OFFICIAL FAVRE WATCH: DECISION DAY/NEWS/FINALE/PREVIEW

[TopHat]

BRETT FAVRE

Today, I was away, just hearing the great news & reactions.

I will post a finale editorial and previews after the Super bowl.

Echo shadow coming....

[The Shadow]

Obviously, Favre is returning.
Can't wait till the 'official' announcement & the countless, breathless "Oh- my-God- I-can't believe-it's-really-really-true!!!!" messages flashing across this site.
yawn.

And here we go!

[chewy-bacca]

once again its on!

[TopHat]

APPRECIATE IT, WOODBUCK27

I am so pleased that Brett Favre decided to return for 2007 and most of all for PACKERRAT, Top Hat a huge Green Bay Packer and Brett Favre fan.

Nice job Top Hat in your dedication to keeping us updated on this very important story for the Packers upcoming season.

What a way to start the weekend. X 100

TOP HAT'S FOOTNOTE: THANKS.

[motife]

trivia question :

who caught Favre's first completed pass in a regular season game as a Green Bay Packer?

[esoxx]

Himself?

[motife]

Himself?

you are correct. against the Bucs, his first pass was batted in the air and he caught it for a 7 yard loss.

it was actually his first NFL completion too.

his first pass for Atlanta was intercepted and run back for a TD. his other 4 passes for the Falcons were another interception and 3 incompletions.

typically zany Favre beginning to his career.

[TopHat]

FINALE: NEWS ARTICLES/RECORDS/CAREER TIMELINE

http://packers.scout.com/2/615485.html

Thompson happy to take Favre's call by Lawrence Scout.com

GM Ted Thompson says Brett Favre made no pleas to upgrade the offense, and isn't sure if his veteran QB will have ankle surgery. Even Mr. Even Keel himself, Ted Thompson, must have had his heart skip a beat when he looked at his Caller ID during a meeting Friday. Thompson stepped out of the room to take a call he had been waiting for since the day after the 2006 regular season ended. “I think he said something about, ‘I think I’m going to give it another shot,’ something like that,” Thompson said during a news conference Friday to talk about Brett Favre’s decision to come back for a 17th NFL season. “And I said, ‘That sounds good to me...."

http://packers.scout.com/2/615350.html

With Favre returning, all is well By Doug Ritchay Scout.com

Quarterback's decision to return a relief for Packers fans. With the possibility of the Chicago Bears winning the Super Bowl this weekend, Green Bay Packers fans needed something positive to hang onto, just in case Bears fans make lives miserable next week and beyond. Packers quarterback Brett Favre came to the rescue today when he announced he will return in 2007. The story was first broke by the Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss). “I am so excited about coming back,” Favre told the Sun Herald. “We have a good nucleus of young players. We were 8-8 last year and that's encouraging. My offensive line looks good, the defense played good down the stretch. I'm excited about playing for a talented, young football team...."

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=61&p=2&c=615543&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fpackers.scout.com%2f2%2f615543.html

Timing of Favre decision good for free agency. By Todd Korth Scout.com

Packers likely to attract players who can make an impact.

http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070204/PKR01/702040652/1989

Favre's return: Decision brightens Packers' prospects by Pete Dougherty Packersnews.com

