More fun, less miscues for Favre

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By COLIN FLY / AP Sports Writer
Thursday, November 2, 2006 12:25 AM CST

GREEN BAY — Laughing and relaxed, Brett Favre has found his rhythm again, both as a leader on the field and a captivating storyteller in the locker room.

Favre, who had a career-high 29 interceptions last season, hasn’t been picked off in 106 passes over the last three games.

He said Wednesday maybe it’s just luck and a little extra pass protection, but he’s no longer turning the ball over at last year’s pace, which would have let him easily pass George Blanda’s NFL mark of 277 interceptions in a career.

“I feel like I’m at my best when I have plenty of time to step up and let a guy eventually get open,’’ Favre said.

Favre’s stinginess with the ball has been a key to why the Packers (3-4) can pull to .500 at Buffalo and raise Titletown’s hopes with a third straight win.

Favre has just five interceptions this season after throwing five in one game against Cincinnati last year.

The 16-year veteran admits he struggles to stay within first-year coach Mike McCarthy’s game plan when the score begins to slip away, such as in bad losses to Chicago and Philadelphia this season when he threw four of his five picks.

“When you fall behind to a certain point where you know you have to take some chances, it’s a little bit tougher,’’ Favre said. “When we’re in the game, leading or with each play there’s a chance we can win this game, I feel like I play the game differently. I don’t want to say I play it cautious, but maybe a little reluctant to take certain chances.’’

But when the game is close late, Favre has improved.

When the Packers are ahead or behind by no more than seven points in the fourth quarter, he’s 17-of-31 for 155 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Last season, he was 35-of-73 for 345 yards, zero touchdowns and 10 interceptions in similar situations.

“When you talk about interceptions from a quarterback standpoint, the two things he can control are decisions and ball accuracy,’’ McCarthy said. “I think his decision making has been good and his ball accuracy has been solid.’’

While Favre said he doesn’t think he’s changed, McCarthy, who was Favre’s quarterbacks coach in 1999, said his veteran signal caller has adjusted to the new offensive scheme.

“I wasn’t interested in a quarterback that had that many interceptions,’’ McCarthy said.

It helps that the two had a previous working relationship and share similar offensive philosophies, including the need for an effective running game.

“We have a lot of common beliefs how to attack the defense,’’ McCarthy said. “Brett is as coachable of a player ... that I’ve ever been around. He really is. He wants to win and he wants to do it right.’’

Favre’s about-face this season means he is closer to Dan Marino’s TD record of 420 than Blanda’s dubious mark. Favre needs just 15 more TD passes compared to 18 interceptions to surpass each player in NFL history.

Favre also has been a hit again in the locker room, where he says he’s been telling the same stories that earned him the nickname “Recycle’’ from former Packer and current Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

“Every two or three years we’d get a new crop of guys and I’d recycle the same old stories — maybe throw in a little twist here or there,’’ Favre said. “I’ve had a lot of people say to me, ‘It seems like you’re having more fun.’ I don’t know if it’s I’m having more fun. I enjoy playing the game.’’

And he’s enjoying it regardless of the Packers’ low expectations.

“I don’t know what our won-loss record will be at the end of the year, but up to this point it hasn’t mattered,’’ Favre said. “I see improvement. I see guys enjoying it. And that does make it much more fun.’’