Vikings' feelings towards Farve depend on wins and losses

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From the Washington Examiner.com - Sports Blog

The whisper campaign had to start sometime. Brett Favre first announced he didn't have enough left physically or mentally to give the Minnesota Vikings a full 16 games this season. A few weeks later, he changed his mind and stepped right in as the team's starting quarterback. That obviously didn't go over well with players who expected to know when training camp started if Favre was with them or not.

So an ESPN report that there is a "schism" in the Vikings locker room between players in favor of backups Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels -- and little support for Favre -- is no surprise. But here's the thing: They'll get over it. As long as Favre performs -- and he already is familiar with Brad Childress' offense -- there is no problem. A winning team = happy players.

Some Vikings may believe that Jackson or Rosenfels gives them a better chance to win. But there is little evidence for that. Against the Eagles in last year's NFC Wild Card game, Jackson completed just 15-of-35 passes and had an interception returned for a touchdown. Yes, he helped Minnesota reach the playoffs in an elimination game against the Giants in Week 17. But that doesn't mean he's ready to win playoff games for a team that seems capable in every other area.

The grumblings are understandable given what the Vikings endured to finally add Favre to the roster. And maybe his performance down the stretch with the Jets last year should give them pause. But this is a future Hall of Famer who was battling arm injuries. He underwent surgery on a partially torn biceps tendon and appeared healthy during his first preseason game last week. If he's OK now then why the emphasis on last year's poor finish and not the first 11 games of the season when Favre had New York in contention for a playoff spot at 8-3?

Don't buy public quotes by Vikings players on Thursday that there is no divide in the locker room. It's real. It just doesn't matter.

Tags: sports, football, minnesota, vikings