Murphy : ..as an organization.. we're going to move on..

[RashanGary]

I think the bottom line is that if the Packers want to move forward with their team the very best thing that could possibly happen is Brett Favre retires. He has a rabid, emotional fan base that wants to always point the finger at someone else (INT's, Indecision, etc. . ). It's really never Brett.

TT comes in and he does the right things but they're not things that people can understand. They scratch their heads and wonder how but at they end of the day they just have to say "well it works". The problem is before it happens nobody knows and the initial reaction of an idiot is to throw a fit. Up until last years phenominal season many of these idiots really had no clue. All they knew is Brett was being pushed out by Thompson. Now, after the great season, they give TT some support but now, again, TT is pushing Brett out the door. Again, the fear of the unknown is the overriding emotion. These idiots think there is no way we can do it without Favre and TT is again driving the team into the ground. Eventually results will calm their irrational emotion but for now it's just a big pouting match by people who don't have any clue what will acctually happen in the era after Favre.


Ted's doing the right things. He's building a team the right way. No matter what happens in this situation I think he is going to come out looking like a hero to Green Bay as I think he will build a winner without Favre. Remember, in 17 years the team was only a winner one time with Favre and he wasn't even the best player on his team. It's not like winning one is some impossible task. In the minds of many though, it was much more than that. Reality though? That's all it was. One big win in 17 years and he needed the NFL's best defense and ST's to do it.

[The Leaper]

Remember, in 17 years the team was only a winner one time with Favre and he wasn't even the best player on his team.

Really?

So the guy who was the MVP of the entire league wasn't the best player on his team?

You really don't have an ounce of sense.

[Scott Campbell]

KIRWAN SEES 80-PERCENT CHANCE OF FAVRE RETURN
Posted by Mike Florio on July 11, 2008, 8:54 a.m.

As the Favre watch continues to dominate the NFL news and rumors, Pat Kirwan of NFL.com offers up an informed estimate of the chances that the former Packers quarterback will return in 2008.

“I have talked with a few people close enough to Favre that I now feel comfortable that an 80 percent chance may be a conservative estimate,” Kirwan writes. “He’s throwing footballs, working out and it’s more than an itch to play.”

Really, most league insiders are now presuming that Favre will play in 2008. The only question is where. And if it’s not in Green Bay, Kirwan sums up the situation perfectly: “If Favre throws for 4,000 yards and takes a team deep into the playoffs while the Packers struggle, it could destroy careers for those who made the decision to cut him loose.”

[Scott Campbell]

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080711/PKR01/807110637/1058

Tom Pelissero column: What isn't true about the Favre fuss

July 11, 2008

Brett Favre's "itch" has developed into a full-blown media rash over the past week-and-a-half.

It also has generated some lively — if, at times, misguided — debate about the future of the Green Bay Packers and their retired quarterback.

Here are five misconceptions among some fans that warrant clarification.


Aaron Rodgers doesn't respect Packers fans

Just before the speculation started anew, Sports Illustrated quoted Favre's successor as saying, "I don't feel I need to sell myself to the fans. … They need to get on board now or keep their mouths shut." Some are using the excerpt as proof Rodgers doesn't "get it." Knowing Rodgers, though, all he meant was that people who don't believe in him ought to wait until he gets his chance before writing him off. He could have said it more tactfully, but is it an unrealistic request?

Everyone in the Packers' locker room is praying Favre returns

It would be foolish for anyone to say publicly he doesn't want Favre back, but there is a substantial faction of younger players who are eager to play with Rodgers. Favre is at least a decade older than all but six guys on the roster. He dressed in his own locker room. He had minimal social interaction with teammates. Rodgers is one of the guys, and plenty of them are pulling for him.

If Favre stays retired or ends up playing elsewhere, it's Ted Thompson's fault

Favre's emotional retirement media conference on March 6 — during which he absolved the Packers' general manager of blame — convinced the organization and most observers he was really, truly done. That's why Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy felt comfortable moving forward with their plan for the post-Favre era. Things would be different had Favre said four months ago he wanted to play. He didn't, and that choice was his.

This whole thing is a media-driven rumor

Favre has inquired about returning to the Packers. That's a story. No, he has not made a public statement, other than texting a semi-denial to a Mississippi reporter. No, the Packers have not commented. Both sides have logical reasons to (officially) keep quiet. That doesn't mean it's some grand conspiracy.

The Packers would sacrifice this season by not embracing a Favre return

Favre had one of his best seasons in 2007. Rodgers has everything to prove. But the Packers are a young, gifted team that was a field goal away from the Super Bowl last season, and Favre, for all his talents, was only one part of that. The Packers believe Rodgers can play effectively enough to put the team in position again. Could they be wrong? Absolutely. But opting to sever ties with Favre — if it comes to that — would not be tantamount to waving a white flag toward 2008.

Tom Pelissero is assistant sports editor of the Press-Gazette. E-mail him at tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com




Excellent column.

[The Leaper]

Knowing Rodgers, though, all he meant was that people who don't believe in him ought to wait until he gets his chance before writing him off. He could have said it more tactfully, but is it an unrealistic request?

May not be unrealistic...but that isn't the point. Favre received far more criticism than Rodgers has to this point early on in Green Bay, and not ONCE did he openly give the fans a verbal middle finger.

