By DAVE CAMPBELL
AP Sports Writer
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.(AP) -- The first half of Brett Favre's
unfathomable season in Minnesota has been an unquestionable
success.
Before the most important part begins, Favre and the Vikings can
enjoy a welcome intermission. The later-than-usual break in the
schedule comes at an ideal time, providing this veteran team the
annual chance to recuperate as close to the stretch run as
possible.
"Hopefully everybody will come back full and ready to go,"
defensive end Ray Edwards said.
This is the latest bye Minnesota has had in 10 years. Sometimes
a week off can squelch momentum, but the opportunity to return
from the rest period refreshed mentally and physically is
probably more critical for a 7-1 team.
"Fresh bodies. Fresh minds. Fresh brains, as you go forward,"
coach Brad Childress said.
Plus, after the intensity of Sunday's 38-26 victory over the
Packers in Favre's emotional return to Green Bay, a few days
away from football seems appropriate.
"I think we've handled distractions pretty well. I think we
should continue having distractions," Favre said with a smirk
after Sunday's game. "I think we'll find out how good we are.
We've had some tough tests. For the most part, we've responded
very well."
In case the news didn't get out yet, Favre passed for 244 yards
and four touchdowns against his old team to help the Vikings
take a firm hold on the NFC North race by winning one of the
most hyped games in sports history.
Favre told Sports Illustrated's Web site after the game he hurt
his groin in practice last Wednesday and then aggravated the
injury in pregame warmups, making him unable to move around in
the pocket very well. Favre said about four hours after the game
the muscle was "throbbing," but Childress said Monday he wasn't
concerned.
"I was standing right behind him, watching him while he was
warming up and saw him kind of reach for his groin and hold it
and whatever you do with a groin," Childress said, adding: "It
twinged a little bit on him."
During the week, Favre was listed as probable for the game
because of his hip.
"All that stuff is lower chain. It kind of all fits together,"
Childress said, assessing the groin and hip issues. "He was
obviously able to practice through everything."
At 40, Favre's body could use the break. He's had other body
parts listed on the injury report, too, but the Vikings have
protected him well. The Packers didn't sack him once either time
they played.
The week off will be just as valuable for the others. Left guard
Steve Hutchinson (back) and wide receivers Bernard Berrian
(hamstring) and Percy Harvin (shoulder) have frequented the
injury report but not missed a game. Cornerback Antoine Winfield
(foot) has missed the last two weeks.
"We have no major injuries to this team right now, but a lot of
people have little nicks and knacks here and there so I think a
week of just nothing is always great," Harvin said.
The Vikings gathered for a team picture, lifting, running and an
NFL life skills seminar before scattering in the afternoon.
"Whether they're going to sit in a deer stand or sit on the
beach, or contemplate their navel, whatever it is that they care
to do they're free to do, as long as they're back here on
Monday," Childress said.
The coach gave the annual be-careful-during-the-bye talk, which
probably never hurts for a team that still has 11 players left
from the 2005 debacle that gave a new, bawdy meaning to the
concept of a boat party.
"If you're a little more intentional about thinking about
things, you realize what you're doing a little bit more,"
Childress said.
The Vikings return from the bye with three straight home games,
another clear advantage on their 2009 schedule.
"Very, very, very confident," tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said,
assessing the team's outlook. "We know our potential, man, and
we know if we play the way we can play ... we'll have a good
chance to win."
Has that confidence been there since the season started?
"It was there, but we weren't sure if it was a mirage or not,"
Shiancoe said. "Now it's just starting to get to the point where
we know it's reality."
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