lower seed, like the Giants just did, but it's a whole lot harder.

So yeah, I admit it. I wanted this team in the Super Bowl, but a little bit more I wanted Favre to be a guy who went to Super Bowls a decade apart. And I can't see things working out as well for us next year. I'll be a very happy Packers fan if we get to the Super Bowl in 2011 with Rodgers or somebody else at QB, but it won't be as sweet as this would have been.

Go ahead and tell me I'm a bad Packers fan. I can take it.

1/21/0812:52 PM

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GoallineLarge Antenna

I wish more folks were as honest as you.

1/21/0812:54 PM

GBFanForLifeLarge Member

He will turn 39 during the season next year. He can't play forever.

1/21/0812:58 PM

MaxMember

Right, and that's the point. It's easier for me to feel regret for Favre because he's the only Packer I think has only one more shot, at most, at a Super Bowl. Granted, he's also the only one that has a ring already, so I guess it's a selfish outlook on my part.

1/21/081:02 PM

heywardKaty Perry is bouncy

It's funny, but growing up I was usually a fan of individual players. For example, I loved Bernard King. So I would root for whatever team he was on. The Packers are the only TEAM I ever truly followed growing up. So while I'm certainly a big Favre fan, I'm a Packer fan first. So if they win a Super Bowl with A-Rod in 2011, I'll be every bit as happy as I was in 1997.

1/21/081:02 PM

chickenboyTic Toc

quote:
Originally posted by Max: The heartbreak of missing the playoffs on the final Monday Night game of the '89 season, while ABC had a camera in Majkowski's living room as he and his teammates watched the Bengals lose a game we needed them to win.

I remember that! Majik seemed hammered...

1/21/081:09 PM

LSU4GBMember

I don't think that's odd. I'd concede feeling the same way in a sense given Favre's time is limited and the Packers will carry on.

I became a Packer fan right around the same time as those Dickey teams are the first I vividly remember. However, like a lot of football fans of many teams I don't recall enjoying following any single player as mach as Favruh.

When you appreciate how special it's been to watch truly exceptional players - in any sport I think - there's a sort of natural sense of indebtedness.

While my heart says next year will be tougher, I can't deny how extraordinary GB's ascension has been. Given that I have to believe TT will find a way to make this team better. Hopefully Favre is still on it. In the end there's no juggernaut in the NFC; wouldn't it be nice if GB became one in '08?

1/21/081:21 PM

lukeyMember

quote:
Originally posted by Max:
For the record, I've been a Packers fan since I was a kid in the '70s and '80s. I still remember those great slugfests with our offense of Lynn Dickey, Lofton and Jefferson, and Paul Coffman. The heartbreak of missing the playoffs on the final Monday Night game of the '89 season, while ABC had a camera in Majkowski's living room as he and his teammates watched the Bengals lose a game we needed them to win.

But gradually over the last 15 years, I've become a bigger Favre fan than a Packers fan. I'm not defending it, but that's how it is. I want the team to win, but I want The Streak to continue, forever.

I guess that's what makes this particular loss even more painful. I think the future looks bright for the Packers. I think we've got a good GM and head coach in place, which will help us be a playoff team or contender for the next 5-10 years, assuming we come up with a replacement for Favre, whether it's Rodgers or someone else.

But for Favre, I think this might have been his last chance. I don't know that next year will be as good, that we'll have as much good fortune as far as health, and that our older veterans will still perform at as high a level. Maybe we'll be the best team in the North, but one of the top two seeds, with a pair of home playoff games all that stand between us and the Super Bowl? Doesn't seem likely. Sure, you can win as a lower seed, like the Giants just did, but it's a whole lot harder.

So yeah, I admit it. I wanted this team in the Super Bowl, but a little bit more I wanted Favre to be a guy who went to Super Bowls a decade apart. And I can't see things working out as well for us next year. I'll be a very happy Packers fan if we get to the Super Bowl in 2011 with Rodgers or somebody else at QB, but it won't be as sweet as this would have been.

Go ahead and tell me I'm a bad Packers fan. I can take it.

