Here are five reasons Favre would start for Packers

Originally Published: August 4, 2008

Here are John Clayton's five reasons Brett Favre would win the starting QB spot with the Packers.

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By John Clayton
ESPN.com
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Mike McCarthy reluctantly opened up the Packers' QB job after Brett Favre forced his way back on the roster.

On paper and in an even competition, Favre versus Aaron Rodgers is a huge mismatch. Favre has a big edge in experience, talent and knowledge of the team's offense. Rodgers has the full support of his head coach and the temporary support of his offensive teammates. And now that he's back in Green Bay, Favre should have the support of the fans.

No. 4 didn't return to Green Bay to be the backup quarterback, so expect a heated competition if Favre sticks with the Packers. And here are five reasons Favre would win it:

1. Experience: Rodgers ran the Packers for 16 weeks, the length of the offseason program. Favre has run the Green Bay offense for 16 years. What also seems to be lost in the internal battles between Favre and management is that the team's opener against Minnesota is hugely important. The Vikings are the Packers' main challenger in the NFC North. A home loss to them in Week 1 would hurt.

Favre gives Green Bay the best chance to win that game because there is no learning curve with him. He has played almost as many games (31) against Minnesota as Rodgers has completed passes (35) in the NFL.

If anything, the considerations of having Favre in Vikings purple should have slapped the Packers back to reality. Favre has been one of the reasons Green Bay has been the dominant team in the division during his tenure. Favre's presence with Minnesota would have made the Vikings not only the division favorite but the favorite to be NFC top seed.

2. Pressure: Favre has been dealing with pressure his entire Packers career. He has won a Super Bowl. He's a can't-miss first-ballot Hall of Famer and one of the five greatest quarterbacks ever. Rodgers is untested, and it showed Sunday in the Packers' scrimmage. He completed only seven of 20 passes in Family Night action, and some fans booed when he threw an interception. McCarthy labeled it a solid performance. Solid isn't good enough if you are going to beat out Favre.

3. Squeaky wheel factor: Sometimes the person who makes the most noise wins. Rodgers is quiet and respectful. Even if he doesn't get the starting job, none of his friends expects him to pout, complain or ask for a trade. Rodgers has been a class act for three seasons.

Meanwhile, Favre stomped his feet and got his way with his demand to return. The past month has been a test of wills. McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson wanted to move on and go with Rodgers as their starter. After going back and forth on retirement, Favre bested them and won the chance to compete against Rodgers. Who's going to stop him from being the starter? Management couldn't stop Favre from retiring and unretiring. How are the powers that be going to stop him from proving he's the best quarterback on the roster?

4. Salary: Favre turned down an offer worth at least $20 million to serve in a marketing role with the Packers to return to the field. With Favre's reinstatement, his $12 million salary goes back on the books. McCarthy and Thompson can't ask him to take a pay cut because if they do, Favre will say "cut me." If they cut him, he'll sign with the Vikings.

Rodgers is scheduled to make $680,000 this season. Who believes the Packers are going to have a $12 million backup? It's not going to sit well in the locker room if Favre is a $12 million backup. Try explaining to Packers stockholders why the organization has a $12 million clipboard holder. Try spinning that one, Ari Fleischer.

5. The chip is on Favre's shoulder: Here's a hint of Favre's resolve coming back: If he wasn't going to start for the Packers, he wanted to go to the biggest rival who could beat the Packers -- the Vikings. Favre usually has done his best when challenged. Knowing that Thompson and McCarthy didn't want him back only made him more insistent on coming back to Green Bay.

Favre might have been emotionally drained in March when he announced his retirement. Now, he's angry and wants to prove something. His take-no-prisoners attitude has worked for him in his football career. He'll go deep when you think he'll throw short. That makes him a dangerous competitor this season -- if he plays. But that's another story.

John Clayton, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame writers' wing, is a senior writer for ESPN.com.