I went to bed last night in a world that sort of made sense. At least it was one that was, for once, relatively free of all-consuming, ridiculous sports drama. But then I turned on my computer this morning only to discover that a plane with the Vikings logo on the tail had landed in Mississippi and that Brett Favre and his life were listed on the manifest for his return trip. That was soon followed by the news we have probably all heard by now – that Favre is in Minnesota, and he has a deal done for between $10 and $12 million pending a physical today. Head coach Brad Childress has confirmed that the team intends to sign the player. In short, the third retirement is over – almost before it started.

In almost every way this is a bad idea:

– Favre isn’t likely to be particularly good. He’s older and he has to get used to new players and a system which, while basically the same as what he knows, isn’t one he has actually directly played in before. He’s already become a punchline and ripped his legacy to shreds, but there is very little upside here for him to improve that situation.

– He has totally alienated himself with the base of fans that still might have been loyal to him – Packers fans. Many of them had already given up on Brett, but now the last of them will be sure to. There is no better way to kick your fans in the gut then signing with their mortal enemies.

– Brad Childress is clearly ridiculously desperate. Why else would he sign Favre now after he has already professed his faith in the two quarterbacks that were, until today, fighting for the starting job. Sage Rosenfels had had a good outing in the last preseason game, and now all of a sudden he has been deemed inadequate. Both quarterbacks must be furious, and that kind of thing can have a seriously negative impact on a team if and when it lingers.

– The Vikings don’t need Favre. What can he do that Rosenfels or Jackson can’t? The team has the best running back in the league, a good offensive line, a very good defense, and so on. What they need at quarterback is someone who can manage the game and minimize mistakes.Favre last year showed little reason to make us think that he had any interest at all in minimizing mistakes.

This whole thing has been one prolonged train wreck, and it only keeps getting worse. I feel a bit dirty about the whole thing – I think he’s a joke and that everyone involved is making a terrible mistake, but I can’t wait to watch him play to see what happens. That voyeuristic tendency is fairly universal in the sports world, and it’s exactly why this maniac keeps doing what he does.