Are the Vikings sunk? Not so fast.
Just two seasons ago, with Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback, Minnesota went 10-6 and won the NFC North. So if Brett Favre’s third annual retirement actually sticks, the Vikings will still have a quarterback capable of winning games.
Assuming Brett Favre’s retirement is real, the Vikings still have a viable option in Tarvaris Jackson.
"I believe in my teammates," Jackson said Tuesday. "Hopefully, they believe in me."
The Vikings would miss Favre’ big-play proficiency, the team would remain loaded with All-Pro talent such as Adrian Peterson, defensive end Jared Allen and defensive tackle Kevin Williams.
"We played football without (Favre) once before," Allen said. "If we have to do it again, we’ll do it again."
Who wins the NFC North?
If Favre doesn’t change his mind, it no doubt tips the balance of power in the division to Aaron Rodgers’ Packers. And it also opens the door for the desperate Bears, who spent aggressively to land top free agents such as defensive end Julius Peppers and running back Chester Taylor.
"I hope he doesn’t come back," Taylor said of Favre, his teammate last season. "I mean, he had a great career. But he’s our opponent now, and it’ll benefit us if he doesn’t come back."
Who else benefits in the NFC?
With the Vikings sure to slide a bit without Favre, it would give the Cowboys and Saints some separation at the top of the NFC.
"To be real with you, it’s going to be a big setback," Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said. "We are all feeling it today. We are feeling it today to be real."
Considering the East and the South are the conference’s strongest divisions, the middle tier of playoff contenders—Giants, Eagles, Falcons and Panthers—could be right there in the fight with Minnesota for a wild-card berth.
Do you believe him?
The only thing certain about Favre is his indecisiveness. Sure, his ankle hurts today and he’s talking of retiring for good. But considering he didn’t join the Vikings until Aug. 18 last year, it’s hard to take Favre’s word.
"There’s still a lot of time before Sept. 9," Saints safety Darren Sharper said of the season opener. "We’ve haven’t seen a final chapter yet in that book."
Vinnie Iyer is a staff writer for Sporting News. Email him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
Are the Vikings sunk? Not so fast.
Just two seasons ago, with Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback, Minnesota went 10-6 and won the NFC North. So if Brett Favre’s third annual retirement actually sticks, the Vikings will still have a quarterback capable of winning games.
Assuming Brett Favre’s retirement is real, the Vikings still have a viable option in Tarvaris Jackson.
"I believe in my teammates," Jackson said Tuesday. "Hopefully, they believe in me."
The Vikings would miss Favre’ big-play proficiency, the team would remain loaded with All-Pro talent such as Adrian Peterson, defensive end Jared Allen and defensive tackle Kevin Williams.
"We played football without (Favre) once before," Allen said. "If we have to do it again, we’ll do it again."
Who wins the NFC North?
If Favre doesn’t change his mind, it no doubt tips the balance of power in the division to Aaron Rodgers’ Packers. And it also opens the door for the desperate Bears, who spent aggressively to land top free agents such as defensive end Julius Peppers and running back Chester Taylor.
"I hope he doesn’t come back," Taylor said of Favre, his teammate last season. "I mean, he had a great career. But he’s our opponent now, and it’ll benefit us if he doesn’t come back."
Who else benefits in the NFC?
With the Vikings sure to slide a bit without Favre, it would give the Cowboys and Saints some separation at the top of the NFC.
"To be real with you, it’s going to be a big setback," Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said. "We are all feeling it today. We are feeling it today to be real."
Considering the East and the South are the conference’s strongest divisions, the middle tier of playoff contenders—Giants, Eagles, Falcons and Panthers—could be right there in the fight with Minnesota for a wild-card berth.
Do you believe him?
The only thing certain about Favre is his indecisiveness. Sure, his ankle hurts today and he’s talking of retiring for good. But considering he didn’t join the Vikings until Aug. 18 last year, it’s hard to take Favre’s word.
"There’s still a lot of time before Sept. 9," Saints safety Darren Sharper said of the season opener. "We’ve haven’t seen a final chapter yet in that book."
Vinnie Iyer is a staff writer for Sporting News. Email him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