Brett Favre's early announcement of his return for the 2007 NFL season changes the tenor of the Green Bay Packers' offseason from a year ago. This year was going to be different, anyway, because coach Mike McCarthy and his assistants have had a year to establish their program. Last year at this time, McCarthy was a first-time head coach putting together a staff and identity for the team, and General Manager Ted Thompson was remaking the Packers' roster. Favre's announcement Friday profoundly enhances the team's stability going into the offseason, whereas last year, his status was the major question that lingered over the team until he determined in late April he was coming back. When McCarthy and Thompson met with Favre after the season, they agreed they couldn't repeat last year, when the Packers went into the start of free agency in March not knowing whether Favre would return and didn't find out until the week of the draft. "All of us," Thompson said, "Brett included, knew it was better for the organization, better for him, better for everybody and his teammates, who he was quite concerned with, to decide this earlier. There were fewer uncertainties going into this offseason. Last season, there was a coaching change and other things that (the Favres) had to work through." With Favre coming back, the Packers don't have to pursue a veteran quarterback in free agency to back up Aaron Rodgers, who would have been in his first season as an NFL starter had Favre not returned. "I'd think (the early decision) would help (Thompson and McCarthy) a lot, particularly when you consider the alternative," said Ron Wolf, the Packers' former GM. "What would be the alternative in free agency if he says, 'I'm not coming back?' Who do you go get to be your (backup) quarterback? So, I'd think that would help them immensely." Though Wolf doesn't study NFL personnel anything like he did as GM, he considers Favre "easily" among the top 10 quarterbacks in the game, even at 37. He said the top echelon of quarterbacks includes Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer, with perhaps a couple or several others. "After you get by the first tier, (Favre's) got to be right in there with the rest of them," Wolf said. Though Favre's return for his 17th NFL season and 16th as the Packers' starter adds to the Packers' stability and is an endorsement of Thompson's rebuilding program and McCarthy's coaching, it's difficult to know how it will affect Thompson's personnel moves this offseason. McCarthy and Favre discussed upgrading the team's offensive personnel in a phone conversation early last week that Favre found encouraging, though Thompson said Favre neither asked for nor was given any promises. Regardless, with or without Favre, the Packers need help at the skill positions after remaking their offensive line via the draft last year. Even if they re-sign halfback Ahman Green, which Thompson has said he wants to do, the Packers need to upgrade their playmaking abilities at that position, receiver and tight end. Thompson has a cautious philosophy regarding signing other teams' players in big-money free agency, but showed last year he's not averse by spending a combined $17 million in first-year pay for cornerback Charles Woodson and defensive tackle Ryan Pickett. "We feel like if we're doing things to help the team get better," Thompson said, "whoever the quarterback is, whether it's Brett or whomever it might be, we're going to try to get better, and if we can do that in free agency, we'll do that. It doesn't always work out. It takes two to tango." Favre's decision might help a little in recruiting for free agency, because it helps the Packers maintain their look of an ascending team after improving to 8-8 last season with a young roster after going 4-12 in 2005. However, contract offers always will be the main recruiting tool in free agency, and any free agent considering signing with the Packers probably will assume Favre is down to his last year or two as a player, anyway. More than anything, Favre's early announcement removes the huge question that hung over the team last year. That could help McCarthy carry over the good feelings from the Packers' four straight wins to end last season. "I think (Favre) likes the team and the team likes him," Thompson said. "That's not to say — at some point in the future — Brett Favre is not going to be the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers. We're not going to fold our tents. We're still going to line up and play. But we're certainly happy to have Brett and Aaron on our team."

http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070203/PKR07/702030553/1959

Favre warms hearts of Packers Nation By Mike Woods Packersnews.com

Give Brett Favre this, he has the ability to rise to the moment. On the coldest day of the year, with the fierceness of winter turning our outlooks black and our noses blue, the Green Bay Packers quarterback warmed the hearts of an entire state — and the entire NFL Network on a news-starved day at the Super Bowl — by announcing on Friday he will return for a 17th NFL season and his 16th in Green Bay. This is obviously good news for the Packers, the NFL and talking heads across the nation, who have transformed Favre Gushing into a national pastime. For the Packers and their faithful, the immediate benefit is the momentum built at the end of last season — four straight wins to close the year at 8-8 — will not be stymied. Hope and enthusiasm for 2007 will continue to blossom, regardless if it's real or imagined, and that's OK. Training camp will open on a positive note, and that's all second-year coach Mike McCarthy and his staff can ask. It will be up to them to maintain it. Whether the Packers and General Manager Ted Thompson, with all that loot at his feet, can provide Favre with some needed additional offensive weapons is to be determined. Whether the young offensive line takes another step forward remains to be seen. Whether the defense will continue to play smart and assignment-sure football — as it did for most of the last month — or whether it will revert to its Jets/Patriots ways is open to debate. And whether Favre can continue to raise his game — a good but certainly not great 2006 was better than his disastrous 2005 season – and whether he can continue to stay healthy also are things only the calendar can reveal. As Favre's former quarterbacks coach Steve Mariucci sat on the NFL Network set in Miami on Friday for its live coverage of the Super Bowl talking about Favre's return, his cell phone was buzzing in his pocket. It was Favre, from his kitchen in Mississippi, having a little fun with his pal. But after Mariucci returned the call, he relayed the story of a conversation he had just a couple of days earlier with Favre, saying how he felt he should come back, and if he did, how he should sell out; get in the best shape of his life, attack minicamps and training camp with vigor and prepare to have his best season. It's great advice, and hopefully Favre will heed it. Still, it will take more than that. As for getting Favre some much-needed help, the free-agent pool at wide receiver, tight end and running back is unimpressive, and while a possible trade for the cantankerous Randy Moss may make sense to Favre, it may not make sense to the Packers. Moss is a migraine in waiting, and while it may be amiable for a time, his history says it won't last. And when Favre retires, then what? But those are matters to be resolved in the future weeks and months. Today, the only thing that matters is the Packers know they have a chance. A chance to succeed in NFL Lite, more commonly known as the NFC. A chance, if the circumstances align favorably, to be the New Orleans Saints of 2007, or perhaps better. In any event, they have a better chance to succeed with Favre than without. After 16 years in Green Bay, that story remains the same. And suddenly, as you step outside today, it doesn't feel quite as cold.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=561223

