ESPN excited about airing Packers-Vikings game Monday night as Brett Favre faces his old team

In a conference call this week, ESPN producer Jay Rothman and commentators Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworksi and Jon Gruden discussed the Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings telecast at 7:30 p.m. Monday on ESPN. Here a few excerpts:

Rothman on this matchup: “This one fell into our lap when No. 4 decided to come back. It’s a no-brainer what the meaning of the game is to him, to the Vikings, to the Packers. It’s one of the best divisions in football, certainly in terms of a ratings perspective, the NFC North … it always delivers.”

Tirico on the hype surrounding this game: “Talking to Favre a couple different times since he left Green Bay and being around the Packers a little bit, this is the game Brett Favre’s wanted to play. When the Packers essentially said, ‘We don’t want you to be our quarterback anymore,’ Brett Favre had an unbelievable clock ticking inside him to want to play the Green Bay Packers.”

Jaworski on how personal a game this is for Favre: “When you get an opportunity to go up against a team that basically got rid of you — you’re not good enough — you want to show what you can do … Brett Favre is going to approach this game and he’s going to be angry, he’s going to be vindictive and he will come out smoking.”

Jaworski on his pick as the NFC North’s top quarterback: “Right now I’d have to go with Aaron Rodgers. Last year he showed me an awful lot. He was able to handle all of the off-field distractions that took place when Brett Favre left and he had a terrific season. He will certainly have to play better this year. … He’s younger, which is certainly the positive. He has an outstanding repertoire of personnel to choose from in the running game and passing game.”

Gruden on his choice for the NFC North’s top quarterback: “Brett Favre has won and won and won. He is an ultimate winner and I like guys that win games. I liken the quarterback to a starting pitcher in baseball. He can manipulate a defense, he can rally his football team and he can excite a crowd. … I’d want Brett Favre with a very good football team at crunch time to win me a division title and help me advance in the playoffs — because I know what I’m getting, I know how he’s going to respond in crunch time situations. And if we don’t get it done, I’ll get on the plane and will have enjoyed the ride that’s for sure.”

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