How will Favre’s risk-taking reputation fit with conservative Vikings coach Childress

Does Favre’s risk-taking rep fit with Childress?

MINNEAPOLIS — Brad Childress wants his quarterbacks to play a certain way. Make the safe pass, keep an even keel, and follow the scheme how it’s coached.

Now, here’s Brett Favre, whose bionic career has been built on a bold, brash, boyish approach to throwing the football. Yes, Childress and Favre have known each other for years. They’re each well-versed in the Vikings’ version of the West Coast offense, too.

But how is THIS going to work?

Heck, Favre was already calling him “Chilly” at his introductory news conference this week.

“I don’t know what I’m going to be asked to do, but I know how to do one thing in particular and that’s be a leader and do things a certain way,” Favre said this week after signing with his former archrival Minnesota.

Former NFL quarterback Rich Gannon, the 2002 league MVP, predicted this week during his program on Sirius NFL Radio that Favre and Childress would “butt heads” this season.

“Brad Childress is a stickler for doing it his way. He’s a very detailed guy; doesn’t really want to think outside the box; knows what he understands in that system,” Gannon said. “Brett’s going to come in there, he’s going to be hand-signaling the receivers, he’s going to be trying to change plays at the line of scrimmage, he’s going to do stuff that they don’t do in that system, and he’s going to drive Brad Childress crazy.”

In a phone interview with The Associated Press, Gannon later softened his analysis. He stressed, though, that even an accomplished, experienced guy like Favre can’t get away with whatever he wants.

“You just can’t go out there as a quarterback and start winging it,” said Gannon, who was the Vikings’ starter in 1992 when Favre first joined the rival Packers.

Gannon found “shocking” the strong start the Jets enjoyed with Favre last year despite the unfamiliar system he had to quickly force-feed himself following the trade to New York. The fact Childress and Favre are experienced in the West Coast scheme, learned under Bill Walsh by Mike Holmgren and passed on to Childress through Andy Reid in the outer branches of this prominent coaching tree, could be a bond strong enough to eclipse any enmity here.

“Everyone who I’ve talked to — former players, coaches, people in general — said, ‘If you were to go back, this is a perfect fit.’ It really is,” said Favre, who holds all of the NFL’s major career passing records, including interceptions.

Unable to develop Tarvaris Jackson into a reliable starter or find any stability at the position yet, Childress went all out to bring in Favre. He’s already had mild conflicts with veterans Brad Johnson and Gus Frerotte over styles and preferences. Entering the fourth year of a five-year contract, his future is on the line.

“Does he like to have fun? Does he like to smile? Does he like to laugh? Sure he does,” Childress said. “And that’s great for us, to keep it easy. But I don’t think he’s a ride-the-roller-coaster guy. I think he’ll be about as flat line as he can be.”

Favre’s first quarterbacks coach in Green Bay was Steve Mariucci, now an NFL Network analyst. Though admittedly biased, Mariucci was glowing this week about the match in Minnesota.

“He’s a guy in the huddle that can tell a guy exactly what to do or give some reminders, because he knows everybody’s assignment and he knows what’s going on on defense and he can be that coach on the field,” Mariucci said after watching the Vikings practice. “That leadership from your quarterback is very important. Not every team has that.”

As for his willingness to follow orders?

“Give him a play and run it,” Mariucci said. “Every now and then he might talk about what he prefers, this one or that one. But he’s a very coachable guy. It’s a pleasure to have a guy like that.”

Even in his final seasons with the Packers, Favre came to accept the short-passing game coach Mike McCarthy asked him to run.

“Coach Childress definitely has his way he likes things run and rightfully so,” said Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell, a former teammate of Favre’s. “But I think to not utilize someone’s experience would be handcuffing all of us. So I think there is a happy medium in there.”

The players seem to realize that.

“I’m pretty sure there’s some leeway in there,” tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said. “He’s run this offense for a long time. … Brett definitely came in pretty confident. You can tell that he’s ready to lead, ready to lead this offense.”

Favre is expected to play only a couple of series against the Chiefs. New coach Todd Haley was on Arizona’s staff last season when Favre threw six touchdown passes to beat the eventual NFC champion Cardinals.

Never mind the not-so-fond memories Haley has of Favre’s performance in that game. He’s been predictably focused on his own team.

“I’m just worried about this house that’s on fire, and I’m trying to keep it from burning down,” Haley said.

Kansas City has a new guy behind center, too, after acquiring Matt Cassel from New England. Backup Brodie Croyle has looked sharper so far during camp than Cassel.

“I’m always concerned with the quarterback,” Haley said, adding: “It’s a process, and … I expect every position to continue to improve and get better.”

Cassel’s first start for the Patriots came last season against Favre and the Jets. Favre’s presence, even if for half a quarter, ought to add plenty of atmosphere to an otherwise-meaningless exhibition.

“Those fans will obviously be excited,” Haley said.