A possible playoff push nudged Favre back by Gary D'AMATO JSOnline.com

Brett Favre isn't coming back to pad his bank account or break Dan Marino's records. He isn't coming back because his family and friends want him to play another year. Favre is coming back for a 17th season in the National Football League for one reason: He thinks the Green Bay Packers have a chance to be a good team in 2007. A playoff team. Maybe even a playoff team that wins a game or two and, if all the pieces fall into place, makes a run at the Super Bowl....

http://www.jsonline.com/index/index.aspx?id=44 Packer Insider: Columns

1. Packers need more than Favre
2. Packers' faithful can exhale
3. Favre gives Packers a chance
4. Favre's return great news
5. Favre keeps drama level low
__________________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Favre in the Record Book

PASSING YARDS

1 Dan Marino 61,361
2 Brett Favre 57,500
3 John Elway 51,475

TD PASSES

1 Dan Marino 420
2 Brett Favre 414
3 Fran Tarkenton 342

MOST SEASONS, 3,000 YARDS

1 Brett Favre 15
2 Dan Marino 13
3 John Elway 12

PASSING ATTEMPTS

1 Dan Marino 8,358
2 Brett Favre 8,224
3 John Elway 7,250

COMPLETIONS

1 Brett Favre 5,021
2 Dan Marino 4,967
3 John Elway 4,123

VICTORIES AS STARTING QB

1 John Elway 148
2 Brett Favre 147
2 Dan Marino 147

CONSECUTIVE GAMES STARTED*

1 Jim Marshall 270
2 Mick Tingelhoff 240
3 Brett Favre 237
4 Bruce Matthews 229

CONSECUTIVE GAMES STARTED, QB*

1 Brett Favre 237
2 Peyton Manning 144
3 Ron Jaworski 116

*Favre started 257 straight games including playoffs


....AND MORE NEW RECORDS COMING.

__________________________________________________ _______________________________________________

http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070203/PKR01/702030563/1058/PKRFeatures

Favre returns: Career timeline

1992

Joined the Packers on Feb. 10, arriving from Atlanta in a trade with the Falcons. Green Bay gave up its first-round draft pick. … Made regular-season debut on Sept. 13, when he mopped up in 21-3 loss at Tampa Bay. Completed first NFL pass to himself, catching a deflected pass for a 7-yard loss. … Burst onto the scene on Sept. 20, when he came on in relief of Don Majkowski, who injured an ankle. He rallied the Packers to a 24-23 victory over the Bengals at Lambeau Field, throwing a 35-yard TD pass to Kitrick Taylor with just 13 seconds left. … Started first game on Sept. 27, a 17-3 win over the Steelers at Lambeau Field. … Started every game for rest of season. … Impressed future teammate Reggie White by leading 27-24 comeback win over Eagles in Milwaukee on Nov. 15 despite separated left shoulder. ... Set team records with 64.12 passing percentage and 11 games of 200 yards passing. … Played in Pro Bowl as a backup.

1993

Started all 16 games and two playoff games. … Sustained deep thigh bruise against Buccaneers on Nov. 28, but threw game-winning, 2-yard TD pass to Sterling Sharpe on next play for 13-10 comeback victory. … Set team record with 36 completions in a 30-17 loss at Chicago on Dec. 5. That also was his first 400-yard game; he threw for 402 yards. … Led NFC with 318 completions. … Earned first playoff victory with TD pass to Sharpe with 55 seconds left in 28-24 wild-card win over Lions at Pontiac, Mich., on Jan. 8. … Played in Pro Bowl as a backup. … Hancock North Central High School in Kiln, Miss., retired his No. 10 jersey in April. … University of Southern Mississippi retired his No. 4 jersey in September.

1994

Started all 16 games and two playoff games. … Forced out of game for first time with a badly bruised left hip at Minnesota on Oct. 20. … Had a career-high 58 yards rushing the next week in a 33-6 win at Chicago in a driving rainstorm on Halloween night. … Dived into end zone at end of 9-yard TD run with 14 seconds left, capping Packers' comeback for 21-17 win over Falcons on Dec. 18, in last game played at Milwaukee County Stadium. … Set team records of 33 TD passes, 363 completions and 3.24 career interception percentage.