The narrative for the season will once again be that Favre just can't get it done in the big games. Disappointing.

1/21/081:36 PM

MilkenMember

I really see your point. This may have been Favre's last game, and if it isn't, then he is most likely done after next year. It's a shame that he's only won one SB as good a QB as he is with all the teams he has been on - seeing him win at least two during his career would be quite satisfying. You see guys like Montana, Aikman, Brady all winning multiple championships, and you know that Favre is in the same class as any of those guys, but he only has one ring. There is a big part of me that would be disappointed for Brett if the Packers remain contenders - perhaps win another SB - without him.

That said, I really like where this team is despite yesterday's loss, and I see good things in our future over the next few years.

1/21/081:39 PM

PackOlyMember

quote:
The narrative for the season will once again be that Favre just can't get it done in the big games. Disappointing

Where were you for the 14 wins that Favre played a big part in? Coming in and placing the blame strictly on Favre after a loss is getting tired. I know Brett didn't do a good job covering Buress, absolutely did not make one decent block to spring Grant on a run, and his pass rush while playing on the line sucked, but he is getting old, just like your MO.

1/21/081:42 PM

FloridarobMember

I have been a Packer fan since the IceBowl. Back then I guess I could have been accused of being a Bart Starr fan over a Packer fan. I absolutely loved Bart Starr. I actually had tears in my eyes when he finally retired and regretted he did not have more success as a head coach. I used to wait anxiously for my Ray Nitchkes PackerReport during the 70s and 80s for any information I could get on the Packers.

With the advent of Satellite dishes and the INternet I ever had to wait long for my Packer fix these days. With that said, thru 40 yrs of watching the Packers, watching them with Brett Favre as QB has brought more joy to my football watching than any other time in my life. He his like my kid. He makes mistakes and I want to ring his neck and when it is all said and done I want to hug him.

We have been priveledged as fans to watch the greatest player to ever wear a Packer uniform. NObody will ever play QB like him again for our favorite team. It will be a sad day to me when he is gone for good. A part of me will feel as tho it lost something. Watching Packer football will still be great I am sure but it will never be as good as it has been the last 16 yrs.

I want him to keep it going as long as he can.

1/21/081:43 PM

johnnie grayMember

hear hear!

1/21/081:46 PM

lukeyMember

quote:
Originally posted by LSU4GB:

While my heart says next year will be tougher, I can't deny how extraordinary GB's ascension has been. Given that I have to believe TT will find a way to make this team better. Hopefully Favre is still on it. In the end there's no juggernaut in the NFC; wouldn't it be nice if GB became one in '08?

I think transforming this team into a juggernaut will be hard to do. Sure, the team can and should be better at guard and safety next year. How much further will that carry them? The veteran core of the team didn't seem to decline at all between '06 and '07. Will that be the case next season as well? Even assuming the guards and safeties are better, and there is no appreciable veteran slippage, I only see two ways to ensure that next year's team is better than this year's: a) add another playmaker (i.e. a player among the top 10 or 20 in the entire NFL) or b) find a better defensive coordinator. A) isn't easy to do. Thompson either hasn't tried or has failed to do so up to this point. And the defense played well enough that most GMs would be reluctant to go shopping for a new DC.

1/21/081:46 PM

lukeyMember

quote:
Originally posted by PackOly:
quote:
The narrative for the season will once again be that Favre just can't get it done in the big games. Disappointing

Where were you for the 14 wins that Favre played a big part in? Coming in and placing the blame strictly on Favre after a loss is getting tired. I know Brett didn't do a good job covering Buress, absolutely did not make one decent block to spring Grant on a run, and his pass rush while playing on the line sucked, but he is getting old, just like your MO.

I mostly blame Mccarthy for the loss. It was clear quite quickly that the screens and downfield passes called for by his initial gameplan weren't working, and yet he stuck with them until the bitter end. But you better believe that Favre's "failure" (no worse than the egg Brady laid yesterday) will play a prominent role when folks discuss his legacy. I think that's dumb, I think it sucks, but it's also reality.

