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As epics go, it would be difficult to improve upon the Brett Favre docudrama, currently playing at a 24/7 news dispenser near you. It is the quarterback controversy of the century.

Of this century, anyway.

Those of us who experienced the run-up to the day the 49ers traded Joe Montana have a more global perspective. This Favre thing is an uninspired remake of a 15-year-old instant classic. Maybe you weren't here for the original. Or maybe its impact has been dulled by the ravages of time and bad football.

Maybe it is time we remember:

For starters, there is only one Favre. The 49ers' drama featured two future Hall of Famers, Montana and Steve Young.

Beyond that, this Favre vignette has evolved during the past few months. The Montana-Young stare-down was six years old when the 49ers finally felt compelled to choose between them.

Montana was a four-time Super Bowl winner coming off an elbow injury that cost him all of the 1991 season and most of '92. Young was an intriguing backup who blossomed into the NFL's MVP during Montana's absence.

San Francisco coach George Seifert kicked off the festivities by declaring Young would be the team's starter come training camp. "It seemed like a logical starting point," he'd say later.

Logical. Good one.

Montana was not inclined to report to camp under those circumstances, claiming it would be too chaotic.

"Joe says chaotic," Young said. "I say competitive."

National interest was intense. Locally, the debate went supernova. Everyone had an opinion. Given the credentials of the men involved, every opinion had merit.

In the spring of '93, it was rumored Young would be dealt to Seattle or the Jets. From Stanford, where he was in his second tenure as head football coach, Bill Walsh suggested the 49ers trade Young, then draft Notre Dame's Rick Mirer to succeed Montana.

On Saturday, April 17, Montana flew to Youngstown, Ohio, by private jet to meet with team owner Eddie DeBartolo. On Sunday, Seifert suddenly pronounced Montana the team's "designated starter." Two days later, the 49ers called a news conference. The eyes and ears of a breathless world descended upon the team's Santa Clara training facility. The event was delayed nearly two hours. Ultimately, 49ers executive Carmen Policy and Seifert met the press to declare there was nothing to announce.

Two days later, Montana was on his way to Kansas City. Bay Area papers reported the deal as they might a royal divorce.

Walsh said: "The dynamic of pro football can be cruel at times."

Tell it to Favre. He may trump the Packers. No way he ever tops Joe and Steve.

● Jaguars wide receiver Jerry Porter had surgery Friday to repair a torn hamstring tendon and will miss at least the entire preseason.

Porter signed a six-year, $30million contract with Jacksonville in February.

● The Jets signed tight end Dustin Keller, the 30th overall pick, to a multiyear contract.