Minnesota Vikings Tickets - Favre Calling It Quits

August 17, 2010 by Stub_Hub

The Minnesota Vikings had a great 2009 season, one in which they were able to secure the NFC North title and make it all the way to the conference title game. Much of that success was due to the presence of quarterback Brett Favre, who experienced resurgence to the tune of 33 touchdowns and more than 4,200 yards passing. However, it looks as though the Vikings will be without the veteran quarterback in 2010, as Favre has decided to retire from the NFL.

We've heard this from Favre before, twice actually, but in this case I believe that the third time will be a charm. Favre's first retirement was genuine, but he simply couldn't let the game go at that point in his life. His second retirement was a ploy to end up with the Vikings, and it worked. Now, however, Favre is aware of how it feels to sit at home during training camp, and there is no greener grass to seek. 2009 was probably the last we've seen of Brett Favre on a football field, though one can't completely rule out his return.

Favre leaves the game as one of the best quarterbacks to ever throw a pass and one of the toughest competitors in the history of the game. He owns many of the most prestigious passing records, but perhaps the most impressive record he owns is that for playing in 285 consecutive games. In the game of football, one in which major injuries are commonplace, that number is almost unfathomable for any player that isn't a kicker or punter. The fact that Favre played the game like an untamed horse makes the feat even more impressive.

Favre was a critical part of Minnesota's success last season and he sold loads of Minnesota Vikings tickets, but the roster is a very solid one even without the gray-bearded signal caller. The quarterback reins will likely be handed over to former starter Tarvaris Jackson. Jackson led the Vikes to the postseason during his last stint as the team's starter, and one would think that he's a more mature and polished player today. While he certainly doesn't have the same ability as Favre, Jackson has always had the confidence of head coach Brad Childress.

Thanks to Favre's departure, the Minnesota offense will lean heavily on running back Adrian Peterson in 2010. Peterson is one of the best running backs in the league and has the benefit of running behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL as well. He should get plenty of work this season in an effort to open things up on the outside for receivers like Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin.

Rice established himself as a number one receiver last season and will have to develop a good rapport with Jackson for the team's passing game to thrive. Harvin might get more work than he would have with Favre, as he can work some short routes for Jackson thanks to his ability to run after the catch. Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe will be another valuable tool in helping move Jackson's development along as.

The Vikings already have a very good, turnover-driven defense in place, which should help take some pressure off of the offense. The Vikings depend on their pass rush to result in easy turnovers for the secondary, a strategy that worked well in 2010. Even if the passing game struggles at times, the Vikings' defense and running game should keep them in games. The Vikings may not be the Super Bowl contender they were with Favre, but they still have a shot at the postseason. The NFC North could now belong to Green Bay, but with a star running back and a solid defense in Minnesota, that is no certainty.