Press Box View: What to do with Favre?
By Jamey Eisenberg | Senior Fantasy Writer Follow JameyFollow CBS Fantasy Football
You have to love Brett Favre. He has the entire sports world staring at him -- in July -- and wondering what will happen next.
The Milwaukee Brewers make a great trade to bolster their postseason chances by acquiring pitcher C.C. Sabathia, but all of Wisconsin is talking about is Favre, including holding rallies outside of Lambeau Field. The NFL is getting ready for another outstanding year, but Favre has hijacked the hype heading into training camp.
He is, truly, a diva, and now Fantasy owners are suffering as they try to figure out what to do.
As Favre attempts a comeback from retirement, he has tried to force the Packers hand by asking for his release since he doesn't feel they are welcoming him back with open arms. The Packers responded by saying Favre can return, but he will return to Green Bay and will have to sit behind Aaron Rodgers, the incumbent starter once Favre retired.
You can't blame the Packers for wanting to move on. Favre has talked about retirement for the past three seasons, and he finally called it quits in March. It appeared we were done with Favre following a remarkable career, but now he wants back in.
Favre could come back to Green Bay and make things uncomfortable for Rodgers, who has never started an NFL game. He could also force the Packers to trade him, which is still a likely scenario if they can get something valuable in return.
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| Brett Favre's indecision has many people looking above for answers. (Getty Images) |
Last year, Favre was a great Fantasy option. He passed for 4,155 yards, 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He ranked No. 7 in Fantasy points in a standard-scoring league.
Fantasy owners holding their draft now or anytime before training camp have to draft Favre. He wants to play somewhere, and unless it's a flag football league in Mississippi or the CFL, he will land with an NFL team.
Right now, draft Favre with a pick starting in Round 10. You don't want to count on him as your starter in case he stays retired or does in fact come into training camp with the Packers as a backup -- a scenario I could never envision. But Favre should be the first No. 2 Fantasy quarterback taken in all leagues.
If he starts for the Packers or somewhere else, then you have trade bait or your possible Fantasy starter. If not, cut him and add someone off the waiver wire -- Jason Campbell, Matt Leinart, Jon Kitna, Vince Young or Alex Smith could be available and would be fine No. 2 options.
At this point, Rodgers could also be available since Fantasy owners are afraid of what will happen. But as of now, Rodgers is starting, so don't be afraid to look at him with a late-round pick.
Favre may have ruined Rodgers' chances of making a smooth transition to the starting job, but the Packers are still backing Rodgers even though the diva has spoken.
The following is a list of teams that Brett Favre is rumored to play for in 2008 if he's traded, released or returns to Green Bay.
Green Bay
Favre Factor: The Packers are standing behind Aaron Rodgers, but if Favre does report to training camp as the backup, it won't be long until he's starting. Rodgers will likely fold under the pressure, and fan support remains with Favre.
Rest of team: Rodgers may be a great quarterback one day, but Favre showed last year he could still play. Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones and Donald Lee are all better Fantasy options with Favre under center.
Fantasy value: Favre would remain a Top 10 Fantasy QB if he comes back to the Packers.
Minnesota
Favre Factor: The Vikings feel they have a Super Bowl team in place with a stout defense and strong running game. They added Bernard Berrian this offseason to improve the passing game, but Tarvaris Jackson is an inexperienced quarterback. Favre would easily start ahead of Jackson.
Rest of team: Berrian, Sidney Rice and Bobby Wade would all see a boost in Fantasy value if Favre joined the Vikings.
Fantasy value: Favre would be a low-end No. 1 Fantasy QB for the Vikings since their focus would remain run heavy with Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor.
Chicago
Favre Factor: The Bears aren't thrilled with Rex Grossman starting again or turning the team over to Kyle Orton. Chicago doesn't have great receiving options, but Favre to Devin Hester would be a nice combination.
Rest of team: Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd aren't great starting options with or without Favre, but TE Greg Olsen and Hester would benefit greatly with Favre in Chicago.
Fantasy value: Favre would be a No. 2 Fantasy QB with the Bears since their weapons aren't the same as the Packers.
