Farve Reinstated; expected to report Monday (1 Viewer)

[sho nuff]

When the Broncos lost John Elway and went with Brian Griese in '99, they went from being the defending Super Bowl champs who went 17-2 to a 6-10 afterthought, so the Packers could easily fall to 7-9 or worse with Aaron Rodgers at the helm this season, although playing in a somewhat weak division should prevent them from falling too far, should Rodgers not play that well.

Elway = legendFavre = legendGriese = garbageRodgers = better than 50% chance of being garbage

Better than 50% chance of being garbage?Come on man...you have some issues.Why don't you tell us again about Ted Thompson's eyes?

 

[Todem]

I think that the reason the commish hasn't made a ruling on the tampering charges is the following:He was waiting to see if Favre pushed it to the point that he showed up for camp.Since he has, here's what I see happening:Favre will be traded to the Vikings for a 2nd or 3rd round pick.I believe that the Vikes probably did "technically" tamper with Favre. So, to save face for the Vikings (avoide the charges) and to save face for the Packers (get some sort of compensation) that Favre will be traded to the Vikes.So, instead of the Vikes losing a 3rd round pick for tampering and the Packers being forced to release Favre for nothing, the pick simply goes to the Packers. Both sides come out looking better.

If Favre gets to Minny....The Packers brass will be hung out to dry....When Favre makes Berrian and Rice look all pro and has a weapon like ADP behind him...LOL I am just cracking up thinking about how bad they will rip up the Packers both times they play this season.I hope the Packers do that...that would be just grand. And Brett will get the alst laugh. I could care less about Bretts off the field comments...flip flopping...whatever. The guy is a great football player and he is a warrior...it is such a joke what the Packers are doing.

 

[sho nuff]

When the Broncos lost John Elway and went with Brian Griese in '99, they went from being the defending Super Bowl champs who went 17-2 to a 6-10 afterthought, so the Packers could easily fall to 7-9 or worse with Aaron Rodgers at the helm this season, although playing in a somewhat weak division should prevent them from falling too far, should Rodgers not play that well.

Im agreeing they could be 7-9 or worse...I have not said otherwise.My comment was that giving them a 7-9 as the best record possible with Rodgers is crazy talk.

 

[sho nuff]

What a way to treat the legend. This will be a brutal move for the Packers for PR reasons and Brett will really come back to haunt them than. Nothing like a man who is pissed. Just think of all the games where Brett faces adversity and comes up huge. He could be MVP with such a scenario and Vikings pay nothing for him. There team is good enough without him to keep things warm till he is ready to go. Say week 5 and watch out.

What a way for a legend to act. And by the way he is not a legend and doesn't even come close to making the top 3 when it comes to the GB Packers.

I seen a roundtable of HOF legends talking, the question was posed "Who is a bigger legend, Lombardi or Favre", all 5 said Favre.But what the heck, they are just HOF NFL players, they are not the almighty Phurfur, message board poster at FBG!!!

And where did you see that?Id love to know.I doubt it ever happened.Let me know when the SB trophy is renamed to the Favre trophy.Hell...even Favre's street in GB is tiny...while Lombardi's is a main street leading up to the stadium.

 

[Hoart Petterson]

It is all Brett Favre's fault.

Completely disagree. This is all just a dumb power play by guys who get off on being in positions of authority. They've turned one of the greatest QB's of all time, the face of the NFL for the last 10 years into a villain in order to show the world who's in charge. The whole thing is ridiculous. Guy was one play from the Superbowl last year. I've never been a Favre/Packer fan but I'm rooting for the guy, where ever he ends up, to stick it to these idiots.

 

[Todem]

It is all Brett Favre's fault.

Hear Hear!!!!

 

[North]

What a way to treat the legend. This will be a brutal move for the Packers for PR reasons and Brett will really come back to haunt them than. Nothing like a man who is pissed. Just think of all the games where Brett faces adversity and comes up huge. He could be MVP with such a scenario and Vikings pay nothing for him. There team is good enough without him to keep things warm till he is ready to go. Say week 5 and watch out.

What a way for a legend to act. And by the way he is not a legend and doesn't even come close to making the top 3 when it comes to the GB Packers.

I seen a roundtable of HOF legends talking, the question was posed "Who is a bigger legend, Lombardi or Favre", all 5 said Favre.But what the heck, they are just HOF NFL players, they are not the almighty Phurfur, message board poster at FBG!!!