1995

Started all 16 games and three playoff games. … Set team record with 99-yard TD pass to Robert Brooks in 27-24 win at Chicago on Sept. 11. … Had career-high 40-yard run in 24-14 win at Jacksonville on Sept. 24. … Badly sprained his left ankle in second quarter of 27-24 loss at Minnesota on Nov. 5. … Came back next week and threw five TD passes, tying team record, in 35-28 win over Bears at Lambeau Field on Nov. 12. … Took several hard hits, but led Packers to NFC Central Division title in 24-19 win over Steelers at Lambeau Field on Christmas Eve. … Set team postseason record of 75 percent passing (21 of 28) in 27-17 divisional-round win at San Francisco on Jan. 6. … Set team record of seven 300-yard passing games. … Shared team lead with three rushing TDs. … Threw two or more TD passes in 12 consecutive games, tying NFL record. … Led NFL with 4,413 passing yards and 38 TD passes. … Led NFC with 99.5 passer rating. … Started in Pro Bowl. … Named NFL's most valuable player.


1996

Had surgery to remove bone chips and large spur from left ankle on Feb. 27. … Admitted addiction to painkiller Vicodin in May, then spent 45 days in treatment at Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kan. … After 12 years together, he married Deanna Tynes on July 14 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Green Bay. … Started all 16 games and three playoff games. … His 50-yard Hail Mary pass to Antonio Freeman on last play of first half was one of four TD passes in 37-6 win at Chicago on Oct. 6. … Set team record with 61 pass attempts in 23-20 overtime win over 49ers at Lambeau Field on Oct. 14. … Led Packers to first NFL title in 29 years with 35-21 win over Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans on Jan. 26. Audibled a 54-yard TD pass to Andre Rison on his first throw of game. Set Super Bowl record with an 81-yard TD pass to Freeman in second quarter. … Set team and NFC records with NFL-leading 39 TD passes. … Led NFC with 3,899 yards passing. … Started in Pro Bowl. … Named NFL's most valuable player. … Founded Brett Favre Fourward Foundation, which benefits charities in Wisconsin and Mississippi.


1997

Started all 16 games and three playoff games. … Set team record with 153rd TD pass, a 28-yarder to Freeman in second quarter of 38-32 win over Vikings at Lambeau Field on Sept. 21. Tied team record with 5 TD passes in that game. … Had streak of 24 TD passes without interception during season. … Threw 3 TD passes in 31-24 loss to Broncos in Super Bowl XXXII in San Diego on Jan. 25. … Led NFL with 37 passes of 25 or more yards. … Led NFC with 304 completions and 3,867 passing yards. … Chosen as Pro Bowl starter, but didn't play because of knee injury. … Named NFL's most valuable player, sharing honor with Lions running back Barry Sanders. … Inducted into Southern Miss Sports Hall of Fame in April. … His autobiography, "Favre: For the Record," written with Press-Gazette columnist Chris Havel, sells more than 100,000 copies.


1998

Started all 16 games and one playoff game. … Tied team record with 5 TD passes while rallying Packers to 37-30 victory at Carolina on Sept. 27. … Became Packers' career passing yardage leader on 62-yard TD pass to Freeman in fourth quarter of 36-22 win over 49ers at Lambeau Field on Nov. 1. … Threw TD pass in 10th straight postseason game, hitting Freeman with a 15-yarder for a 27-23 lead with 1:56 left in wild-card game at San Francisco on Jan. 3, but 49ers rallied to win 30-27 on TD with 3 seconds left. … Led NFL with 347 completions and 4,212 passing yards. … Appeared in hit film, "There's Something About Mary," as Cameron Diaz's boyfriend.


1999

Sustained season-long sprained right thumb when it hit the helmet of Broncos linebacker John Mobley during preseason game in Madison on Aug. 23. … Started all 16 games. … Led Packers to comeback wins in three of first four games. … Despite having aggravated thumb injury, he threw a 1-yard TD pass to Jeff Thomason with 11 seconds left to beat Raiders 28-24 at Lambeau Field on opening day, Sept. 12. … Threw a 23-yard TD pass to Corey Bradford with 12 seconds left to beat Vikings 23-20 at Lambeau Field on Sept. 26. … Drove Packers 73 yards in 40 seconds and threw a 21-yard TD pass over blitz to Freeman with 1:05 left to beat Buccaneers 26-23 at Lambeau Field on Oct. 10. … Started 117th straight game, setting NFL record for a quarterback, against Bears at Lambeau Field on Nov. 7. … Led NFL with 595 pass attempts. … Second daughter, Breleigh, born on July 13.


