We've been informed of a special Facebook message to Vikings fans from Head Coach Brad Childress... here's an inside look...
--
Dear Viking fans,
I'd like to take the opportunity to expand upon a few points Zygi, Rob and myself made in a note soon-to-be sent out to 2009 season ticket holders.
As most of you are now aware, we have decided to add Brett Favre, a Super Bowl winning quarterback, three-time Most Valuable Player and the NFL record holder for career passing yards, career passing attempts, career passing touchdowns, and, yes--for those of you who want to rib a former foe-- career interceptions thrown. Above all, however, Brett is just one victory away from most career wins by a quarterback in NFL history. Brett is a player that can, and will, help this team win football games.
During the first half of the 2008 season, Brett played very well while adjusting to a new environment in New York, ascending the Jets to a serious contender in the AFC. During the second half of the season, Brett was not physically able to play the way he wanted to, but decided to give it a go as one of the game's top competitors. While it is impossible to predict injuries in this game, Dr. James Andrews, one of the most highly thought of individuals in his field, has assured us we have no cause for concern right now.
The opportunity to add Brett to this football team was an opportunity that does not come along every day. As Brett said yesterday, you don't want to be wondering "what if?" years down the road. As a player who has a strong knowledge of the system we are trying to run and a Hall of Fame caliber resume, this was simply an opportunity we felt we needed to take to put the best team on the field.
Each and every one of us in the organization understands it may take some time for those fans that want no part of Brett on this football team. I was on the other side of the border battle at the University of Wisconsin in the 1990's and understand the depths of this rivalry. With time, I believe the Viking faithful will embrace Brett as we try our best to put the best possible product on the field.
As Zygi, Rob, Rick and I have all previously mentioned, this was an extraordinary opportunity and not a move made due to lack of faith in Sage Rosenfels, Tarvaris Jackson or John david Booty. All three young men have competed to their best of their ability and all three young men continue to grow as players in the National Football League. These young men will, as they always have, conduct themselves as professionals both on the practice field, on the sidelines and in the locker room. Sage and Tarvaris in particular are a bit disappointed because they both believed they could help this team win. I still believe they can and I would expect nothing but their competitive juices to continue to flow as they observe Brett on the field. Injuries happen in this game, even to players as tough as Brett, so a player never knows when his number will be called. Coach Bevell and I are both extremely confident all four quarterbacks currently on our roster will continue to compete and do everything asked of them.
All of us at Winter Park thank Viking fans for their passion, excitement and patience throughout this process. Please join me in welcoming Brett, Deanna, Brittany and Breleigh to our community.
Thank you for the support and I hope to see you at the Metrodome this season.
Coach Childress
Jets news