Detroit
Favre Factor: It would have been fun to see Favre playing for Mike Martz, but Martz isn't with the Lions. Still, the Lions aren't sold on Jon Kitna because he takes too many sacks and throws too many interceptions. Detroit's offense should look different in 2008 and will be more run heavy.
Rest of team: Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson would thrive playing with Favre. The duo has done well with Kitna, but Favre is a better passer now than Kitna has ever been.
Fantasy value: Because of Williams and Johnson, Favre would be a solid No. 1 Fantasy QB.
Miami
Favre Factor: The Dolphins might have the most trade bait for Favre since DE Jason Taylor was rumored in a trade with the Packers. But the Dolphins aren't going to compete in 2008 even with Favre as their starter.
Rest of team: The Dolphins have little talent to put around Favre with Ted Ginn Jr., Ernest Wilford and Derek Hagan the top receiving options. Even Favre couldn't turn this group into standout players.
Fantasy value: Favre would drop to a No. 2 Fantasy option if this move happened.
Carolina
Favre Factor: The Panthers are looking for help at quarterback because Jake Delhomme is coming off Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Delhomme is expected to be fine for 2008, but adding Favre might solidify the Panthers as a Super Bowl contender.
Rest of team: Favre would have arguably the best target of his career if he paired with Steve Smith. The two would likely hit it off right away, and Muhsin Muhammad and D.J. Hackett would also improve with Favre ahead of Delhomme.
Fantasy value: Favre might jump to Top 5 status if he was paired with Smith.
Tampa Bay
Favre Factor: Coach Jon Gruden has a history with Favre since he was a former assistant for Mike Holmgren in Green Bay. Even though the Bucs have about 20 quarterbacks on the roster (OK, it's five, but it seems like a lot), Favre would be the best one ahead of starter Jeff Garcia, who's posturing for a new contract.
Rest of team: Favre wouldn't have much help here with an aging Joey Galloway and scraps in Ike Hilliard, Maurice Stovall and Antonio Bryant. Still, Favre would have enough in place to make plays.
Fantasy value: This isn't the ideal place for Favre, but he would remain a low-end No. 1 option because of Galloway.
Kansas City
Favre Factor: The Chiefs are in dire need of a starting quarterback with Brodie Croyle a disappointment last year and Damon Huard a career backup. Favre would make sense in Kansas City and turn the Chiefs into a playoff contender.
Rest of team: How much do you think Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez would love to play with Favre? Bowe would become a solid No. 2 Fantasy WR, and Gonzalez might leap back into the Top 3 of Fantasy tight ends.
Fantasy value: Favre would be a Top 10 Fantasy QB with the Chiefs because of Bowe and Gonzalez.
Atlanta
Favre Factor: The Falcons are trying to find a new identity following the Michael Vick disaster last year, and rookie Matt Ryan is expected to be their future. Adding Favre would stunt Ryan's progress and wouldn't turn Atlanta into a playoff team either. But, since Favre started with the Falcons, it could be a reunion of sorts.
Rest of team: Roddy White would turn into a great receiving option with Favre, and he would improve the Fantasy value for Laurent Robinson and even Michael Jenkins.
Fantasy value: The Falcons have a long way to go, so Favre would be a No. 2 Fantasy QB in Atlanta.
Baltimore
Favre Factor: The Ravens feel they are a good quarterback away from another long playoff run since their defense remains loaded with talent. But Baltimore needs to focus on rebuilding with rookie Joe Flacco, who would suffer if Favre joined the team.
Rest of team: The Ravens don't have much talent at receiver with Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton. TE Todd Heap is solid, but he gets hurt too much.
Fantasy value: Favre would be on the cusp of a starting Fantasy option but going to Baltimore isn't appealing at this point.
New York Jets
Favre Factor: The Jets say they aren't interested, but it's a move that would make sense with Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens set to battle for the starting job. Favre would look nice in green and white and playing in New York, where he might feel like he's getting the attention he covets.
Rest of team: Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery have somehow managed to post decent stats despite poor quarterback play, so adding Favre would turn them into solid No. 2 Fantasy options. Rookie TE Dustin Keller also would like playing with Favre.
Fantasy value: Favre would be a Top 10 Fantasy QB with the Jets because of Coles, Cotchery and Keller.
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