Brett Favre practices with Jets, to start next preseason game

Having milked the fawning NYC media for all its worth, Brett Favre managed to finally start working with his new team on Saturday. A crowd of over 10,000 showed up to watch the team’s practice—about 8,000 more than are usually present at the Hofstra University training facility, which underscores the ability of Favre to temporarily placate a fanbase who’d otherwise have been disenchanted with the team by this point. Also worth noting that NY Jets #4 jerseys have been selling at a record clip and a number of them were in evidence among the fans in attendance.

As far as the football itself, Favre looked decent considering that he’d not practiced with the team before. He indicated at a post practice press conference that he still had a lot to learn about the team’s offensive sets and his teammates, but that considering the events of the past few weeks he was just happy to be back on the field. The assembled throng of Jets fans cheered every completed pass, and seemed nonplussed when #4 threw an interception. Given his well known penchant for trying to force balls into double and triple coverage, it remains to be seen if they’ll be as understanding when the games start to count.

Clearly aware of the great situation he’s found himself in, Jets coach Eric Magini quickly announced that he’d be starting Favre in next Saturday’s preseason game at home against the Washington Redskins. Its obviously in the interest of Magini and the Jets to prolong the Favre “honeymoon” as long as possible, and this is a great way to build up a lot of media hype and guarantee a sold out enthusiastic crowd. Since preseason home games are also huge moneymakers for team owners, assuring a windfall for the guys who sign his checks is also a prudent move on the coach’s part.

More importantly for the coach and the team, it’ll be the first measuring stick of how effective Favre will be at leading his new team. If he looks particularly good or particularly bad, the Jets can “protect” #4 during the rest of the preseason—ostensibly to prevent possible injury, but also helping prolong the “honeymoon”. If his performance is middling, they can keep him in longer and allow him to ‘work out the kinks’.

For the Jets, it appears that the Favre investment will show some nice returns. He may not take the team to the Superbowl or even the playoffs but given the enthusiasm surrounding the Jets for the first time in a few years he’s already earned his keep. Don’t forget that football is a business, and even if the Jets aren’t winning on the field the ownership is content as long as they’re “winning” at the cash register.