SAN FRANCISCO - The star system is unbeatable. No "I,'' in team, the coaches advise. But there is I in "ratings.'' And "interest.'' Roger Clemens virtually everywhere Thursday. Brett Favre almost everywhere else, including the front page of USA Today.

We felt rejected out here in the State of Confusion, a.k.a California. All the lunacy involving New York, Darrelle Revis, Clemens, Carmelo Anthony, K-Rod.

The Left Coast was left out. Until Mr. Favre rejoined the Minnesota Vikings, who as fate and the schedule would have it play Sunday night against the 49ers at Candlestick Park. Welcome.

The NFL calls it a preseason game, which when you're hustling $70 tickets is a more palatable description than exhibition game. It doesn't mean much. Conversely, it means a great deal.

Does Favre, the front-pager, get onto the field? Or get into Vikings coach Brad Childress' doghouse? Brett, says Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports, has no respect for Childress.

And what about the QB on the other team, the Niners, Alex Smith, who now in his sixth year has been attempting to make people think of Joe Montana or Steve Young. Or Brett Favre.

The star system. Hollywood wasn't looking for Shakespearian actresses but attention-getters. The more controversy, the bigger the box office. Marilyn Monroe had exactly what was needed. So does Jennifer Anniston.

An NFL quarterback, however, is judged on his success as well as his headlines.

NBC just stepped into a pot of jam. Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth show up for the drama - Michaels was the San Francisco Giants play-by-play man some 35 years ago - and on a platter they're given Favre's feud with Childress, not to mention Favre's probable first action since the NFC Championship Game loss to the Saints.

In a supporting actor role is Smith, the beleaguered No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft, who from the very day he was selected had people wondering why the Niners didn't take Aaron Rodgers from Cal across the bay. In a delicious twist, Rodgers was chosen by Green Bay to replace Favre and is doing exactly that.

"I don't want to fail,'' was Favre's pertinent remark two days ago upon returning from his home in Mississippi. Who does? Childress? Smith?

Favre's fighting time and injury. He'll be 41 in October. He's been to the top of the mountain, winning a Super Bowl, losing a Super Bowl. Even those weary of his will-play, won't-play machinations the last couple of summers, concede he's a hall of famer. No legacy problems here.

Childress, the coach who wanted Favre to return, seemingly has big problems. "Brett thinks Childress has no clue about the offense,'' a Vikings player told Yahoo. "Brett just doesn't trust him.''

The NFL trusts Favre to keep us involved. This is soap-opera stuff, the "Not So Young and Ruthless.'' And back to you, Cris.

Favre gets what he wants. Childress, if it goes that far, gets shoved out. Who do you think sells tickets, a QB who's on the cover of a national newspaper or a coach disliked by that QB?

A long while ago, the late NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle, trying to defuse the idea the league was holding the country hostage, insisted, "All we are is entertainment.'' Sure, Grace Potter and Nocturnals with shoulder pads, the Rolling Stones in plastic helmets.

The entertainment value of the yearly Favre Saga hasn't been particularly well received by skeptics who are weary of his vacillation. Now that there's a new role in the drama, bald and belittled football coach, the show might get an Emmy. Or an ESPY.

What Smith, a good guy in a semi-bad situation, would like to get is people other than Niners management and teammates who are supportive. Between rotating offensive coordinators - he had five different ones his first five years - and injuries, Alex has been less than hoped. Maybe he always will be.

NFL scout Dave Razzano, whose late father Tony was in part responsible for building the 49ers championship teams of the 1980s, told Comcast the team cannot reach its full potential with Smith as quarterback.

"I think,'' Razzano said, "he's exactly what I though he'd be, maybe a little worse. I thought he'd be a decent backup. But I watch him now, he just doesn't have the winning mentality.''

Behind Smith is David Carr, signed as a free agent, who also was the No. 1 overall pick, in 2002 by the expansion Houston Texans. That's worthy of a footnote.

Favre vs. Childress, if indeed that is the situation, is worthy of prime time. Which is what they'll have Sunday night in a game that otherwise wouldn't matter.