Murphy on Favre: 'He's really wavering'

[packers11]

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/ic/blogs/insider/index.shtml

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Murphy on Favre: 'He's really wavering'
Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy largely deflected questions about the possibility of Brett Favre coming back during a "Tailgate Tour" stop in Fond du Lac.

Murphy he understood Favre's "wavering" because of his own experience leaving the game, but he echoed Favre's text message that it's "all rumors."

Here's an excerpt from the Q&A with reporters:

Q: Is he coming back?
At this point, and even Brett has said it, it’s really all rumors and speculation, and I think we just have to go back to, in early March, he had a very emotional, heartfelt press conference, and obviously, it was a difficult decision. … I think as a former player, I understand completely what he’s going through. It’s very difficult to leave the game, and sometimes, the longer you play, it makes it even more difficult. I think that he’s really wavering and dealing with that transition. But at this point, it’s really just rumor, and we really can’t react to anything beyond that.

So do you know if we'll see him in a Packers uniform again?
No, I don’t.

Did you get past any fans without being asked today?
We’ve had 5-year-old kids ask us about it. It’s obviously on a lot of people’s minds.

Will the situation be resolved by training camp?
I would certainly hope so.

Are a lot of fans calling you about it?
I’m getting some phone calls, and I think again, it really goes back to — and you look at so many players and not just football, but other sports, it’s not an easy decision and it’s not an easy process to end your career and how you do it, and it never ends the way you want or you would like, and I think that’s what we’re really dealing with here, is just Brett’s really struggling with what’s the right thing to do. … You look at that press conference — I mean, it was so emotional, and obviously he and his wife really struggled with the decision and made a heartfelt decision at that time.

We'll have more online from Murphy and players later tonight. Stay tuned ...

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

[mraynrand]

I wonder if Murphy takes as many direct calls from fans as Bob Harlan used to?

[PlantPage55]

I wonder if Murphy takes as many direct calls from fans as Bob Harlan used to?

I wouldn't blame him if he didn't - because I'm sure the same dumb asses that call into 1250 AM every day must call him up with their bullshit.

[Zool]

I wonder if Murphy takes as many direct calls from fans as Bob Harlan used to?

I wouldn't blame him if he didn't - because I'm sure the same dumb asses that call into 1250 AM every day must call him up with their bullshit.

Impossible. The guys that call into talk radio are sports experts, just ask them. They are merely waiting for the right GM job in a sport of their choosing.

[sheepshead]

similar stuff

Similar Stuff


Murphy, Harlan try to quell Favre furor
Team president, predecessor don't believe he'll return
By Tom Pelissero • tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com • July 9, 2008


Inside Fond du Lac High School, dozens of No. 4 jerseys — and not a single Aaron Rodgers shirt — dotted the crowd waiting to bid on Favre memorabilia in a charity auction.

Should the will-he-or-won't-he saga of Favre's comeback conundrum meet a messy end in the coming weeks, backlash from fans of the future Hall of Fame quarterback and his longtime team is inevitable.

But while Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy acknowledges the gravity of the outcome, neither he nor the man he replaced as guardian of the Packers' brand is expressing belief that Favre will decide to return for an 18th NFL season.

"It's a very delicate situation, because he has such a special place in Packers history," Murphy said as the crowd dispersed on Tuesday night.

"No player leaves the game gracefully. It's kind of the nature of what makes great players great, is they're competitors and they always want to compete and they want that next challenge, and it's hard to find that next thing that's going to give you that excitement and adrenaline. That's what we're seeing a little bit here."

Shortly after, Chairman Emeritus Bob Harlan added: "What I remember about him is he was ready to retire, and that's how I feel today. I think down deep, that's exactly how he feels."

Hints at a potential return for Favre, who announced his retirement in a tearful media conference March 6, have surfaced several times since.

It happened again a week ago, when ESPN reported and other media outlets, including the Press-Gazette, confirmed Favre had told Packers coach Mike McCarthy he had the "itch" to play again.

The Packers haven't addressed the reports and have no plans to do so unless Favre makes a formal statement. But Murphy, Harlan and the three players they brought on this week's Tailgate Tour — running back Brandon Jackson, receiver James Jones and offensive lineman Jason Spitz — faced repeated questions from fans and the media during their travels through the Fox Valley on Tuesday.

Jones was most direct, telling reporters, "I don't think he's coming back." Asked later by a youngster in a Favre jersey how badly he wanted the NFL's all-time leading passer to return, Jones smiled and said, "Aaron Rodgers is the guy, OK? It was great playing with Brett Favre. … He got out at a great time, he had a great career, and it's Aaron Rodgers' time now."

Not once during their time with the media or fans did any of the five answer a question as though Favre would play this season. It's a logical stance, given the indications the team wants no part of a Favre comeback, and should remain the party line throughout the tour, which moves on to Janesville and Stevens Point before wrapping Friday night at Marinette High School.

"We've had 5-year-old kids ask us about it," Murphy said. "It's obviously on a lot of people's minds."

Even if Favre remains silent, the issue likely will come to the forefront at least twice more before training camp opens July 28. Favre is scheduled to present former teammate Frank Winters at the Packers Hall of Fame banquet on July 19, and Murphy and General Manager Ted Thompson will face Packers shareholders at their annual meeting on July 24.

