Brett Favre says he is virtually the same player he is now as he was 13 years ago when he played his first game as a Packer.
He's still known as a gunslinger who takes chances, he still fires the ball with just as much or more velocity than any quarterback in the league, and he still plays as if he's a young kid having the time of his life.
Simply put, Brett Favre remains the player that all fans have come to know and love throughout the years.
One thing has changed however.
Favre is much wiser than he used to be and he will be the first one to tell you that.
"In the past, there may have been times I could have run and gotten a first down, but we've got not only a great running back, but a good corps of running backs," Favre said. "Give it (the ball) to them; give it to guys who are paid to run. I think that is where I have gotten smarter."
Favre finds it funny when critics question his age and suggest that he may have lost some of his skills.
"I've heard talks that I don't run like I used to," Favre said. "The reason I ran back then was because I knew where the first guy was, but I didn't know where the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th guy was. That's the truth. Sterling was covered and lot of times but I would still throw it, and if I didn't, I would run. I wasn't a speedster back then and I definitely am not now. I still think that the strength of my game is being able to move around the pocket, make the guy miss, make the throw and throwing on the run."
Given Favre's gutsy, all-out play over the last 13 years, it wouldn't be shocking if Favre did go down to injury. He admits that sometimes his success even surprises him.
"I still try to throw blocks and I still try to do whatever," Favre said. "Knowing that I've done that throughout my career, I am surprised to stand here before you and say that I've had the success I've had for this long period of time. I really appreciate the things I've been able to do and the things I've overcome. Maybe I will appreciate it more when I am gone and look back."
Right now Favre doesn't plan on looking back and didn't rule out more good times for him and his team.
"I take one year at a time," Favre said. "Four years ago, I didn't think I would be here today, but who knows when my career will really end. I'm still having fun. I still feel I can play at a high level and I'm smarter on top of that."
Although the day will surely come when Favre has to hang up his cleats and sail into the Hall of Fame, he's not ready to do so at this point. Besides that, he's not sure what he might do after football. When asked if he would like to join a TV network and analyze football games, Favre didn't exactly endorse the idea.
"First of all, I don't know how to tie a tie," Favre said. "The last time I wore a tie, it was a clip-on in college.
"I think I could be pretty good (as a football analyst), but I don't see a future in it. Who knows though? I may do a guest appearance on Larry's (McCarren) show and things like that, but as of right now, no I don't see a future in it."
Packers fans hope that Favre doesn't need to think about life after football for a long time. As long as he plays at a high level and continues to have fun playing the game, whatever he decides to do after football can wait. For now though, they just want to watch the same old Brett, and a wiser one, too.
