I am glad that Brad Childress is (reportedly) putting a cap on the Brett Favre thing. The coach wants to know who is starting QB will be by the end of this week, or if Favre doesn't come back, Childress wants to know what he has to choose from.

Here's how I look at the situation: Favre had the surgery electively, and he wants to join the Vikings. But he only will do so if he thinks he can avoid being the quarterback who slumped badly down the stretch last season with the Jets. Sure, the injury was the main reason why, but I think Favre even knows that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. He won't adjust to any arm injury; what you see is what you get, and he's still going to try to thread the needle on a 17-yard out pattern, bad wing or not. Knowing that, he would like to save face if he thinks he'll be too unhealthy by season's end to avoid that.

This story is tiring, I know. You guys hate it -- most of you, anyway. But let's face it: If Favre comes back, it's a big deal because it presumably makes the Vikings a better team. It vaults them, the thinking goes, from playoff contender to Super Bowl contender.

With all the Vikings have -- and they have a lot: an ace running game, a good line and receivers and a front-line defense -- around the quarterback, the question I pose to you is, how much better does Favre make this team?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the difference between Sage Rosenfels or Tarvaris Jackson (or Tarsage Jackfels, if you will) and Favre with this team. Is it the difference between 10 wins nd 12? Eight and 10? Early playoff loser and Super Bowl team? Post your thoughts below, kindly.