Dr. Z on Favre

Paul Zimmerman's mailbag this week talks a lot about Brett Favre. Some points:

Jon of Chicago feels Favre "makes rookie mistakes and relies too much on arm strength, rather than reads." He noticed that KC Joyner, the guy who wrote the chart book I mentioned last week, shares his opinion. How about me?

Well, now we've hit the trifecta because I agree with both you and KC. Favre's a great competitor who will get my vote when his name comes up for Hall of Fame selection, but he just throws too many bad passes in crucial situations.

Favre's stat line [interceptions per pass attempt], though, shows the opposite [of Marino and Elway]. Under Mike Holmgren, during Brett's first seven years as a Packer, his pick percentage was lower than in his six post-Holmgren years. I don't think he's getting the same level of coaching. I think he's allowed to get away with too many sloppy habits, which are always covered up, occasionally even admired. Remember that weird toss that everyone loved, when Favre was way across the line and heading for the Vikings' end zone last year? He laughed about it, the announcers laughed about it. All it did was keep the Pack off the scoreboard.

I guess I tend to be tough on Favre because everyone else brushes off his miscues. It's part of the hype.

I'm a Packer fan, and became one back in the 90's because of Favre. He is still one of my favorite players. But in all the adulation given him, he does often get a pass on the flaws of his game, flaws which are getting worse as he ages. He has been a big factor in post-season losses over the last few years. It is no coincidence that the Packers rebounded to the upper eschelons of the conference, after some disappointing seasons after Holmgren left, when the offense began to rely on Favre less and Ahman Green more. (Only to see the post-season campaigns cut short by Favre interceptions, particularly in 2001 and 2003.)

Even when we admire a player, we must be honest and admit the flaws as well as the greatness.