ESPN AFC East Blog

	James Lang-US Presswire
	New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre attempts to evade Washington Redskins linebacker Marcus Washington (53) and defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin (96) in the first quarter during his preseason game at Giants Stadium Saturday night.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Brett Favre couldn't dismiss Saturday night as a mere exhibition or trivial tune-up.

Two drives in an August preseason game shouldn't sound thrilling to a legend with 18 years in the NFL, a crowded trophy case and an infamous aversion to rehearsals.

Favre's innards belied his experience. He felt nothing like an apathetic vet and more like a rookie before encountering his first live action as a New York Jet.

"It's like starting all over again," Favre said after completing five of six passes for 48 yards and the Jets' lone touchdown in a 13-10 loss to the Washington Redskins in the Meadowlands.

"I had some feelings that I haven't felt in 17 years. That's a good thing."

Favre has been wishy-washy about his retirement and the controversial reversal that led to his bitter divorce from the Green Bay Packers.

Mixed in with the nervousness, though, were feelings of conviction.

"When I stepped on the field as I did tonight, I knew I made the right decision," Favre said. "There's not too much fun in training camp, offseason workout and things like that. To me, the most important thing is playing. I knew I'd made the right decision when I was on the field tonight.

"I feel like I'm a Jet. I do. It's still a little bit awkward, but I feel like I'm here for a reason. I told the guys I'm here to help them win."

Favre took only 14 snaps but wanted more. He unsuccessfully lobbied Jets coach Eric Mangini for another series, but was satisfied with the work.

Mangini said Favre went into the game with 30 to 40 core plays he could run.

"I thought he did a good job," Mangini said. "Seven practices or whatever it was and he moved the ball effectively.

"The other thing that he does really well is the play fake and the things that that opened up, like the reverse. His presence puts pressure on the defense because there's always the opportunity for the deep ball."

Favre said he felt "a little awkward" to be in a Jets uniform. The Redskins agreed.

"I had numerous people on the Redskins team say 'It almost don't look right,' " Favre said. "It's got to start looking right."

Here are some highlights from Favre's post-game news conference:

• "I thought I threw the ball well and moved around OK. Ten days ago I was doing yard work. I ran and threw a little bit with the kids at the high school but there's no substitute for what we did tonight."
• "My arm feels great. I've been throwing the ball well. I feel once I get the timing down with these guys I'll be OK. I'm more concerned about terminology and getting plays out and protection changes."
• "Most of those passes were passes you should complete anyway. So I don't want to make it sound like there were some passes that are mid-season-form passes, but considering what I was doing 10 days ago, I'm pretty pleased to get the ball in the end zone."
• "I wanted to get this game over with and just get on. It was positive anxiety, positive nervousness. It's better than not having any feeling at all. I was excited about it."
• "I'm just one piece of this puzzle. At some point we have to go on and focus on what we're trying to do as a team and not one person."