Life after Brett lines up poorly
No, the real bit of gristle for Bears fans to chew on is that if Favre somehow can't start Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks, then the guy who would replace him -- drum roll, please -- is Todd Bouman, a 34-year-old journeyman signed by the Packers this week because of his familiarity with coach Mike McCarthy's system.
Former first-round pick Aaron Rodgers has a bit of Steve Stenstrom in him -- he broke his foot last week against the New England Patriots in a rare appearance and is out for the season. The only other quarterback on the roster is fifth-round pick Ingle Martin, so Bouman was signed with the idea he will play if Favre can't.
It's laughable, both the idea of Favre not playing and the prospect of what eventually will happen when he can't. There were plenty of Packers observers who were sure Favre was going to hang it up for good last off-season -- and plenty who hoped he would. Careful what you wish for. The Bears certainly know what it's like to try to win despite a quarterback and not because of him.
In fact, the Bears lead the NFL with 20 starting quarterbacks during Favre's remarkable streak of 251 consecutive games started. Center Olin Kreutz has snapped to 16 of them.
''The bigger number is the guys I have snapped to who have started and left and come back,'' Kreutz said. ''That is the ridiculous number.''
Because Kyle Orton started the 2005 season finale against the Minnesota Vikings to protect Rex Grossman for the playoffs, the Bears technically opened this season with their 30th change at starting quarterback in 108 games. With thoughts now on an extended playoff run and a Super Bowl berth, it's difficult to remember they came into the season with the goal of Grossman simply playing all 16 games to evaluate what he can do.
Grossman will start for the 11th consecutive time this season today against the Patriots. Favre plans to line up for No. 252.
''I'm almost as proud of the fact that I've played in every game as anything,'' Favre told reporters in Green Bay earlier this week. ''The statistics come with playing. I think it's icing on the cake, all the other things, but the fact that I've played in every game, to me, is amazing because you think that just in normal, everyday life you would trip and fall over something and miss a game or catch the flu ... something would happen. But up until this point, I have survived.''
The secret to Favre's streak is that he has played through everything from a sprained knee and a sprained ankle to a broken thumb and a separated shoulder. He claims to still have no feeling in his forefinger and middle finger from the injury he suffered last Sunday but expected it would return in time to play Monday.
''I would bet the ranch he's going to play,'' said Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, who won a Super Bowl coaching Favre with the Packers. ''Knowing him the way I know him, I fully expect him suited up and playing.''
Someday Favre will retire. Someday the streak will end. Then the Packers will find out what it's like to go without a Hall of Famer, just as the Miami Dolphins did without Dan Marino and the Denver Broncos without John Elway.
Good luck with the Steve Stenstroms, Todd Boumans and Aaron Rodgerses of the world.
The Steelers are trying to avoid becoming the 12th Super Bowl champion not to make the playoffs the next season. The most recent was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who followed their title with a 7-9 season in 2003. The worst record by a defending Super Bowl champion in a complete season was the Denver Broncos' 6-10 mark in 1999, the year after John Elway retired.
Steelers linebacker Joey Porter said his team knows what's on the line today: "No question. ... Guys know it's a state of emergency.''
"Who's asking that question?'' Larry Jr. said before answering it when he didn't get a response.
After a couple of more queries from his father, Larry Jr. hesitated before finally saying: "Dad, you can ask me those questions at home.''
A fourth-round draft pick by the Bears (111th overall) out of Purdue in 1999, Colvin started 36 of 64 games for the Bears in four seasons, reaching double figures in sacks in 2001 and 2002 (10½ each season). He bolted via free agency, signing a six-year, $26 million deal that included a $6 million signing bonus. He suffered a career-threatening hip injury two games into his first Patriots season and returned to start only one game the next season. Finally, two years removed from the injury, he was back in the starting lineup last season and had seven sacks. A self- described stand-up defensive end who is a perfect fit for the Patriots' 3-4 defense, Colvin has 4½ sacks this season.