Jaworski, who went 33-15 as the Philadelphia Eagles' starter from 1979-81, remembers when he knew the end was near. In 1988, he returned to training camp as a 37-year-old backup for the Dolphins, and the zip was gone. He had become more of an anticipation thrower, because he couldn't make the same old throws.

"I felt that I had worked out and all those things," Jaworski said. "I guess Father Time just caught up."

Now it's in hot pursuit of Favre. Jaworski expects Favre to elude it a little longer.

"Clearly, he still has the physical ability," Jaworski said. "He still has that great feel for the pocket. He was not a guy who was going to run. He was somewhat Dan Marino-like in knowing where the pressing is coming from, and taking that subtle slide step. You still see that with him. The biggest concern is him assimilating that system, and understanding the complete way that the Jets offense will attack a defense."

Jaworski believes it will take a few weeks for those synapses to connect instantaneously, and that Favre will begin connecting with receivers regularly once it does.

Plus, Favre isn't quite as old as some others.

Take DeBerg.

His distinction? DeBerg was 44 years and 279 days old when he took snaps for the Atlanta Falcons in 1998, making him the oldest man to ever start an NFL game at quarterback. He lost that day, but his appearance alone was a testimony to his mental and physical conditioning over time. In fact, after years of struggling on terrible teams, DeBerg had his best seasons with Kansas City, after joining the Chiefs at age 34. He went 21-10 in his third and fourth years there, after turning 36.

DeBerg acknowledged that he was so "awful" early in his career that he didn't expect to last long, and attributed his longevity to his increased knowledge about how to prepare and perform.

That helped him compensate for any physical decline.

"The mental part if huge," said DeBerg, who has spent the past decade as a personal quarterback trainer. "You learn to train better. You learn techniques. You start doing all of that stuff as a pro for more than 10 years, and you've pretty much got it down."

Favre has been doing it, week in and week out, for 16 years. DeBerg believes that Favre has made late-career success possible by greatly quickening his release, becoming more efficient in the style of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

"He used to be a windup and let it rip guy," DeBerg said.

That put his body at more risk, because it increased the odds of taking a shot while still in the throwing motion. That was a style that DeBerg would never teach young quarterbacks.

"A veteran quarterback, he will make plays happen fast and not take a lot of risks," DeBerg said. "And really, that is the way it is supposed to happen. What happens with these young quarterbacks, even if it was John Elway or Steve Young, when they were rookies, they were so athletic, they would look at one guy and take off. You just learn to stay in the pocket, make the original play work and read it out, and then if you have ability to escape, then you do."

Or you throw it away.

Favre was sacked only 15 times last season, the second-fewest of his career. Now he will play behind a different offensive line, but one fortified by the free-agent additions of veterans Alan Faneca and Damien Woody.

The more hits he avoids, the better.

"The recovery part just gets worse and worse," DeBerg said.

That's what Marino discovered. The Dolphin posted his worst numbers in his final season, throwing 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions at age 38.

"For me, playing at that age, it was getting up for the games, getting through practice sometimes, was the tough part," Marino said. "Because of injuries over my career. When you get to 37 or 38, you might not be able to make the plays or throws as well you made in the past. You are going to need a group around you to help you succeed."

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