Brett speculation from LeRoy Butler

[Packnut]

Favre

I so sick of the speculation and "on again, off again" mentality of this situation.

There is stuff leaking out of the Favre camp. His brothers and Bus Cook have spilled a lot of beans about Brett's frustrations over the years. This stuff is a little unfair, because they get to see the Brett that is "behind the curtain".

I've always felt that Brett made this announcement a little premature. He had that long season. The Giant game really took it's toll on him. He was at a point where he needed to start his off-season work routine shortly and just couldn't do it any more. He could play that fall, but couldn't handle the off-season prep. Now that his head is clear, he's starting to wonder. His appearance on Letterman showed some of that. The Letterman thing also showed a little of Brett's personality. BF is an imp. He likes to joke, kid around, and can be a little goofy at times. Very hard to tell if he's kidding or having second thoughts. Probably both, to an extent.

I guess we have to go thru it with him, but man, this shit is driving me nuts.

Yep, it's like having a bad break-up and then when you finally come to terms with it, the person who dumped ya comes back and brings up all the old emotions.

My biggest problem with the whole thing is it will be a distraction for the team until it is settled one way or another.

[Maxie the Taxi]

All this Favre speculation is making me a crumpier old man than I already am. Time to move on.

Coach Norman Dale in the movie "Hoosiers:"

"I would hope you'd support who we are, not who we are not. These six individuals have made the choice to work, the choice to sacrifice, to put themselves on the line twenty three nights for the next four months, to represent you, this highschool. That kind of committment and effort deserves and demands your respect. This is your team!"

[hoosier]

Re: Favre

I think perception will play a big part in this drama (unless Favre has another change of heart and stays retired).

Does Thompson want to be known as the guy who did the nice thing and give Brett his release or would he rather be the guy who traded a legend?

I agree with your sentiment about perception, at least as far as the Packers fan base goes. But it's interesting that you frame the thing in terms of what TT wants. As far as I can tell, TT really doesn't give much thought to how he will be perceived, he just does what he considers to be the right thing or the necessary thing. That ability to separate good judgment from the desire to be liked or loved is a key ingredient for making a great executive.

I also wonder what MM really thinks about all this. I mean, from a football perspective, his job is much easier with Favre playing. He can open this offense up and do what-ever he wants. With Rodgers, he's more restricted.

I see it just the opposite: with Rodgers MM's job becomes much easier, since he's now dealing with a young QB who isn't set in his ways and doesn't have a bigger-than-life reputation to fall back on when he screws up. MM did a masterful job last year (as far as I can tell) of reining Favre in: the two big differences between the 2007 Favre and the 2005-06 version are (1) healthy, deep and productive receiving corps and (2) in 2007 for the most part Favre didn't try to win the game in one play. MM got him to play within himself, but it can't have been easy. With Rodgers, on the other hand, he doesn't have to deal with the gunslinger instinct.

[Merlin]

I dont understand why people are saying it's too late? We are not even to mini camp yet. What is he missing that he would be doing if he did not retire? I understand that Arod would be jerked around but really, who cares? Isn't the best thing for the Packers is to have the best available on the field? Well thats Brett Favre. Even if you want a new era to start (which, why the hell would u?) Brett Favre is our best option at least for this season. Hell the best thing might be him coming back giving Brohm a year to learn and take over.

I couldn't agree more. Favre has been retired for what? 4-6 weeks? He isn't allowed to change his mind???

[The Leaper]

Coach Norman Dale in the movie "Hoosiers:"

"I would hope you'd support who we are, not who we are not. These six individuals have made the choice to work, the choice to sacrifice, to put themselves on the line twenty three nights for the next four months, to represent you, this highschool. That kind of committment and effort deserves and demands your respect. This is your team!"

I understand the notion, Maxie...

However, didn't the reluctant star player return to the team and lead them to a title in that movie?

[sharpe1027]

Re: Favre

Favre can force TT to release him.

How?

He reports to traing camp. He never filed his retirement papers with the NFL so technically he still is not retired.

I don't think the retirement papers mean anything more than collecting retirement money. As I undestand it, once he announced he retired, the Packers are the ones who officially list his as retired, which I think they just did. Can anyone confirm this?

That being said, I don't think there is anything that would stop him from un-retiring.

[Packnut]

Re: Favre

I think perception will play a big part in this drama (unless Favre has another change of heart and stays retired).

Does Thompson want to be known as the guy who did the nice thing and give Brett his release or would he rather be the guy who traded a legend?

I agree with your sentiment about perception, at least as far as the Packers fan base goes. But it's interesting that you frame the thing in terms of what TT wants. As far as I can tell, TT really doesn't give much thought to how he will be perceived, he just does what he considers to be the right thing or the necessary thing. That ability to separate good judgment from the desire to be liked or loved is a key ingredient for making a great executive.

I also wonder what MM really thinks about all this. I mean, from a football perspective, his job is much easier with Favre playing. He can open this offense up and do what-ever he wants. With Rodgers, he's more restricted.

