11/05/24
September 21, 2009
Brett Favre Starts 271st Straight Game: Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre has set a new NFL record for constancy, starting his 271st straight game. He broke the record of another Viking, defensive end Jim Marshall, who started 270 games from 1961 to 1979. Favre's streak began in 1992. To put his achievement in perspective, only five quarterbacks in NFL history have started more than 100 games in a row.
Favre's on-again, off-again retirement should not diminish this achievement. We celebrate Cal Ripken for a 16-year streak in baseball, but Favre has a 17-year streak at a position and a sport that's much more physically demanding than baseball.
posted by rcade at 11:48 AM on September 21, 2009
We all understand that he was a great QB for a few years and deserving of the spot he will get in Canton, but it is time to stop praising him and feeding his ego with powder puff stories. Next week we will get a story about his 272 straight game rehashing the same things we hear every week.
...except he just broke a really astonishing record. Say what you want about the press he's gotten but this absolutely and positively deserves praise. That's nearly 17 straight seasons.
posted by dfleming at 11:58 AM on September 21, 2009
Not only did he make a record start but he is playing well and is winning. I still cannot understand why there is so much animosity regarding Favre. He has had a remarkable career, and in this day and age of criminal athletes, gun charges, rape charges, dog fighting etc, some people can chastise Favre for what? Changing his mind about retirement. He isn't forcing any team to hire him they just want to and for very good reason.
posted by Atheist at 12:09 PM on September 21, 2009
Yep, pretty amazing streak. He's taken some BIG hits over the years, and has played in a lot of pain a few times, but I think he has almost always given his team a better chance to win with him in, than starting the guy behind him would have.
Jim Marshall's streak was pretty impressive, too.
posted by mjkredliner at 12:34 PM on September 21, 2009
I actually think Marshall's streak is more impressive than Favre's. Marshall couldn't hand the ball off or throw a quick screen to avoid getting hit on any particular play. As a defensive end, playing long before enhanced penalties for illegal blocks existed (chop blocks, going at the knees, blocking from behind, etc.), it would have been far easier for him to suffer a debilitating injury than Favre, or any other QB, for that matter.
Favre's streak is impressive for skill position players, but for somebody who takes a pounding like Jim Marshall did for 17 years, I feel the criteria should be measured a bit more subjectively.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 01:06 PM on September 21, 2009
Atheist: It's a lot more than changing his mind about retirement. He undermines his coach and doesn't support his teammates with this on-again, off-again junk. If Favre wants to keep playing, he owes it to his team to go through camp from day one.
posted by rcade at 01:45 PM on September 21, 2009
Favre's streak is impressive for skill position players, but for somebody who takes a pounding like Jim Marshall did for 17 years, I feel the criteria should be measured a bit more subjectively.
I thoroughly enjoy this comment, however I've got a little compassion for Favre as he was hit every time by someone who was bigger and stronger than he was. A defensive lineman, while taking a disturbing amount of punishment (especially before the NFL cleaned up illegal blocks) is one of the biggest players on the field.
As well, Favre has played in a time where 280 pound linebackers run 4.4/40's. There's a lot to be said about the amount of force a single hit comes at that speed, let alone 17 years worth.
posted by dfleming at 01:54 PM on September 21, 2009
QB is WAAY more physically demanding than any position in baseball.. However, I'm not sure it stands up to 2632 games.
posted by josher71 at 01:55 PM on September 21, 2009
I'll give Favre credit for having a bit of a sense of humor about his indecision issue.
He recently did a TV spot for Sears (Sears!) where he couldn't make up his mind at the end of it. I laughed.
The fact that he even did a spot for a down and out, long past glory days retailer is amusing in and of itself.
Being on the Vikes seems like so much better of a fit for him than the Jets.
And being a Wrangler pitchman, he knows a good fit when he, uh, feels it.
Haven't seen one of his games yet, but it seems like he's taking better care of the ball at the moment. His stats for yesterday's game showed a very high completion percentage on less than 30 attempts for less than 200 total yards. Nice safe controlled short stuff, I'm guessing.
posted by beaverboard at 01:57 PM on September 21, 2009
If Favre wants to keep playing, he owes it to his team himself to go through camp from day one.
Sorry about that rcade and I agree that he owes it to his team but more importantly, he owes it to himself to be ready to play at the highest level possible and to also get a little thing called timing down pat with his new teammates.
By the looks of things (even though it's only 2 games into the season), he seems to be fitting in just fine.
