Just wanted to throw this stat out there, make of it what you will...

Dr. Giganto

Agreed on both players. Dillon was awesome in Cincy, and that first year in New England. As much as I love Tiki Barber, I've always enjoyed big, tough, physical runners that are tough to tackle and always fall forward to get that extra yard or two. Dillon was perfect in that role

Freak

These days I'd say that for every ball-washing Favre-obsessed commentator, there's two cynical football fans to complain about it (usually Bears or Vikings fans).

Of course, I'm a huge Packers fan, and Brett Favre is one of my all-time idols (consider that, since I began watching football as a seven-year-old, he's NEVER missed a game!).

Even trying to put my bias aside, I think he deserves his place in the same breath as Marino, Montana, Elway, Young, in the sense that he holds a number of NFL records, he's carried the offense on his back throughout his entire career, he's been an absolute icon for the NFL, etc. It's obviously easier for people to criticize him today, considering how he's declined, but of those other guys mentioned, only Young really went out near the top of his game, and that was only because he retired younger.

(I realize Elway went out with two Super Bowls, but he wasn't nearly the QB of ten years before, and Terrell Davis was the real offense on those teams.)

Dr. Giganto

I agree that Favre is one of the all-time greats, and was awesome in his prime.

I just wish people like John Madden would recognize that he's not the player he once was. Despite your love for the Packers, I'm sure you can realize that.

And, I know it seems like I pick on Favre a lot, and maybe I do take it too far. But, I just feel like at this point in his career, he's not nearly the force he once was, and I hate the Favre apologists who blame it on the O-line, or Javon Walker being hurt last year, or whatever. His skills have regressed as he's gotten older. I dont get why it's so hard for some people to admit. It happens to EVERY player. It doesnt diminish what he did early in his career, when he was the best QB in the NFL for a few years.

Freak

No, you're absolutely right. Every time he throws a ball downfield, or tries to force it into some incredibly tight spot, I cringe. For sure, his skills have diminished -- but I'll also say that so has his supporting cast.

That said, that last part is definitely a common excuse for Favre fans (see: every commentator in America) who can't stand the thought of Brett Favre retiring.

I'm actually writing a boyhood-sports-heroes memoir right now, using the deterioration of Favre as a sort of mantel-piece throughout, so this a funny topic.