Impact of Favre Acquisition

Last season, Brett Favre stayed retired the entire summer before announcing his return to the NFL.

This year, it took just three weeks for Brett Favre to reemerge after he attributed his second retirement to his inability to stay healthy for an entire season.

Nonetheless, Favre agreed to the terms of a two year deal worth an approximate $25 million dollars with Minnesota on Tuesday.

With the acquisition of Favre, the Vikings are now the early favorites to win the NFC North.

His impact will have an effect not only the entire passing game, but the running game as well.

- In '08, the Vikings didn't have a single receiver eclipse 1,000 yards receiving. Bernard Berrian will be utilized as more than just a deep ball threat with Favre under center. Berrian will be seen in mid-range slant or curl patterns, resulting in more yardage and touchdowns for him in '09. Expect him to improve significantly on his 964 yard, 7 TD campaign last year.

- 21 receptions for 125 yards isn't impressive for a full-time back like Adrian Peterson, but he will also be the beneficiary of a veteran quarterback. Childress has expressed interest in incorporating Peterson more in the passing game, and Favre is the perfect candidate to help Peterson be a double threat. And with a more volatile passing game, Peterson will see less attention from linebackers - so he should see more rushing yards.

-Percy Harvin and Visanthe Shiancoe, both of whom have been rarely mentioned in fantasy football before the Favre acquisition, could make for potential sleeper picks. Favre instantly developed a rapport with tight end Dustin Keller and Jerricho Cotchery last season, so don't rule out these two guys as Favre's potential favorite targets.

Favre Shoulder Surgery a Probability

Brett Favre has scheduled to meet with Alabama orthopedist Dr. James Andrew on Tuesday, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Favre, 39, previously stated in other reports that if the lingering shoulder injury required major surgery, he would remain retired. Rehabilitation from the surgery is expected to require between six and eight weeks, the Pioneer press reported. The surgery, a tear of a partially torn biceps tendon is regarded as a routine surgery that should have him fully recovered in time for training camp. Signs are showing towards Favre’s intentions of joining the Vikings, though nothing is official. Should Favre choose to return to the league, he will be free to sign with Minnesota, as the Jets released him into free agency. If Favre does return, we expect him to post numbers identical to 2008. He won’t be a reliable fantasy starter from week to week, but he can be an excellent bye-week replacement. As for Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin, both have the potential to emerge as solid fantasy receivers. Both Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles were exceptional targets for Favre, and Berrian and Harvin can do the same. Berrian has the most value, and can optimistically be considered a high end #2 WR in standard leagues, with a lot of upside.