Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Favre is the answer to all of the NFL’s questions

Sal DeFilippo

Friday, Nov. 15, 2002 | 9:43 a.m.

Sal DeFilippo's pro football picks column appears Friday. Reach him at sal@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4076.

In baseball, when you think of Iron Men, you automatically think of Cal Ripken.

When asked who throws the hardest, you might be inclined to say Randy Johnson.

Who's the most competitive player in the game? That's certainly debatable, but I'd say Roger Clemens is certainly near the top.

Who enjoys playing the most? My vote goes to Sammy Sosa.

Now, ask yourself the same four questions, but for a pro football player.

My answers: Brett Favre, Brett Favre, Brett Favre. Brett Favre.

The guy never misses a game in a position where few guys make it through a season unscathed. He still throws as hard as anyone in the league. He's as competitive as they come. And nobody has more fun playing the game, period.

Favre is unquestionably the embodiment of professional football.

His streak of starting 166 straight games at quarterback is arguably more amazing than Ripken's mark in baseball.

I know, Favre only plays once a week. And I'm certainly not trying to denigrate Cal's achievements -- to like baseball is to appreciate Cal Ripken, plain and simple.

But fielding a few grounders and running hard for 90 feet four times a night is not the same as having Warren Sapp scraped off you when it's 3 degrees outside.

In fact, Favre seems to get hot when others get cold -- he has never lost a game (31-0, including playoffs) when the starting temperature was 34 degrees or less.

In his early years, Favre was known as a riverboat gambler, relying mostly on his raw talent. These days, he's a surgeon. His decision-making skills have placed him among the elite.

Favre has been named the league's Most Valuable Player a record three times, but this season may be his best yet. His team has the best record in the NFL at 8-1 and could clinch a division title this Sunday. It's only Week 11. You aren't supposed to mention division titles until after Thanksgiving.

Last week, he threw for 295 yards in a rout over Detroit in front of the Lambeau faithful. Did I mention those stats were from the first half alone? Almost 300 in a half? It's true, and it's a mind-boggling number, even if it is against the Lions.

After one touchdown drive, Favre was shown on the sidelines, head-butting a teammate in celebration. The lineman had his helmet on. Favre didn't. Well, at least his on-field decisions have been near-perfect.

The scariest part: Favre is only 33. He's already sixth all-time with more than 40,000 passing yards, and fourth all-time with more than 300 touchdown passes.

By the time he hangs 'em up, ol' No. 4 may be remembered as No. 1 among the all-time greats.

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