No Trophies For the Off-Season

by: Joe McDonald | Publisher and Editor-in-Chief | Friday, August 8, 2008



It’s easy to win the off-season. Just spend a few bucks and bring in the big names. It riles up the fan base and keeps a franchise in the news while the games are not played.

But there are no trophies for offseason moves. If there were the Mets would be a dynasty and the Rangers would have more than one Stanley Cup since World War II.

Too many times a team brings in big names and makes major changes only to flop on the field during the season. There are chemistry problems and sometimes a veteran will lose that edge after going to a new town.

The Jets face this task right now. After spending millions on the offensive line, the prize of Brett Favre was shown off yesterday in the basement of Cleveland Stadium. Sure all the right things were said, but the Hall of Fame quarterback still has to get in shape and learn a new system in a very short period of time.

“We’re up against the clock,” Favre said in the press conference. “I want these guys to know me, know what I’m about, how I play, what type of leadership I have. I’m not going to call team meetings, I’m not going to ‘rah-rah,’ I’m going to do what I have to do, pat guys on my back, hug them, pick them up off the ground and hope they do the same for me and hope that’s enough to win.”

With a third place schedule, the Jets should do well with Favre at the helm, but with games against the Patriots and Chargers during the first three weeks could land the Jets 1-2 going into week 4. Then the panic will set in and Favre will be right in the middle it. And this is why Gang Green will be ok with the man from Green Bay. After going through a month of ‘How the Quarterback Turns’, the cool customer will be able to keep his team together.

“Green Bay is a small market but is there a bigger team?” Favre thought. “I’ve been in front of a lot of media. I’ve been in big games. I’ve won big games. I’ve lost big games. I’ve had my share of criticism and glory… It doesn’t matter what city it’s in. I’m here for one reason, not to do commercials, Broadway, all those things. I’m here to help the Jets win, that’s why they got me.”

That’s what the Jets hope. Although Chad Pennington is a good quarterback, Favre is a great one. When the chips are down, the team will look to the QB for leadership. If Favre can come through with a comeback win in the fourth quarter or raise the level of the Jets play by himself, it will go a long way to having the team believe in their new leader.

It may be a lot to ask from someone who will be 39 in October, but Favre will have motivation. He said his first choice was to go to the Vikings of Bears just to be “vindictive” to the Packers. If that anger is still burning, what better way to stick it to Green Bay than be playing in January, while Lambeau Field sits in darkness? If that is what rives the quarterback the Jets will be just fine.

First, Favre has to get ready for the season. The circus has to end today with the quarterback working twice as hard as the average veteran to get ready for the season. If he does, then the Jets will be fine and well onto a playoff year.