[jjgold]

Hard to say what will happen

if he and rest of team stay healthy they should get in playoffs.

[paco]

I think so, with AP on the backfield, this team can make a deep run in the playoffs. And let's also not forget that they hsve a great defense

[oiler]

Will Brett Favre push the Vikings over?

The good news about Brett Favre signing with the Vikings on Tuesday is it at least takes Michael Vick's name out of the NFL headlines...for now. Favre's signing should also trigger adjustments in some betting markets with what should be some action on Minnesota's season win totals. The former Packers and Jets quarterback will get a quick taste of life as a Vike when Minnesota hosts the Kansas City Chiefs in Friday preseason action.


Here comes the crazy.

Every NFL team goes into the new season with a plan. And that plan starts unraveling the instant training camps open. Players hold out, demand trades and get injured. Then the preseason starts and the injuries really start to add up. It’s chaos out there.

And yet the marketplace is quiet. Betting odds have only recently gone up on the board for the over/under on regular-season wins; we were still waiting at press time for the first wave of adjustments. That wave is coming soon, so if we want to catch it, we have to stay on top of the personnel changes and gaze into the old crystal ball.

The biggest (and craziest) story coming down the wire Tuesday was Brett Favre signing a two-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings. Favre has been flown in from his home in Mississippi and will reportedly start Minnesota’s Week 2 preseason game Friday night against the Kansas City Chiefs. The on-again, off-again relationship between Favre and the Vikings has been making headlines all summer; now that it’s on for good (or at least for as long as Favre is healthy enough to play), we can start speculating in earnest about Minnesota’s future.

The books started the season with the Vikings pegged at nine wins; the New York Jets went 9-7 (7-9 ATS) last year with Favre at the controls, albeit in the tougher AFC East division. The Vikings have the benefit of playing the Detroit Lions twice, and road games against rebuilding programs in Cleveland and St. Louis should be winnable. The only team in the NFL with an easier strength of schedule this year is the Chicago Bears. The Jets were eighth from the bottom in 2008.

Favre does have to worry about playing behind an offensive line that gave up 43 sacks last year. However, second-round pick Phil Loadholt (6-foot-8, 333 pounds) will provide Favre some muscle, and first-round pick Percy Harvin has a chance to be an instant star at wide receiver. It’s a good situation for Favre. But can he get more out of the situation than either Sage Rosenfels or Tarvaris Jackson? Here are their key 2008 stats:

• Favre (Jets) 22 TDs, 22 INTs, 81.0 passer rating
• Rosenfels (Texans) 6 TDs, 10 INTs, 79.5 passer rating
• Jackson (Vikings) 9 TDs, 2 INTs, 95.4 passer rating

Rosenfels and Jackson both played partial seasons for their respective teams; Rosenfels has an 81.2 career passer rating, while Jackson (76.5) either outperformed in five starts last year or showed the expected learning curve of a third-year QB prospect. It’s hard to gauge what Jackson is capable of at this point, but it’s easy to make the argument that Favre and Rosenfels are about the same right now when it comes to productivity.

This is still a valuable addition for the Vikings. You can never have enough quarterbacks in this day and age, and Favre represents a measure of stability at his position, even with his traditionally high pick-off rate. But you can only have one quarterback on the field at a time.

Or can you? Before Favre took over the headlines, it was the Michael Vick signing that had the ear of the NFL public. The Philadelphia Eagles rolled the dice on Vick for two years (one plus a team option) and immediately sparked a QB controversy. Vick (75.7 career passer rating, 7.3 yards per carry) has been one of the least popular men on the planet since he got caught running a dogfighting operation. And the Eagles already have five-time Pro Bowl QB Donovan McNabb (85.9 career passer rating).

But Philadelphia can have its cake and eat it, too. Vick can be used in the Wildcat formation, which Eagles coach Andy Reid was already going to mix into the offense this year with WR DeSean Jackson taking the snap. Putting Vick there instead is reason enough to believe Philly is in a better position now to go over 9.5 games – and this is a Super Bowl contender we’re talking about here.