1/21/081:53 PM

pacfanMember

quote:
Originally posted by lukey:...The narrative for the season will once again be that Favre just can't get it done in the big games. Disappointing.

How many games during the regular season did Favre "get it done"? If it wasn't for Favre in the first half of the season they would have not made it to the NFCC. The loss yesterday was not all on Favre. The defense had no pass rush (allowing Manning too much time), and couldn't cover Burres. Penalties killed them and led directly to one of the Giants scores. Coverage on kickoffs was woeful, how many times did the Giants start out near their 40 yard line? The running game was mostly no where to be found and the play calling was at times dumbfounding. The responsibility for the loss was shared by many personnel, not just Favre.

1/21/081:55 PM

lukeyMember

quote:
Originally posted by pacfan:
quote:
Originally posted by lukey:...The narrative for the season will once again be that Favre just can't get it done in the big games. Disappointing.

How many games during the regular season did Favre "get it done"? If it wasn't for Favre in the first half of the season they would have not made it to the NFCC. The loss yesterday was not all on Favre. The defense had no pass rush (allowing Manning too much time), and couldn't cover Burres. Penalties killed them and led directly to one of the Giants scores. Coverage on kickoffs was woeful, how many times did the Giants start out near their 40 yard line? The running game was mostly no where to be found and the play calling was at times dumbfounding. The responsibility for the loss was shared by many personnel, not just Favre.

You're preaching to the choir. But you better believe that, for many people, the main takeaway from the game will be the simpleminded notion that Favre can't consistently get it done in the playoffs at this point in his career.

1/21/082:03 PM

GoallineLarge Antenna

quote:
Originally posted by PackOly:
quote:
The narrative for the season will once again be that Favre just can't get it done in the big games. Disappointing

Where were you for the 14 wins that Favre played a big part in? Coming in and placing the blame strictly on Favre after a loss is getting tired. I know Brett didn't do a good job covering Buress, absolutely did not make one decent block to spring Grant on a run, and his pass rush while playing on the line sucked, but he is getting old, just like your MO.

I think you misread Lukey's intent. Lukey is the biggest Green Bay Favre fan there is. OK there's Badgerfanz, but that one is an obsession bordering on the creepy.

1/21/082:05 PM

pacfanMember

quote:
Originally posted by lukey:...You're preaching to the choir. But you better believe that, for many people, the main takeaway from the game will be the simpleminded notion that Favre can't consistently get it done in the playoffs at this point in his career.

And it will be just that, a simpleminded notion. If some believe Favre can bail the team out time and time again in the big games when others on special teams, the defense...fail, they are just wrong. It's a team game, not an if all else fails, Favre can do it game.

1/21/082:12 PM

RunsWithScissorsMember

I'm along the same lines. I'm anxious to see what Rogers can do, but I want to see Favre play as long as he can still perform and perform well. This year shows he's still got a couple-three more years left in the tank if he decides to do it.

This loss hurts more than just any other playoff loss would, because I wanted to see Favre have a chance at another SB. To just play in one at this point in his career, even if they lost, would have been huge, at least to me.

I'm hoping they keep it together next year, make some improvements where needed, and get him back to the big game.

1/21/082:15 PM

lukeyMember

There's not really any contradiction between being a fan of a particular team and yet having particular concern for the best players in team history. Super Bowl XXXI was sweet in large part because White was due for a title. And it's too bad that Sharpe wasn't there.

1/21/082:16 PM

HenryYou rang?

The Broncos wait for you when Favre retires.

He's one guy who plays football, made millions of dollars, has carte blanche in Wisconsin and will ride off into the sunset happy as a clam making millions more on his reputation. If that's all you can root for then you are a bad fan.

Being a fan of a team is more than a bunch of guys playing a game. It's a cultural commons we all can enjoy. Favre is just one part of a elaborate team history that binds that cultural commons across generations. How many were just Cecil Isabel, Don Hutson, Bart Starr, Lombardi, etc fans?

I don't give a rip if Favre retires this year or not. He's one player and life goes on. If your association with the sport, that cultural commons, is through one guy it's merely a reflection of how shallow the sport and the fans have become.

Let the grab ass fest continue.

