Customer Reviews

No Substitute for Sundays: Brett Favre and His Year in the Huddle with the New York Jets

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I was eager to read this book since I wondered about the inside story of Brett's year in New York. Serby is a New York reporter. He relies mostly on Favre's press conferences for a narration of how the year is going. I am a big Favre fan and I think had already heard each press conference so I was not surprised by anything, but it was interesting to read it all in one place. Confirms that Favre believed he was being traded to the Bucs when the trade to the Jets appeared on TV. He made the best of it and warmed to his teammates and did the best he could in a foreign offensive system. Favre speaks highly of Jet management and coaches, as well as players, but confesses the move was harder than he expected it to be. He had right of refusal but did not want to create even a bigger scene so went ahead to the Jets. Woody Johnson was eager to show him New Jersey was not the city and this helped Favre with his transition. The book does not have extensive interviews with players or management so there is not the insider information that might give the book more meat.We do get the public statements Favre made throughout the year. Interesting read but not groundbreaking news.

As a die-hard New York Jets fan I hoped that this book would give insight and unknown information about a season that started so well and ended so drastically horribly. Unfortunately the book is nothing more than a simple play-by-play review of each game and Favre's post-game press conferences written into story form. Critically little new or surprising details are revealed and I didn't feel as if I knew the "characters" involved any more because athletes tend to be somewhat guarded during press conferences.

On a positive note, the book is considerably better in the early chapters before the season begins as the details of Favre's trade to the Jets is interesting. The book also is a very easy read.

This book talked about Brett Favre's 2008 with the Jets (which didn't go so well for him).

Pluses- The buildup to the trade was top notch and had plenty of quotes from insiders. Also talked about his injury to an extent and how it limited him.

Negatives- Didn't really discuss game plans week by week and was more a narrative of the game. Also underdiscusses Mangini getting canned. The author missed the point about saying Favre needed to quit (like many other critics).

Overall- If you are a hardcore Favre fan, read it for the insight on last year. If you are a casual fan, pass. Favre's legacy continues on this year with an MVP year in Minnesota. A ultimate Favre bio is due when he FINALLY decides to retire.