Farve still has plenty to prove

By DAVE CAMPBELL - The Associated Press

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EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.— Brett Favre’s unfathomable season in Minnesota could be analyzed like a corporate earnings report.

Through two quarters, the Vikings are meeting — or beating — expectations.

How, then, will Favre fare in the next half of the 2009 season given his recent performances of fading down the stretch?

The answer won’t come until later, but Favre could not have done more to fuel confidence in his ability to hold up.

Sixteen touchdown passes, only three interceptions and a completion percentage of 68 have equaled seven victories and one loss for the Vikings.

“It’s a pretty good position to be in at the bye week,” Favre said in Green Bay after beating his old team for a second time.

With a firm grip on the NFC North race and a good vibe among Vikings coaches and players, the reviews of this glaring move to bring in the 40-year-old Favre are naturally glowing.

“Everybody is working well together,” defensive end Ray Edwards said. “There’s no separation, there’s no division, and no schism.”

Edwards backed Tarvaris Jackson as the starting quarterback all summer. Before Favre signed, Edwards publicly suggested the NFL’s all-time leading passer was a diva who would disturb locker room dynamics.

Well, whatever skepticism he had seems to have disappeared. Favre has clearly ingratiated himself with these Vikings, rookies and veterans alike.

“Brett came in from Day 1 fitting in well, even though he’s old as I don’t know what,” Edwards said.

“He’s old enough to be some of our guys’ fathers, but he’s definitely been accepted and just out having fun with us.”

Safety Tyrell Johnson, one of so many players who were in elementary school when Favre started his prolific career, walked in the darkened video room at Winter Park for a study session one evening.

He thought he had the place to himself, until hearing a clicking noise on the other side.

“Who’s that?” Johnson asked.

“It’s me, Favre,” came the reply.

Johnson said he found that funny — and remarkable.

“I used to think he knows everything because he’s been playing so long,” Johnson said, “but he’s still in there watching film and working hard.”

In the training room, too.

“He’s been in the cold tub more than in the past,” coach Brad Childress said. “He spends a lot of time in this building.”