1/21/082:20 PM

PackOlyMember

I may have mistaken Lukey as one of the Favre bashers. It just seemed he was only coming around after losses lately, much like CoP, only to a lesser extent. It just gets tiring when that happens.

1/21/082:22 PM

GoallineLarge Antenna

quote:
Originally posted by PackOly:
I may have mistaken Lukey as one of the Favre bashers. It just seemed he was only coming around after losses lately, much like CoP, only to a lesser extent. It just gets tiring when that happens.

He isn't the biggest fan of TT or MM.

1/21/082:23 PM

lukeyMember

quote:
Originally posted by PackOly:
I may have mistaken Lukey as one of the Favre bashers. It just seemed he was only coming around after losses lately, much like CoP, only to a lesser extent. It just gets tiring when that happens.

For the last month or two of the regular season, I was too busy to post here. I was around after the Seattle game.

1/21/082:24 PM

lukeyMember

quote:
Originally posted by Goalline:

He isn't the biggest fan of TT or MM.

Actually, I'd become a big fan of MM this season. But he picked a bad time to call his worst game of the season.

1/21/082:29 PM

HenryYou rang?

quote:
Originally posted by PackOly:
I may have mistaken Lukey as one of the Favre bashers. It just seemed he was only coming around after losses lately, much like CoP, only to a lesser extent. It just gets tiring when that happens.

Lukey is in second place to Badgerzfan for the "I wish Favre would molest me" prize. Max is coming up fast though.

1/21/082:29 PM

PackOlyMember

A lot of the negative posters had disappeared the last couple of months, some sobered up, others just crawled back under their rock.

Now it's hard not to admit this team's talent level has been steadily improving since ROTTT. MM is a lot like the core of the team young and inexperienced. Hopefully more positive experience is coming their way!

1/21/082:32 PM

GoallineLarge Antenna

quote:
Originally posted by PackOly:
A lot of the negative posters had disappeared the last couple of months, some sobered up, others just crawled back under their rock.

Now it's hard not to admit this team's talent level has been steadily improving since ROTTT. MM is a lot like the core of the team young and inexperienced. Hopefully more positive experience is coming their way!

YUP!

1/21/082:34 PM

GBFanForLifeLarge Member

I have a hard time understanding why people think he is some sort of ageless wonder who can play for 2 or 3 more years. It is time to get over it and let the team move on without him.

1/21/082:35 PM

HenryYou rang?

quote:
Originally posted by Milken:
There is a big part of me that would be disappointed for Brett if the Packers remain contenders - perhaps win another SB - without him.

That's truly pathetic.

1/21/082:37 PM

heywardKaty Perry is bouncy

quote:
Originally posted by Henry:
quote:
Originally posted by PackOly:
I may have mistaken Lukey as one of the Favre bashers. It just seemed he was only coming around after losses lately, much like CoP, only to a lesser extent. It just gets tiring when that happens.

Lukey is in second place to Badgerzfan for the "I wish Favre would molest me" prize. Max is coming up fast though.

1/21/082:39 PM

GoallineLarge Antenna

quote:
Originally posted by Henry:
quote:
Originally posted by Milken:
There is a big part of me that would be disappointed for Brett if the Packers remain contenders - perhaps win another SB - without him.

That's truly pathetic.

There is a part of me that wishes that y'all would follow him to Misissipi after his playing days are over and cheer for him on his mower. I would say that is beyond pathetic.

1/21/082:40 PM

MaxMember

quote:
Originally posted by Henry:
The Broncos wait for you when Favre retires.

He's one guy who plays football, made millions of dollars, has carte blanche in Wisconsin and will ride off into the sunset happy as a clam making millions more on his reputation. If that's all you can root for then you are a bad fan.

Being a fan of a team is more than a bunch of guys playing a game. It's a cultural commons we all can enjoy. Favre is just one part of a elaborate team history that binds that cultural commons across generations. How many were just Cecil Isabel, Don Hutson, Bart Starr, Lombardi, etc fans?

I don't give a rip if Favre retires this year or not. He's one player and life goes on. If your association with the sport, that cultural commons, is through one guy it's merely a reflection of how shallow the sport and the fans have become.

