by John Lynch, FOXSports.com

I think back to mine and it was incredibly emotional. Initially, I wasn't prepared for it. What was interesting to me was that I was as nervous for that game as I was for the Super Bowl and I never thought that would be the case. I didn't sleep the night before. I literally had the worst sleep I ever had the night before a game. There were so many things running through my mind.

For me, I had played 11 years in that city and my family, two of my kids were born there, and you recall all the things you did in the community. I had watched the new stadium being built and you feel like you played a role in that. You won a Super Bowl in this community and all of this starts flooding in on you. And it makes it much more than just a football game. I mean, you want to prepare and approach it like it's just another game. I can just say that it's not.

I think it probably helps Brett that he's been eased into this a little bit and the fact that he's already played the Packers a few weeks ago. But still I don't think that compares to going back to the place, to Lambeau Field, which you called home for 16 seasons and where you really grew up as a NFL player.

My emotions were running wild. By the second quarter, I think I had full body cramps. I was the type of player who did cramp up occasionally, but nothing like I experienced in that game. I just think the emotions of that whole weekend just took over and I was just exhausted. But I did end up playing a really good game and got a game ball and made a big 4th-and-1 tackle in the third quarter.

Do you believe there is a scouting advantage from the player or the coaching staff in such a situation?

Your opposing coach knows you so well. For example, on the first defensive play of our game Coach Gruden ran a play that he hoped would work against me. He knew my adrenaline would be sky high. He knew what kind of player I was and I would just want to tear someone's head off. He knew I would be down in the box and sure enough I was. He ran that counter pitch where they fake the dive to the fullback strong and pitch out weak-side to Michael Pittman. Not only did he do that, he knew that I was one of the few safeties that actually read guards.

So, I was keying the guard, so he pulled the guard, too. He did all that but fortunately I caught the play and I caught Pittman for a one-yard gain, which is a win for the defense. I made a real nice play. And kind of uncharacteristic for me, I started pointing and talking to Gruden on the sidelines. I said, "Keep bringing that play, I will be here all day. Try whatever you want." I knew he designed that play for me. It made a lot of sense because he knew me inside and out as a player.

I'm sure he consulted with the defensive coaches, Mike Tomlin and Monte Kiffin. After that play, it was back to just being football. And that was good for me. Everything was out of the way. I got my confidence going and then it was just time to play ball.

Do you think it will be harder for Brett to get into the game because he's a quarterback. You wanted to hit people, something he doesn't want to do?

I think it might be harder for Brett because I agree he's not going to want to get hit or hit somebody like I did. Ultimately, it is football, but the other things do matter. We are all people. I was greeted incredibly by the fans. They were very gracious to me. My situation was a little different because I had neck surgery in the off-season and Bruce Allen had come in as the new general manager and they made the decision that they didn't want me anymore. The fans were mad at Bucs' management and not mad at me. So, when I came back and, Mike Shanahan made sure the defense was introduced to the crowd, I was the last player announced. The place went absolutely nuts. They gave a three, four-minute ovation, something you never see for a visiting player coming in.

BRETT FAVRE'S REVENGE

Brett Favre got the last laugh at the expense of his former team in his return to Green Bay, with his Vikings earning a season sweep by beating the Packers at Lambeau Field. FAVRE BOWL LINKS: Marvez: Sweet revenge for Favre Glazer mailbag: All-Favre edition Marvez: McCarthy caught in middle Marvez: How to get over NFL break-ups NFL's all-time revenge games Top 10 sports traitors VIDEO: Terry with Favre | Transcript

For Brett, I think it might be a mixed bag in terms of his reception. The Green Bay fans are as classy a fan as I've ever been around in my time in the league. I was in that conference and in the same division. I remember the '97 playoffs there and we gave the Packers and Reggie White and Brett all they could handle and their fans gave us a standing ovation coming off the field. So, they are incredibly classy fans. But I also think they feel somewhat betrayed by Brett on this whole deal and his constant indecision on whether do I come back or do I stay retired. Then retiring, and then un-retiring. I mean, going to the Jets was one thing, but now going to play for the Packers' division rival for all these years, I think at some point the fans say, "Whoa, whoa, this is not right." I am interested like a lot of other people to see what the reaction will be. Like I said, they are classy fans. I think they understand football better than any fans in the league. They know what Brett brought to that team, so I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't a negative reaction.

In the first game, the Packers really didn't blitz Favre much or really come after him. Will their strategy change?

I read where Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers was kind of defending that fact that he didn't come after Brett more. He kind of intimated that he would probably do the same in this game. Dom is usually a guy who doesn't deal that much in smoke and mirrors. What he says is what you're going to get. But I find it hard to believe. They didn't pressure Brett much in the Metrodome and he ate them up. And the book on Brett, especially late in his career, is that you do pressure him. Even in his prime, when we faced him, Monte Kiffin would say, "This guy struggles with pressure up the gut, up the A gaps."

Packers coach Mike McCarthy was around Brett a long time and the other coaches on that staff were too, so they know what bothers him as a player. I'm positive he used to tell them in offensive meetings, "When someone does this to me, this is tough." I think in the first game, the Packers were still getting used to this new 3-4 defense. I did their game last week and they are starting to get settled in the 3-4 defense. I would expect them to be a little more aggressive in coming after Brett in this game. Their rookie outside linebacker Clay Matthews is already comfortable in this scheme. He has the opportunity to be a real special player. He has football instincts and a real passion and motor. They have to come after him.

Favre or Rodgers? For this season only, who would you rather have?

For this season only, correct? As much as I love Aaron Rodgers; I do think he's a top-five quarterback in this league. Everything about Rodgers, from his presence, to his skill set to the way he's taken leadership of this team. Plus, it has been extremely impressive how he's won over his team following Favre. But in saying that, a lot of people are saying that Brett is playing the best he has in a long time. I'm not too sure this isn't the best he's played in his entire career. I played against him when we all thought he was in his prime. I know he had a couple turnovers in Pittsburgh, but I do believe he's protecting the football better than he ever has in his career. And that was the one thing you could always count on. As great as Brett was, every time we played them, Tony Dungy would say, "You're going to have five opportunities to catch the ball against this guy. And if we catch three or four, we will win." But the guy is too good otherwise. If we only catch one, he'll win. We always knew that was the ace in the hole. The hard part was the guy had such a howitzer for a right arm, catching that ball was difficult. But it always proved true. If we caught three of them, we'd beat him.

Now, you're not seeing that from him. Two or maybe three balls are up for grabs in a game, but that's normal in this league. Maybe having Adrian Peterson back there helps him. I think also it helps having Percy Harvin in that slot. He's had a huge impact on that team. He's been such a great outlet receiver. If there are eight defenders in the box, Brett goes to that little bubble screen. If they blitz him, he just gets the ball to Percy behind the line of scrimmage and lets him do his thing. I think that's helped him in protecting the football. I go back to the first game these two teams played and some of the throws Brett made just floored me. He made one throw across his body to Visanthe Schiancoe ... well, quarterbacks just don't make that throw. But the other thing to consider is that Brett has been there, he's done that. He's won big-time football games. To make a long answer short, I would take Favre.