Favre, Packers in no-win situation
Team's future doesn't look promising with or without quarterback
Morry Gash / AP fileBrett Favre and the Packers are in a no-win situation, writes columnist Don Pierson.
Q: For whatever reason the media, fans, and players have placed Brett Favre on the highest pedestal. Favre, who last year called out Javon Walker for being selfish and holding the Packers hostage, is now himself doing it to them. Why do we coddle him? Why do we forgive him for his selfishness?
--Theo, Milwaukee, Wis.
A: Favre is on the highest pedestal because he's earned the right to be there. He is finding out just how precarious that pedestal can be, however. The what-have-you-done-for-us-lately syndrome is starting to overshadow his accomplishments. I can't say that I entirely blame him for his frustration. He has witnessed the erosion of his team and, until lately, never complained when attrition and injury robbed him of weapons and circumstance stifled the defense. He probably figures he is allowed some moments to complain, even though it's beginning to feel a little too much like whining. I haven't heard him say anything about Walker this year and Walker's present stance seems at least as shaky as last year's.
Q: Do you think the Seahawks made the right free agency moves to make another run at the Super Bowl - and perhaps win it? Most people focus on losing Steve Hutchinson, but do you think they made enough other good moves to call their offseason a success?
--John Fox, Seattle
A: They blew the Hutchinson deal by not franchising him and they've got to hope now that guards aren't worth that kind of money. Shaun Alexander will be the first to find out when he tries to duplicate his MVP season behind lesser blockers. Losing receiver Joe Jurevicius can't help either. They also lost safety Marquand Manuel, who filled in admirably when Ken Hamlin got hurt, and backup defensive end Rodney Bailey. The addition of linebacker Julian Peterson could turn into a coup if Peterson returns to his pre-injury form of 2003 and 2004. Defensive tackle Russell Davis and offensive tackle Tom Ashworth provide veteran depth at vital positions. But on balance, I can't see much improvement in the roster and they don't draft high enough to add can't-miss help.
Q: If you had to pick one team's quarterback corps, who will fare better this season: Lions or Chargers? What about next season if the same people are in place? Along those same lines, do you feel Coach Mike Martz will get much in the way of performance from the three first-round receivers the Lions currently have on the roster?
--Brian Bernier, San Diego
A: The Chargers lost a heck of a lot better player in Drew Brees than the Lions did in Joey Harrington. The Lions added experience with Jon Kitna and Josh McCown, so I'd have to say the Lions look better on paper. It all depends on the development of Philip Rivers, of course. He has more potential, but hasn't played. The Chargers are a better team than the Lions, so maybe Rivers has a chance to produce more quickly. In 2007, if Rivers doesn't prove he's the man, Chargers' general manager A.J. Smith is going to be on a very hot seat. All he has is A.J. Feeley behind Rivers. In Detroit, Mike Martz has an unparalleled track record of turning unknown talent such as Trent Green, Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger into winning quarterbacks, which bodes very well for McCown. I'd have to guess neither team is done searching for help at the quarterback position. As for Detroit's receivers, they need a very large dose of the disciplined approach head coach Rod Marinelli will demand of their practice and work habits. What doesn't "kill" them on the practice field will make them better.Q: Don, last year the Falcons' defense fell apart down the stretch. Now, the additions of Lawyer Milloy, John Abraham, and others (not to mention the return of Ed Hartwell) should improve things a good bit. Am I bonkers to think that the Falcons now have a better-than-average defense?
--Parker Gilbert, Marietta, Ga.
A: They certainly hope so. The return of Hartwell needs to be mentioned prominently because it affects two positions. His presence at middle linebacker will allow Keith Brooking to move back outside, who he can take better advantage of his speed. Although Milloy is on the downside, the Falcons were in dire need at safety. Abraham provides a legitimate pass-rushing bookend opposite Patrick Kerney. The Falcons became an average defense in 2004 when they won the NFC South. They slipped last year, so a return to at least the middle of the pack is certainly not a stretch. Coach Jim Mora would be disappointed, and probably embarrassed, with anything less.
Don Pierson writes regularly for NBCSports.com and covers the NFL for the Chicago Tribune. For more of Pierson's work, visit http://www.chicagosports.com/
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