Favre in New York, will practice today

NEW YORK - 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 Hall of Famer in waiting is expected to practice with his new teammates for the first time today. 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 off-season."