Is Brett Favre REALLY done?

[Devious]

Favre in complete control of his future
By Adam Schefter | NFL Network

For years, Brett Favre controlled the Packers' huddle. Now, in a way, he controls his fate.

To be reinstated off the reserve/retired list, all Favre would have to do is simply send written notification to the Packers and the NFL of his intentions to play.

If Brett Favre does decide to return to the NFL, the Packers will have to decide whether to keep him, trade him, or release him.

From the moment the league receives the letter, it would give the Packers approximately 24 hours to either activate or release Favre, an NFL spokesman confirmed Thursday.

Green Bay also could opt to activate Favre, then stash him on their 80-man roster until it was able to trade him. But Favre -- who was placed on the NFL's reserve/retired list the day before April's draft -- cannot be blocked from attending Packers' training camp.

Thus Favre controls whether he returns, and the Packers control where he returns.

Should Favre opt to comeback before training camp kicks off later this month, he and the Packers will have to reach some type of agreement as to where he will play. There are some within the Packers organization hesitant to allow him to do it there, and others who are more receptive to the idea.

But those who know Favre best insist he is seriously considering the idea of returning, which puts the Packers in a prickly situation.

Favre already is training as if he will be comeback. He has been entertaining the idea for weeks, if not months. But the desire seems to have increased in recent weeks, despite Favre insisting to the Biloxi Sun Herald that "it's all rumor."

Might be. But the next move belongs to Favre. Should he opt to return, the Packers are staring straight at one of the most significant decisions in franchise history: activate, cut or trade Favre.

Favre in complete control of his future

so will he or won't he?

 

[ARon]

He's starting to piss me off

 

[roaches]

I hope he comes back and the Madden curse hits him like a drunk and coked up Lawrence Taylor driving a dump truck downhill.

 

[Devious]

^^^LMAO roaches. it is starting to piss me off as well. i mean i love Brett Favre, and was sad to see him go, but dammit, i'm sick of these athletes pulling this retire-and-come-back bullshit. either stay or go and if you go, then stay gone.

 

[SicC]

Favre wants release from Packers

The Green Bay Packers want to do the right thing in response to Brett Favre’s latest round of flip-flopping on his future in football.

And as far as the team is concerned, that might mean showing No. 4 the door — although working out a trade might be more palatable to the Packers than granting Favre the release he has requested.

Favre asked the Packers to release him so he can return to the NFL with another team after apparently being told his latest retirement reversal wasn’t welcome news in Green Bay. The team said it would do “what’s right” in response to Favre’s request, which was first reported by ESPN on Friday.

“Brett earned and exercised the right to retire on his terms,” the team’s statement said.

“We wanted him to return and welcomed him back on more than one occasion. Brett’s press conference and subsequent conversations in the following weeks illustrated his commitment to retirement. The finality of his decision to retire was accepted by the organization. At that point, the Green Bay Packers made the commitment to move forward with our football team.”

The 38-year-old Favre retired March 6 after a 17-year career, openly sobbing as he contemplated a future without football. But almost immediately, he began dropping hints that he was having second thoughts.

The most recent and intense round came Friday, when ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that sources close to Favre and the team told him agent James “Bus” Cook asked the Packers for Favre’s release in a letter because the Packers were not receptive to the idea of Favre wanting to play again.

The Packers’ front office has spent the past several offseasons dealing with weeks and months worth of speculation about the three-time MVP’s future plans. But this time, they’re apparently not biting.

The Packers’ statement said Favre, who was placed on the reserve/retired list, has the right to petition NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to be reinstated — a request the league would grant automatically. After that, Favre would return to the team’s active roster.

But the statement did not specify what the Packers would do after that, beyond doing “what’s right and in the best interest of the team.”

If the team has committed to moving forward without Favre, their options once he was reinstated would include trading him to another team or releasing him so he would be free to sign with the team of his choice.

The Packers have made it clear they’re committed to going with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a first-round pick in 2005 who has been sitting behind Favre for his first three seasons in the NFL.

Releasing Favre presents the possibility that he will sign with NFC North rivals Minnesota or Chicago, where he would be an upgrade over the incumbent QBs.

If the Packers traded him, there would be teams outside the division such as Baltimore or Tampa Bay, and perhaps Washington, that would be interested. There also has been speculation he could go to Miami for disgruntled defensive end Jason Taylor, the 2006 defensive player of the year.

Either way, it would be an ugly end to what has been one of the most celebrated partnerships in recent NFL history.

