Passing the Torch?

"I got this!"
Rookie QB Joe Webb Stuns the Eagles!

Last night rookie quarterback Joe Webb showed the sports world that he was getting a pay check too. After Ole Man Favre was ruled inactive for the match up against the Eagles and Tavaris Jackson was on the injury list as well. The third man down was the rookie. He threw for 195 yards and ran for a touchdown in his first career start filling in for an injured Brett Favre, and the lowly Vikings stunned Michael Vick and the NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles 24-14 in the NFL's first Tuesday game since 1946.

"It was a big win, especially with what we have gone through," Webb said. "It was a long trip for us and to get a win against the Eagles, we are trying to finish the season on a high note."

I just believe that as an organization the decision should have been made early on in the season to play Tavaris Jackson or Joe Webb. Once the team realized that they weren't going to be competitive. The Brett Favre experiment should have been aborted. You've got to look to next year. Get these guys some playing time to see what they could do so that the organization can make draft decisions for 2011.

Will the guys that I have on my roster help me or hurt me going into the following season? There was too much time spent fooling around with Favre and trying to save his consecutive game starting streak. Also, they completely threw $20 million in the toilet on his salary. That money could have been better spent on the teams future. Franchises have always been built around young quarterbacks. Look at what the Saints have done with Drew Brees or the Falcons with Matt Ryan. Why would you put all of your eggs in the basket of a 41 year man? That makes no sense at all. Even if he is Brett Favre, one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game.

He was too old to play this game at that level week in and week out. Sure he has the skill level and the ability to make good decisions on the field. He may even be a good leader on the field. However, being able to be the Man takes more than that. Physically his body couldn't recover from week to week. So therefore, he moved slower as the season progressed. He was never one of the guys because he's old enough to be most of the players dad.

Having the necessary comradery with the team takes more than just showing up and playing. Your teammates have to respect you more than anything. How many guys in that locker room probably resented the fact that for two years in a row Brett didn't go through off-season workouts or training camp with them. Sure, many of the veterans wanted him to play. That's why several guys went to Mississippi to get him. However, I guarantee that the majority of the guys on that team we're upset about it. Yeah, he's Brett Favre but you can't change the dynamics of what it takes to win.

In order to win on any level, players have to trust one another and have some locker room rapport. If that isn't there, talent means absolutely nothing. Just ask the Dallas Cowboys. They're probably one of the most talented teams in the league annually.  What's your opinion?

Jay Graves
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.