Five months ago, Brett Favre landed in New Jersey with his wife, Deanna, and $12 million contract. Instantly, he became the biggest name to quarterback the Jets since Joe Namath. But with the name came big expectations.
Flash forward to today. Favre is one more wasteful pick away from leading the Jets to their second straight postseason-less campaign. That could all change by beating the Miami Dolphins Sunday at Giants Stadium. A win, coupled with a New England Patriots or Baltimore Ravens loss, will secure the 9-5 Jets a playoff spot. At least one NFC team is rooting for that to happen.
The better the Jets do this season the more the Green Bay Packers get in return for Favre. That’s how the deal for the future Hall of Famer was structured on August 7. The Packers, who are out of the playoff hunt, could use an early-round pick to help shore up their defense.
Here’s where things stand regarding the Favre deal:
• Packers receive a fourth-round pick for Favre: Check
• Packers’ fourth-round pick is upgraded into a third-round selection if Favre plays in 50 percent of the plays this season: Check
• Packers’ third-round pick is upgraded into a second-round selection if Favre plays in 70 percent of the plays this season and the Jets qualify for the playoffs: 50-Percent Check
• Packers’ second-round pick is upgraded into a first-round selection if Favre plays in 80 percent of the plays this season and the Jets make the Super Bowl: 33.3-Percent Check
A few others stipulations:
• Packers would send the Jets a fifth-round pick in 2010 if Favre retires, had played in 50 percent of the plays for at least one playoff game and the Jets send them a first-round pick: 8-Percent Check
• Packers would send the Jets a sixth-round pick in 2010 if the Jets send them a second-round pick: 50-Percent Check
• Packers would send the Jets a seventh-round pick in 2010 if the Jets send them a third-round pick: Check
Sunday’s game means more to the Jets than for a chance to play another week; more than for a chance to face either the Baltimore Ravens or Indianapolis Colts in the first round; more than for a chance to show all Jets fans why Favre was chosen over Chad Pennington, the team’s former quarterback who led the Dolphins to a 10-5 record this season after going 1-15 in 2007.
This game means the difference between a second disappointing season and a second-round draft pick.
Packers fans — and former Favre faithful — will be glued to their televisions in Green Bay Sunday cheering, “Go Jets!” After all, it gives them something to root for this time of year.