How Brett Favre helped the Green Bay Packers out in the long run

The epic drama that is Brett Favre's long and illustrious NFL career was given another chapter Tuesday when the gunslinger from Mississippi stepped off the chartered jet in Minneapolis-St. Paul, was followed like the Beatles in their hay-day on a freeway on the way from the airport to the Winter Park training facility and signed his name to the bottom of reportedly a two-year, $10-12 million contract with the hated Minnesota Vikings.

Here's the thing: his actions today helped the Green Bay Packers out in the long run.

No really. Here me out.

As I'm typing this, I'm pretty much certain he'll find a way to convey that same message to Ed Werder, Rachel Nichols or friend/reporter Al Jones.

Here's why Favre's unretirement (Did he actually retire this last time? And how will anyone believe this King of Wafflers when he finally does hang up the cleats again for the third time?) actually helped Green Bay in the long run. In years past, no one wanted to be that guy -- the guy that follows the legend. Look at Brian Griese in Denver after John Elway left, or Elvis Grbac after the era of Steve Young and Joe Montata ended in San Francisco, or even Mr. What's His Face after Troy Aikman was concussed for the last time in Dallas. That guy usually gets its butt kicked, leaving everyone wishing for the Legend to return.

Look in Green Bay. No one's looking for Favre to come back. The town, the team and Packer Nation has galvanized behind Aaron Rodgers, a quarterback that did alright in his first year but only lead Green Bay to a 6-10 record after the team made the NFC title game the year before. Part of that had to do with Ryan Grant running on a bad leg, part a piss-poor defense. But going into Year 2 of the Rodgers Era in Green Bay, no one's looking for Favre to ride in on his tractor from Mississippi to save the day.

Instead we as Packer Fans are looking forward to Week 4 of the NFL season, when Rodgers and Co. travel to the Humpty Dump to take on Minnesota and Favre. How sweet would it be to see Rodgers lead the Pack to a big win over Minnesota and lead the Pack to a 4-0 record going into the bye week?

Brett Favre, through all his crying, whining and diva B.S., has made Green Bay a stronger team in the long run.

Thanks again Brett.