08/18 — For the first time as Jet, Brett Favre hit the airwaves Monday afternoon. A guest on the Michael Kay Show on 1050 ESPN, Favre talked of finding a “middle ground” with his new team.

“We tried to use some of the concepts in Green Bay that I was familiar with that worked and kind of used them here,” he said. “We’re trying to find that middle ground.”

Favre, who said he had a long talk with Jets head coach Eric Mangini earlier in the day, stressed to Kay the importance of reacting instead of thinking. We’ve heard that so many times before but Favre articulated the point well with a concrete example. 

“Some of the terms that we used in Green Bay — they actually use here, but they mean something totally different,” he said. “That in itself is what’s making it really difficult. I hear a term and I’m like, ‘Okay.’ Well it may mean a formation in Green Bay but it may mean a protection here, so it’s not like it’s a subtle difference.”

After Saturday’s sterling preseason performance (5-6-48-1TD) against the ‘Skins, the expectations will only grow for Favre and his new team. But don’t expect any Broadway Joe proclamations.

“I played well last year. That’s no guarantee at all that I’ll play well this year especially what I’m up against,” he said. “The time part of it — I don’t have a lot of time to not only learn the plays but get used to what we’re trying to do around here, get used to the guys and how they run routes.”

All valid points and we’ve also heard he’s 38-years-old and we’ve seen he’s gray. But let’s be clear here. You don’t accomplish what this guy has if you don’t believe in yourself and if you don’t love a challenge.  

“We have to cram in a short period of time. I’m up for it,” he said. “It may be crazy, but I’m up to it. I know I can still play — I think this team has tremendous potential.”

Favre says “crazy” frequently but there is nothing really crazy about what he’s doing. He loves Sundays and he can still play this game at an elite level — ‘nough said. 

It’s been 12 days since Favre became a Jet. You can be sure his favorite moments took place for less than an hour less Saturday night when he was back in charge of the huddle, throwing passes and finishing a drive with a TD pass.

“It finally got down to the most important thing and that’s playing,” he said. “Throughout this whole process, that’s the one thing that kind of got lost in the shuffle is playing.”

He’s tremendous with the media, but I can’t believe for a second old No. 4’s watching himself on SportsCenter at night.    If you’re Dustin Keller, you might be turning in to the highlight shows to see your TD catch though.

Favre looked right for Bubba but Franks was jammed on the line. Then the veteran passer came back left and made the rookie’s day. After hiding his intentions, Favre eventually signed the ball and presented it to the talented youngster in the locker room.

“That kid has a bright future — believe me,” he said. “Some quarterback will throw to him a lot over the years and they’ll be lucky to have him.”

For now, Keller will be the one lucky to have Favre. The Jets have a quarterback who’s a difference-maker and he’s begun his climb.

“There’s a tall mountain in front of me and I’m up to the challenge,” he told Kay. “I hope this thing works out.”