Cameras flashing by the dozens, a wide-eyed Brett Favre took his first steps into the New York spotlight. “Just like home,” the Jets' newest quarterback said Friday with a deep breath and a sheepish grin. Get used to it, Brett. This is only the beginning. “Time will tell, but I don't want to say ‘Be patient,”' Favre said Friday at a City Hall news conference. “I have to get a lot done in a short amount of time. They wouldn't have signed me if they didn't think I could do that.” Having won three MVPs and led two Green Bay teams to the Super Bowl, Favre is more than just a country boy from Mississippi. But even he seemed a little awed by his welcome to jaded New York. Mayor Michael Bloomberg greeted him, showering the star quarterback with a number of gifts - including some cheesecakes - designed to help with his transition. “The legendary No. 4 has now become Jet Favre,” Bloomberg said, “and we're delighted to welcome him to City Hall.” The Jets acquired the recently unretired Favre from the Packers for a conditional draft pick late Wednesday night. He was with the team for its preseason-opening victory at Cleveland, flew into town early Friday morning and quickly popped in for his City Hall visit. The surefire Hall of Famer is expected to practice with his new teammates for the first time Saturday. He was headed to the team's facility later Friday, where he would take a conditioning test, join in team meetings and get better acquainted with his new teammates. “I know I still can play,” said Favre, wearing a blue and white polo shirt and khaki slacks and sporting his familiar 5 o'clock shadow. “I don't think too many people question that. I think a lot of people question what happened this offseason.” Favre closed a summer of discontent and opened a new chapter in his career by joining the Jets, who stunned the NFL by outbidding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the iconic QB. He brings instant relevance to a team that went 4-12 last season and hasn't had a quarterback of his stature since Joe Namath ruled Manhattan more than 30 years ago. “There's no guarantees,” Favre said. “You see teams go out in free agency and spend on a lot of guys and everyone says, ‘Oh, they're going to be great and go to the Super Bowl.' It takes chemistry, and to me, that's the most important thing. You can have all the talent in the world, but if the chemistry is not there, it won't matter. “I think we can achieve that.” After a huddle with staff members, Bloomberg picked out a few things to help Favre “make a quick adjustment” to the Big Apple. As part of the city's initiative to plant a million trees by 2017, Bloomberg announced one would be planted in Favre's name. Favre, joined by Jets owner Woody Johnson and general manager Mike Tannenbaum, presented Bloomberg with a green and white Favre jersey, already a hit with fans who have snatched up over 6,500 of them since the trade. The 38-year-old Favre, who joked that his daughter asked if he was joining a college team because all the other players look much younger, won't commit to playing for the Jets beyond this season. “Let's enjoy this year,” he said. “The future is now. I don't have 17 more years to play, I don't think. I want to give the New York Jets and the people of this city the best year possible. Believe me.” “We wish Brett nothing but the best,” said Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Favre's replacement. “He still has the utmost amount of respect from the guys in this locker room here and we wish him well, wish him a good season and hope to see him in Tampa.” That, of course, is the site of the next Super Bowl.
