Packers-Favre Battle

[bluemoon]

What do you think about this debacle?


http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i...u7jtwD9291KF04

Packers look for ways to end Brett Favre saga

By CHRIS JENKINS – 13 hours ago

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Still locked in a standoff with Brett Favre and facing the potential for a major disruption in training camp, the Green Bay Packers apparently are considering trading the three-time MVP to a division rival.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Thursday that Packers officials have had internal discussions about trading Favre to the Minnesota Vikings or Chicago Bears as a "last resort" to resolve the smoldering controversy.

As recently as Monday, there appeared to be no way the Packers would give Favre what they suspect he's wanted all along: A one-way ticket to Minnesota. Packers general manager Ted Thompson said earlier this week that he would not consider trading Favre to one of its NFC North division rivals.

But with Favre poised for reinstatement and potentially ready to show up in Green Bay on Friday to turn training camp into a circus, team officials might be willing to do just about anything. There were multiple reports Wednesday night that the team had offered to pay Favre up to $20 million to stay retired.

Thompson and other Packers officials did not immediately return telephone messages left by The Associated Press. The Packers did not have a public practice or media availability scheduled Thursday.

The team resumes practice Friday — and Favre might be back with them, unless something can be worked out soon.

Favre, who retired in March, filed a letter on Tuesday requesting reinstatement from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. The commissioner has waited to approve the request in hopes that Favre and the Packers could work out a resolution.

But that hasn't happened yet, even after team president and CEO Mark Murphy traveled to Mississippi on Wednesday to meet with Favre and agent James "Bus" Cook.

Favre was not seen working out with players Thursday at Oak Grove High School, something he has been doing in recent weeks to stay in shape. Cook was in his Hattiesburg office but was not available for comment.
Once Favre is reinstated, the Packers have 24 hours to decide whether to cut him or add him to their active roster. The Packers also could trade him, but such a deal is unlikely to happen unless Favre says he will report to his new team.

It is widely believed Favre would be willing to play for the Vikings. In filing tampering charges with the NFL against the Vikings two weeks ago, Packers officials expressed a belief that Vikings coaches had inappropriate contact with Favre — and interest from the Vikings was the main reason behind Favre's last-minute desire to return.

Favre and Cook have maintained publicly that Favre's preference is to play for Green Bay. But they also have asked the Packers to release Favre from his contract, which would allow him to sign with any team. The Packers hold Favre's rights until his current contract expires after the 2010 season.

Favre isn't believed to have much interest in playing for Chicago, but the most recent developments in the Favre saga got a reaction in Bears training camp.

"I really don't know anything about (the reports)," Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "I went back to the room after meetings, heard it, saw it, just kind of chuckled because I have no idea where it came from. I have no idea where those stories come from."

Turner said he didn't want to talk about Favre because the Bears feel good about quarterbacks Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton. But Turner acknowledged that the smoldering controversy is hard to ignore.

"I am amazed by it," Turner said. "You don't know where it comes from. It seems like it's something different everyday."

Bears cornerback Nathan Vasher was surprised to hear that the Packers might consider trading Favre within the division.

"I had no clue," Vasher said. "I thought that would be something they wouldn't do or try to stay away from. As far as here, I like the guys we have behind center right now in Kyle and Rex, and I think those guys can definitely take us through."

AP sports writers Andrew Seligman in Bourbonnais, Ill., and Brett Martel in Hattiesburg, Miss., contributed to this report.



^^ What a mess! I keep hearing different stories of what's going to happen to him almost everyday. Can't believe Packers were going to offer him $20 million at one point to not show up for work! Wish I got a deal like that.

[lcterp]

My dad grew up in Wisconsin so I grew up watching the Packers and Favre and love them both dearly and the Packers will always be my team (although the BF loves our Ravens so I have to like them too).

I really wish Brett hadn't decided to come out of retirement. I wished he hadn't retired in the first place (I wanted another 2 years, til he was 40, then he could go) but now that he has, things will never be the same. I've been following this story ever since it started and I just don't see how this will end well for anyone. Everyone knows Favre loves the Packers and the Packers (and fans) love him and seeing him play for another team would be hard (esp. if it's the Vikings!) and I doubt he would feel the same playing for someone else.

