Pack: Come On Back ... As A Backup

[Fritz]

TT was pretty harsh, man. I am in the first ranks of those disappointed with how Favre has handled this whole thing - letting his family air his complaints with Ted, denying the "rumors" that he wanted to come back when they were true (that is, he misled people deliberately), - but to suggest that Favre was welcome...as a backup - man, that's harsh, Ted.

[falco]

TT was pretty harsh, man. I am in the first ranks of those disappointed with how Favre has handled this whole thing - letting his family air his complaints with Ted, denying the "rumors" that he wanted to come back when they were true (that is, he misled people deliberately), - but to suggest that Favre was welcome...as a backup - man, that's harsh, Ted.

agreed again - Fritz u da man

[RashanGary]

Oh man, this thing got uglier than I ever imagined. If we don't start Brett I want him cut the day before the season. No way do I have him sitting around the sidelines on game days. You could see the sick look in his face in Dallas. I just don't want to deal with the headache during the season. TC is bad enough. Hopefully he takes a hint and finds a trade or stays home.

[Fosco33]

If Favre came back as a back-up - he'd be starting by week 4 after ARod gets hurt.

Then when ARod gets healthy, it'd be even a bigger QB controversy (bench ARod b/c of injury -- can starters lose their position b/c of injury?).

Then ARod would get hurt again, Favre would start again.

Then there will be all this comparison/analysis/apologists/cantankerous shit going on... Brett, it's the playoffs - you're record isn't great and ARod is the starter - so you're giving signals again from the bench.

I hope the message was clear, 'stay retired'. And while I don't think 'running him out of town' is the right approach (you hope a guy like Favre earns the respect/dignity to make his own call on play/not play).... it appears that's what they're doing. He partly brings this on himself with all the back/forth.

Disappointing.

[RashanGary]

And I don't believe for a second that this is gut-wretching for Thompson. He could care less except that he made a decision and it's such a delicate one that Murphy/Harlan are orchestrating the media aspect and Thompson has no choice but to sell out and go along with the plan. Well, he has a choice but if he goes cowboy on this I don't think Harlan or Murphy would be too impressed.

[Fosco33]

John Clayton is reporting that a call with TT says that he never said Favre would be a back-up. He clarified that he'd be an active member of the Packers and would have 'a role' of some sort. Really interesting - but not as harsh as, 'you're the back-up'. Talk of trade is only hypothetical to TT until Favre files reinstatement.

Maybe Favre is the starter but doesn't play 100% (best for specific situation/game)... hmm

[motife]

[RashanGary]

Good point about TT not saying he'd be a backup. That was all assumed. He said Favre would NOT start and didn't say he would be a backup either. Basically he said he's not going to release him and that was it. Nothing more. I think the bottom line is that Brett isn't going to play in the NFC North (Packers, Vikings or Bears) and the Packers have the power to insure that is the case.

[motife]

THOMPSON: AARON RODGERS IS OUR STARTER
Posted by Michael David Smith on July 12, 2008, 3:47 p.m.
In an interview today with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Packers General Manager Ted Thompson indicated that if Brett Favre is on the Packers this season, his job will be holding a clipboard on the sideline while Aaron Rodgers leads the team.

“Aaron Rodgers is our starting quarterback,” Thompson said.

When asked if Favre could play for the Packers this year, Thompson said, “Sure.” But when he was asked if Favre could be the starter, Thompson said, “I don’t know how to answer that. We have moved forward. So we’ll see where it goes.”

Reading between the lines, it’s clear from Thompson’s comments that he doesn’t want Favre to come back, but that he also doesn’t want to alienate Favre — or the tens of thousands of Favre fans who fill Lambeau Field eight times a year.

“People think I’m stoic and don’t care what anybody thinks,” Thompson said. “Sure I do. If it’s something like [fans criticizing] a draft pick, I’m fine with that. I want people to know that I know fans care so much and we care too. We care about the legacy of the Packers and the legacy of Brett Favre.”

[GrnBay007]

John Clayton is reporting that a call with TT says that he never said Favre would be a back-up. He clarified that he'd be an active member of the Packers and would have 'a role' of some sort. Really interesting - but not as harsh as, 'you're the back-up'. Talk of trade is only hypothetical to TT until Favre files reinstatement.

Maybe Favre is the starter but doesn't play 100% (best for specific situation/game)... hmm

IMO, the Packers are not going to bring back Brett Favre and have him sit on the bench. If anything they will use BOTH QB's where they are best suited. Remember, TT said he will do what is best for the Packer team. No way does that mean having BF sitting on the bench. I think it was also Leaper that mentioned this could be the best situation....having both Favre and Rodgers playing. Favre is having a rough time....bring out Rodgers. Cold weather game Favre is not looking good, bring in Rodgers. It's like the best scenario. In this case, it's probably Rodgers that will need to be convinced to stick around more so then Favre.

[Fosco33]

John Clayton is reporting that a call with TT says that he never said Favre would be a back-up. He clarified that he'd be an active member of the Packers and would have 'a role' of some sort. Really interesting - but not as harsh as, 'you're the back-up'. Talk of trade is only hypothetical to TT until Favre files reinstatement.

Maybe Favre is the starter but doesn't play 100% (best for specific situation/game)... hmm

IMO, the Packers are not going to bring back Brett Favre and have him sit on the bench. If anything they will use BOTH QB's where they are best suited. Remember, TT said he will do what is best for the Packer team. No way does that mean having BF sitting on the bench. I think it was also Leaper that mentioned this could be the best situation....having both Favre and Rodgers playing. Favre is having a rough time....bring out Rodgers. Cold weather game Favre is not looking good, bring in Rodgers. It's like the best scenario. In this case, it's probably Rodgers that will need to be convinced to stick around more so then Favre.

Almost 5000 posts 007 - impressive. And I agree (and sorta like) this approach from the others.

[motife]

http://blogs.jsonline.com/packers/archive/2008/07/12/favre-return-making-things-messy-for-thompson.aspx

Link to the JSO story. You will see Thompson is nuanced.

He says he has to deal with what is real. What is real is Aaron Rodgers is our starter.

[RashanGary]

Right on, Motife.

He's not coming back. He'll be reinstated but the Packers do not want him back. I don't think they want him anywhere near their lockerroom if they can help it and they will figure out a way to keep him as far away from Greenbay as possible while also keeping him away from our rivals.

[GrnBay007]

He says he has to deal with what is real. What is real is Aaron Rodgers is our starter.

OK TT....and are you ready to deal with what's real if you refuse to bring back Favre and Rodgers gets hurt early on? Is Brohm ready? doubtful.

[GrnBay007]

Right on, Motife.

He's not coming back. He'll be reinstated but the Packers do not want him back. I don't think they want him anywhere near their lockerroom if they can help it and they will figure out a way to keep him as far away from Greenbay as possible while also keeping him away from our rivals.

WHY JH? If you are so HIGH on TT, why in the world would you think he can't be planning to put the best QB on the field for 2008?