And where did you see that?Id love to know.I doubt it ever happened.Let me know when the SB trophy is renamed to the Favre trophy.Hell...even Favre's street in GB is tiny...while Lombardi's is a main street leading up to the stadium.

I don't know where he saw it but I saw something similar on NFL network yesterday.

 

[sho nuff]

I honestly don't understand all of the Packers/TT hate in here. While the bribe was pretty stupid, Favre has put the organization in an absolute no-wi situation.

For those saying "trade him": TO WHO!? No team with a solid QB is going to pay what Favre is worth. Favre won't accept a trade except to a contender, and how many contenders lack a solid QB? Only one, and everyone involved knows it, the Vikings....the one team the organiozation can't afford to trade him to.

For those in the play him camp: Even if Favre performs better then Rogers (a fair assumption), it still might set them back years as they very well could lose Rogers over this, not to mention the wasted pick in this years draft.

For those saying release him (now): We all know he'd be in Minnesotta by the end of the day. This is obviously un-acceptable for a team who believes they are a contender since it obviously provides their biggest rival a significant upgrade at QB.

What's left?

Shame on all of you who are calling out the Packers for how "they are treating a legend". They paid that legend MANY TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OVER THE LAST 18 years. That legend was happy to sign long term for big money, essentially promising to never play elsewhere. That legend insisted he was retired 7 months ago when the Packers practically begged him to return, before they committed elsewhere. And it's that legend who's pooping all over the organization by refusing to accept legitimate trade offers now.

If Favre wants to play this badly, he should be grateful for any trade that keeps his current contract good. He should accept the Jets.

If I were TT, I would bench his ###, and release him mid-season after all of this. Why? Because I'm screwed anyway, so I might as well screw the guy back.

I once loved Brett Favre....not anymore.

Would be hysterical if that happened and then the next week Rodgers went down with a season ending injury! A lot of you guys on here are too emotional and have lost site of the fact that this is a business. These statements like cut him mid-season or wait until the season starts and cut him are driven by emotions and are not what's best for the team. What is really in the best interest of the Packers THIS season? This is a win now league and who gives you the best option to win now?

Most that have been whining on and on for Favre are also going mostly on emotion and not thinking of the overall ramifications either.

 

[sho nuff]

All joking aside, if the guy really wants to go the franchise that was on the losing end of the Herschel Walker trade, then either sit him on the bench or make the Vikings pay a king's ransom. That's helping your team. Ask for a 2009 2nd, 4th and a 2010 1st if they make the playoffs this year. Then release that offer to the media and call Goodell and tell him you made a fair deal for a legend. Maybe he'll put the screws to the Vikings.

I actually like this arrangement.The team does need to do something to get the PR back on their side.Show they are trying rather than letting Brett control it all right now.

 

[sho nuff]

It's gotten to the point where the Packers are not acting like a team but a pissed-off significant other. Honestly, I have never seen a team that was one play from the superbowl be so eager to go into full-blown rebuilding mode. I mean, does anyone, Packers management and Mccarthy included, honestly believe that Aaron Rodgers gives them a better chance to win? Can anyone out there make any kind of argument that their record this year will be better with Rodgers at QB instead of Favre? I get that they want to "move on" but at this point it's like they are more concerned about Rodgers than they are about the state of the franchise.

I think you have it backwards...while Thompson is acting like he has been broken up with...you have one guy going on and on in the media (either himself or through family members) whining that Thompson did not do enough to keep him, did not get him enough players and so on.Then comes the, if they don't want me to play for them...let me play against them.Full-blown rebuilding mode?They have a young team that has been built, and a QB that has been waiting and preparing to take over.That is not full blown rebuilding mode...the rebuild started 3 years ago.

 

[sho nuff]

The appropriate thing to do would have been TT saying no more than, "If Brett wants to be on this team, he should send in the appropriate paperwork and come into camp." That's it. The team then has the following options:

1) Cut him

2) Trade him

3) Let him take over the starting spot and piss off AR

4) Let him be backup and ruin the season

Strangely, these are precisely the options the team still has despite all the Packers-sourced drama. They can't help the Favre part of the drama, but they could have acted as professionals. Of course, they would have had to be professionals in the first place for that to be an option.