Murphy did say any decision on Favre's status with the team, should he request to be reinstated from the reserve/retired list, would be left up to the football side of the operation, headed by Thompson. However, Murphy did not present it as a likely scenario.

"I keep going back to his retirement announcement and how sincere and heartfelt that was," Murphy said. "I think it's pretty reasonable that, as an organization, we're going to move on."

Neither Murphy nor Harlan has spoken with Favre since the latest round of speculation began, but they have discussed the situation. The closest thing the team will come to an official statement made its position clear:

Despite the media frenzy, the Packers do not believe Favre's mind is made up.


"It's tough to any competitor to walk away," Harlan said. "Whether you talk (golfer) Jack Nicklaus or no matter who it is, when you've been at the top, it's tough to turn your back on it, so I'm not surprised at all. I think you'd almost be more surprised if it were the other way."

[The Leaper]

Re: similar stuff

Despite the media frenzy, the Packers do not believe Favre's mind is made up.

Well, if the guy is WORKING OUT, then I'm guessing his mind is made up. I wouldn't think it would be that difficult to figure out whether or not Favre has been working out.

[GrnBay007]

Re: similar stuff

But while Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy acknowledges the gravity of the outcome, neither he nor the man he replaced as guardian of the Packers' brand is expressing belief that Favre will decide to return for an 18th NFL season.

No disrespect to Mr. Murphy, but he called it wrong when he predicted Favre would return (before the retirement announcement). Not sure his predictions on this subject hold anymore weight than anyone on this forum at this time.

[sharpe1027]

Re: similar stuff

Despite the media frenzy, the Packers do not believe Favre's mind is made up.

Well, if the guy is WORKING OUT, then I'm guessing his mind is made up. I wouldn't think it would be that difficult to figure out whether or not Favre has been working out.

I worked out the other day, they better make room for me. I also saw Dan Marino was on a new training program to get into better shape, I wonder if the Dolphins are as worked up as we are.

Working out leaves the door open, not working out doesn't. I'm guessing that NOT working out shows his mind is made up. Working out may mean 1) he is at least considering it, even if he's not sure, 2) he likes to throw the ball around to high school kids or 3)he doesn't want to balloon up like Marino.

We'll see I guess.

[LL2]

The one positive thing about this is that it is keeping the Packers in the news locally and nationaly everyday. It's better than hearing about Dallas or the Patriots. Keeping the Packers in the minds of the sports public is a good thing.

[GrnBay007]

Who knows if this was posted in one of the other 16 Favre threads, but oh well


No way out for Packers
Johy Clayton Blog

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

What an amazing transition for Brett Favre. In 2007, he's the king of Wisconsin again, coming off one of his best seasons. Now, he's like that unpopular relative who always threatened to show up at your house for the summer and then plops himself on the couch.

(Too funny! )

General manager Ted Thompson isn't returning Favre's text messages. The current and former president of the team -- Mark Murphy and Bob Harlan -- spoke out Tuesday and sounded quite content with the idea of Favre staying retired.

Regardless of what top management in Green Bay thinks, it's going to be pretty hard to say no to Favre if he does want to come out of retirement. Cutting him isn't an option because he could potentially end up in the NFC North. Trading him won't be easy. Plus, who wants to officially be the person who will go down in history as the front office person who chased away Favre. If Favre wants to return, the Packers have no choice but to take him.

[mraynrand]

Re: similar stuff

Despite the media frenzy, the Packers do not believe Favre's mind is made up.

Well, if the guy is WORKING OUT, then I'm guessing his mind is made up. I wouldn't think it would be that difficult to figure out whether or not Favre has been working out.

I worked out the other day, they better make room for me. I also saw Dan Marino was on a new training program to get into better shape, I wonder if the Dolphins are as worked up as we are.

I think that if you're on the Nutrisystem(TM) diet, your return to the NFL is a lead pipe lock certainty.

[packers11]

https://www.rotoworld.com

Although the Packers won't address reports until Brett Favre makes an official statement, it's clear that the team is trying to pressure him to stay retired.

Said Packers Chairman Emeritus Bob Harlan: "What I remember about him is he was ready to retire, and that's how I feel today." President and CEO Mark Murphy acknowledges the gravity of the situation, but added he thinks it's pretty reasonable that the organization is moving on. Receiver James Jones emphasized that Aaron Rodgers "is the guy, OK? It was great playing with Brett Favre . . . [but] it's Aaron Rodgers' time now." The ball is now in Favre's court to come out and make an official statement.

[GrnBay007]

The ball is now in Favre's court to come out and make an official statement.

JUST DO IT BRETT!!

[Tarlam!]

Now players i.e. Harris and Jones have taken public views - and they are opposite.

This is not what is needed. 31 other teams and their fans are laughuíng at the Green Bay Packers. I hate being this vulnerable to fans of lesser teams.

[mission]

Now players i.e. Harris and Jones have taken public views - and they are opposite.

This is not what is needed. 31 other teams and their fans are laughuíng at the Green Bay Packers. I hate being this vulnerable to fans of lesser teams.

maybe germany is um... strange ? ... but i personally dont feel vulnerable at all... it's not like these are articles about how somehow the packers found a way to lose 17 games instead of 16 last year.

you're really being a drama queen on this one

vulnerable?

no one outside of us knows about little articles like harris and jones... no one is laughing. i got falcon fans just asking me what i would want personally and saying it's a tough situation for our GM....

they arent exactly laughing hysterically.