For The Sake Of The Team, Vikes Must Embrace Favre

Team chemistry and unity is one of the most underrated components of an NFL locker room. Without it, a team will struggle to come together make a deep run in the playoffs. The Dallas Cowboys, for example, reportedly had terrible chemistry because of the presence of Terrell Owens, and the team suffered for it. In Owens three years in Dallas, the Cowboys did not win a single playoff game. One team that may not have the best locker room situation in the league right now is the Minnesota Vikings. Last week, the team brought in quarterback Brett Favre after weeks of posturing on both sides. At one point, Favre said he was going to remain retired, and the Vikings went ahead and said that there would continue to be a quarterback competition between Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels. That competition didn't last long, however, as coach Brad Childress decided that it would be in the team's best interests to convince Favre to play. Some players agreed, as there were reports of multiple players, including running back Adrian Peterson and defensive end Jared Allen, calling Favre to try and bring him to Minnesota. It eventually worked, as Favre signed last week. Some Vikings players aren't in agreement with the move, however. According to reports, there are some members of the team that want Jackson to be the starter. He led the team to the playoffs last year, and those players likely feel like he has earned the right to be the guy. After all, the Vikings were NFC North champions last season. Childress, though, believes that Favre is the quarterback who will lead the Vikings to a deep playoff run. In order for the Favre experiment to work, Childress needs to convince the skeptics on the team that Favre is the right man for the job. This season is critical for Childress, who may get ousted if the Vikings don't make a deep playoff run. If the team is going to play deep into January, they will all need to be behind Favre, who has practiced with the team for about a week now. The quarterback is the most important player on the team, bar none. Even for the Vikings, who have arguably the best running back in the league in Adrian Peterson, the quarterback determines the season. The Vikings are one of the most talented teams in the NFL, but quarterback has been the position that has kept them from advancing. Now they have Favre, and this could be their year. But it won't happen if some on the team want Jackson. The players who want Jackson to start need to look at the situation realistically. Favre is a Hall of Fame quarterback who holds nearly every record at the position. This will be his 19th year in the league, and he can give this team the leadership on offense that it desperately needs. Favre has a stronger arm and is a much more polished player than Jackson. Players who are against this move surely understand that part. Players need to have respect for each other, and the players who want Jackson haven't had the time to listen to Favre and see what he has to offer.In the NFL, every player needs to trust each other. The problem is that trust is built up during OTAs, minicamps and training camp. Favre arrived at the end of training camp, and therefore has not had time to develop a relationship with his teammates. Favre needs to make a concerted effort to gain the trust of his team, and the players likewise need to respect Favre. You not like a teammate, but you must have respect for him. It's all about fighting to gain an extra yard for your quarterback, and that only happens if you have respect for him. You have to trust each other in the foxhole, if you will. The Vikings surely want to win in 2009. They do not want a repeat performance of 2008, which ended in disappointing fashion. The NFC North will be much improved this season, so the Vikings will need to be fully prepared to fight in order to win football games. Moreover, the Vikings have a tough schedule late in the year. Week 6 is when the schedule heats up, after "easy" games against Cleveland, Detroit, San Francisco and St. Louis. The toughest game in that stretch is against division rival Green Bay. Starting in Week 6, the Vikings play five teams that made the playoffs last season, and number of teams that have an excellent chance of making the postseason in 2009. It's not going to be an easy road, but that road will be even more difficult if the entire team does not trust their starting quarterback. Sure, Favre is probably going to struggle early in the year. He missed all offseason workouts and is playing with these players for the first time. Though the offensive terminology is similar, Favre still has to develop chemistry with his receivers. He needs to learn where they like to catch the ball and how they run their routes. But the transition will be difficult if the team's receivers are against the move. How will the receivers respond to Favre if they really want Jackson to be the starter? More important than learning everything in the playbook will be for Favre to earn respect. Changes will be made to the Vikings roster if this season does not go well. With the addition of Favre, expectations are through the roof. That's why the team will need to band together. The chemistry will have to be there between the entire team if this move is going to prove to be successful. If the Vikings want to win football games, they'll put allegiances aside and come to the conclusion that Favre gives this team the best chance to win, plain and simple. An NFL team is made up of 53 players -- everyone has to be on the same page. The Vikings must learn to embrace their newest teammate, or the season will once again end in disappointment.