OK, Brett’s back. Now what?

By Darrell Laurant | Wednesday, April 26, 2006 | ( 1 )

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In a sense, the Green Bay Packers started the NFL draft early on Tuesday, choosing quarterback Brett Favre.

Or, to be more accurate, Favre chose them.

After last season's 4-12 disaster, the legendary gunslinger retreated to the Mississippi swamps to ride his tractor, lick his wounds, and ponder his future.

And he pondered. And he pondered.

Meanwhile, Packer officials, players and fans were reduced to the wistful position of fans at a rock concert, holding their cigarette lighters aloft in hopes that the star would emerge from the wings for one final encore, chanting: "Brett! Brett!"

Finally, the soon-to-be 16-year veteran did step back on stage, sidling up to the microphone and announcing: "OK, I'll play one more for y'all."

Packer Nation can only hope it's one of his greatest hits, and not the off-key performance of 2005, when Favre threw 29 interceptions and sunk to a quarterback rating of barely 70.

But let's examine that season for a moment. What if you had taken Edgerrin James, Dominick Rhodes and Marvin Harrison away from Peyton Manning, then forced him to play behind the second-string offensive line?

It's tiresome to keep repeating, but the 2005 Packers ranked among the most snake-bitten teams in NFL history. Their top four running backs went down with injuries, along with primary deep threat Javon Walker. Thus, Favre's interception count isn't all that surprising, since that's a little hard to avoid in the NFL when everyone knows you're throwing.

Why Green Bay didn't play backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers more in those circumstances is a question for the ages. With Favre sitting on the fence (or, in this case, his farm equipment), the Packers were looking at starting the season with a Great Unknown under center.

Now, new coach Mike McCarthy and Favre need to have a heart-to-heart. Favre -- who ranks a catchable second behind Dan Marino in career passing yardage and touchdown passes -- is still a formidable offensive threat. But like a great major league pitcher in the twilight of his career, he's lost a little off his fastball. He can still throw it 70 yards, but not with his former gusto. His days of splitting three defenders for a completion 40 yards downfield are probably gone.

So he needs to change from Randy Johnson to Greg Maddux, relying more on guile than brawn. At the age of 36, he needs to grow up a little, but without losing his boyish enthusiasm.

And Javon Walker needs to be gone. Having him on the same team with Favre is a recipe for disaster, because the two obviously don't get along.

The obvious solution might be to trade Walker for another No. 1 draft pick, although that's probably wishful thinking given Walker's 2005 injury and reputation as a malcontent. So make it a second-round pick, then, giving Green Bay two choices in that pivotal round. There will still be some serviceable wide receivers left, notably Willie Reid and Derek Hagan, and perhaps a promising DB or offensive lineman. Or a running back -- apparently, the Green Bay Packers can never have too many of those.

After taking the Packers hostage, Favre listed as one of his demands that the team "make a statement" during free agency. Maybe the addition of DT Ryan Pickett and DB Marquand Manuel was good enough for him, although the statement Packer ownership seemed to be making was "We really don't want to spend a lot of money."

Nearly every draft guru has A.J. Hawk written in stone as Green Bay's choice with the No. 5 pick in the first round, and the Packers could certainly do worse. The big question mark is Ahman Green -- if he's healthy, he's one of the top running backs in the league. If he's not, Favre's long-awaited encore performance could turn out to be a dud.

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	No.1 Don	10:04 PM 05/03/2006

	I`m excited about up coming season with what was done in free agency and draft especially A.J HAWK and couple early offensive...