Foxborough, Mass. ? The consensus among former NFL players is nearly unanimous on Brett Favre’s decision to come back: It’s a good thing.

But former quarterback Jeff Hostetler, who knows a thing or two about playing in New York, isn’t applauding Favre’s return. He thinks Favre may not know what he’s in for.

“It’s a totally different atmosphere than what he’s used to,” said Hostetler, who won Super Bowl XXV with the Giants, then played for the Raiders and Redskins before retiring in 1997 at 36. “In Green Bay, they absolutely love their football, but it’s different than New York. There’s more of a sense of forgiveness there in Green Bay.”

Hostetler caught me completely off guard when we spoke at Patriots training camp, where he was watching his nephew, rookie tight end Jonathan Stupar, try out. I figured Hostetler, like just about every other former player I’ve spoken to, read about or listened to on television or radio, would embrace Favre’s return at age 38. But when he expressed such serious reservations, especially considering Hostetler’s familiarity with the New York market, it was intriguing. That he was willing to share his thoughts publicly underscored his take.

“He’s been in that same organization, he knows everyone, everyone knows him, and he’s had relationships with those guys for a long time,” Hostetler said. “All of a sudden – boom – you go to a different team, a different city, a different coaching staff. When I left the game, the only thing I missed was the relationships you had with some of your teammates. He’s going to form some of those, but he’s not going to have them the way he did (in Green Bay). Those relationships are a huge part of what keeps you going.”

I asked Hostetler what he thought the reaction would be to Favre’s first interception. (Yes, it will happen, all this preseason euphoria notwithstanding.)

“He’s going to be booed,” Hostetler said. “It’s going to be different. They’re excited about it and he’s a great player and he’s been a great player and he’s put every number up you could imagine. But it’s going to be different at this time in his career. I think it’s much more difficult to do it at this time in his career.”

Hostetler found out how difficult it was to play in New York. He led the Giants on an improbable Super Bowl run after the 1990 season, when he replaced the injured Phil Simms. Hostetler was named the starter the following season, but it was only a matter of time before he felt the fans turn on him. Eventually, it became personal.

“I’d have my kids saying, ‘Daddy, why does everybody hate you?'” Hostetler said. ” I had profanities all over my driveway. I had a picket fence spray-painted with profanities. I had kids riding their bikes up and down the street swearing at me when I was playing with my kids.

“And this was after the Super Bowl, only a few games into the season. It didn’t take long for them to get that way. It’s a tough place to play, especially if your team isn’t winning.”

It’s difficult to imagine Jets fans booing Favre, especially with how smitten people have been in his first week in New York. Then again, if it takes him awhile to adjust and if the results aren’t positive early on … watch out.

“He’s a shot in the arm for the Jets, no question,” Hostetler said. “He’s got a reputation. He’s got a history. He’s got all that going for him. They’re looking for any little spark to get them to where they want to play. There’s a lot to be excited about. But it’s only one guy.”