Some time in the future when you open a Webster’s Dictionary and turn to section ‘F,’ there maybe a new word staring you in the face.

Favre [farv] – noun: 1) an error or lapse in judgment when the game is on the line.

Related forms: Favre’d, verb

The quarterback suffered a Favre when he threw an interception in the last minute of a big game.

Favre’s career has been a Hall of Fame one. There is no debate about that. But over the last half of his career, some might wonder if he ran out of bullets in that old, trusty right arm when the games mattered the most.

The Vikings were thisclose on Sunday in the NFC championship game vs. the New Orleans Saints. Favre played really well for a 40-year-old who looked like a tackling dummy for most of the night. The Vikings were in field goal range, although it was on the longer side, and they only needed to gain a few yards to give Ryan Longwell a chance at the go-ahead 55-yard field goal, which could have propelled the Vikings to a date with Peyton Manning.

But a funny thing happened on the way to Miami. Minnesota felt the full force of a Favre.

Breaking the cardinal rule of throwing across the field and across his body, Favre uncorked a pass that was intercepted by Tracy Porter. Minnesota never got a chance at the game-winning kick. Nor did the Vikings run another offensive play, as New Orleans would take the game in overtime on a Garrett Hartley field goal.

You could say Favre was trying to make a play to get some breathing room for Longwell, but as Boomer Esiason noted, that throw can’t be made in that situation. Even Favre told the media after the game that he probably should have run for a few yards, but this isn’t the first time Favre has trusted his arm a little too much in the playoffs.

2002

Favre throws six — SIX — interceptions in a 45-17 loss to the St. Louis Rams in the divisional playoffs. Three of those picks were returned for touchdowns, and the Packers would turn the ball over eight times during the game.

New England fans may remember this Rams team, as the Patriots defeated St. Louis in the Super Bowl to capture the first of three championships in four years. Favre presumably remembers this Rams squad for another reason.

2005

The Packers and Favre already had defeated the Vikings two times in the regular season and squared off for a third time at Lambeau Field in the wild card round. Well, Favre threw four picks in a 31-17 loss, and the Packers were left out in the cold again.

Interesting note: In all three games against the Packers that season, the Vikings scored 31 points.

2007

The Packers were 13-3 and Brett Favre was having a renaissance year, in what many thought would be the last hurrah of his career. The Packers rolled into the NFC championship game vs. the New York Giants, and 60 minutes of football was not enough to decide this one.

In the OT, Favre punctuated a succession of terrible decisions and poor throws by tossing an ill-advised interception to Corey Webster, which ultimately set up a game-wining field goal by Lawrence Tynes. Again, Favre had a Favre when it mattered most.

That proved the last pass in Favre’s Packers career. He would then retire, force his way out of Green Bay and ultimately land in the arms of the New York Jets.

New England fans also will remember this Favre interception for a long time because this is the Giants team that upset the undefeated Patriots in the Super Bowl to derail history. If only Favre had played — and, most likely, Favre’d — against the Pats, Mercury Morris might finally have had to shut his pie hole.

Now comes the question that captivates every sports outlet in America:

Does he play, retire or kind of retire and hog the media spotlight? He is signed with the Vikings for another year, and if Minnesota keeps the same cast of characters, the Vikings might find themselves back in the same position. So, does No. 4 come back?

One would do well to remain patient for an answer while considering the second definition of the Word of the Day:

Farve - noun: 2) Painstaking indecision, characterized by several public changes of heart, in the face of a career crossroads

One Comments for “The good, the bad, the Favre’ly”

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   February 11th, 2011 at 10:15 am

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