Now, they have managed to piss off the most significant player they have had in decades. Now, there can be no doubt that he'll end up with the Vikings if he is cut just so he can have an opportunity to play Green Bay twice a year and try to keep them out of the playoffs.

Do you think he has handled it professionally?

 

[sho nuff]

It's gotten to the point where the Packers are not acting like a team but a pissed-off significant other. Honestly, I have never seen a team that was one play from the superbowl be so eager to go into full-blown rebuilding mode. I mean, does anyone, Packers management and Mccarthy included, honestly believe that Aaron Rodgers gives them a better chance to win? Can anyone out there make any kind of argument that their record this year will be better with Rodgers at QB instead of Favre? I get that they want to "move on" but at this point it's like they are more concerned about Rodgers than they are about the state of the franchise.

FWIW, I think it's more than 50% likely that Aaron Rodgers gives the Packers a better chance to win this year than Favre does.I'm not interested in debating this topic at length. But Favre, as great as he was for so many years, is not that good anymore. In 2005 and 2006, he averaged 6.3 YPA and threw 9 more INTs than TDs. (Over the last five seasons, Favre leads the NFL in interceptions with an astonishing 99. Joey Harrington is second with 69.) In 2007, his stats look better than they did in the two previous years, but those stats are deceiving.

The Packers' coaches have gotten to watch Aaron Rodgers in practice every day for the last several years. Rodgers has worked with the first team through OTAs and training camp so far this year. Rodgers looked good in his few regular-season pass attempts last year.

Brett Favre, IMO, is a below-average starting NFL quarterback right now. Maybe not below average, but IMO not above average either.

The Packers' coaches, who've seen more of Rodgers than the rest of us have, apparently believe that Rodgers is an above-average quarterback.

Maybe Rodgers will succeed and maybe he'll fail, but at this point I think he gives the team the best chance to win.

So if they believe what you're suggesting here, they should cut the man and HOPE he signs with a rival. This isn't rocket surgery.

Not totally...even at average he is better than Tarvaris Jackson.Though, I think the average and below average talk for Favre is ridiculous.

 

[sho nuff]

I'm just curious - did the Packers ask for the prorated portion of Favre's signing bonus on his last contract to be returned to them when he retired?

I doubt there was much if anything left given how long ago he had signed the deal.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

I think that the reason the commish hasn't made a ruling on the tampering charges is the following:He was waiting to see if Favre pushed it to the point that he showed up for camp.Since he has, here's what I see happening:Favre will be traded to the Vikings for a 2nd or 3rd round pick.I believe that the Vikes probably did "technically" tamper with Favre. So, to save face for the Vikings (avoide the charges) and to save face for the Packers (get some sort of compensation) that Favre will be traded to the Vikes.So, instead of the Vikes losing a 3rd round pick for tampering and the Packers being forced to release Favre for nothing, the pick simply goes to the Packers. Both sides come out looking better.

I don't know if this is going to come true or not, but I do find it a little "weird" that Goodell hasn't made a ruling on the tampering. The Vikings either tampered or they didn't. The result of his findings should have nothing to do with the decision that Favre and/or the Packers end up making.

 

[sho nuff]

I am so over the behind the scenes nonsense.

From a purely football decision if the Packers do not want Favre to be their QB this year they are complete and utter morons.

It's that simple.

If Brett Favre wants to play football this season for the Green Bay Packers coming off one his best years ever I can't see the logic in this nonsense. He said....she said all you want about who is to blame. This is about winning football games.

Aarron Rodgers?

Puleeeeze.

Because its not just about "THIS YEAR".

 

[BigTex]

Rotoworld claims: "Favre plans to fly to Green Bay on Sunday and report to camp. The latest rumor is that the Packers plan to let Favre do only individual work in camp and release him the day before the season starts. At that point, he'll be so far behind that he won't be able to help a team like the Vikings early in the season."

That would be the biggest chicken ##### move by the Packers. I would have to move them up to my least favorite team in the NFL if they do that.

IMO, Favre has been losing the PR battle thus far--he looks like a petulant child who cannot make up his mind and then when he does, sulks and cries because he can't get his way. But if the Packers do THIS? Big-time win for Favre (image-wise) in the end. This would be treating one of the icons in the pantheon of your team's history like dog ####.

