By: Tyler Ward
Brad Childress visited Mississippi on Monday to talk to Brett Favre about his possible return with the Minnesota Vikings. Childress was hoping this meeting would hopefully speed up Favre's decision process.
WDAM-TV reported that Childress and Favre were at the University of Southern Mississippi, attending a seven-on-seven passing camp for high school players.
According to WDAM-TV, Childress arrived on Sunday and said that he didn't know how long he would be in Mississippi. When asked about the meeting, he told reporters, "You can fill in the blanks."
Favre was at the ESPY Awards last week and said that his possible return to the NFL depends on the condition of his surgically repaired ankle. He noted that he is still not completely healthy, but for the last few years, he really hasn't been considered 100%. In May, Favre underwent arthoscopic ankle surgery, performed by Dr. James Andrews. Dr. Andrews cleaned up scar tissue and other parts of the joint region to allow Favre to move better. At the time, a source told ESPN that Favre would neet at least four to six weeks of rehabilitation.
Last year, Favre was analyzing his physical attributes to see if he could possibly play football again after receiving shoulder surgery. He also mentioned that his ankle was in poor shape and recommended that doctors take a look at it.
At this point in time, Favre said, "I've had surgery [on my] left ankle twice and need it again. I can barely move the ankle up and down. Walking on it feels like I have glass in my shoes and running is way harder than it needs to be.''
It is still uncertain if Favre will come back or not, as he has done this for the past few seasons. In his career with the Packers, Jets, and Vikings, he has ended every tenure with his last throw being an interception.
In last year's NFC Championship Game versus the New Orleans Saints, Favre explained his thought process during his last throw to wide receiver Sidney Rice, which turned out to be an interception. “As a player you’ve got to pull the trigger,” Favre said. “You can’t say, ‘Well, is he going to do what I think he’s going to do?’ He wasn’t wrong, and in some ways, I wasn’t either.”
In his first year with the Vikings last year, Favre had one of his best statistical seasons ever, throwing for 33 touchdowns compared to only seven interceptions. Even at the tender age of 40, he was competing like a 25 year old. No one can tell what he will do this season, if he decides to return.
When asked about his Vikings debut season, Favre said, “I’ve had games when I almost threw seven picks. It was unreal. Before last year, I’d reached a point where I was sitting in meetings with guys 15 years younger than me thinking, ‘What the hell am I doing here?’ Football became work. But last year it went back to being a game.”
Favre, 40, will be competing in his 20th season if Minnesota lures him back. He is number one in almost every statistical NFL passing category for his career, edging out greats such as Dan Marino and Joe Montana.
If Favre doesn't come back, the Vikings would be very thin at quarterback, with Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels facing each other for the starting job. Favre would definitely be the starter if he returns.
