"Opening Night for Broadway Brett"

In my debauchery-filled weekend of sun, fun, and beer, I sadly missed the preseason debut of Broadway Brett Favre and the Jets on Saturday night against the Washington Redskins. Although the Jets lost, Brett put on a great first performance considering he joined the team less than 2 weeks ago. The future Hall of Famer went an impressive 5 for 6 passing, for a total of 48 yards, including a four yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Dustin Keller. Any doubts Favre had were removed when he stated after the game that, "I knew I had made the right decision when I was on the field tonight." Ah, Brett Favre, he had me at hello.

Speaking of cheesy lines from a Tom Cruise film, Mr. Scientology himself was on hand at the game, making a rare New Jersey appearance, though he's originally from Glen Ridge. Cruise happens to be very close friends with Redskins owner Dan Snyder, who I'm guessing was his host for the game. This picture from ESPN.com showed Tom at the game actually being friendly with the fans, not like that time he almost engaged in fisticuffs with Matt Lauer on the Today show (2nd picture) a couple years back.

I think Favre's first real test will be when the Jets host the Giants this Saturday night. It will be the first time Favre is playing against the defending Super Bowl champions since throwing what would end up being the game winning interception in the NFC Championship Game last season. Perhaps this was Favre's plan all through the offseason: fake retirement, then get traded to the Jets and steal away any memory the New York media has of the Giants Super Bowl victory by robbing the headlines until the season starts. This should make for a good match up, and will most likely be Favre's last action until the season opener in Miami since most teams keep their starters on the bench for the fourth week of preseason games.

Another football event worth noting that took place this weekend was another quarterback making a debut with a new team: Chad Pennington and the Miami Dolphins who faced off against the Jacksonville Jaguars, also on Saturday night.
I wish Chad and the 'Phins all the best this year (so long as they don't get in the Jets way for the 2 games they'll play) as I'll always be a fan of his, and the image of him in a Dolphins uniform was just as jarring as Favre wearing the Jets shade of green. The Dolphins won their game 19-14 while Pennington also put up rather impressive numbers for a guy who's been with the team for about 10 days. Chad went 5 for 6 passing with 55 yards, no touchdowns. Ironic that these numbers were nearly identical to Favre's, save for the touchdown. We'll just have to see if they stay as even keeled for their season opener in Miami on September 7th.

The Jet Brett Favre era took the field for the first time this weekend, and Jets fans will be on the edge of their seats in anticipation of what he has in store for the rest of the season.

More Jet Favre News...

The people at EA Sports waste no time...Here's an image of what newly acquired quarterback Brett Favre will look like in Madden '09. And I must say, it looks damn good! Many in the press as well as fans are already concerned with the big stage Favre will be landing on in the hot skillet that is the New York media. However, these Debbie Downers should remember a few things:

1. The Jets play in New Jersey, and have since the mid 1970's. They will continue to play in Jersey for many years to come when their new stadium (with the Giants) opens at the start of next season.

2. The Jets were 4-12 last season. That said, giving up next to nothing for him and having a 5-11 season would be an improvement in the New York media's mind.

3. The last time a New York starting quarterback wore number 4 his name was: Glen Foley.

4. Bill Belichick is already trying to cheat his way into a strategy to beat the Legend, and I'm sure he lost some sleep over this last night. His misery is our happiness.

5. Brett Favre is no stranger to the media, and historically has dealt with media scrutiny quite well. His turn as the character, Brett Favre in 1998's box office smash "There's Something About Mary" shows his poise and composure under the scrutiny of the media circus that is a movie set. Brett also played a janitor alongside Mike Holmgren in the 1996 film "Reggie's Prayer" about a retired pro football player who befriends a troubled student on the high school football team he coaches.
Click here to see Brett show off his acting chops: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjDC6P16hSg

In my intrigue of how fast Wikipedia works amid breaking pop culture related news, I did a search on Brett Favre; here's the opening paragraph as of this morning:

"Brett Lorenzo Favre (born on October 10, 1969, in Gulfport, Mississippi) is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers from 1992 to 2007."

Damn, Wikipedia is faster than TJ Houshmandz-whachamacallhim. Also, I didn't know his middle name was Lorenzo. You know who else was named Lorenzo don't you? That's right, the father in "A Bronx Tale" played by Robert DeNiro. He epitomized perseverance and that "stick to your guns" mentality that Brett Favre personifies more than anyone else in the NFL today.

Coincidence, I think not. This is a case of the legendary Lorenzos. And don't adjust your computer monitor; yes, I just connected Brett Favre's comeback to "A Bronx Tale"

BROADWAY BRETT: Brett Favre, Quarterback...for the NEW YORK JETS.

As I write this I am in a "Glass case of emotion" as San Diego's classiest anchorman Ron Burgundy best put it. I was about ready to get to bed when on Sportscenter, a beacon of light flew onto the screen: "BREAKING NEWS: Brett Favre traded to Jets." Wow. As a Jets fan, I have to say this has up to this point been one of the most active offseasons I've ever seen out of the Gang Green, and this move definitely solidifies it as the craziest offseason I've witnessed for the Jets in my entire life. They've now gone out and gotten a Super Bowl Champion, 3 time MVP, first ballot Hall of Famer to lead their team, and for the first time in a very long time, the Jets have a bonafide quarterback.

I wasn't really sure how I felt about this move since I never thought there was any sort of shot that this would actually happen. My thinking was the Jets were merely a pawn to drive up his trade value to other teams since I didn't think he really wanted to play for them. Now that it seems to have actually happened, I am excited, anxious, and almost can't believe it. I can't wait to see someone finally lead the Jets the way Chad Pennington didn't have the arm for, and the way Kellen Clemens didn't have a full chance at yet. As much of a soft spot I have for Chad and his leadership, multiple comebacks, and heart, he was never the quarterback who could lead the Jets past a 2nd or 3rd round in the playoffs. Kellen Clemens has the potential to be that quarterback for the Jets in the future, and the possibility of him now being able to be mentored by one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history over one or two seasons would ultimately make Clemens a better player.

I am in a mixed state of emotions right now as this breaking news has caught me somewhat off guard. However, it puts a smile on my face knowing that the Jets have brought themselves onto a level playing field with the behemoth New England Patriots (18-1). The fact that Bill Belichick is already losing sleep in his dungeon over this and wondering how he's going to gameplan against Favre now that he can't cheat anymore is reason enough for this to bring a smile to my face.

Not sure how incoherent my rambling has been, but it's late and the Jets just acquired one of the greatest living quarterbacks on earth. Here's to hoping he doesn't have another change of heart and stay retired.

J-E-T-S, BRETT, BRETT, BRETT!!!

If he wants to get on the fans' good side, he should go vintage and grow the Namath 'stache.

UPDATE:
As I finish writing this at approximately 1:00AM Eastern Time, the New York Jets official website is already advertising Brett Favre Jets jerseys for sale. Holding onto all those left over old Glenn Foley #4 jerseys must have paid off as they only had to replace 3 letters.