Who wouldn't tune in to see what Favre could do with the Vikings, a team that is so talented that most observers think all it lacks is a quarterback to reach the Super Bowl.

But the quarterback has his detractors. New York Daily News columnist Gary Myers wrote that Favre was "more pathetic than sympathetic."

Why? Because he still wants to play football, and he wants to take his time to make sure it's the right decision?

Of course, every time some legend decides to play beyond his prime, the media trots out that tired old line about how he's going to ruin his legacy. Nonsense. Johnny Unitas and Bart Starr played well past their primes and nobody even remembers it. Michael Jordan and Mickey Mantle played past their primes; nobody remembers that, either. Muhammad Ali made more comebacks than Cher and looked old and tired through most of it, and he's enjoyed legend status ever since. You probably didn't even remember that Joe Montana did an encore act in Kansas City.

All anyone remembers of their legends is their best years.

The media likes to note how poorly Favre played last season for the Jets, but he played well for most of the season, leading the Jets to an 8-3 start. Then an injury reduced his throwing arm to a limp noodle and he and the Jets began their rapid crash and burn, losing four of their final five games.

Bottom line: With Favre at quarterback, the Jets improved from 4-12 the previous year to 9-7.

Any way you look at it, it just makes sense for the Vikings to bring back Favre for just one more season. Or more?

If he returns, we can start the waiting and speculation all over again in January.

E-MAIL: drob@desnews.com