The NFL season can finally begin.

“First of all, when people start talking about my legacy, it’s mine. It’s what I think of it. I know the way I played the game, the way I’ve handled myself as a teammate, a leader, within the public. Yeah, I’ve made mistakes along the way — we all have — but if I had it to do over again I’d do it the same way … I don’t think anybody has played the game with as much passion, or loved their teammates as much as me.” – Brett Favre

All loose ends are tied up with Brett Favre finally signing with the Minnesota Vikings.  Outside of Michael Vick & Tom Brady’s respective returns, no one has  dominated the off-season like Favre.  Anyone who paid attention knew this signing was inevitable, it was only a matter of “when” and not “if.”  In this case, “when” conveniently occurred after the grueling training camp finished up and with a few preseason games left for him to shake off the rust.

From a football standpoint, it makes a lot of sense.  With Adrian Peterson, a great offensive line & a dominant defense Favre is definitely an upgrade over Tavaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels.  The Vikings will be a team to reckon with in the NFC.  But will they be the team to reckon with?  Judging by the quote above I’m still not sold.  At a time when the wisdom of being an 18 year veteran should should factor in, Favre still plays like the wily gunslinger that led the Packers to a Super Bowl Victory.  But that was 13 years ago. Passion is what leads to those costly interceptions late in the game, when he see’s an opening that really isn’t there.

Real championships aren’t won in the dog days of August, put paper ones are.  So for right now the Minnesota Vikings are favorites to win it all and Favre will ride off into the sunset victoriously.  But Vikings fans beware, because Favre has already told you he doesn’t care about his legacy. Neither did Jordan.

Favre Signs With Vikings [ESPN]