/if the Vikes keep winning, will we keep saying, "Well, he's only 3...no, 6..ok, 10 games into the season and looks good".....?
posted by BornIcon at 01:57 PM on September 21, 2009
I disagree that he owes anything to others beyond being the best he can be on game day. 271 consecutive starts in the NFL and playing at a high level at age 40 should allow him some leeway in how he chooses to get ready for the season. Just like any employee negotiating an employment contract he has the right to state his terms and conditions as to what he will and won't do for the paycheck. Potential employers can either accept, pass or try to negotiate the points they feel are important. If some of the other players can't understand why after 20 years in the league, 271 consecutive starts, a hall of fame career, almost every passing record, and Super Bowls, he might have earned the right to skip some training camp, well then they are just unreasonable.
posted by Atheist at 02:10 PM on September 21, 2009
Wow, that is a new take on a team game. If a player verbalized what you are saying, I could imagine the hell that would rain down for it.
posted by bperk at 02:23 PM on September 21, 2009
QB is WAAY more physically demanding than any position in baseball.. However, I'm not sure it stands up to 2632 games.
Yeah, a quarterback is in danger of having his head knocked off every single play. No denying that.
271 consectutive games at quarterback. Very impressive. 2632 games at shortstop, very impressive. I can't imagine doing either. Comparing them in order to prove one more impressive than the other really doesn't work.
posted by justgary at 02:32 PM on September 21, 2009
I disagree that he owes anything to others beyond being the best he can be on game day. ... If some of the other players can't understand why after 20 years in the league, 271 consecutive starts, a hall of fame career, almost every passing record, and Super Bowls, he might have earned the right to skip some training camp, well then they are just unreasonable.
I was under the impression that football was a team sport. Favre gave the Vikes less chance to succeed by playing the retirement game. He could've told them two months earlier he was signing and they could've planned around it.
Comparing them in order to prove one more impressive than the other really doesn't work.
Perhaps, but has the iron man record in football gotten even 1/1,000th as much hype as the one in baseball? That seems off to me.
posted by rcade at 02:37 PM on September 21, 2009
bperk - most players would not do this nor do I think teams should accept this kind of condition from a player. Then again I don't think Favre is most players and I do feel his situation is very unique. It seems the Vikings and prior to them the Jets, both understood this and were willing to work with it. I believe it has paid off for both organizations so far. Certainly the Jets were loosers when Favre went to them and athough the team fell apart defensively and Favre was injured late in the year, there can be no doubt that whole franchise culture as turned around. They went from loosers to contenders in one season. They have built on that and now look again like a contending team. Sometimes a little winning can do wonders for the mind set and personality of a team.
rcade - do you think that it may not have been a game and that it may have taken time to work out the details and for Favre to be certain his injury would be healed enough to play. I take him on his word that he wanted to be sure he could perform before making the commitment.
posted by Atheist at 02:42 PM on September 21, 2009
Perhaps, but has the iron man record in football gotten even 1/1,000th as much hype as the one in baseball? That seems off to me.
I'm not completely convinced on this but could it be because he's doing it on his third team in three years? Baltimore fans, and media, had a lot of years to stew over Cal's record. It seemed that much more impressive, given the idea that 2632 games with one team in our day is an achievement.
posted by dfleming at 02:56 PM on September 21, 2009
Perhaps, but has the iron man record in football gotten even 1/1,000th as much hype as the one in baseball? That seems off to me.
Agreed. And if I had to pick, I'd choose the favre record as most impressive. It's truly remarkable.
I think some of this is simply baseballs fascination with numbers compared to football. I also think this might have more play if it had happened with the packers, much like ripken played his entire career with the Os (on preview, what dfleming said).
posted by justgary at 02:57 PM on September 21, 2009
Atheist: There really is nothing funnier than putting the words Brett Favre and "I take him at his word" together. Even Peter King has seen the light.
I think the real test of Favre's season begins Dec. 1 as the season becomes a grind and the games start to matter more.
posted by rcade at 03:19 PM on September 21, 2009
Perhaps, but has the iron man record in football gotten even 1/1,000th as much hype as the one in baseball? That seems off to me.
I also think there's been a little bit of emphasis/stories of late about football players essentially forced to play despite somewhat serious injuries, and the impact that sort of thing has on them later in life. So for the NFL to really celebrate a record like this, it could focus the spotlight in places it doesn't want it. (Including, for instance, Favre's early career painkiller addiction.)
posted by inigo2 at 03:42 PM on September 21, 2009
Has Favre ever had any "token appearences" over that 271 games? Not to take anything away from Ripken, but starting 271 straight NFL games, and taking the bulk of the snaps over that stretch is more impressive...
