woodbuck27
08-19-2006, 12:39 AM
Some OLD but some new here as well:
Packers' Favre back for one more run
QB reunites with McCarthy
By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/19/06
Green Bay, Wis.  Packers general manager Ted Thompson and quarterback Brett Favre were walking the streets of downtown Canton, Ohio, a few weeks ago. They were there for Reggie White's induction into the NFL Hall of Fame.
"Several of the Hall of Fame people were escorts, and they understand what's going on," Thompson said.
"They were all kidding Brett, saying,
'You'll be back in a few years.' "
Brett Favre threw 29 interceptions last season, most in the NFL. A revitalized run game should help this season.
Favre decided to postpone his five-year wait in April and return for another season, to delight of the Packers and their devout fans. Although some had turned on Favre for stringing everybody along.
But the quarterback who Jerry Glanville thought wasn't good enough for the Atlanta Falcons is back for what might be his final season. In Ron Wolf's fleecing of the Falcons, Favre went to Green Bay on Feb. 10, 1992, and the Falcons got two draft picks which were used to select running back Tony Smith and cornerback Frankie Smith.
The offseason drama and a shaky exhibition opener behind him, Favre will face his old team at 8 Saturday night at Lambeau Field.
"There were some anxious moments in the offseason last spring when he didn't know, everybody was wanting to know, and nobody had an answer," Thompson said.
"My only concern during that time was that he not make the organization look bad."
In the Packers' exhibition opener, Favre was knocked around by San Diego's defense. A rebuilt line, including two rookies, didn't hold up.
In his weekly meeting with the Wisconsin media, Favre would not question the wisdom of his decision to return for another season.
"But all that is in the past now," Favre said.
"I'm here to play. I'm very satisfied with the decision I made."
Folks haven't seen Favre get tossed around like a rag doll since the early days of Mike Holmgren's tenure.
"I'm sure a lot of people watching that game the other night were saying, 'Whew! I bet he's thinking he'd [rather be] at home,' " Favre said.
"And that's not true. I'm committed to this decision. I'm committed to helping this team win regardless of who we have."
Favre's main hope for optimism is the return of running back Ahmad Green, who was scooting around just fine in practice Thursday. He's set to return for the Pack's third exhibition game, against Cincinnati on Aug. 28, after rupturing his right quadriceps tendon in Week 7 last season.
With a running game, Favre won't try to shoulder too much of the offensive burden. With Green down and several other key injuries last season, Favre led the NFL with 29 interceptions.
"I love to pass the ball, but the only way you win is by rushing the ball very well and playing great defense," Favre said.
"Then you're not in a position where you have to throw every time."
Favre has been reunited with old quarterbacks coach Mike McCarthy, who was named head coach on Jan. 12.
"I think I've got a pretty good feel for what he likes to run," Favre said.
McCarthy was Joe Montana's position coach in Kansas City and was offensive coordinator for New Orleans (2000-04) and San Francisco (2005). He says that Favre, a three-time MVP who will turn 37 in October, can bounce back from last season's 4-12 performance.
"He's had a great camp," McCarthy said. "He's really into it. Physically he's in really great shape. He's thrown the ball very well."
Jeff Jagodzinski, who was the Falcons offensive line coach last season, was hired in Green Bay as their offensive coordinator. He worked with Favre from 1999-03 as an assistant in Green Bay.
"He still has a live arm, and he's such a competitor," Jagodzinski said. "He's proven that time and time again."
The perception under Mike Sherman's regime was that Favre had too much freedom and was not held accountable for his poor throws.
McCarthy debunks the notion that Favre will be on a shorter leash in his hybrid West Coast offense, which includes the Denver/Atlanta style run blocking scheme.
"I know people are concerned about that, but I don't look at the negatives," McCarthy said.
"My outlook is on the positive side. We're going to line up every week to win football games. I know that Brett Favre gives us the best chance to win those games."
Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, a big Favre fan, sympathizes with his down season.
"You really can't say that it was all Brett and he's fallen off as far as his career," Vick said.
"He can come back and win a Super Bowl this year if he's got the right talent around him and a great defense, plenty of guys to run the ball, catch the ball. You never know; the sky is the limit. I have nothing but respect for Brett Favre."
"I'm been watching him for a long time. One of my best friends, that was his team growing up. So all I would hear growing up was 'Brett Favre, Brett Favre.' You just had to be a fan."
Thompson doesn't know how or when Favre is going to hang up his No. 4 jersey, but he's already planning for a return trip to Canton.
"When he is first eligible, he will be making that speech," Thompson said.
