He is about to attend the most important meeting with regard to the Vikings' future since Zygi Wilf popped out of a cake in front of the NFL owners and took over for Reggie Fowler.

The official "Chill with Chilly" get-together reportedly has been scheduled with Brett Favre.

According to an ESPN report, Childress will meet with Favre later this week to discuss the possibility of the former Vikings nemesis joining the purple. The meeting might take place on a shrimp boat down by Gulfport, Miss., or in a cave in the mountainous region along the Afghan-Pakistani border. It's a big secret. At least until Favre's agent telephones ESPN.

One thing we know for sure is that good vibes will be very important. I won't say it has to be love at first sight, because these two know each other fairly well. But Favre, still steaming over his treatment by the Packers, needs unconditional love. He has to be wooed like a prom date.

It's clear that the only reason he'd play again is to win a Super Bowl. If Childress can't convince him the Vikings are one dynamic quarterback away from a glorious season, Favre might stay retired and concentrate on, I don't know, spitting tobacco juice or whatever it is he does in his spare time.

To this point, Childress has said nothing publicly to indicate he is interested in Favre. Obviously, that has to change. Perhaps he's a bubbling caldron of enthusiasm on the inside. If so, this would be a good time to let it show.

What we don't need is him saying: "Well, we're happy with Sagvaris Jackenfels, but you're welcome to come up and compete for the starting job." Oh no. We don't want that. We want rose petals strewn in front of Mr. Favre. Can I peel you a grape, Mr. Favre?

Favre needs to be told that the No. 4 jersey is being stripped off the back of John David Booty even as they speak. It will be washed and pressed by the time he arrives in Minnesota. With fabric softener, just the way he likes it.

Granted, he's no pup. It's likely he won't be as good this year as he was last year. But even if he plays just nine or 10 games, Favre could have a great impact. Rest assured he would be given some freedom when it comes to changing plays at the line of scrimmage. I don't think you'll see him handing off on third and 13. Not to Chester Taylor. Not to Adrian Peterson. Not to God.

Even if you hate the idea of Favre joining the Vikings , think of the excitement it would create. This is exactly the type of kick-start the Vikings need in this tough economy. Interest will go off the charts.

But more important than any intangibles is the simple fact that he is a better quarterback than anyone the Vikings have on their roster. Favre is better than what they have, he won't cost any players or draft choices in return, and they have the money to pay him. Signing him should be a no-brainer.

Some will see it as the equivalent of Robert E. Lee commanding the 1st Irish Brigade of the Union Army. But they'll get on board after Favre does his thing in the fourth quarter a couple of times.

I've been stumping for the Vikings to acquire Favre for a couple of years. For me it's not so much about how he plays. Instead, it just seems like it would be a blast having him here. What a ruckus that would create throughout the whole NFL.

The Vikings have to count on Childress to make a sales pitch. He should practice his delivery in front of a mirror. There's no place for any of that aloofness. And if it gets to the point where there are actual negotiations, he needs to tell Favre that Zygi will throw in a couple of bulldozers.

Those big diggers out front make great spittoons.

Tom Powers can be reached at tpowers@pioneerpress.com