Sage Rosenfels said he isn’t assuming anything when it comes to Favre-a-palooza II. Tarvaris Jackson, however, admitted he has a certain gut feeling about Brett Favre’s plans for 2010.
“I’m not going to share it,” he said. “But I think everybody has their feeling. And I think everybody is pretty much on the same page.”
Jackson’s response drew laughs from a group of reporters Wednesday, but it was right on the mark. Though Favre has yet to make any public declaration about whether he will play again, most NFL observers believe he will return for his 20th season.
Until he announces that decision, the Vikings are approaching this offseason much like they did last summer — with Jackson and Rosenfels sharing reps at quarterback. The two veterans are taking part in organized team activities, knowing their preparation is important but that it’s likely only a matter of time before they become backups again.
“I’m just trying to get better,” Jackson said. “That’s pretty much everybody’s mindset out here now. Just trying to get better and not really worrying about who’s not here. Just worrying about ourselves.”
Vikings coach Brad Childress provided a non-update on Favre after Wednesday’s OTA workout, which featured mostly rookies and select veterans. Childress said he has not talked to Favre recently and that he’s not been informed whether the 40-year-old quarterback will have surgery on his injured left ankle. Childress said he has texted with Favre but that “texting is not talking.”
Jackson said he also has texted with Favre this offseason but not about football.
“I wouldn’t dare ask him if he’s coming back,” Jackson said. “That’s not even in my character. Just life stuff.”
Jackson feigned ignorance when asked if he knew the condition of Favre’s ankle.
“I didn’t even know he was hurt,” he said, laughing.
This, of course, has become old hat for Jackson and Rosenfels. They faced far more uncertainty last offseason when the original Favre-a-palooza seemingly brought daily rumors and speculation.
Savvy to the situation, Jackson and Rosenfels offered similar sound bites Wednesday.
“I’m just going to go out there and keep working, keep fighting and keep learning,” Rosenfels said. “That’s all I can do. I can’t worry about all the things that [Favre] might do or whatever. All I can worry about is myself and the guys out here that I’m working with.”
Asked if he, like most everyone else, is operating under the assumption that Favre will play this season, Rosenfels said: “I’m operating [by] trying to make myself the best player I can be. You can’t assume anything in this league. One thing you can count on in this league is change, and you never know what’s going to happen.”
Jackson finished last season as the No. 2 quarterback and presumably will handle that role again this season. He said he improved just by watching Favre.
Jackson said he must proceed as if he will be the starter, regardless of whether Favre returns. That’s the same sort of thing he said last offseason, but the picture seems less murky this time.
“I’ve been through so much the last couple of years, it’s kind of like, ‘Everything happens for a reason,'” he said. “I’m not giving up on anything, but just let it play how it’s going to play because you can’t control it. If I had control and I had my choice on how things were going to happen, I’d be the starter. I wouldn’t have had all those injuries, I would’ve never got benched, all that stuff. So sometimes you can’t control it and sometimes you can, and right now I can’t control it.”
according to http://www.minneapolisstartribune.com
