Monday, December 03, 2001
Jaguars-Packers reunites Brunell, Favre
The Associated Press
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Brett Favre knows what it's like to be a hotshot out of college one day, only to face the harsh reality of playing second string in the NFL the next. In short, he knows what Mark Brunell felt like when Brunell was Favre's backup in Green Bay.
Their careers are so far along these days that it's hard to remember the early years of the careers of Brunell and Favre, the two quarterbacks who face off Monday night when the Packers (7-3) play the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7).
Both had inauspicious beginnings in the pros.
Favre played second string behind Chris Miller in Atlanta his rookie year, 1991. The future three-time Most Valuable Player, a second-round draft pick out of Southern Miss, threw five passes that season.
“I had been a starter all my life dating to fifth grade,” Favre said. “Always being the guy, always being counted on to be a leader, it was difficult to sit out a year. No one knew your name. No one cared. No one asked you to do anything.”
Flash forward two seasons. Favre got the trade he craved and was starting for the Green Bay Packers, who were beginning to form into the team that would win the Super Bowl.
Behind him were Brunell, Ty Detmer and Kurt Warner, who got cut after training camp and would have to wait half a decade to get noticed again by the Rams.
Brunell came to Green Bay after starring at Washington, but didn't have quite the pedigree as Favre. As a fifth-round draft pick, he was much more content as a backup, especially learning under quarterbacks coach Steve Mariucci and head coach Mike Holmgren.
“It was great, the perfect experience,” Brunell said. “I was a young quarterback out of college. To learn in that environment, to learn under those coaches, it was more than I could ask for. A great experience.”
After two seasons, Packers general manager Ron Wolf promised Brunell he would get him out of Green Bay and give him a chance to start in the NFL.
Brunell got discovered by Tom Coughlin, who was putting together his expansion roster in 1995. The Philadelphia Eagles were also interested in Brunell, but when no deal could be worked out, Coughlin stepped in and offered a third- and fifth-round draft pick to the Packers.
The Jaguars had a quarterback to build around.
“It was a good day for the Jaguars. A big day,” Coughlin said. “I had very strong beliefs in what I was looking for, and he was the guy I was looking for.”
Both have gone on to big success.
Favre is on the way to becoming one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. He has 37,236 yards passing, the three MVPs, two trips to the Super Bowl and has brandished a reputation as the NFL's foremost swashbuckler.
Brunell's statistics are impressive — 21,077 career yards passing in two fewer years — although he hasn't enjoyed the same success. He also carries a much more low-key persona.
Brunell says it was never his intention to model his career after Favre.
“But I learned a lot from Brett,” Brunell said. “His strong arm. He competed every game. He gave everything he had and is still doing that. Watching that, I realized what it takes to be successful.”
And Brunell is every bit as grateful as Favre to have been given his chance.
“I know it's a tough thing to be a backup and know you can play,” Favre said. “But he handled himself extremely well here and he bought his time, and it worked out for him, and it's still working out for him today.”
Bengals Stories
UC women beat Xavier
Grove returning to UC
Guidugli named UC MVP
Xavier feels worthy of Top 25
Morriss retained as Kentucky coach
Notre Dame searches for Davie's replacement
Miami at Evansville tonight
Mighty Ducks 5, Milwaukee 4
Smoltz stays with Braves
Sports events this week
HIGH SCHOOL PAGE
High school week ahead
Boys basketball weekly schedule
Girls basketball weekly schedule
Ohio football championships
Kentucky football championships
• Return to Bengals front page...
Jaguars-Packers reunites Brunell, Favre
