It’s something most experts saw coming. Favre is well over the normal retiring age for quarterbacks. Playing football takes a certain toll on the body and Favre had taken more than his fair share of hits. Even in last season’s NFC Championship game against the New Orleans Saints Favre took quite the beating but managed to finish the game.

Over his 20 years and his 321 consecutive starts including the playoffs, Favre has seen his fair share of injuries but always managed to take the field. On a Monday night, in the relocated game city of Detroit, Favre didn’t. After wards he was gracious and humble. He said that he wouldn’t have been helpful to his team. Favre, who is often accused of being selfish, took the high road and did something selfless. He gave up his streak on a promise he made to himself. He would never force himself out onto the field if he didn’t think he gave his team the best chance to win.

It’s likely that Favre will have another game this season. It’s likely he will start against the Bears, but it’s not likely that Favre will be healthy enough to play another season. It appears that his football days are over. He’s had a great career and all great things must end.

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Is it possible for a team to lose it’s most talented skill position player and a first ballot hall of famer, and to do it voluntarily, and yet somehow get better? The New England Patriots know the answer to that question, and the answer is yes.

There has been a story line in sports played out a thousand times. A team loses one of its star players and the rest of the team rallies around each other and though they are undermanned they go out and give the performance of a lifetime. In the case of the New England Patriots they gave up their hall of fame wide out in Randy Moss and they have only done better because of it. In most normal sports scenarios this would cripple a team. Moss has the ability to stretch the field and demand double coverage. Yet, when he was running wild this season the Pats were floundering.

At one point, knowing Moss was unhappy with the status of his contract, decided to trade him back to his former team the Minnesota Vikings. For Moss it was a homecoming. For New England it was a relief. Without their security blanket the Pats had to start getting creative. They would have to spread the ball around and they would have to use their running game to keep the secondary honest.

This move, while bold, is certainly not uncommon for Bill Belechik and company. New England runs a system. They plug guys in and plug guys out. When someone wants to go against the grain and what they have going there, they let them go. Moss wanted to focus on money and not winning. Now toils away elsewhere while the Pats enjoy ultimate success. Who knew giving up a great player would make you great?