Favre Channels Nerves Into Gutty, Memorable Performances
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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Brett Favre #4 of the New York Jets prepares to throw a pass against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 13, 2008 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Jets won 34-31 in overtime. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
At one point not long ago, Chad Pennington was considered the Jets' franchise quarterback. Two serious arm injuries, Herm Edwards' departure for browner pastures, drafting Kellen Clemens in 2006, and, eventually, trading for Brett Favre this summer, led to Pennington falling out of favor in New York.
He's now in Miami having a resurgence of sorts, but Favre, after a slow start to his New York career, solidified his "gunslinger" reputation with a nearly flawless performance against the division rival Patriots on Thursday night. But even though he's been doing this for almost two decades, Favre admits to end-of-game jitters. He told the New York Post that "I was nervous as heck ... Everyone's coming up (and saying), 'Hey, this is where you do your thing.' And I'm thinking, 'My God, why can't we make this easier?' ... It's true, that's what I'm capable of doing, but believe me there was no one more nervous in this building than me. I'm no different than anyone else."
New York, 7-3, currently sits atop the AFC East, which seems improbable given they were 3-3 after a humiliating loss in Oakland that was largely Favre's doing. Now, however, the 38-year-old future Hall of Famer seems more comfortable with his new teammates and the new scheme. The Jets will have 10 days to prepare for the Titans -- the best team nobody's talking about -- before finishing out the regular season with division games against the Bills and Dolphins sandwiched around relatively easy outings against the Broncos, 49ers and Seahawks.
After managing just four wins a year ago, it looks like New York is headed back to the postseason and, like it or not, Favre has a lot to do with that.