If Rodgers can't handle some moderate criticism now...which certainly is for the most part unwarranted...without blowing up in the press, WTF is he going to do when actual struggles on the field flare up (they will) and he hears some REAL criticism? THAT is the point.

[Scott Campbell]

..........he (Rodgers) openly give the fans a verbal middle finger.

Well that was one of the misconceptions the author was hoping to clear up. You've based your entire take on Aaron's attitude on one tiny excerpt. It seems pretty harsh to me.

[GBRulz]

One big win in 17 years and he needed the NFL's best defense and ST's to do it.

The same defense that kept him from having a 2nd ring, you mean? Give me a break, the last time I checked, it was a team sport.

[woodbuck27]

Re: Murphy : ..as an organization.. we're going to move on..

And if they don't want him, it probably makes it easier on the management if Favre does not come back. They'd rather have him stay retired than release him or trade him for a mid to late round pick and deal with the controversy

If I were Ted, I'd go public with this message. "Brett, we love ya. Call us and tell us if you want to play, or want to hang it up. Then we can help you work it out. Until then, were kind of stuck. So just let us know. Soon please."

What do you do when your workng for 'the MAN'?

[Scott Campbell]

One big win in 17 years and he needed the NFL's best defense and ST's to do it.

The same defense that kept him from having a 2nd ring, you mean? Give me a break, the last time I checked, it was a team sport.

I'm not happy how Brett's handling this, but some of Nick's stuff on Brett goes way, way overboard.

[Scott Campbell]

Re: Murphy : ..as an organization.. we're going to move on..

And if they don't want him, it probably makes it easier on the management if Favre does not come back. They'd rather have him stay retired than release him or trade him for a mid to late round pick and deal with the controversy

If I were Ted, I'd go public with this message. "Brett, we love ya. Call us and tell us if you want to play, or want to hang it up. Then we can help you work it out. Until then, were kind of stuck. So just let us know. Soon please."

What do you do when your workng for 'the MAN'?

If you're talking about Brett, and that's not entirely clear, he's not working for anybody. He's still retired.

[Bossman641]

Knowing Rodgers, though, all he meant was that people who don't believe in him ought to wait until he gets his chance before writing him off. He could have said it more tactfully, but is it an unrealistic request?

May not be unrealistic...but that isn't the point. Favre received far more criticism than Rodgers has to this point early on in Green Bay, and not ONCE did he openly give the fans a verbal middle finger.

If Rodgers can't handle some moderate criticism now...which certainly is for the most part unwarranted...without blowing up in the press, WTF is he going to do when actual struggles on the field flare up (they will) and he hears some REAL criticism? THAT is the point.

Are you kidding me? All he has ever heard is that he's not Brett, how the team will be nothing again when Brett is finally gone. Half the fans wanted to run him out of town before he even got a chance, or are still pissed because the Packers drafted a QB in the 1st round. All he's ever heard is how he was such a wasted draft pick. Looking back, the Packers probably could have gone another year without grooming Favre's replacement, but how are they supposed to plan for that when Favre does his yearly retirement song and dance.

All he was really telling the fans was you can keep doubting me, but I will prove you wrong, so I don't care what you say. Could he have worded it more tactfully? Of course. But if I were Rodgers, I would be frustrated too.

[Bossman641]

If Rodgers can't handle some moderate criticism now...which certainly is for the most part unwarranted...without blowing up in the press, WTF is he going to do when actual struggles on the field flare up (they will) and he hears some REAL criticism? THAT is the point.

One other thing. Just my guess, but I would assume Rodgers would rather be criticized for his actual on field performances then be criticized for not being Brett, or for being "TT's pet", or for what people think he will do this year.

[Scott Campbell]

If I'm Brett, I file my paperwork with the Packers, and call a press conference and say "I'm going to play football. I made a mistake, and might have been a bit hasty. I was tired, but I still have more than enough to get the job done. I love playing, and hope the Packers will have me. That's their choice. If not, we'll work something out. I know my 180 has made things difficult. Sorry for all the commotion. No questions. Thank you."

[The Leaper]

Are you kidding me? All he has ever heard is that he's not Brett, how the team will be nothing again when Brett is finally gone.

WAAAHHHHHHHH!

Welcome to the NFL Mr. Rodgers.

This is FUCKING PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL! I am so tired of the whining pansies on here who seem to think the Packers owe Rodgers something. The guy is a millionaire for sitting his ass on the bench for 3 years...I'm not about to feel sorry for him. If he wants to play, then he should prove himself as the best QB on the roster.

But if I were Rodgers, I would be frustrated too.

I'm not saying he shouldn't be frustrated...but he shouldn't allow the pressure to get the best of him so that he snaps at fans in the media. That is a bad sign of how Rodgers handles pressure IMO.

And he ain't seen NOTHING yet in terms of pressure.

[Scott Campbell]

.......but he shouldn't allow the pressure to get the best of him so that he snaps at fans in the media.

Ryan Leaf snapped:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMe0Rz1frdE

Jim Mora snapped:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3NDiMorX-o

Aaron Rodgers made a quip that's too easily taken out of context. Big deal. I think you're making a federal case out of nothing.