Brett's Text Message to ESPN

[LL2]

Re: Brett's Text Message to ESPN

ESPNews just showed a text message from Brett to ESPN's Ed Werder.

He said he is contemplating taking the offer from the Packers (which ESPN is now reporting could be closer to $25M to match his salary for the next 2 years). He said the solution seems awkward, but sort of went out of his way to give Mark Murphy credit for trying to offer up a solution. He said that his intentions were to play for the Packers, but they said no. He said he told them that then he wants to play for a team in the division "for obvious reasons". He told them that if you don't want me playing for you, then let me play against you.

The message was interesting in that I think it's the first time he's went out of his way to almost praise somebody in the Packers organization, but also basically admitted that he wants to play for the Vikings (or Bears, but it seems likely it's the Vikings) if he can't play in Green Bay.

I think it's apparent that he thought he could come back any time and the team would welcome him with open arms. That didn't happen, and he was upset (which is somewhat understandable, but I still don't know how he couldn't see this happening after he retired, unretired, and retired again). It made him upset enough to want to play for the Vikings so he could stick it to the Packers for not accepting him back.

It's like I thought. It's not just about playing football. It's about proving a point.

Someone's ego is indeed running wild, but it's not Ted Thompson's.

Yep it sure seems that way now. Brett doesn't give a rats ass how Packer fans would feel with him playing in purple as long as he proves his point and gets a chance to stick it to the green and gold. Man he must really hate Thompson.

I think it's come down to a battle of wills and Favre's ego. Favre is sticking to his guns and wants to be the one that wins. Favre is pissed the Packers will not let him play for GB, so he wants to play for another team in the division so he can beat the Packers twice. You know what, at this point I don't care anymore if he plays for the Vikings. Let's see which team gets the wins and is smiling at the end of the year. Facre could have a good year like last year or a real stinker like the year before.

[Pugger]

If Brett REALLY wanted to play this season he could've gone to the Bucs or Jets (but I don't blame him for not wanting to go to NY) but it appears Favre poo-pooed those trades. I thought somebody on the radio this morning said the Packers would bring back Brett - if he signs this deal - if something should happen to Aaron....?? Did you of you guys hear this or am I mistaken...?

[Harlan Huckleby]

"My intentions have been to play, and with Green Bay. They say 'no,' so I still want to play in this division for obvious reasons, which I made clear to management. If they won't let me play in Green Bay, let me play against you. That's where I am."

What are the "obvious reasons" that Favre is referring to here? So that he can get revenge against Green Bay? And why does Favre think he is entitled to play in the NFC North? He is under contract to Green Bay, they have a right to protect their interests. He sounds like a child.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcnorth/0-2-178/Favre-can-t-find-his-way-to-Minnesota.html

[motife]

Doesn't Favre all but come out and say in the message he WAS tallking to Bevell and Childress about becoming a Viking wiithout the permission of the Packers?

It's now obvious that was what the cell phone calls concerned.

[mission]

i was very against him going to MN at first but as some of you say, who cares now...

lets go, we'll settle it on the field. i honestly still think we'd be the better team.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I'm sure TT views things differently, mission. He plans for all possibilities.

[Freak Out]

"My intentions have been to play, and with Green Bay. They say 'no,' so I still want to play in this division for obvious reasons, which I made clear to management. If they won't let me play in Green Bay, let me play against you. That's where I am."

What are the "obvious reasons" that Favre is referring to here? So that he can get revenge against Green Bay? And why does Favre think he is entitled to play in the NFC North? He is under contract to Green Bay, they have a right to protect their interests. He sounds like a child.


http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcnorth/...Minnesota.html

His "obvious reasons" could be that many think the Queens with Favre would be SB locks....and he wants to win another SB. He knows the Packers are good enough to go with him and thinks Minny is in the same class...just a Favre short. Of course we know all kinds of thing can go wrong along the way. I cant believe he would want to play in Minny just to stick it to TT...which of course is GB.

[Harlan Huckleby]

His "obvious reasons" could be that many think the Queens with Favre would be SB locks.....

OK. well then of course the PAckers should never let Favre get to MN if this is potentially true.

I cant believe he would want to play in Minny just to stick it to TT...which of course is GB.

MM probably cast the decisive vote in rejecting Favre.

[gbgary]

I sure hope this is the beginning of the end. While the events throughout the offseason demonstrate that this simplistic portrayal does not give the whole picture, it's a way for Brett to save face and for the team to finally get past this.

i agree about the hope that the end is near. what an ass whoopin'. the personal service agreement let's both sides save face.

[vince]

I'm not sure how the agreement allows the team to "save face." They are still basically rejecting Favre's services regardless of the agreement, which is the sticking point for those who believe they should allow him back as the starting QB.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I'm not sure how the agreement allows the team to "save face." They are still basically rejecting Favre's services regardless of the agreement, which is the sticking point for those who believe they should allow him back as the starting QB.

oh, it's a big win for the team, albeit paid for with a lot of money.

they keep Favre away from Rastak and off Rodger's back. They rebuild relations with Favre, start the healing with public. The option of Favre being the starting QB was simply not going to happen, the PR damage would have been worse if he were on another team, particularly MN.

And an unspoken advantage: Favre waits in the wings, emerges if Rodgers breaks a leg. Favre is sort of a backup without having to be a backup.

I like the outcome a lot!

[boiga]

oh, it's a big win for the team, albeit paid for with a lot of money.

they keep Favre away from Rastak and off Rodger's back. They rebuild relations with Favre, start the healing with public. The option of Favre being the starting QB was simply not going to happen, the PR damage would have been worse if he were on another team, particularly MN.

And an unspoken advantage: Favre waits in the wings, emerges if Rodgers breaks a leg. Favre is sort of a backup without having to be a backup.

I like the outcome a lot!

Actually, if Favre signs the deal now, he will not be allowed to play for the Packers if Rodgers goes down. Here's the JSO analysis: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=779074

If Favre signs the deal, there is a "stockpiling" rule that would prevent him from making a comeback this season. Former long snapper Rob Davis spoke of such a rule upon his retirement and acceptance of a full-time job as the Packers' director of player development in March.

There is only a small window through which a player who has a non-playing contract with a club can still apply for reinstatement, but it closes well before the start of the regular season. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed that the rule existed and said any player on the reserve/retired list who was employed by a club off the field would not be eligible for the roster after the cut-down to 75 players.

So, if he signs the deal, he can not play for the packers in 2008... however... I'm not sure if he can sign the deal and play for another team... which would be weird to say the least, but not unthinkable.

[SnakeLH2006]

No way he signs it...I grew up with hicks, and was watching Sportscenter last night with my buddy and had to rewind it on my DVR when Favre stepped outta Bus Cooks office smiling to get into his truck......A loaded 4 by 4 dirty as all hell with a crusty ass winch on the front bumper. I know rednecks and have many buddies who are, and just gotta say, Favre has made prob. $100 million plus (and spent a few million) and does not care about money (his great great great grandkids will be set) so if he takes this, it's only a realization that he's fucked and it reflects harshly on the shitty decisions our formerly decent GM has made recently.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Actually, if Favre signs the deal now, he will not be allowed to play for the Packers if Rodgers goes down. Here's the JSO analysis: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=779074 .

Damn, that's too bad. I haven't been reading other web sites, I rely on packerrats for cutting edge news and analysis.

[NewsBruin]

I was surprised that Brett used capitalization and the word "unsettling" in the text message. I think Breleigh's been stealing the phone again.