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I believe that Mike McCarthy, Mark Murphy, Bob Harlan, the Packer board of directors - and most especially, Ted Thompson - deserve a tremendous amount of credit for taking the high road during FavreGate.
In watching the various interviews, especially McCarthy's Tuesday press conference, I sense that below the surface there are many, many things that could be said in response to the nasty claims from the Favre camp, but are repressed. It's tough, for example, to hold back from a response when having your administration being called liars, but McCarthy chose to act like an adult.
However, clues to why the Packers were no longer interested in Favre were there.
Example : when McCarthy mentioned asking Favre if he would be in the 'quarterbacks' room' (film study) on Thursday nights studying film on the next opponent. How many times in recent years was Favre NOT preparing properly?
I think the ringing silence of the Packer players when it came to Favre's return is very telling.
Murphy, in my opinion, WAS offering a bribe of sorts to Favre to stay retired, but I see that as just a very expensive olive branch. It seems to indicate that the Packers were willing to spend millions to allow Favre to save face; to not have to go thru facing the fact that he had simply outworn his welcome.
Thompson, the architect of the team that gave Favre a golden opportunity to win the Super Bowl he wants, has, in my opinion, showed the greatest grace under pressure. Despite being pummelled, insulted, and demonized by many 'fans' for simply doing his job, he has refused to seek a spotlight to tell HIS side of the story. I'd love to know more about the many, many times Packer planning has been held hostage by Favre, as well as the many times since his retirement management has bent over backwards to appease his whims.
To my knowledge, he's never rightfully blasted Favre for his very public meddling with team decisions. Favre was upset because Thompson hired McCarthy over his crony, Mariucci?? Favre upset because the team wouldn't pursue Moss (who only wanted to use the Pack as a pawn, anyway)???
Even after all of this, Thompson still held the door open as long as possible.
I think Thompson and the Packers have earned a tremendous amount of respect around the league, and I think it is well deserved.
I am extremely proud of them.
In watching the various interviews, especially McCarthy's Tuesday press conference, I sense that below the surface there are many, many things that could be said in response to the nasty claims from the Favre camp, but are repressed. It's tough, for example, to hold back from a response when having your administration being called liars, but McCarthy chose to act like an adult.
However, clues to why the Packers were no longer interested in Favre were there.
Example : when McCarthy mentioned asking Favre if he would be in the 'quarterbacks' room' (film study) on Thursday nights studying film on the next opponent. How many times in recent years was Favre NOT preparing properly?
I think the ringing silence of the Packer players when it came to Favre's return is very telling.
Murphy, in my opinion, WAS offering a bribe of sorts to Favre to stay retired, but I see that as just a very expensive olive branch. It seems to indicate that the Packers were willing to spend millions to allow Favre to save face; to not have to go thru facing the fact that he had simply outworn his welcome.
Thompson, the architect of the team that gave Favre a golden opportunity to win the Super Bowl he wants, has, in my opinion, showed the greatest grace under pressure. Despite being pummelled, insulted, and demonized by many 'fans' for simply doing his job, he has refused to seek a spotlight to tell HIS side of the story. I'd love to know more about the many, many times Packer planning has been held hostage by Favre, as well as the many times since his retirement management has bent over backwards to appease his whims.
To my knowledge, he's never rightfully blasted Favre for his very public meddling with team decisions. Favre was upset because Thompson hired McCarthy over his crony, Mariucci?? Favre upset because the team wouldn't pursue Moss (who only wanted to use the Pack as a pawn, anyway)???
Even after all of this, Thompson still held the door open as long as possible.
I think Thompson and the Packers have earned a tremendous amount of respect around the league, and I think it is well deserved.
I am extremely proud of them.
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