2000

Started all 16 games. … Sat out almost two weeks of training camp and missed last three preseason games with tendinitis on outside of right elbow. … Threw underhanded 5-yard TD pass to Ahman Green and game-winning 43-yard TD pass to Freeman in 26-20 overtime win over Vikings on Nov. 6 at Lambeau Field. … Left game with badly sprained left foot when sacked by Buccaneers' Warren Sapp in third quarter of 20-15 loss at Tampa Bay on Nov. 12. … Returned next week to throw for 301 yards and two TDs in 26-24 upset of Colts at Lambeau Field on Nov. 19. … Earned 100th victory with Packers, including playoffs, by leading 58-yard drive for field goal to beat Buccaneers 17-14 in season finale on Christmas Eve at Lambeau Field. … Led NFC with 580 passes attempted.


2001

Signed contract on March 1 ensuring he'll finish career with the Packers. … Started all 16 games and two playoff games. … Was 27-of-34 passing for 337 yards — his 30th 300-yard game — and 3 TDs in 31-23 victory over defending Super Bowl champion Ravens on Oct. 14 at Lambeau Field. … Ran for game-winning TD on 6-yard bootleg around left end with 1:30 left in 28-21 victory at Jacksonville on Dec. 3. … Set team postseason record by going 22-of-29 passing (75.86 percent) — including 16-of-21 in second half — in 25-15 wild-card playoff victory over 49ers on Jan. 13 at Lambeau Field. Tied NFL record with six interceptions in 45-17 divisional playoff loss at St. Louis on Jan. 20. … Chosen as Pro Bowl starter, but didn't play because of back and abdominal injuries.


2002

Started all 16 games and one playoff game. … Went over 40,000 career passing yards in 34-21 win at Chicago on Oct. 7. … Threw 300th career TD pass — an 8-yarder to Green in second quarter — in 28-10 win at New England on Oct. 13. … Left game early in third quarter after spraining lateral collateral ligament in left knee on sack by Washington's LaVar Arrington in 30-9 win over Redskins at Lambeau Field on Oct. 20. … Wearing a knee brace and having had a bye week to rest, goes 16-of-25 passing for 187 yards and a TD in 24-10 win over Dolphins at Lambeau Field on Nov. 4. … Threw TD pass in 13th straight postseason game, tying NFL record, in 27-7 wild-card playoff loss to Falcons at Lambeau Field on Jan. 4. … Led NFC with 341 completions and 551 attempts. … Tied with Saints' Aaron Brooks, his former backup, for NFC lead with 27 TD passes. … Chosen as Pro Bowl starter, but didn't play because of foot, ankle and knee injuries. … Named NFL's player of the year by Sports Illustrated.


2003

Started all 16 games and two playoff games. … Broke his right thumb when it hit left guard Mike Wahle's shoulder pad during followthrough on second pass of game in 34-24 loss at St. Louis on Oct. 19. Wore a splint on the thumb for rest of season. … Set team record by playing in 188th consecutive game in 34-21 win over Bears on Dec. 7. … Set team record of 23 consecutive games with TD pass on 7-yard toss to Donald Driver in second quarter of 38-21 win at San Diego on Dec. 14. … Playing the night after the unexpected death of his father, Irvin, in Mississippi, he led Packers to 41-7 at Oakland on Dec. 22. Was 22-of-30 passing for 399 yards and four TDs; had career-best 311 yards to go with 3 TDs in first half. His 23-yard TD pass to Javon Walker in first quarter was 343rd of career, moving him into second place in NFL history. Set team record with 154.9 passer rating. … Set NFL record with TD pass in 14 consecutive postseason games with 23-yard toss to Bubba Franks in second quarter of 33-27 wild-card playoff win over Seahawks at Lambeau Field on Jan. 4. Extended record to 15 games with 40-yard TD pass to Robert Ferguson in first quarter of 20-17 divisional playoff loss at Philadelphia on Jan. 11. … Led NFC and set team record with career-best 65.4 completion percentage (308 of 471 passing, the latter a career low). … Chosen as Pro Bowl backup.


