Brett's brains over brawn has Packers sitting pretty
And Brett is nothing if not a team player. It's often said he plays quarterback like a linebacker. On Sept. 30 when he found Greg Jennings in the end zone to break Marino's all-time touchdown record, do you know what he did next? He held for the extra point, something he has done since backing up Don Majkowski almost two decades ago.
"I want to be involved," Favre said, "although sometimes my body really aches. Sometimes in warm-ups, it feels like I have glass in my shoes."
Favre is playing three games in 12 days (Carolina, Thanksgiving at Detroit and the showdown in Dallas), a schedule he says he enjoys.
"I love to play," he said. "I like the idea of turning around quickly and playing again."
Favre's completion percentage this year is 67.7, a career best (65 percent in 2003) and his team is 9-1. He's got youth in Jennings, James Jones and Ruvell Martin, reliable experience in Donald Driver, and inspiration in Koren Robinson, who, like Brett, has battled addiction.
Favre's ability to find Driver on the quick slant is reminiscent of Montana to Rice, and the Packers' impressive yards after the catch means Favre hits his receivers in stride.
Coach Mike McCarthy, who was Favre's position coach in 1999, came into this season telling his quarterback that he had to cut down on the interceptions.
"I told him he doesn't have to play with his foot on the gas all the time," McCarthy said. "He always wanted to win 55-0. Now he's not playing 100 miles an hour."
Favre's 247 consecutive games as a starter, beginning Sept. 27, 1992, means he has faced the likes of Boomer Esiason (against all three teams, Cincinnati, Arizona and the Jets), Drew Bledsoe (New England, Buffalo and Dallas), both Hasselbecks, Tim and Matt, Marino, Jim Kelly and Steve Young.
Favre is almost always mentioned among the best in NFL history, usually along with Montana, Unitas, Marino, Elway and Otto Graham. Is it time to start calling him the greatest?
"He's the best quarterback I've ever seen," Terry Bradshaw said, "and I've never said that about anybody. He's got tenacity, a strong arm, leadership and poise. He's simply the best."
Brett, of course, deflects that kind of talk, saying his longevity and success are as much about coaching and surrounding talent as they are about his ability. Last week, he and Testaverde formed the oldest quarterback combination in the history of the NFL.
"Isn't that something?" he said. "Damn, I thought I'd never get old."
OK, time for the trivia answer.
Did you guess Sharpe or Robert Brooks or maybe Antonio Freeman? Nope. After Brett's pass to himself on Sept. 13, 1992, against Tampa Bay, there were four straight running plays, followed by an 11-yard completion to, drum roll please ...
... the immortal Sanjay Beach.
