The expectations don't bother Brett Favre.
He knows there are many who think the Jets are destined for good fortune this year because they believe in him and this new-look version of the Green & White.
"I like the fact that people expect a lot out of us when maybe they didn't before," Favre said today. "I think that's a good thing. Each individual in that locker room can look at it however they want to look at it, but I expect us to win."
After the Jets failed to defeat the Tom Brady-less Patriots in their home opener, the grumblings began and it comes with the territory. Unless you're perfect in New York, you're open game. But the 1-1 Jets still have 14 games remaining and their quarterback likes the direction they're headed.
"I think we all need to take ownership in not only the wins but the losses," Favre said. "That's the only way we're going to get better. I feel like the path we're on is the right path."
The hot topic during Favre's weekly conference was the Jets' decision to run the ball three straight times after first-and-goal at the Patriots' 3, and their inability to get Thomas Jones into the end zone.
"If we got in that situation again, I think if we threw the ball, we would score," Favre said. "But I think if we ran it we would score as well — I really do."
There was no second-guessing of offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's play-calling this morning. Favre, who connected with Chansi Stuckey for a 2-yard score in the final quarter, is known for his efficiency inside the red zone.
"Historically on the goal line, I've made a lot of plays, so I have a lot of confidence in what I do," he said.
And as he's stated before, Favre would like to throw the ball on every down. The Jets don't audible from inside the 10 and Favre believed the Jets were going to have success punching it in.
"Any quarterback who would sit up in front of you right now and tell you in that situation he didn't want to throw the ball would be lying," said the always frank Favre. "I feel very confident in Brian's playcalling ability."
The Jets have averaged 15 points in their first two games and they'll most likely find themselves 1-2 if that average remains steady a week from now. But Favre, who owns a 104.1 passer rating, knows the Chargers can score and the Jets have to cash in on their opportunities.
"We should score or I should give us a chance to score on every single play. No different on run plays," he said. "When I hand the ball off, I try to fake. I try to do whatever I can to deceive the defense so we can score, get a big play out of it."
Favre's 7,678 passing yards and 57 touchdowns on Monday nights rank second to Dan Marino in both categories. Thirteen years ago, Favre also threw the longest TD completion ever on Monday night football with a 99-yard connection to Robert Brooks during the Packers' 27-24 win over the Bears.
And who can ever forget the heartfelt performance he delivered one day after his father passed? Favre somehow managed to throw for four touchdowns and 399 yards as the Packers trounced the Raiders in Oakland on Dec. 22, 2003, hours after Irving Favre suffered a fatal heart attack while driving near Favre's hometown of Kiln, Miss.
Favre will lead his new team into Southern California early next week. The Chargers might be 0-2, but they're one of the most talented teams in football and figure to win a lot of football games this season.
"I think they have 21 of 22 starters back. Shawne Merriman is out. They're still very explosive, and explosive on defense," Favre said. "They give up some plays on defense. Believe me, we'll see their best on Monday night, no doubt about it. For us, we have to look at it as a must-win situation as well"
The Jets will have a great warrior to lead them to their next battle and his intentions are clear.
"I didn't come here to lose. Neither did Alan Faneca, Kris Jenkins or the guys who have been here before," Favre said. "You could see Shaun Ellis' frustration at the end of the [Patriots] game. I mean, that's 10 years of frustration that he's had to go through. We're trying to change that, old and new."