2004

Started all 16 games and one playoff game. … Set NFL record of 25 straight games with TD pass against same opponent with 18-yard toss to Ferguson in third quarter of 21-10 loss to Bears at Lambeau Field on Sept. 19. … Already playing with bruised left hamstring, he left game in third quarter with concussion after defensive linemen William Joseph and Keith Washington fell on him during 14-7 loss to Giants at Lambeau Field on Oct. 3. Did so only after putting himself back in game without coaches' knowledge despite concussion and throwing 28-yard TD to Walker. … Set team record with 197th game played, a 38-10 win at Detroit on Oct. 17. … Made 200th consecutive start in 45-17 win over Rams at Lambeau Field on Nov. 29. Set NFL record of 11 straight years with 20 or more TD passes on 7-yard toss to Franks in second quarter. … Team-record streak of 36 games with a TD pass ended in 47-17 loss at Philadelphia on Dec. 5. … Had NFL-record 13th straight 3,000-yard passing season, tying him with Dan Marino for most such seasons. … Chosen as Pro Bowl alternate. … Hancock North Central High School in Kiln, Miss., renamed football field as Brett Favre Field on May 8 and dedicated a life-size statue of Favre at its entrance. … Wife, Deanna, was diagnosed with breast cancer in mid-October and immediately started treatment.


2005

Started all 16 games. … Set NFL record by reaching 3,000 yards passing for 14th season, surpassing Marino on first-quarter pass to Ferguson during 16-13 win over Lions at Lambeau Field on Dec. 11. … Set NFL record for most touchdown passes at a stadium during 26-24 loss to Browns at Lambeau Field on Sept. 18; ended season with 187 after 9-yard TD pass to Antonio Chatman in 23-17 win over Seahawks on Jan. 1. Old record was 180, by John Elway at Mile High Stadium in Denver. … Became third quarterback in NFL history with 50,000 passing yards, also during Sept. 18 loss to Browns. … Surpassed 51,000 passing yards in 23-20 loss at Minnesota on Oct. 23. … Moved into second place on NFL career list for passing yards and attempts, surpassing Elway, during 21-14 loss at Cincinnati on Oct. 30. … Endured first losing season of career — NFL, college or high school — as Packers went 4-12. … Sat out fourth quarter of 48-3 blowout loss at Baltimore on Dec. 19. … Fans chanted "One more year!" and Favre took a curtain call near end of season-ending win over Seahawks at Lambeau Field. … Before season, Favre waited two months, until March 10, before telling Packers he'd be back in 2005. … Men's Journal honored Favre as "the toughest guy in America." … Spent part of offseason working with personal trainer, doing core training to get in better shape for training camp. … Sold his five-bedroom, five-bath, 7,800-square-foot home on Green Bay's west side in May. No purchase price disclosed; listed for $895,000. … Wife, Deanna, said in mid-June her treatment for breast cancer had been successful. … Hurricane Katrina destroyed Favre's boyhood home in Kiln, Miss., and threatened the lives of several family members on Aug. 29. Favre and Titans quarterback Steve McNair organized hurricane relief efforts for people in their native Mississippi. Brett Favre Fourward Foundation raised more than $912,000 for hurricane relief. … Favre's No. 4 will be retired when his career is over, Packers President Bob Harlan said in September. He will be the sixth player so honored.


2006

Started all 16 games, extending consecutive-game streak to 237. It is longest active streak in NFL, third-longest in NFL history and a record for quarterbacks. Moved past lineman Bruce Matthews into third place with 230th straight start on Nov. 12 at Minnesota. … Became NFL's career leader in completions, with 5,021 at season's end. Surpassed Marino's old record of 4,967 completions on a 21-yard pass to Carlyle Holiday during Dec. 17 game against Lions at Lambeau Field. … Extended to 16 seasons his NFL records of most seasons with 3,000 yards passing and most consecutive seasons with 3,000 yards passing. … Became only second player in NFL history with 400 touchdown passes with 75-yard pass to Greg Jennings on Sept. 24 at Detroit. Finished season with 413; Marino's record is 420. That pass also gave Favre 10 career TD passes of 75 or more yards, tying NFL record shared by George Blanda, Ed Brown, Len Dawson, Sonny Jurgenson and Norm Snead. … Became only second player in NFL history with 25,000 yards passing in a single stadium during Oct. 29 game against Cardinals at Lambeau Field. Has 25,765 yards at Lambeau. Elway holds record of 27,889 yards at Mile High Stadium in Denver. … Said 26-0 loss to Bears in Sept. 10 season opener at Lambeau Field was the first time he could remember being shut out at any level of football. It happened a second time, in 35-0 loss to Patriots at Lambeau Field on Nov. 19. … The 23-20 loss to Rams on Oct. 8 at Lambeau Field was his first loss in a game in which he didn't throw an interception. … Ran 1 yard for touchdown, his first running TD in almost five years, then did first career Lambeau Leap in 31-14 win over Cardinals on Oct. 29. … Before season, Favre waited until April 25, four days before the NFL draft, to tell the Packers, simply, "I'm in" for 2006. That was six weeks longer than he took to decide the year before. … After Packers started 0-2, Favre said he wouldn't want to be traded to a playoff contender. General Manager Ted Thompson said he couldn't "imagine a scenario where that would happen." … Missed final series of 31-9 loss to Eagles at Philadelphia on Oct. 2 after sustaining minor head and shoulder injuries. … Packers Pro Shop sold $1 million of Favre merchandise in 2005, accounting for almost 6 percent of total revenue. … Missed second half of Nov. 19 loss to Patriots after hitting ulnar nerve, or funny bone, in right elbow while being sacked. Had numbness, tingling and weakness in passing arm and hand. … Appeared on cover of Sports Illustrated in last week of November. … Choked back tears during interview with NBC's Andrea Kremer after season-ending 26-7 win over Bears at Chicago on Dec. 31. He said: "If this is my last game, I want to remember it. It's tough. I love these guys. I love this game. What a great way to go out against a great football team. I couldn't ask for a better way to get out."