"I'm not sure if he's going to like making that speech."
Packers' Favre back for one more run
QB reunites with McCarthy
By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/19/06
Green Bay, Wis.  Packers general manager Ted Thompson and quarterback Brett Favre were walking the streets of downtown Canton, Ohio, a few weeks ago. They were there for Reggie White's induction into the NFL Hall of Fame.
"Several of the Hall of Fame people were escorts, and they understand what's going on," Thompson said.
"They were all kidding Brett, saying,
'You'll be back in a few years.' "
Brett Favre threw 29 interceptions last season, most in the NFL. A revitalized run game should help this season.
Favre decided to postpone his five-year wait in April and return for another season, to delight of the Packers and their devout fans. Although some had turned on Favre for stringing everybody along.
But the quarterback who Jerry Glanville thought wasn't good enough for the Atlanta Falcons is back for what might be his final season. In Ron Wolf's fleecing of the Falcons, Favre went to Green Bay on Feb. 10, 1992, and the Falcons got two draft picks which were used to select running back Tony Smith and cornerback Frankie Smith.
The offseason drama and a shaky exhibition opener behind him, Favre will face his old team at 8 Saturday night at Lambeau Field.
"There were some anxious moments in the offseason last spring when he didn't know, everybody was wanting to know, and nobody had an answer," Thompson said.
"My only concern during that time was that he not make the organization look bad."
In the Packers' exhibition opener, Favre was knocked around by San Diego's defense. A rebuilt line, including two rookies, didn't hold up.
In his weekly meeting with the Wisconsin media, Favre would not question the wisdom of his decision to return for another season.
"But all that is in the past now," Favre said.
"I'm here to play. I'm very satisfied with the decision I made."
Folks haven't seen Favre get tossed around like a rag doll since the early days of Mike Holmgren's tenure.
"I'm sure a lot of people watching that game the other night were saying, 'Whew! I bet he's thinking he'd [rather be] at home,' " Favre said.
"And that's not true. I'm committed to this decision. I'm committed to helping this team win regardless of who we have."
Favre's main hope for optimism is the return of running back Ahmad Green, who was scooting around just fine in practice Thursday. He's set to return for the Pack's third exhibition game, against Cincinnati on Aug. 28, after rupturing his right quadriceps tendon in Week 7 last season.
With a running game, Favre won't try to shoulder too much of the offensive burden. With Green down and several other key injuries last season, Favre led the NFL with 29 interceptions.
"I love to pass the ball, but the only way you win is by rushing the ball very well and playing great defense," Favre said.
"Then you're not in a position where you have to throw every time."
Favre has been reunited with old quarterbacks coach Mike McCarthy, who was named head coach on Jan. 12.
"I think I've got a pretty good feel for what he likes to run," Favre said.
McCarthy was Joe Montana's position coach in Kansas City and was offensive coordinator for New Orleans (2000-04) and San Francisco (2005). He says that Favre, a three-time MVP who will turn 37 in October, can bounce back from last season's 4-12 performance.
"He's had a great camp," McCarthy said. "He's really into it. Physically he's in really great shape. He's thrown the ball very well."
Jeff Jagodzinski, who was the Falcons offensive line coach last season, was hired in Green Bay as their offensive coordinator. He worked with Favre from 1999-03 as an assistant in Green Bay.
"He still has a live arm, and he's such a competitor," Jagodzinski said. "He's proven that time and time again."
The perception under Mike Sherman's regime was that Favre had too much freedom and was not held accountable for his poor throws.
McCarthy debunks the notion that Favre will be on a shorter leash in his hybrid West Coast offense, which includes the Denver/Atlanta style run blocking scheme.
"I know people are concerned about that, but I don't look at the negatives," McCarthy said.
"My outlook is on the positive side. We're going to line up every week to win football games. I know that Brett Favre gives us the best chance to win those games."
Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, a big Favre fan, sympathizes with his down season.
"You really can't say that it was all Brett and he's fallen off as far as his career," Vick said.
"He can come back and win a Super Bowl this year if he's got the right talent around him and a great defense, plenty of guys to run the ball, catch the ball. You never know; the sky is the limit. I have nothing but respect for Brett Favre."
"I'm been watching him for a long time. One of my best friends, that was his team growing up. So all I would hear growing up was 'Brett Favre, Brett Favre.' You just had to be a fan."
Thompson doesn't know how or when Favre is going to hang up his No. 4 jersey, but he's already planning for a return trip to Canton.
"When he is first eligible, he will be making that speech," Thompson said.
"I'm not sure if he's going to like making that speech."