B-R-E-T (-T) to the JETS, JETS, JETS!!!

Well I said I would chime in when something happened, and apparently something happened. Something epic to say the least.

I've gotten handfuls of phone calls and text messages asking me how I feel about my team acquiring a hall of fame quarterback, possibly even the greatest to ever play the position. To be honest, I'm kind of conflicted.

One, I'm glad the whole Brett Favre drama is over. Truthfully, I really didn't care where he ended up... New York included. I wanted to see him go back to Green Bay and compete with Aaron Rodgers for the Packers starting spot, but understandably that was no longer an option. Favre's a Jet, which seemed pretty improbable, but at least now he has a team, and a starting spot...we have finally reached a resolution.

So how do I feel about it? Pretty indifferent. I see positives and negatives, but I do suppose there are more positives for me and my New York football Jets.

First we can look at the negatives. Favre's 37-years old and really in the twilight of his career. Yes he had a great 2007 campaign, but his decline was quite visible in both 2005 and '06. Was Favre able to patch things up for last season, or did he just have a couple of rough seasons in a row out of his magnificent career? He told us Thursday at his introductory press conference that he isn't in the greatest shape, which is another thing that I'm worried about. Here's a guy who said he only retired from football because he's tired of all of the conditioning and hard work it takes to prepare for the actual games. Apparently his heart is still in the game, but is his mind? Favre appears borderline fried to me, and not all that far away from washed up. So why get a 37-year old who left his heart in Green Bay to anchor my team?

Why not? Even a washed-up Brett Favre is better than Chad Pennington or Kellen Clemens (I think). Chad has done a real lot, not just for the Jets, but for New York. He wasn't great but he was a pretty good QB and an even better leader. He also did a lot for the community and was always an excellent role model. Clearly I don't personally know Chad Pennington, but from everything that I've seen and read about him, I have nothing but the utmost respect for him. Chad always gave it his all, but unfortunately his all wasn't enough for New York. I'm sure he'll land on another team in no time, and I hope he gets a chance to play and lead that team as well.

But back to my team's new leader. Favre may be old, but he's coming off of a great season, one that still has him riding a high. With that said, why shouldn't I be excited that this guy is taking over my team? This is a team that really has been in desperate need of a QB for years now. They haven't just needed a QB, they've needed a playmaker, and if there's one thing Brett Favre has always been, it's a playmaker. A play isn't over until the ball is dead with Favre at the helm, and with a much improved offensive line, as well as a durable back in Thomas Jones, Favre should have plenty of time and opportunities to improve a Jets offense that really struggled last year.

As old as he is, Favre brings something to the table that Gang Green hasn't seen...maybe even since Joe Namath (sorry Boomer). He has a heart as big as his arm, and Favre has been known to break receivers thumbs with the bullets he throws, if that's any indication on how big his arm really is. We're also talking about a guy who has a Super Bowl ring, three MVP trophies, and holds the NFL record for passing yards, TD's, and wins...not to mention has more than enough money to retire, throw over a dozen Super Sweet 16's, and still have too much money. Keep in mind, although they're very protected in today's NFL, quarterbacks are constantly being chased by guys at least twice their size, and when a team isn't successful, they're usually the ones to take the majority of the blame, but he still wants to play! Anybody with as much passion for the game of football as Brett Favre deserves to play, and as a fan of a team who went 4-12 last season, I'm glad he'll be playing for my team next year.

I really haven't been all that excited about the upcoming NFL season. With seemingly every team in the AFC East either ending last season on a high, or making drastic improvements in the offseason, it just seemed like another waste of a season for the below-mediocre Jets. It's hard to be optimistic about your team when their biggest rival went 18-1 last season, with the 1 loss being motivation enough to come back better than ever. The Jets do have a lot of pieces, but before the addition of Favre there really wasn't anything to be too excited about.

But maybe Favre is the piece that makes the puzzle look that much prettier. Maybe the offensive line will thrive knowing they're protecting one of the best QB's in NFL history. Maybe the wideouts will have more confidence knowing they have a guy who can get them the ball anytime, anywhere. And maybe the addition of Favre makes the Jets' passing game a serious threat, really opening up things for the running game. They're a lot of maybes, but with Favre's track record, there's good reason to believe that they can come into fruition.

What will the Jets do in 2008? I don't know, but at least now I have a real reason to watch...I hope.