Upside by Mark Wimer
Believe it or not, Brett Favre threw the ball for the least # of attempts in over a decade (his total of 472 was only 1 more pass than he attempted in his first year as a starter back in 1992) last season, yet connected for 308 completions, 3361 yards and 32 touchdowns, while completing passes at his highest peak of efficiency ever (65.3% completion percentage, the best ever in his career). All this, while battling with lingering thumb problems on his throwing hand!

He's averaged 30+ passing TDs over his last 3 seasons (32, 27, and 32 thrown, respectively) - and enters 2004 a young and talented trio of WRs (Javon Walker, Robert Ferguson and Donald Driver - Driver is the oldest player of the three at the ripe old age of 29) to catch his laser-like passes. Jammed fingers are a most common malady among the Green Bay WRs, even at this late stage in Favre's storied career. The guy just flat-out has game, folks.

What's not to like? A stable OL stocked with highly-regarded players, a world-class RB gunning for a second season with 20+ TDs, a talented pool of receivers, and a head coach who relies on Favre's judgment implicitly - Favre's got it all. Heck, Tim Couch didn't want to come to Green Bay as Favre's backup, knowing that his chances of seeing playing time were practically nil (Favre's played all in 16 games every year since 1993).

To sum up, Favre is an incredibly tough, experienced NFL starter with a great array of weapons around him, a coaching staff that believes in him, and an unrivaled fan base to back him up during 8 games this year. He may be the most reliable, high quality starter in the NFL today, regardless of position. Pick him and you won't be sorry.

Downside by David Shick
Brett Favre has finished the past two season ranked 10th and 11th in fantasy points scored by quarterbacks. His 32 TDs last season were a feel good story serving notice that the iron man of the NFL hasn't lost it yet, and is continuing to roll along.

The majority of the Footballguys.com staff has Favre locked into the number ten through twelve slots on their boards. Favre is one of the few players exhibiting little deviation in his ranking. Why am I a bit lower (ranked 14th in July)?

I believe we've seen the top end of what Favre has left to offer. His days of cracking the top ten are done. However, when you consider the low end of possibilities, Favre could slip off the radar very quickly. This riverboat gambler may be cashing out sooner than later. Favre managed only 15 rushing yards last season. The likelihood that Favre will take a big hit is growing more and more with each passing game. His legs just aren't what they once were. Yes, he's as tough as they come and I have nothing but respect for the ancient warrior. But people, come on now, reality and probability suggest that Favre is living on borrowed time. His consecutive starts record is more than impressive. It's a modern miracle.

My Favre ranking doesn't deviate from the mean by much, and it's not so much that I'm down on Favre, but I'm higher on a few other players. Specifically Tom Brady (NE) and Chad Pennington (NYJ). Both of whom I think are ready to take the next step into that elite status that Favre once held.