Question on NFL Contracts and Trading

[Scott Campbell]

I don't see the Packers needing to be in any big hurry. They were already prepared to get nothing for him if he stayed retired. Anything they get for him is gravy at this point.

[Fritz]

I thought this too, Scott, but I can imagine a team with legitimate playoff/Super Bowl aspirations (Tampa Bay?) getting three weeks into camp and having the starting QB go down. Bet they'd still be okay with getting a rusty Favre.

But the whold timetable question is interesting.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Hmmm. This would suggest that both sides have an interest in settling this quickly. Maybe a trade will be investigated, and if it's determined that that won't happen, Favre will get his release.

I would abandon my own white grandmother before I would release Favre.

Better to sign him to be backup, and wait for a trade opportunity to the AFC.

The players are gonna rally behind Rodgers. If FAvre choices to play the brooding, age-discriminated veteran it won't fly. And i doubt he would do that. HE might retire.

[Gunakor]

Ah. Thank you. And of course the Packers cannot simply hang onto Favre, either. They can't keep a roster spot for him just to let him sit.

TT doesn't really have a lot of leverage. He may be better off trying to arrange a trade and if he can't get it done, say, a week or so into training camp, then just releasing Favre.

What I expect to happen today is that the packers will announce they have given Bus Cook permission to arrange a trade with an AFC team. If Brett goes to the ravens (my personal choice) it really doesn't matter what we get for him, even a 5th beats unconditionally releasing him.

I know this isn't likely, but fun to discuss BUT...what if the vikings made a big offer, like a first and a third. I know we don't want him in minnesota, but wow, that would be hard to refuse.

If the Queens are willing to part with a 1st rounder I'd consider it. If the Queens are willing to part with a 1st rounder PLUS, I don't think I'd hesitate too long. As I'm sure everyone has figured out by now, I am all about the long term success of the Packers franchise. An additional first AND third round pick does a whole helluva lot for the long term success of the Packers. I think I'd have to do it.

2 words to remember about this topic though as it relates to the Vikings. Hershel Walker. It won't happen again...

[Scott Campbell]

I thought this too, Scott, but I can imagine a team with legitimate playoff/Super Bowl aspirations (Tampa Bay?) getting three weeks into camp and having the starting QB go down. Bet they'd still be okay with getting a rusty Favre.

But the whold timetable question is interesting.

That might work out better for the team getting him than not having a QB at all. But it doesn't work out that well for Brett, who obviously would prefer to have a training camp under his belt. He's likely to play a lot better if he gets the added camp practice in.

[Scott Campbell]

I would abandon my own white grandmother before I would release Favre.

I don't think its very nice to get her hopes up like that Harlan.

[Harlan Huckleby]

They could also include poison pills that would ensure the team wouldn't releases him right away to go to Minnesota or Chicago (like five first round picks or someting extreme).

I asked about this a while ago and got no response from the peanut gallery.

I seriously doubt any such restrictions in a contract could be legal. A team owns a players rights, but they can't expect to control his opportunities after they trade him. That practically amounts to organized blacklisting.

I know that private industry can have "non-compete" clauses in contracts. But these clauses are often unenforcable. And those companies aren't using monopoly power to make them stick like the NFL would be doing.

[vince]

That could very well be, Harlan, but when you see the Vikings get away with stealing Hutch away from Seattle the way they did when he was supposedly protected, it seems like just about anything can be included in a contract between two parties to get around league rules and the agreements are upheld.

[Fritz]

TT is being pretty harsh if at that media event today he really did infer that Favre could come back as a backup. Dang. I'm very disappointed in Favre, but still, that's pretty harsh stuff there, Teddy.

[mngolf19]

TT is being pretty harsh if at that media event today he really did infer that Favre could come back as a backup. Dang. I'm very disappointed in Favre, but still, that's pretty harsh stuff there, Teddy.

TT is just calling his bluff. He's hoping that pushes Favre back to retirement. If Favre calls TT's bluff, then he'll force movement out of GB one way or another. No way you can keep Favre as the backup and think the lockeroom wouldn't be screwed up or that fan pressure on Arod at that point wouldn't be too much.