“As with all Packers greats, Brett’s legacy will always be celebrated by our fans and the organization, regardless of any change in his personal intentions,” the statement said. “Brett and Deanna will always be a part of the Packers family.”

Even if that family is looking awfully dysfunctional these days.

 

[Duke]

He's an idiot for wanting to come back so quickly after his "retirement". Make up your mind, man. Don't goof around like a retard because you're seemingly incapable of granting such an important decision more than 4 seconds brain-time.

 

[SicC]

He's an idiot for wanting to come back so quickly after his "retirement". Make up your mind, man. Don't goof around like a retard because you're seemingly incapable of granting such an important decision more than 4 seconds brain-time.

If you played in the league for 17 years and had the season you had last year you would more than likely do the samething.

Its never easy to walk away from something you love, you being a rabid football fan should know this.

pz

 

[Duke]

If you played in the league for 17 years and had the season you had last year you would more than likely do the samething.

Its never easy to walk away from something you love, you being a rabid football fan should know this.

pz

I'm saying he obviously didn't put enough thought into his decision to retire. That's what makes him an idiot. He's pushing 40, he should make up his mind instead of playing a ballerina act back and forth. It's not like he has some more years to look forward to.

"I'm gonna retire"
"No, wait..."
"Yeah, yeah, I will..."
"But damn, I miss the game so much!"

What does he want? Not even he knows, apparently.

Apart from what he wants, I'd say go out now. Save yourselves the embarassment of pootling around for two more years, not being able to maintain a decent level because of your dinosaur age.

Not like he needs the money anyway.

 

[SicC]

I'm saying he obviously didn't put enough thought into his decision to retire. That's what makes him an idiot. He's pushing 40, he should make up his mind instead of playing a ballerina act back and forth. It's not like he has some more years to look forward to.

"I'm gonna retire"
"No, wait..."
"Yeah, yeah, I will..."
"But damn, I miss the game so much!"

What does he want? Not even he knows, apparently.

Apart from what he wants, I'd say go out now. Save yourselves the embarassment of pootling around for two more years, not being able to maintain a decent level because of your dinosaur age.

Not like he needs the money anyway.

I don't see his age being a factor at all in this equation Duke. He had his best season of his career last year at 37. I doubt he is coming back for the money either.

Sure he is completely torn on retiring year after year but a lot of great players are.

pz

 

[Duke]

I have little respect in general for athletes that decide to "retire" and then try to make a comeback later on anyway, for whichever dubious reasons.

Go or don't go. Don't hang in the middle.

Now the Packers don't even want Favre anymore. Is that really how you want to go out?

 

[SicC]

I have little respect in general for athletes that decide to "retire" and then try to make a comeback later on anyway, for whichever dubious reasons.

Go or don't go. Don't hang in the middle.

Now the Packers don't even want Favre anymore. Is that really how you want to go out?

Somebody else will wan't him, at this point I doubt he really cares about what the Packers think.

pz

 

[Duke]

Maybe not, but is this the way you want to leave a club you've been a legend at?

 

[SicC]

Maybe not, but is this the way you want to leave a club you've been a legend at?

More than likely yes, and considering they have refused to release him, he is going to end up forcing them to trade him if anything. Upside of that is there are some desperate teams that need quarterbacks, which means the Packers could steal themselves some very high draft picks and possibly a star player or some good reserves.

pz

 

[Devious]

there are some rumors that the Packers may be interested in a Favre/Jason Taylor trade that would move Brett to Miami.

and Duke, it's not that GB doesn't want him back, they did. they talked to him several times after he made his "decision" as he was hinting that he may want to come back. the Packers were ready to welcome him back, and then he turned around again and said no, his decision to retire was final. so the Packers made the decision to move on without him. next thing you know he's asking for his release cuz he won't be guaranteed a starting position there any more. the Pack won't release him tho, only because they're afraid he'd turn up on the Bears or Vikings (God forbid!!!)

but i have to agree with you Duke, this retirement waffling thing is getting mighty tiresome. if anyone is at fault for the situation in Green Bay right now it's Brett Favre. i don't care if you're the best player to ever play the game, you can't try to hold your team hostage like this, and expect them to change their plans around just because you can't make up your damn mind.

 

[Devious]

Fans hold another rally for Favre, but only about 30 attend

Associated Press

MILWAUKEE -- After 16 years, maybe Brett Favre's past is finally starting to pass Cheesehead country by.