2007

Announced on Friday that he would return for a 17th NFL season and 16th with the Packers....

[TopHat]

OFFSEASON MOVES; CRITICAL

TOP HAT'S FOOTNOTE: FORGET WILDE'S ARTICLE...HERE IS THE RIGHT DIRECTION:

http://www.packerchatters.com/op-ed/view.php?id=340

On the Sideline. by JA Packerchatters.com

With Brett Favre officially returning to the Packers, they have tentatively targeted Randy Moss, Drew Bennett, Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee as players they may try to land to help Favre on the offensive side of the ball. Look for Ted Thompson and the Packers to use this draft to upgrade the offensive side of the ball. The wide receiver position, tight end and running back position all will be upgraded according to my source. Randy Moss will be moved from Oakland according to my source, and the Packers seem like the likely detonation, but at what cost? Oakland would like a 2nd round pick, but with all of Moss' baggage Ted Thompson may push for a 3rd rounder and a player (Robert Ferguson or Ruvell Martin). Moss has told friends close to him that he would relish the opportunity to play for the Packers and he would do things that no other wide receiver has done in the NFL with #4 (Brett Favre) throwing him the ball. I have also been told that Donald Driver is "cool with the move" if Moss is brought in. The Packers would like to re-sign Ahman Green to a one or 2 year deal but the running back may be looking to get a big payday and teams that may have interest include the Jets, Giants, Raiders and Bills.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Sunday morning that "a Packers source confirmed" that Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre "has asked the team to seriously consider a trade for disgruntled wide receiver Randy Moss." Mortensen reported "a Raiders source" saying Raiders owner Al Davis "will only ask for a third-round pick and a receiver for a trade."

http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070203/PKR01/702030555/1058/PKRFeatures

Favre returns: Retirement can wait. QB is 'so excited' for 16th season with Packers By Pete Dougherty Packersnews.com