Let the grab ass fest continue.

Your traditional bluntness notwithstanding, you make a fair point. And you'll note I recognize that it's a kind of selfish approach to be thinking most of one guy (granted, the oldest guy on the team).

Nobody said they were "just" a Favre fan. But considering I was born in 1968, the Favre Era is the only really successful one I've lived through. The '80s were fun, at times, but we were always second-rate. Tough not to associate Favre with virtually the only time I've rooted for the Packers that they've actually been pretty good. And hell, I think there probably were plenty of Packers fans whose support for the team developed primarily in the 60s, and maybe were huge fans of Bart Starr, or whoever. (Maybe helps explain why he was our head coach for a fairly lengthy period of time.)

In any case, your point on the cultural commons is legit, and regardless I'm not going anywhere when Favre retires, it will probably just take me a while to identify with his successor as the guy who's been around for half of my existence and consequently most of my life as a fan.

1/21/083:00 PM

TschmackMember

It will be a shame if Favre does retire without them winning another Superbowl but let's be honest here- his legacy is what it is (i.e. very solid) and winning another Superbowl should not change that fact.

That being said, it's obvious he's been a part of some colossal playoff meltdowns in recent history. If this is what we have come to expect (and we are OK with that) then maybe it's time for him to retire.

1/21/083:04 PM

MilkenMember

quote:
Originally posted by Goalline:
quote:
Originally posted by Henry:
quote:
Originally posted by Milken:
There is a big part of me that would be disappointed for Brett if the Packers remain contenders - perhaps win another SB - without him.

That's truly pathetic.

There is a part of me that wishes that y'all would follow him to Misissipi after his playing days are over and cheer for him on his mower. I would say that is beyond pathetic.

Yawn....

1/21/083:04 PM

lukeyMember

The cultural commons bit actually cuts in favor of caring more about how some players fare than others. The team's legends are particularly salient pieces of the team's history, so the strength of their legacies is of particular importance.

1/21/083:05 PM

H5Keyboard Warrior, troll hunter

I like Favre and he has been a great player for the Packers for many years.

There is a small part of me that would like to see Favre win another Super Bowl. There is a much bigger part of me that couldn't care less if he takes another snap for the Packers. Ya, it would be nice and a feel good story to end his career but I want Packer Super Bowls. If Favre is the QB that's great, if it is Rex Grossman I'd still be happy with the SB's.

1/21/083:06 PM

cableMember

quote:
Originally posted by Goalline:
quote:
Originally posted by Henry:
quote:
Originally posted by Milken:
There is a big part of me that would be disappointed for Brett if the Packers remain contenders - perhaps win another SB - without him.

That's truly pathetic.

There is a part of me that wishes that y'all would follow him to Misissipi after his playing days are over and cheer for him on his mower. I would say that is beyond pathetic.

yup.

1/21/083:07 PM

MaxMember

Guess I'm not sure it's THAT big a deal. I've been a Red Sox fan since I was a little kid. I watched heartbreaking losses that were arguably more unlikely than 4th and 26. So when they won that World Series in 2004 I was ecstatic. But hey, a small part of me felt bad for Nomar Garciaparra, who had been a great Sox player for a decade and was traded away mere months before they won the title. Doesn't mean that I wanted them to lose, I was thought it was too bad that an important part of their recent history wasn't part of it.

Is rooting for some players specifically on a team you love such a bad thing? Otherwise you are in some respects, as Seinfeld said, rooting for laundry.

1/21/083:14 PM

GoallineLarge Antenna

quote:
Originally posted by Milken:
quote:
Originally posted by Goalline:
quote:
Originally posted by Henry:
quote:
Originally posted by Milken:
There is a big part of me that would be disappointed for Brett if the Packers remain contenders - perhaps win another SB - without him.

That's truly pathetic.

There is a part of me that wishes that y'all would follow him to Misissipi after his playing days are over and cheer for him on his mower. I would say that is beyond pathetic.

Yawn....

I know, lawnmowing is boring.

1/21/083:17 PM

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