As always, keep watching the news wires for further developments. Jackson could be wearing a different uniform by the time you read this, or who knows, Favre could retire again. We’ll profit either way.

it amazing how someone can get so excited about a guy who is older than dirt and lead the league in interceptions last year as there best chance to get to the super bowl

[Nickelicious]

I think so, with AP on the backfield, this team can make a deep run in the playoffs. And let's also not forget that they hsve a great defense

Yes, an outstanding defense. I think this makes them the dominant fave in the NFC North, and that comes from a Bears fan who has already placed 5 units of futures bets on the Bears doing well this year. The entire division is going to do well this year with all the weak schedules the teams have.

[smarmy]

I'll be shocked if he makes the starting QB roll. He has a partially torn rotator cuff in his throwing arm. He needs to stay retired.

[oiler]

Yes, an outstanding defense. I think this makes them the dominant fave in the NFC North, and that comes from a Bears fan who has already placed 5 units of futures bets on the Bears doing well this year. The entire division is going to do well this year with all the weak schedules the teams have.

well me also living in chicago,we welcome him coming to minnesota cause the interceptions will be many and often.ansd about the bears ,we know our defense is the team but it would be nice if one of the bears recievers would have a breakout year for cutler to open up the run game,and if that happens ,we are in business

[pavyracer]

The only thing Favre could do is push over the Viking's playoff chances. The Vikings will become a circus from now on.

[paco]

Yes, The entire division is going to do well this year with all the weak schedules the teams have.

here in Detroit, we would be content with at least 4 wins

[Richkas]

In that week division yes. SuperBowl contender no.

[Nickelicious]

here in Detroit, we would be content with at least 4 wins

You'll get it, paco! If the injuries don't kill you and Culpepper can play 80% as good as he used to be (or Stafford become Matt Ryan), you'll get it!

[BestPlay2day]

I'll be shocked if he makes the starting QB roll. He has a partially torn rotator cuff in his throwing arm. He needs to stay retired.

Farve was signed to be the starter. Tjack and Sage are backups, neither should be a starter on a good Vikings team. They are rolling the dice on Farve as qb was their weakest position. If Farve stays healthy, they are the favorites in the NFC North. Without Farve, I think the Vikings still could of won the NFC North, but the Packers will be better this year as they were hit hard with injuries last year.

[smarmy]

Farve was signed to be the starter. Tjack and Sage are backups, neither should be a starter on a good Vikings team. They are rolling the dice on Farve as qb was their weakest position. If Farve stays healthy, they are the favorites in the NFC North. Without Farve, I think the Vikings still could of won the NFC North, but the Packers will be better this year as they were hit hard with injuries last year.

And I'll still be shocked if he starts the year as the starter.

[oiler]

Farve was signed to be the starter. Tjack and Sage are backups, neither should be a starter on a good Vikings team. They are rolling the dice on Farve as qb was their weakest position. If Farve stays healthy, they are the favorites in the NFC North. Without Farve, I think the Vikings still could of won the NFC North, but the Packers will be better this year as they were hit hard with injuries last year.

the way favre likes to throw up heaves is whats going to be his downfall.all it will take is that one throw where the defense hits him under his arm and he will be done.but u have to give it to the man ,he got the vikes to give him a two year contract for someon who wont even make it out of the first season

[BestPlay2day]

the way favre likes to throw up heaves is whats going to be his downfall.all it will take is that one throw where the defense hits him under his arm and he will be done.but u have to give it to the man ,he got the vikes to give him a two year contract for someon who wont even make it out of the first season

Believe only the 1st year is guaranteed. Unfortunately for the Vikings, they were desparate at qb as Tjack doesn't have it and has the dear in the headlights look when the defense switches things up on him. Farve knew this, didn't have to go to training camp and got paid a nice salary. Viking fans are being unrealistic thinking he will lead them to the Superbowl.

[IEDodgerFan]

As long as he is healthy and doesn't overthrow his arm, the Vikes have a chance, but if the coaches as well as the player notice something wrong and ignore it (because he is Brett Favre), then, their chances of making it to the playoffs/SB with a seasoned vet are shot.

[rezkoness69]

Brett Favre, last 7 meetings against the bears....

1-6, 3 TDs, 15 INTs....bring him on baby . Favre's signing won't stand in the way of the bears taking the North this year.