And in baseball years, Favre would've played 2,744 games by now... =D
posted by MeatSaber at 04:46 PM on September 21, 2009
I disagree that he owes anything to others beyond being the best he can be on game day. 271 consecutive starts in the NFL and playing at a high level at age 40 should allow him some leeway in how he chooses to get ready for the season. Just like any employee negotiating an employment contract he has the right to state his terms and conditions as to what he will and won't do for the paycheck. Potential employers can either accept, pass or try to negotiate the points they feel are important. If some of the other players can't understand why after 20 years in the league, 271 consecutive starts, a hall of fame career, almost every passing record, and Super Bowls, he might have earned the right to skip some training camp, well then they are just unreasonable.
For sake of devil's advocacy, I'm going to go ahead and agree with this. I've been on the fence about Favre's on again off again bull, but this rings true to me. It's like the sign on wall in the Pat's clubhouse says (recently stolen and repeated by Josh McDaniels and the Broncos): "Do your job." It may be a team game but it's the responsibility of each individual to do his job to the best of his ability. So if the members of the team have the skills, the stamina, the knowledge, and the discipline, then it shouldn't matter if Favre shows up weeks late. They may have a few timing issues to work through but professionals at this level should become competitive quickly.
That being the case, Favre deserves all the credit he gets, with no strings attached IMO. And to the comparison w Cal Ripkin, I seem to recall games where Cal started then came out quickly at the streak dragged on, signifying the start was little more than a symbolic gesture. Whereas Favre continues to play until he is dragged off the field, every down of every game.
posted by MW12 at 08:30 PM on September 21, 2009
So if the members of the team have the skills, the stamina, the knowledge, and the discipline, then it shouldn't matter if Favre shows up weeks late. They may have a few timing issues to work through but professionals at this level should become competitive quickly.
This is wrong. It is really important for an offensive line to get to know the QB. That can't happen when the QB is a prima donna who is too important to appear at camp.
posted by bperk at 10:33 AM on September 22, 2009
It's also important for the quarterback to know the playbook. They're not playing sandlot football and drawing plays up on the quarterback's hand. How many points will it cost the Vikes in the first month of the season because Favre jumped in late?
posted by rcade at 10:38 AM on September 22, 2009
So for the NFL to really celebrate a record like this, it could focus the spotlight in places it doesn't want it. (Including, for instance, Favre's early career painkiller addiction.)
Considering that Favre has addressed his past pill problems a long, long time ago, why would the NFL put a spotlight on a past issue?
posted by BornIcon at 03:40 PM on September 22, 2009
Considering that Favre has addressed his past pill problems a long, long time ago, why would the NFL put a spotlight on a past issue?
Huh? Focusing on a player that plays every single week wouldn't put a spotlight on playing with pain?
posted by inigo2 at 05:17 PM on September 22, 2009
It's also important for the quarterback to know the playbook. They're not playing sandlot football and drawing plays up on the quarterback's hand. How many points will it cost the Vikes in the first month of the season because Favre jumped in late?
Favre is very familiar with the Viking's version of the West Coast offense, and as the first two games have shown, it won't be too much of cause for concern. Sure, he needs to get to know his receivers better, but it's not like a rookie holding out and then reporting late.
I find it somewhat odd the amount of hate some people have for Favre, but it does look like the Vikings have come together nicely. I'm sure there'll be a lot of finger waving the second he has a bad day, but for now I'm glad he's in purple.
posted by dviking at 06:12 PM on September 22, 2009
What dviking said. And I'm neither a Vikes fan nor a steadfast Favre fan. But the bottom line is the O line seems to be doing their job just fine (which was my point), and Favre's holdout doesn't preclude him from knowing the Vikes playbook.
How many points will it cost them in the first month? Heck it could cost them hundreds of points over the course of the season, but as long as they outscore their opponents by a grand total of 16 they have the chance to run the table, whether those plays are drawn up on Favre's hand or otherwise.
posted by MW12 at 07:46 PM on September 22, 2009
But, when he was hurt last year should he have cut the streak short, allowed the Jets to move on then, and had surgery on his arm at that time? Did he place the streak above the right thing for the team there? Not sure he did, just throwing it out there. The Jets probably weren't going anywhere anyway.
posted by chris2sy at 02:10 PM on September 23, 2009
Woohoo, and he will also retire and then return for the next 268 straight seasons too.
We all understand that he was a great QB for a few years and deserving of the spot he will get in Canton, but it is time to stop praising him and feeding his ego with powder puff stories. Next week we will get a story about his 272 straight game rehashing the same things we hear every week.