Tom Silverstein's take

[The Shadow]

Who gives a fuck if they lose Rodgers,TT can't have as much faith in him as he proclaims or he would not have drafted two QB's. I said it before TT fucks this up and good luck getting ANYBODY to sign with the Pack. He will coe across as the egotistical prick that drove the legend out of Green Bay. It doesn't even matter if he did,players will have thier preconcieved ideas alredy.

THOMPSON is the egotistical prick in this little Passion Play?????????

[sheepshead]

That's the best thing I have read in this whole ball of snakes. Nice find and a nice article. I love Favre to death but I think it's time. TT has an $800 million franchise to run. Time to make some tough calls.

[The Leaper]

It's not going to end up bad for the Packers.

If Favre shows up to camp, it will not be a good thing for Aaron Rodgers. That's my point.

The Packers have Favre pegged into a corner in terms of retirement or backup...hoping Favre won't be up to coming back if he isn't the starter. However, if he stuns us all and shows up anyway...things could get very interesting.

[RashanGary]

It's not going to end up bad for the Packers.

If Favre shows up to camp, it will not be a good thing for Aaron Rodgers. That's my point.

The Packers have Favre pegged into a corner in terms of retirement or backup...hoping Favre won't be up to coming back if he isn't the starter. However, if he stuns us all and shows up anyway...things could get very interesting.

I think the whole point here is that the Packers told him they didn't want him back. That tells me they're not going to allow him in camp.

They went on to say they were going to reinstate him and do what is best for the Packers. Why reinstate him and then cut him? They're going to wait until the last minute (putting FAvre in a really bad spot) or until something favorable to them comes up.

They're going to work a trade and where he goes is goint to be as important as what they get.

[The Leaper]

Thompson alluded to this once, about what he felt were proper reasons to put something in the paper. Basically, he thought most information regarding players, their salaries, their contracts and standing should be private. He wasn't taking a stance of opposing NFL rules on media access, but it was clear he had a preference for leaving things OUT of the paper.

Generally, I can agree with that.

However, in this case, when it comes down to explaining to the Packer nation why all of this is happening with probably the most famous Packer player in history...I would offer up a public explanation. The rumors and gossip do not help the team or the situation.

It saves face for the team...and probably saves face some for Favre as well. It puts an end to this debacle.

[The Leaper]

I think the whole point here is that the Packers told him they didn't want him back. That tells me they're not going to allow him in camp.

If he applies for reinstatement, they have to let him back into camp.

If Favre sends a letter asking for reinstatement sometime next week...and Goodell gives him the OK, for sake of argument, on the 21st of July...it only gives Green Bay one week to trade Favre before he has every right to stroll into camp and cause a ruckus.

Considering the complexities a trade like this would entail...I can't see it happening in a week's time.

[RashanGary]

Not true. The Packers do not have to do anything other than reinstate him and pay his salary (only if he's on the roster opening day). Plenty of team have told players to just stay home. Favre is not coming into camp whether he wants to or not. See Steve McNair. It gets ugly.

[The Leaper]

Not true. The Packers do not have to do anything other than reinstate him and pay his salary (only if he's on the roster opening day). Plenty of team have told players to just stay home. Favre is not coming into camp whether he wants to or not. See Steve McNair. It gets ugly.

McNair's situation was during OTAs...not training camp.

I'm guessing that the collective bargaining agreement forbids teams from restricting players from coming to training camp...otherwise teams would do it all the time to get rid of guys they didn't want.

If you are an active player on an NFL roster, I think you are REQUIRED to attend camp. That is why teams can fine guys for not showing up.

[texaspackerbacker]

I hardly think it would cause a ruckus if he came to camp.

This is a pretty fair and balanced analysis by Silverstein.

The bottom line of all this mess, though, is that the Packers are exactly the same team they were a couple of months ago when so many of us were predicting 13-3 or close to it or maybe better--with Rodgers as QB.

[Spaulding]

Thought what happened a few years ago in Tampa where they continued to pay Keyshawn but sent him home was still a possibility. Would make no sense and would be a lose (Thompson would be crucified) lose (Favre sits home stewing and doesn't generate draft picks in trade or possibly good QB play/insurance for the team).

[pbmax]

Not gonna happen. After the Keyshawn pay him to stay home Gruden affair, the new CBA limited the team disciplinary options to a four week suspension (with pay).

Given you would be hard pressed to demonstrate to an arbitrator or Special Master than Favre has engaged in actions detrimental to the team, you could not keep him out of camp.

If this is the route they choose, they either need to be prepared for reduced offers since everyone knows he will be traded or released. Or, they keep the backup option open to give Favre pause before reporting.

Not true. The Packers do not have to do anything other than reinstate him and pay his salary (only if he's on the roster opening day). Plenty of team have told players to just stay home. Favre is not coming into camp whether he wants to or not. See Steve McNair. It gets ugly.

[texaspackerbacker]

Thought what happened a few years ago in Tampa where they continued to pay Keyshawn but sent him home was still a possibility. Would make no sense and would be a lose (Thompson would be crucified) lose (Favre sits home stewing and doesn't generate draft picks in trade or possibly good QB play/insurance for the team).

I could live with that.

[pbmax]

McNair was not allowed into the building to use the facilities during the offseason, not Training Camp. And they lost the appeal. By then, he was traded.

Not true. The Packers do not have to do anything other than reinstate him and pay his salary (only if he's on the roster opening day). Plenty of team have told players to just stay home. Favre is not coming into camp whether he wants to or not. See Steve McNair. It gets ugly.

[Scott Campbell]

Not gonna happen. After the Keyshawn pay him to stay home Gruden affair, the new CBA limited the team disciplinary options to a four week suspension (with pay).

Given you would be hard pressed to demonstrate to an arbitrator or Special Master than Favre has engaged in actions detrimental to the team, you could not keep him out of camp.

If this is the route they choose, they either need to be prepared for reduced offers since everyone knows he will be traded or released. Or, they keep the backup option open to give Favre pause before reporting.

Not true. The Packers do not have to do anything other than reinstate him and pay his salary (only if he's on the roster opening day). Plenty of team have told players to just stay home. Favre is not coming into camp whether he wants to or not. See Steve McNair. It gets ugly.

They could make him suffer far worse in camp than staying at home. Taking reps behind Matt Flynn? Playing a couple of series in the 4th quarter during the preseason games?

Favre has plenty of reasons to play nice if he really thinks about this.

I expect both sides to work something out that's mutually beneficial once all the saber rattling is over.

[RashanGary]

They could give him the 4 week suspension at the start of the 4 week training camp. Regardless, Brett seems to have more pride than to show up somewhere that he is completely unwanted.