I see it just the opposite: with Rodgers MM's job becomes much easier, since he's now dealing with a young QB who isn't set in his ways and doesn't have a bigger-than-life reputation to fall back on when he screws up. MM did a masterful job last year (as far as I can tell) of reining Favre in: the two big differences between the 2007 Favre and the 2005-06 version are (1) healthy, deep and productive receiving corps and (2) in 2007 for the most part Favre didn't try to win the game in one play. MM got him to play within himself, but it can't have been easy. With Rodgers, on the other hand, he doesn't have to deal with the gunslinger instinct.

Your right about TT now really caring about perception. However, I think Favre is a different matter than draft choices. We're talking about a legend here.

The problem with MM prefering Rodgers for the reasonsyou listed is factoring in his injury history. I mean we have a starting QB now who has missed more time to injury in 3 years than the previous starter did in 17 years! MM would be a fool to want to take that risk. Starting Brohm would severely limit MM's offense.

[packers11]

OK I HAVE A BRILLIANT IDEA

Lets just make 1 damn thread for all the "FAVRE RUMORS" that happen to POP UP every week... It can be like the "NFL DRAFT THREAD" except this thread will go on for about uhhh 45 more years until hes finally 6 feet under...

All kidding aside... We will end up having these discussions every other week when another report comes out... I would love to see BF back but until its official that he is coming back then we should put this to bed...

[cpk1994]

Re: Favre

Favre can force TT to release him.

How?

He reports to traing camp. He never filed his retirement papers with the NFL so technically he still is not retired.

I don't think the retirement papers mean anything more than collecting retirement money. As I undestand it, once he announced he retired, the Packers are the ones who officially list his as retired, which I think they just did. Can anyone confirm this?

That being said, I don't think there is anything that would stop him from un-retiring.

Yes, the Packers put Brett on the Retired list which takes his contract off the salary cap count. Brett WILL NOT be traded becuase no team will take on that contract, especially considering it would probably for one year. The Packers have moved on, its time Brett shut up and move on as well.

[Fritz]

I think Brett wants to play football. I think we'll see more of this sort of thing over the next few months. As soon as he got as emotional as he did on his March 4 presser, I thought --he isn't done.

I also don't think it's TT's or MM's job to woo him back or kiss his ass in the off season. I coach travel baseball and there is a huge difference in kids that want to be there and in-house kids whos parents sign them up on in-house teams. More specifically I never, unless I have no choice, put a kid on the mound that isn't up for it, one way or another. I think the same thing applies here. QB in the NFL is a big job. You cant have a guy who is under center unless he's in there 110%. Begging a guy to come back doesnt get that result. TT knows it, MM knows it and Brett knows it. It's difficult for him because he's an emotional guy. Wears his heart on his sleeve for all of us to see. There will be drama, no doubt. But what were likely talking about is one more year and if he's not up for everything that's involved in that year, we're all better off with Aaron Rodgers under center.

What he said.

[Tarlam!]

What he said.

I'm not disagreeing with the begging etc.

What I will suggest is that they must have been motivated (TT and M3) by A-Rod's contract status.

BF, maybe 2 more in the tank. AR, contract up next year.

I don't think anybody expected BF to play Pro-Bowl calibre football in 2007. But he did.

I think he was rushed and now, we all have to suffer.

[Bretsky]

What he said.

I'm not disagreeing with the begging etc.

What I will suggest is that they must have been motivated (TT and M3) by A-Rod's contract status.

BF, maybe 2 more in the tank. AR, contract up next year.

I don't think anybody expected BF to play Pro-Bowl calibre football in 2007. But he did.

I think he was rushed and now, we all have to suffer.

What Tarlem Said

[texaspackerbacker]

I said I agreed with Packnut's earlier post that by now, Favre was probably regretting his decision. However, I do not agree that he WILL come back--that it will come down to a decision by Thompson to either trade or release Favre.

I think Brett is man enough to live with the decision he made--even though by now, even he realizes it was a bad one. Having a family and a farm that he loves, and a good many million dollars probably makes living with the decison a lot easier.

The only way he would play again would be if a call came from the Packers, and given the probable circumstances of his retirement, it would take having them ask in the right way. That is probably less likely after the drafting of Brohm, but I still think if the unlikely (IMO) circumstance that Rodgers got hurt, Favre would be called, and to the Packers, and only to the Packers, he would say yes.

I still don't think it will happen, though. I think the NFL has seen the last of #4.

[Chester Marcol]

I think the real test will be when training camp starts and BF has the urge to pull somebody's pants down or rip a nasty ass fart or pinch someone on the back of the arm. Will Deanna be able to take it?

[The Leaper]

What I will suggest is that they must have been motivated (TT and M3) by A-Rod's contract status.

BF, maybe 2 more in the tank. AR, contract up next year.

Rodgers signed a 5 year deal prior to the 2005 season, so he's still under contract for the next TWO seasons...through the end of 2009.

As such, why would the Packers feel a need to rush Favre on a decision this offseason? I could see the argument having a lot more cred if Rodgers was going into the last year of his deal, as the Packers would want to see him on the field before giving him another contract.

However, that is not the case.