Why does anyone still write about T-Joke?

I just don't get. How are there still sports writers calling for Tarvaris Jackson to start for the Minnesota Vikings? The latest endorsement for Jackson is from Jason La Canfora from NFL.com. La Canfora's article goes on to say that it is already too late for the Vikings and that Jackson should have gotten his shot a few games ago.

But Jackson got his shot. In fact, he got two chances to prove himself.

On Sunday, against the Bills, he threw 3 interceptions to go along with his pair of touchdowns. His first pick was returned for a TD and vikings receiver Sydney Rice had to make acrobatic catches on both of Jackson's TD throws. I don't think that warrants benching Brett Favre, the man who nearly led the Vikings to their first Super Bowl since 1976.

Jackson had two full years to earn the starting role on the team but could not. During the 2007-08 season, Jackson threw just 9 TD and 12 INT and led the Vikings to an mediocre 8-8 season.

But for some unknown reason, the Vikings have kept the 5th year quarterback on the team, even after benching him in the 2008-09 season after an anemic 0-2 start. The only person in the world who still believes in Jackson is former head coach Brad Childress, who has been at home watching interim coach Leslie Frazier lead the Vikings to consecutive wins for the first time this season.

There are actually people out there who want "T-Jack" to start over a future hall-of-famer who threw for over 4,000 yards and 33 TD last season en route to a 12-4 record and an NFC North Division Title.

"I’d tell Favre on Monday he’s the backup," La Canfora said in his article.

I cannot even think of words to say to that statement. That is like saying that Rex Grossman is replacing Joe Montana or starting Aaron Gray over Michael Jordan. It should never happen. It is a statement that eludes all logic.

"If nothing else, give Jackson the final month of the season to show what he can do — if not for you, then for the rest of the league," La Canfora said.

That is an interesting assessment considering that Favre and the Vikings draw many of the biggest television audiences in the NFL. The league scheduled Minnesota in four primetime games this season. Is it because the league and its fans are tired of Favre? No, it's because whether people love or hate #4, they watch him.

The 27-year old Jackson has shown the Vikings what he can do; nothing. That is precisely the reason that Childress recruited Favre to come to Minnesota in the first place. If anyone, including the Vikings, had any faith in Jackson, Favre would not have been brought in.

Even though Favre sprained his shoulder Sunday against Buffalo, he still gives the Vikings their best chance to win. That is what coach Frazier says, that is what analysts say and that is what anyone with a brain would say.

I would take Favre's left arm over T-Joke any day of the week.

Anthony Recchia

New Blog is now officially up

Since I need to start a blog for Advanced Sports Reporting next semester, I figured I might as well start one now. So Welcome to The One Man WolfPack, where I will talk sports and correct sports writers who really just don't have a clue on what they are talking about. So enjoy, and comment on everything and anything you want!


Anthony Recchia