On Saturday, fewer than half the fans who responded to an unscientific newspaper poll said they wanted to see the legendary quarterback return to the Green Bay Packers. The next day, a rally drew fewer than 200 supporters to Lambeau Field. And on Monday, only about 30 people came to a similar event in the Wisconsin State Fair parking lot in Milwaukee.

"I'm shocked that there hasn't been more support from the fans," said rally organizer Erick Rolfson, 32, of nearby Pewaukee. "This is a Hall-of-Famer we're talking about, and last I checked, the team is owned by the stockholders, not the front office."

Eric Anderson, 49, of Milwaukee, showed up in a referee shirt, which came in handy when he engaged in banter with fans sporting Favre jerseys.

"Maybe this shows that more than a few people are sick of and fed up with Brett," Anderson said. "I personally think he should just show up on the first day of training camp and compete for the starting job like anybody else."

Wearing the obligatory foam cheesehead, 17-year-old Charles Mollenkamp of suburban Brookfield said the 38-year-old Favre is the only Packers quarterback he's ever known.

"I was born in 1991 and he came here in 1992," Mollenkamp said. "I like Aaron Rodgers, but come on, the guy gets hurt in practice. He's no Brett Favre."

Chuck Perock, 44, of Sussex, waved a Packers flag while wearing a "Favre 4 President" shirt, which seemed appropriate since Favre and Republican presidential nominee John McCain were both scheduled to be interviewed by Fox News on "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren" later Monday.

"I hope he's back," Perock said. "He's a class act and a good role model. That's why these shirts were made. He'd get my vote."

Fans hold another rally for Favre, but only about 30 attend

judging from the rally they had on Saturday in GB which had about 200 people, it looks like most of Green Bay is seeing some sense here. these "fans" are so blinded by their loyalty to Favre that they seem to have forgotten about the rest of the team, and how unfair it would be for them, and Aaron Rodgers in particular, if the Packers were to bring Brett back and automatically give him the starting job. Rodgers has been sitting on the bench for like 3 years now, waiting for his opportunity to come, and when it finally does, the fans don't even want to give him a shot. if i was Rodgers, i'd be the one asking for my release since its obvious that the fans in GB, and more importantly the team if it's true they were still going after Brett for months after he retired, don't want him there.

 

[SicC]

Did any of you guys catch Bretts interview he did two nights ago, Im sure you have seen it ESPN has it on every 15 minutes it seems.

Gloves are off at this point.


pz

 

[Devious]

saw portions of the Van Susteren interview, not sure if i totally believe Brett's side of the story, although he did raise some interesting points. one thing i have a lot of trouble buying is that he claims that the Packers front office pressured him to retire. considering the season he had last year, i find it very hard to believe that the Pack management and coaching staff would be so eager to get rid of him. although they may have just gotten tired of having to wait for months before making any moves in the off-season because Brett STILL hadn't decided to retire or not, like the past 3 seasons or so. i could see how that would get very frustrating.

i think a lot of this shit was brought on by Brett himself, and i have to say i think he's being selfish. i mean i didn't hear the Packers saying that he absolutely would not be the starter. what they said was that he would be there "in a different role" as they've decided to move on with Rodgers. but do you really think that if Brett played great in training camp and preseason games, and Aaron didn't, the Packers would keep Brett on the sidelines? of course not, they want to win a championship as badly as any other team, and if Brett was their best shot of winning, they would take it. Brett just doesn't like the idea that he'd have to compete for his position, he thinks it should just be given to him. well if he had stayed, then he'd be right, the starting job would be his to lose, but he didn't. he retired and the team tried to moved on in a different direction. he should have to earn his spot back just like anyone else, Hall-Of-Famer or not.

 

[Devious]

Favre says he's tempted to call Packers' 'bluff' by reporting

Associated Press

MILWAUKEE -- Brett Favre says he's tempted to show up at the Green Bay Packers' training camp just to call the team's "bluff."

In the second part of an interview with Fox News, the 38-year-old quarterback said he knows his arrival in camp would cause a media circus, but that might not stop him. Packers players are scheduled to report July 27.

"It's tempting just to, as everyone said, you know, call their bluff or whatever," Favre said, according to an excerpt provided to The Associated Press. "I think it's going to be a circus in itself already, whether I go there, whatever."

The interview on the show "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren" was to be broadcast Tuesday night.

Favre, a three-time MVP, says he feels "a little bit" bad for would-be successor Aaron Rodgers and insists he doesn't want to be a distraction to his teammates. Or are they his former teammates?

