Post by TheShadow on Jul 27, 2009 17:49:50 GMT -5
www.twincities.com
By Charley Walters
Quarterback Brett Favre has been rehabilitating his tender arm this summer while preparing for a return to the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings by working out with high school players in Hattiesburg, Miss. Fifteen years ago this summer, QB Rich Gannon, the former Viking who resides in Excelsior, worked out with high school players at Eden Prairie while rehabbing an injured shoulder.
Gannon had been traded by the Vikings to the Washington Redskins, but missed the 1994 season because of shoulder surgery. Last May, Favre underwent surgery for a torn biceps in his throwing arm.
"Brett has a better situation than I had; he goes to the high school where they (players) are all there," Gannon said today. "I got the (Eden Prairie) kids' phone numbers and would call them and arrange a workout.
"I needed them more than they needed me. You do everything you can to scramble and get somebody."
Gannon said the workouts are helpful, even with high school players.
"Brett actually knows the kids pretty well, what kids are capable and a little more talented, so when he throws to some of them who struggle a little bit, he'll take a little off the ball," he said. "But if he's got a kid who can really go and has good hands, he'll put a little more pace on the ball.
"From a quarterback's perspective, you want to get the reps, all the different throws in. He's going to work on his timing and rhythm. Even if these guys aren't in the right spot, he can adjust.
"Still, it's not like throwing to NFL-caliber receivers. But it serves its purpose and can be very useful."
Gannon, who recently chatted with Favre, said Favre's decision whether to continue to play has been tough.
"Nobody can make a decision unless they know they're 100-percent healthy and ready to go; it's too hard unless you know for sure you can do it," Gannon said.
Vikings training camp begins Friday in Mankato.
"My guess is that if he feels healthy enough to do this thing, he'll come back and try to do it," Gannon said. "Brett's a phenomenal competitor. We all miss it (playing), and in the back of our minds, we know we can still do it. That's what drives you.
"The other thing to keep in mind is that, two years ago, the guy was in the Pro Bowl, and last year he had a team at 9-3 and everyone had them picked to be a representative in the AFC. So no question, he can still do it if he's committed to do it."
Gannon, who was an NFL and Pro Bowl MVP during a 17-year career, was asked if Favre can afford to miss the start of training camp.
"In a perfect world, he would have been here in March," Gannon said. "In an imperfect world, he would have been here on June 1. Now you're getting to a point where it's critical because you're talking about a guy who's not 21 or 25, but 39. It's not just his arm; it could be a hamstring, a hip flexor, it could be anything, and that puts him out for four or five weeks.
"That's what scared the Packers (Favre's former team). The offseason program is very important for everybody, particularly older players."
Gannon was 38 when his NFL playing career ended. Now 44, he's an NFL analyst for CBS-TV this season. And, on Aug. 1, Gannon will co-host a new radio show, "The NFL Blitz" on Sirius satellite from 9 a.m. until noon Mondays through Thursdays. Gannon's guess today is that Favre will be in Mankato on Friday when workouts begin.