5 stages of grieving. Where are you?

[Cheesehead Craig]

I am also at the acceptance part already. However, I expect a major regression when the first game is played and Favre isn't out there.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I didn't go through 1-3. I felt 4 yesterday. I've moved onto 5 today.

[denverYooper]

6. Curious

There's a lot of talk from everyone but Brett himself... It'll be interesting to see what develops over the next 6 months.

[packinpatland]

'Curious' is one I hadn't thought of.......a word from Brett right now would be appropriate........not just a message on Mortenson's cell.
I am alittle peeved at the so called experts, Aikman is the first to come to mind, who don't believe Brett will stay retired.........

Feelings would be better placed and more aligned if this whole thing had a tighter 'close' to it. I mean, Sapp retires and that's the story....no speculations, theories, guessing..............

[the_idle_threat]

Stage five.

I respect his decision.

I had already considered the fact that stopping now---after the season he had in 2007---was pretty close to going out on top. Many things that could have gone either way went right in 2007. The odds were very unfavorable that he would do better in 2008---in terms of stats, wins, or playoff accomplishments.

Just about everything---in terms of young player development, injuries (to himself or to teammates), competition in the NFC and NFC North, etc.---would have to go right again in 2008 for Favre to match or improve upon the career-bests or career near-bests in numbers and team wins that he had in 2007. The odds don't favor that, especially when he's a year older.

I think the sour ending in January hit Favre so hard that he did not want to come back with the knowledge that the odds strongly favor another ending like that, or even worse, in 2008. Not because the team is bad or anything like that, but because even with the pieces in place, there is still only one team out of 32 that stays helathy enough all season long and catches the right breaks at the right time to claim the trophy. There is no inevitibility in winning it all---just ask the Pats. ()

Also, the forearm nerve injury he suffered in Dallas was very similar to the one he suffered in the Pats game in 2006. He has a chronic dislocation problem in his left shoulder, the ankles, the forearm, and also the concussion in '06. I think he believed he was playing on borrowed time in terms of injuries. He had nothing left to prove, so he walked away while he still could.

We've heard it before from retiring coaches who say that after a while the losses hurt much more than the wins bring joy, and then it's time to stop. Favre felt this way, and decided to stop while he still had his health.

Now it's time for the Aaron Rodgers era to begin. Love ya Brett, but I'm ready.

[The Leaper]

6. Curious

There's a lot of talk from everyone but Brett himself... It'll be interesting to see what develops over the next 6 months.

This is where I'm at. I'm fine with his decision to retire...I just wish Favre had put a lot more effort into explaining his decision to the legion of fans who have supported him for 16 years, rather than just leaving more unanswered questions.

[Badgepack]

Grieving over what?

[packinpatland]

Grieving over what?

You just crawled out of hole, cave or from under a rock, right?

[PackerBlues]

Maybe Thompson has been grieving the entire time he has been in GB.

1. Denial - "I do not need to sign any talent, I have Brett Favre to take the blame whenever the team plays badly."


2. Anger - "How dare anyone suggest that I should sign more and better quality Free Agents. ARRRRG that pisses me off!!!"


3. Bargaining - Something Thompson has no skillz at, hence the fact that he has not tried signing a Free Agent that any other team really wanted.


4. Depression - "Oh shit this sucks. Brett is gone now. All eyes are on me and how I build this team. Who will take the blame for my short-comings now?"


5. Acceptance - "I'm OK, It will take at least a couple more years for people to discover that I have no bargaining skillz."

[Chester Marcol]

6. Curious

There's a lot of talk from everyone but Brett himself... It'll be interesting to see what develops over the next 6 months.

This is where I'm at. I'm fine with his decision to retire...I just wish Favre had put a lot more effort into explaining his decision to the legion of fans who have supported him for 16 years, rather than just leaving more unanswered questions.

I heard audio this morning of Brett talking, and I paraphrase from memory, about only coming back for a chance to WIN a super bowl and that it, although not to others, would not be a succesful season for anything less. He doesn't feel the Packers are legitimate contenders to WIN the super bowl.

I just heard the clip without any setup. Was that from his message to Mort or did he come out and make a statement?

If this is his sentiment, to walk away and state that he could play but he doesn't feel his 13-3 team who got to the NFC Championship game has a shot at winning the super bowl, well that just doesn't set well with me as a fan. If a troll came on the forum yesterday and stated we don't have a team that can win the super bowl, they would have gotten ripped to shreds. Not sure if it comes off any better coming from Brett who has just taken his ball and went home.

[LL2]

I'm at stage 5, and was even before the announcement. You had to know it was going to either happen this year or next. In the past I thought I was going to shed a tear....I'm actually looking forward to next year!

[packinpatland]

Listened to Steve Sabol talk on Favre...........he sums up how I feel pretty darn well.

http://www.nfl.com/videos;jsessionid=4AEA6E911DA3A1CF581CF3B9960521EE?videoId=09000d5d807060c0

[Badgepack]

Grieving over what?

You just crawled out of hole, cave or from under a rock, right?

I am in denial.

[Bossman641]

I'm strangely at peace.

He finished on his own terms. He gets to walk away from the game he loved, he didn't get forced out or embarass himself the way others have stuck around too long. After the past couple of offseasons when all the media have been bashing him and say he SHOULD retire, it is great to see him walk away saying he is leaving too EARLY.

Of course the selfish side of me wants to see him one more time, to see him pump-faking in the pocket, escaping from 300 pound linemen and drilling a missile into DD's gut. I respect his decision. He has given his all for 16 seasons, if that is enough for him it is enough for me as well. I just hope that there are plenty of highlight DVD's on the way soon, because I will be all over those.

I am actually excited to see Rodgers out there. I don't expect him to be Brett, I don't expect him to be as good as Brett, but it will be fun to watch Rodgers, Jennings, JJ, and Grant together in the next couple of years.

Thanks for everything Brett, it's been a hell of a ride.

[RashanGary]

I started out in tho "Wow, it's over" stage and quicky progressed into the "excitement for what's next stage". I don't get very attached to these guys. Favre is no different than Ahman Green to me.