Favre is focal point, but Vikings’ defense is key

By TONY GROSSI

CLEVELAND — Imagine Terry Bradshaw unretiring at the end of his career and joining the Browns for one last run at a Super Bowl title.

The furor. The frenzy. The fun.

That’s what it’s been like in Minnesota — and Green Bay — since Brett Favre agreed on Aug. 17 to sign with the Vikings for $25 million over the next two years.

The investment had instantaneous results. More than 8,000 single-game tickets and 2,500 season tickets were sold within hours of the news breaking.

If Favre holds up his end of the bargain and directs the Vikings into the Super Bowl in one of the next two years, owner Zygi Wilf just might realize the ultimate NFL dividend — a new, state-funded football stadium. The team’s lease with the Metrodome expires after the 2011 season.

Favre makes his Vikings debut in Cleveland on Sunday against the Browns. The irony, of course, is that it pits Favre against Eric Mangini, who coached him with the Jets last year after the Packers traded him.

Favre’s new team is more talented than were the Jets. Four Vikings made the AP All-Pro team last year — led by NFL leading rusher Adrian Peterson. Six represented the NFC in the Pro Bowl.

Two were the pair of 310-plus pound tackles in the middle of Minnesota’s defensive line, Pat and Kevin Williams. They are not related, but are joined in a prolonged court fight against the NFL that will affect their playing status on Sunday.

The Williamses each was slapped with a four-game suspension by the NFL last year for violating the league’s steroids policy. Each tested for a water pill that is banned by league policy. Both managed to avoid the suspension last year and are still winning court rulings to stay active.

While the NFL might eventually prevail, the Williamses have been cleared to play on Sunday. Considering the Vikings were a formidable team without Favre a year ago — winning 10 games and the NFC North title — it’s entirely possible that the two big guys in the middle of the defense will have more to say about the outcome against the Browns than Favre.