Pelissero: Brett Favre knows Vikings brought him back for a championship
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EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Three of Brett Favre's teammates spent hours Monday night and Tuesday morning listening to all the reasons the legendary quarterback didn't want to play a 20th NFL season.
Convinced otherwise, Favre stood before the assembled media at Minnesota Vikings headquarters on Wednesday afternoon and summed up those reasons in five words.
"I don't want to fail," Favre said.
They're words that have driven Favre through his entire career.
They're the reason he's played 309 consecutive games.
They have a little different meaning this time, though.
"I'm being honest," Favre continued. "If another guy stands out here and says, 'I'm not worried about failing,' maybe you believe that. I know a lot is expected of this team and a lot is expected of me. I take that very seriously."
Favre knows he wasn't begged to come back to win another NFC North Division crown.
Jared Allen, Ryan Longwell and Steve Hutchinson weren't sitting around his living room Monday night just because the guys in the locker room liked playing with him.
And the Vikings sure weren't willing to rewrite every rule and pay Favre up to $20 million for one season because he'll sell some tickets and jerseys.
"I know there are a lot of factors going into winning and losing," Favre said. "I understand that. I take a lot of pride, especially when these guys are asking to do them one more favor. I don't know exactly what that means, but I think I do."
Super Bowl.
A title.
Favre knows his mission and wonders like everyone else if his soon 41-year-old body is up to the task.
His mind is fine. His football smarts and ability to read defenses are off the charts.
That doesn't ensure he'll come anywhere close to repeating the 2009 season he insists was the greatest of his career.
"He said, 'Brad, it's taken me 19 years to play like that,'" Vikings coach Brad Childress said. "I said, 'Well (expletive), maybe you finally got it.' ... As long as we don't go seven touchdowns and 33 interceptions, I think we'll be all right."
Expectations evolve, though.
No one thought the Favre who threw 21 passes in last season's opener at Cleveland would be chucking 40 or more over and over down the stretch.
"Can I answer the bell, and what happens if it doesn't (happen)?" Favre said. "I would love to win the Super Bowl. Would love to. But what happens if you don't?"
There could be a lockout. A slew of starters with expiring contracts could bolt. Ten other starters age 30 and over could experience their own declines. Another stadium bill could fall short, starting the doomsday clock on the Metrodome's lease expiration.
Favre's already given himself an out, of course. If this whole thing goes bust, it was their idea, not his. Favre was just doing them a favor.
But anyone who thinks he's back purely for the money or the glory hasn't studied him closely enough.
Once upon a time, before he became a multimillionaire caricature of midlife crisis, Favre was the warrior who found a way to be under center every week no matter what his body was telling him.
He didn't want to fail, and more often than not, he didn't.
"He's still got the tools and can still play," Hutchinson said. "We just have to step up. Everybody's got to step up around him and give him the opportunity."
Favre's body -- namely that bad ankle -- seems to be telling him something else now, more loudly than ever.
If it weren't, chances are he would have followed through on the speedy decision he predicted after January's NFC championship loss.
Favre said on Wednesday this is his last year, and yes, that's a laughable statement. Less than 24 hours after ending Favre Watch 2010, he's already commenced Favre Watch 2011 -- and hasn't even played a game.
Asked if he believes himself, Favre said, "I do believe it now. I've got to fall apart some time. I'd like to go out on top."
Favre meant he wants to go out as a starter taking one last shot at glory, rather than languishing on the bench of some moribund franchise like too many Hall of Fame quarterbacks before him.
The Vikings have to hope the statement translates literally, though. They brought back Brett Favre to bring them a championship.
And though he needs plenty of help from the pieces around him -- there are a lot of great ones -- the Vikings' expectations for Favre are clear.
They're counting on him not to fail.