I also feel for Aaron Rodgers because he has been in the shadow of greatness for so long and now he actually gets his chance and there is this huge drama overshadowing him. I respect McCarthy for standing up for Rodgers and not taking Favre back, as much as I do love him.

[lostnexposed]

as much as I like the guy, this is really starting to get a little old. SO many transfer sagas in the sports community this year(Shockey, manny, Cristiano Ronaldo(Soccer) etc.)
every year he's like "maybe I'll retire, maybe I wont" and leaves everyone hanging. And finally he decides to "retire" and now he wants to come back. Sure, u love the game and he always looks like he's having so much fun with it, but u can't be greedy about it either. Since he made the decision, I think he should honor it since everyone looks like they're ready to just move on. Everyone is gonna get tired of yr indecisiveness.

Are we gonna get the same "hmm...I'm gonna retire, I'm not gonna retire" mambojambo next yr and the yr after that?

[HauteMama]

I am from WI and I agree that this is getting old and pathetic. He did not have to retire; it was his choice. Presumably it was a choice he had considered long and hard before deciding. The Packers have new QBs in line and want to encourage them to stay and play, and they had that opportunity when Favre retired. It isn't fair for the team or the other players to have the rug yanked out from under them to make room for a player who retired and who probably would leave for good in another year or two anyway.

He is making himself look pathetic and he is addicted to the attention. He has an amazing legacy and will always be respected as a player, but it is time to bow out gracefully and try not to tarnish that legacy. Like I said, no one forced him out. If this had not been his own decision I might have more sympathy, but it was and he needs to stand by his choice.

[MissTiss]

The Bucs will take him.

Go Bucs!

[LadyLinda]

I too am from Wisconsin and I have loved Brett Favre for years (and years). If he would just make up his mind... year after year he pulls this crap. He's retiring, so the team makes plans to be without him, then he changes his mind. This year he waited until after the NFL draft and the Pack drafted a young quarterback to be Rodgers' backup, and then Favre said (yet again), "Oh, wait, I've changed my mind. I am coming back after all!"

I don't blame the Packers for being fed up. I wish the best for Favre, I really do. The last thing I want is for him to end up a joke, as well as a legend.

[erinayn]

My DB and I are huge Pack fans and I love Brett but he's definitely getting on my nerves now. He has really tarnished the legacy for me. I bought this shirt the day it came out and just got it today and really I don't know that they should free him.

http://www.bustedtees.com/freefavre

[guccimamma]

i think it is best to quit while you are on top...he did that

coming back makes him look like a fool

[socalgem]

I used to like Brett before he lost his mind. I don't see why he thinks the team should bow to him, he is the one that said he was retiring. No one made him retire.

[louis loves fendi 818]

Ugh. I can't even begin to talk about this around my dad. He and my little brothers have way to much emotional baggage on this train. LOL. American football is like a foreign language to me.

[Vegas Long Legs]

I'm so sick of hearing about this. He should honor his word & go enjoy retirement.
Just another spoiled overpaid athlete.

[bagnshoofetish]

He should have stayed retired IMO. This is no way to be remembered. He accomplished so much with that team. Greed and self absorption are so destructive.

[doodle]

Things will get interesting in the next few days as this draws to a close. Goddell is reinstating Brett as of 1PM ET on Monday 8/4. The Packers will have some choices to make quickly.

I firmly believe there is more to this story than we know. I always contended that his retirement didn't make sense. It was uncharacteristic after such a great season for him to make that decision so early in the off-season. I'm not ready to see him playing for another team, but I certainly would love to see him play one more season at Lambeau.

[dr. twiggers]

I don't know....I'm getting kind of sick of it. Not only is he messing with his own potential legacy, but he is going to probably ruin the potential career of one of the backup quarterbacks (they would need to cut one of their 4 QBs is Favre stays with the team), and possibly a portion of the career of Aaron Rodgers.

If the Packers keep him...I hope they bench his ass for the season.

I also love how they are going to put him in 'individualized' training camp sessions so as not to disrupt the training camp for the rest of the team.

Or hey, maybe the Packers will do like the 49ers did to Jerry Rice. Trade him and let him fade off into obscurity.

[twinkle.tink]

I think it's pretty ridiculous!

ESPN is now reporting that the packers will have an open competition for the starting QB position.