So now that Brett Favre – the on-again, off-again NFL journeyman quarterback – has brought his three-ring circus of self importance to Minneapolis, is there a way to tie the news into the FCIAC Football Blog?

Yes. Unless Favre has some sort of contingency to bring in his own players at key positions, former Greenwich All-American John Sullivan will be snapping the ball to the 40-year-old former All-Pro quarterback.

So… what do you think, really? Is this a pretty cool opportunity and honor for Sullivan? Is the Favre comeback story old-and-tired? Does it mean Sullivan will have a Super Bowl ring by this time next year?

We knew this had to be coming: John Sullivan gets the starting job at center for the Minnesota Vikings. With veteran Matt Birk now playing in Baltimore, it’s almost reality for the second-year players out of Greenwich and University of Notre Dame.

Here’s an article the Associated Press ran yesterday.

By Tim Parry

Former Shelton standout Dan Orlovsky will make his first NFL start today as he fills in for injured Detroit Lions starting quarterback Jon Kitna against the Minnesota Vikings.

Orlovsky is in his fourth year, and has seen his most extensive action this season. He’s appeared in three of the Lions first four games, and completed 15 of 28 passes for 103 yards and no touchdowns. He’s been picked off twice.

Orlovsky will be the first quarterback to start in an NFL game since Norwalk native Todd Philcox did for the Cleveland Browns in 1993.

As for Fairfield County players competing against each other in an NFL game (Greenwich grad John Sullivan is on the Minnesota Vikings)… November 23, 1997, Philcox, who came out of retirement to play for the San Diego Chargers, relieved Craig Whelihan in a 17-10 loss to Steve Young and the San Francisco 49ers.

I have a busy day with the day job (and I’m supposed to be on vacation this week… sigh). But before I have at it with the overdue project there, let’s have at it with some old-fashioned press clippings:

The Hour: Weston’s Richard earns start in rookie debut with Colts. All the hype around here was about another rookie center, John Sullivan of the Minnesota Vikings. And there’s similarities between the two – they both played high school ball in Fairfield County, they were both drafted by NFL teams this season, and they’re both on the depth chart behind all-pro centers.

For more on Richard:

• Google News (368 references)
• Indianapolis Colts

And the rest of today’s clips:

• Connecticut Post feature on Masuk QB Bobby Baker
• The Advocate’s Stamford Black Knights preview
• The Advocate’s Westhill Vikings preview

With its first pick in the sixth round (187th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings have selected John Sullivan of Greenwich.

The situation is ideal for Sullivan, as the only center on Minnesota’s roster is 10th year veteran Matt Birk. The Vikings will most likely have Sullivan learn from Birk, who may soon be retiring.

More to come on this developing story, including analysis and interviews.

Starting with:

Sullivan’s post-draft conference call.

And Vikings head coach Brad Childress’s post-draft press conference.