"I like my teammates," Favre said. "I had a lot of fun with them. I have talked to numerous guys throughout this whole ordeal. I wish them the best, I really do. I hold nothing against those guys. We had a lot of fun together. We had, it was an amazing year last year. I don't want to make it any worse than it is."

And right now, it's pretty bad. Favre and the Packers appear headed toward a messy divorce after Favre requested his release last week.

The decision blindsided the Packers. They were open to Favre's return for much of the offseason -- even after Favre's retirement in early March -- but had since committed to moving forward with Rodgers as their starter.

Favre conceded that the latest in his long line of reversals on his football future has been tough on Rodgers, the Packers' first-round pick in 2005.

"The one thing in this, I do feel bad for Aaron a little bit," Favre said. "I think he'll do a fine job, to be totally honest with you, I do. He has been injured. I mean, the two injuries are not his fault. Couldn't control. I know this has been tough on him. I think he'll do a fine job. And this has nothing to do with him, this whole deal."

That said, Favre doesn't seem inclined to take a back seat to Rodgers.

"We'll pay you $12 million, but you've got to hold the clipboard and ball cap?," Favre said. "That's probably better for them as opposed to letting me go somewhere and me coming back. Then their legacy, the management, would, you know, could be in jeopardy."

Thompson has said the Packers do not plan to grant Favre his release. And while Thompson said Favre could return to the Packers if he applies to the league for reinstatement, it would be in "in a different role than he was" because the team had committed to Rodgers.

Thompson and McCarthy also have said they are concerned about Favre's legacy, but Favre said that's his problem, not theirs.

"You don't worry about my legacy," Favre said. "And, you know, it's a bunch of bull. It's all it is."

The interview marked Favre's first significant public comments since informing the Packers he wants to be released. The one thing Favre still hasn't said, however, is that he is completely committed to playing in 2008.

In the portion of the interview aired Monday night, Favre conceded that "the bottom line is, I may not play anywhere." He also said, "If I'm going to play, it's going to be 100 percent commitment."

And in a comment from Tuesday's segment, Favre seems open to playing for another team, but he's not certain.

"I've always been a Packer, always will be a Packer," Favre said. "Will I play somewhere else? Remains to be seen."

Favre says he's tempted to call Packers' 'bluff' by reporting

seriously, anyone here who has read my posts on Brett in the past knows he's always been one of my favorite players, but right now i think he's acting like a spoiled little kid. he says he feels bad for Aaron Rodgers, yet if he had his way, Rodgers wouldn't even get a shot to lead the team. if Brett got what he wanted, there wouldn't even be a competition between them, he would get the spot and that would be it. i wonder why no one has asked Rodgers what he thinks of all this, i'd love to hear what he has to say. he says he doesn't want to be a distraction to his teammates, which is a laugh, since no one is talking about them, it's all about Brett. he's already being a distraction by pulling this stunt and allowing it to be dragged out by the media.

i'm usually the first one to defend Favre from all his detractors who love to point out his interception stats and say he's washed up, but this time i think he dug his own hole, and he's gonna have to find a way to pull himself out of it soon, before this foolishness tarnishes his legacy permanently. man up and quit your crying Brett, you're supposed to be the Iron Man so prove it. go back to the Pack and earn your starting role back. or are you afraid that you can't compete with a younger QB? this is the only thing i can think of for why he's acting this way, other than just plain selfishness.

 

[Bachi]

I'm sorry but Favre is a attention whore. (Just like many american athletes.)

Dude feels the need to draaaaaaag his name throughout the offseason and have people talk about him will he be back for another season or not?

Guy is a fucking whore. All he needed to do is say he wont be back.

Can't stand some athletes in America.

 

[Devious]

well i do give him some credit, retiring from the game you love is a hard thing to do, especially when you're still physically able to play. it isn't a decision that is made lightly (although it's usually not as drawn out as he always tries to do). what's really fucked up about this is that he hasn't even requested that the league reinstate him yet, so at this point it's still up in the air as to whether he's coming back or not. he hasn't even officially stated that he is unretiring, he just wants the door open so that if he decides to, he can play for a team that will start him. but if the Packers aren't going to release him and decide to trade him instead that could become even more of a problem, since at this point he has the option to veto any trade offered for him. i just wish he'd suck it up, stop pouting and go earn his starting position back instead of trying to force their hand. if this goes on long enough, a lot of people are going to remember him for this instead of his spectacular play on the field, and that would be a tremendous shame.