Archive for category Green Bay

Favre, Packers Remain in Limbo

With reports swirling today that Favre will most likely be dealt to a new team in the very near future, two candidates have emerged as front runners in the Brett Favre sweepstakes.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers seem to be in the best position to deal for Favre with the New York Jets still in the hunt to acquire the 39 year old QB.

This came after Favre and Packers coach Mike McCarthy spoke very candidly for approximately six hours over the past two days, and McCarhy drew the conclusion that Favre is not ” in the right mind-set” to play for the Green Bay Packers.

Favre cannot seem to move past what he deems, “emotional wounds” inflicted on him by the team as tensions mounted in recent weeks. This coming despite that fact that the Packers stated there would be an open competition for the starting QB role. Now, it seems that Favre and Green Bay will have to part ways and perhaps no one is more to blame then Favre himself.

While both sides have played a role in the disintegration of their respective relationships it is Favre who has rarely taken the high road. He has aired his grievances publicly on numerous occasions all but ensuring that any attempt at patching up the battered relationship would be futile.  In his many conversations about his situation Favre has never seemed positive about his status with the team. Even stating that he felt he couldn’t trust Packers GM Thompson because he failed to heed his pleadings to acquire Randy Moss and because he chose to hire Mike McCarthy over Favres long-time friend Steve Mariucci.

Honestly, what other QB in his right mind would try and tell a general manager how to do his job, and then get all pissy when the GM doesn’t do what he said?  Um, the last time I checked Brett your job was to run this teams offense on the field not determine roster moves or head coaching decisions. That’s Thompson’s job and apparently he’s done it pretty well considering you were 13-3 last season and you were one drive away from going to the Super Bowl, a drive that ended by the way on a terrible pass thrown by you!

Favrre has kept all of Green Bay in limbo for a number of off seasons now. He has been a consistent distraction to his teammates this time of year, and even the players are getting upset about it. Favre knows the type of power he holds in Green Bay and has wielded it with a childish, impetuous fist at times.  No quarterback should have the power to hold a franchise hostage like Favre has done for several years, none worse then this one.

And after all this, Favre feels he has the right to be traded to a team within Green Bay’s own division?  Why would someone who is so loyal to the fans, and the franchise want so desperately to play them twice a year? I think the answer is simple, so he can go in there and without raising his voice or middle finger send a big F-U to everyone in the Packers front office. But, Brett wouldn’t you be hurting the fans, and former teammates more then anyone else? It all seems so silly now, and the Packers have every right to finally refuse the man who they’ve given nearly everything he’s asked.

Of course,  the person getting the stiffest end of this deal is Aaron Rodgers, the only one who has handled the situation with even a shred of dignity. I  just hope that at some point those fans that relentlessly cheer “We want Brett” and  relentlessly boo Rodgers realize that this man is going to be leading this team and you better get behind him now, or keep your mouths shut. What sense does it make to boo your own QB? Especially considering the kid has yet to do anything, but put his head down, keep his mouth shut, and do his job. Wow, what a crime.

When this situation finally does resolve it self, with Brett being trade to whatever team wheter it be the Jets or Tampa I just hope Green Bay fans don’t cling so desperately to the notion of Brett the icon and open their eyes to who really took the situation to the point of no return.

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Favre yet to Report to Training Camp

At this point its even getting old for me to write about, but its been a slow news week as sports go and I might as well go ahead and talk about it anyway. Brett Favre was, get this, nowhere to be found as the the Green Bay Packers opened up training camp just a few days ago. Adding anoher chapter to the ongoing Brett Favre saga that has become annual summer rite of passage.

Favre has yet to fax his letter of reinstatement to comissioner Roger Goodell, in hopes that the Packers will work out some kind of resolution to the saga, most likely a trade.It’s almost sad to think of how badly the situation between Favre and the Packers has deteriorated. Yet, Favre did offer a concession by not showing up at camp at the behest of Packers GM Ted Thompson who requested Favre hold off on filing for reinstatement or showing up at camp for a couple of days so he could attempt to sort things out. If a trade cannot be worked out that would leave the Packers in the uncomforatble situation of having Brett Favre as a backup to Aaron Rodgers. Imagine a team putting Brett Fave on their bench…well, the Packers are fully prepared to do so and are fully supporting Rodgers as their starting QB, despite the fact that he has not started a game in his 3 year NFL career.

Favre and Rodgers in last years training camp.

Favre and Rodgers in last years training camp.

Favre had asked Thompson if he could compete with Rodgers for the starting job,knowing that he could beat him out, but Favre was told that this was not an option. Rodgers has said that he has not allowed the Favre situation to get into his head and has simply stated that its somehing between Favre and the organization and he will stay focused on the things he can control. One things for sure somebody needs to get this situation under control and fast before it implodes in Green Bay’s face and turn a promising season into a dismal one.

Commissioner Roger Goodell may be the one who can make the best out of a bad situation and has been asked to help broker an amicable resolution. The commissioner also said that the Vikings and Favre are still under investigation for tampering after Favre called Minnesota head coach Brad Childress and assitant coach Darrell Bevell. There are a number of teams who would be more then willing to help Green Bay solve the problem and take Favre off their hand.
The most likely candidates being the NY Jets or Tampa Bay Buccaneers who have both expressed an interest in Favre. Jets have been one team that has expressed some serious interest in Favre, but have not commented pubicly about their prusuit of the veteran QB and may not be willing to part with a first round pick the reported asking price of the Packers. The Bucs are also interested in Favre, but Favre has pubicly stated that Tampa is not high on his list of potential teams because he prefers cooler weather.

Either way, if I were the Jets or Bucs there is no way I would deal away a first round pick for a 38 yeard old QB who will most likely retire at the end of the season, or at least threaten retirement and hold you hostage for an off-season of turmoil and pain. So while the Favre saga continues you have to really ask yourself at what price is Brett Favre worth taking? Granted his is one of if not the best QB’s of all-time, he has the stats to prove it, but give away a first round pick, for a player who will most likely only play for one more season and to sacrifice the potential of acquiring a franchise player in the draft for one who most likely be sitting in Mississippi next season is not really a sound decision.

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