Ted Thompson was in a meeting at the Green Bay Packers' offices this morning when his cell phone rang. The caller ID showed Brett Favre was on the line. The team's general manager stepped out of the room and answered the call. "I think he said something about, 'I think I'm going to give it another shot,' something like that," Thompson said at a press conference on Friday afternoon. "And I said, 'That sounds good to me.' We talked about some other things, but that's how I found out." And so it is: Brett Favre, at age 37, is returning for his 16th season as the Green Bay Packers' quarterback and 17th season in the NFL. Shortly after calling Thompson, Favre sent a text message to a friend, Al Jones, who's a reporter at his local newspaper in Mississippi, the Biloxi Sun Herald, telling him that he's playing another season. "I am so excited about coming back," the 37-year-old Favre told Jones, who reported it on the Sun Herald's Web site. "We have a good nucleus of young players. We were 8-8 last year, and that's encouraging." The Sun Herald also reported that Favre was leaning toward returning when the regular season ended with the Packers' 26-7 win at Chicago. That contradicts the impression he gave in his postgame TV interview with NBC that night, when his emotional response and statement that playing well in that game made his decision harder, suggesting he was leaning toward retirement. "My offensive line looks good; the defense played good down the stretch," Favre was quoted in the Sun Herald. "I'm excited about playing for a talented young football team." While Favre was predisposed to playing again this year, a source with knowledge of the decision said his phone conversations with coach Mike McCarthy early this week and former quarterbacks coach Steve Mariucci helped put him over the top in deciding to return. Besides the improvement he saw on the offensive line and defense as a whole, Favre's conversation with McCarthy also was encouraging, because the coach said that augmenting the skill positions on offense will be a priority this offseason, the source said. The Packers' greatest needs on offense are a receiver who can stretch the field with pure speed; a quality halfback either to share time with Ahman Green or take over the starting role if the Packers are unable to sign him; and a tight end who poses a consistent, quality threat in the passing game. The Packers can address any of those needs in free agency, the draft or a trade. The source said that among other things, Favre is in favor of trading for disgruntled Oakland receiver Randy Moss. Favre and Moss formerly shared the same agent, Bus Cook, and they know, like and respect each other. The Raiders have had preliminary trade talks with several teams, and the Packers presumably at least have inquired about him. However, whether Oakland is willing to deal Moss at a price that's palatable to Thompson is a major question. Regardless, Thompson said no one made any promises to Favre about any personnel moves. "He didn't ask for any, either," Thompson said Friday. Favre also talked Wednesday with Mariucci, the former 49ers and Lions coach who was Favre's first quarterbacks coach with the Packers and remains a close friend. A source said that Mariucci reiterated what Favre's family and friends have advised him, that he should play if he thinks he's capable, because he'll have the rest of his life for retirement. In the meantime, Bob Harlan, the Packers' chairman and CEO, hadn't heard the news of Favre's return when a reporter called him at about 11 a.m. Friday. He had a meeting scheduled with Thompson about 20 minutes later, when he'd get the official word from his GM. Harlan correctly predicted last month that Favre would come back for another season. "This is a big plus," Harlan said. "We went from 4-12 to 8-8 and we took a big step and the team stayed together. "We're making strides. It's a young team with a lot of potential. To get your leader back would be huge." Until Friday, Thompson hadn't spoken with Favre for a month, though the two had exchanged several messages. He and McCarthy met with Favre immediately after the season ended and stressed they wanted him back this year, and the understated Thompson sounded happy that he'll have the future Hall of Famer back for at least one more year. "Like most people that like the game of football, they like the fact that Brett Favre's playing," Thompson said. "It's certainly good for the Packers and good for this team, and it's good for the NFL. As long as he's healthy and happy and playing, it's a good thing for all of us." With Favre's salary at $11 million, Thompson and McCarthy wouldn't have been so adamant about asking Favre to return unless they thought he'd be an effective quarterback. Favre, though, is approaching a benchmark age — he turns 38 in October. Many scouts and coaches consider that an age when even great quarterbacks are susceptible to a precipitous dropoff in performance. "You watch for those kind of things," Thompson said. "I haven't seen any evidence of any declining physical ability for him to play the game. He's one of those rare birds you see once in a generation that can play at a very, very high level for an extended amount of time. When that time comes for him not to be able to produce that way, I don't know when it's going to be, but I don't see any evidence of it." Thompson said he and Favre did not discuss whether Favre might play beyond 2007. Last year Favre waited until late April before deciding to return. In 2005, he made his decision in early March.

[TopHat]

JSONLINE POLLS' RESULTS

Are you glad that Brett Favre is coming back in '07?

Yes (94.8%)

No (5.2%)
__________________________________________________ _________________________________

Do you think Brett Favre's return makes the Packers a playoff team in '07?

Yes (83.7%)

No (16.3%)

__________________________________________________ ____________________________________

[Scott Campbell]

Re: OFFSEASON MOVES; CRITICAL

......Randy Moss will be moved from Oakland according to my source, and the Packers seem like the likely detonation.......

Interesting slip of the tongue.

[BallHawk]

Bonus Trivia on Favre's first pass.

Who was he throwing too?(HINT: RB/FB who played 6 seasons in the NFL total, five with SF and his final season with Green Bay.

Who deflected Favre's pass?(HINT: DL who over his 8 year career played with Tampa, Pittsburgh, and Carolina. Played 89-97.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Who was he throwing too?(HINT: RB/FB who played 6 seasons in the NFL total, five with SF and his final season with Green Bay.

Harry Sydney?

Who deflected Favre's pass?(HINT: DL who over his 8 year career played with Tampa, Pittsburgh, and Carolina. Played 89-97.

Ray Seals?

I cheated on the second one.

[BallHawk]

Both are correct.

[MadtownPacker]

Re: OFFSEASON MOVES; CRITICAL

......Randy Moss will be moved from Oakland according to my source, and the Packers seem like the likely detonation.......

Interesting slip of the tongue.

HAHAHAHA!!

Great job on this thread Top Hat! I can only imagine how long it would have been if Favre had taken his sweet time like last year.