boss is back. (cris carter is a sav)

Favre manages to skip camp -- and still get in
August 18, 2009 11:56 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The rumors started spreading early Tuesday morning as I was watching Detroit go through a two-hour practice: A private airplane was in Hattiesburg, Miss., waiting to take Brett Favre to Minnesota. I checked in with a few trustworthy people, and their tight-lipped reactions suggested that an event we have considered inevitable at times and impossible at others will become reality.


Favre
So here is my unqualified reaction: Call it the three B's. What a Blatant, Brazen and Brilliant ploy to skip training camp and still be given the reins to a Super Bowl-caliber team.

I suppose it's possible that Favre and the Vikings will provide an alternative explanation for why the quarterback suddenly agreed to sign only a few days after the team broke camp in Mankato, Minn. Perhaps his body is feeling stronger. Or his shoulder is feeling better. Or he suddenly had an epiphany that it was truly now or never.

But no matter what he or the Vikings might say at his introductory news conference, it sure seems evident that Favre has always wanted to play for the Vikings -- but was unwilling to spend even two weeks in a dormitory at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

I thought the Vikings might draw a line at that point, especially given their unequivocal statements that Favre had missed his chance. But ultimately, coach Brad Childress has always known that Favre provided a better option than either Sage Rosenfels or Tarvaris Jackson.

Neither quarterback offered any reason to think differently during training camp. Rosenfels was sharp in the preseason opener at Indianapolis, but he has now missed two days of practice with an ankle injury and had been inconsistent overall in practice.

We'll have much more as the day progresses, but if you want my initial reaction, that's it.