 

[sho nuff]

Brett Favre might be the toughest SOB to ever don a football helmet and pads.Aaron Rodgers has, thus far, shown to be as brittle that sugar glass they jump through in the movies.WTF is a matter w/ the Packers' management?!?!? It is unfathomable that they would consider going into this season w/ Rodgers/Brom when Favre ready and willing to go.

Whats wrong with them is that they know more about Rodgers and Favre and how to run a football team than all of us on this message board.

 

[sho nuff]

Packers will let him compete?

http://blogs.jsonline.com/packers/archive/...arting-job.aspx

Another source close to the club, said that Favre will be allowed to compete with Aaron Rodgers for the starting job and won't necessarily be the backup this season. Trade talks with Favre have not advanced and coach Mike McCarthy is expected to come up with a plan that will split the practice repetitions with Rodgers.

 

[renesauz]

It's gotten to the point where the Packers are not acting like a team but a pissed-off significant other. Honestly, I have never seen a team that was one play from the superbowl be so eager to go into full-blown rebuilding mode. I mean, does anyone, Packers management and Mccarthy included, honestly believe that Aaron Rodgers gives them a better chance to win? Can anyone out there make any kind of argument that their record this year will be better with Rodgers at QB instead of Favre? I get that they want to "move on" but at this point it's like they are more concerned about Rodgers than they are about the state of the franchise.

FWIW, I think it's more than 50% likely that Aaron Rodgers gives the Packers a better chance to win this year than Favre does.I'm not interested in debating this topic at length. But Favre, as great as he was for so many years, is not that good anymore. In 2005 and 2006, he averaged 6.3 YPA and threw 9 more INTs than TDs. (Over the last five seasons, Favre leads the NFL in interceptions with an astonishing 99. Joey Harrington is second with 69.) In 2007, his stats look better than they did in the two previous years, but those stats are deceiving.

The Packers' coaches have gotten to watch Aaron Rodgers in practice every day for the last several years. Rodgers has worked with the first team through OTAs and training camp so far this year. Rodgers looked good in his few regular-season pass attempts last year.

Brett Favre, IMO, is a below-average starting NFL quarterback right now. Maybe not below average, but IMO not above average either.

The Packers' coaches, who've seen more of Rodgers than the rest of us have, apparently believe that Rodgers is an above-average quarterback.

Maybe Rodgers will succeed and maybe he'll fail, but at this point I think he gives the team the best chance to win.

So if they believe what you're suggesting here, they should cut the man and HOPE he signs with a rival. This isn't rocket surgery.

NO....average is still better then Tavaris Jackson is right now!

 

[sho nuff]

Packers will let him compete?

http://blogs.jsonline.com/packers/archive/...arting-job.aspx

Another source close to the club, said that Favre will be allowed to compete with Aaron Rodgers for the starting job and won't necessarily be the backup this season. Trade talks with Favre have not advanced and coach Mike McCarthy is expected to come up with a plan that will split the practice repetitions with Rodgers.

I know i am replying to myself...it would be nice if the let him do this.

 

[packersfan]

It's gotten to the point where the Packers are not acting like a team but a pissed-off significant other. Honestly, I have never seen a team that was one play from the superbowl be so eager to go into full-blown rebuilding mode. I mean, does anyone, Packers management and Mccarthy included, honestly believe that Aaron Rodgers gives them a better chance to win? Can anyone out there make any kind of argument that their record this year will be better with Rodgers at QB instead of Favre? I get that they want to "move on" but at this point it's like they are more concerned about Rodgers than they are about the state of the franchise.

FWIW, I think it's more than 50% likely that Aaron Rodgers gives the Packers a better chance to win this year than Favre does.I'm not interested in debating this topic at length. But Favre, as great as he was for so many years, is not that good anymore. In 2005 and 2006, he averaged 6.3 YPA and threw 9 more INTs than TDs. (Over the last five seasons, Favre leads the NFL in interceptions with an astonishing 99. Joey Harrington is second with 69.) In 2007, his stats look better than they did in the two previous years, but those stats are deceiving.

The Packers' coaches have gotten to watch Aaron Rodgers in practice every day for the last several years. Rodgers has worked with the first team through OTAs and training camp so far this year. Rodgers looked good in his few regular-season pass attempts last year.

Brett Favre, IMO, is a below-average starting NFL quarterback right now. Maybe not below average, but IMO not above average either.

The Packers' coaches, who've seen more of Rodgers than the rest of us have, apparently believe that Rodgers is an above-average quarterback.

Maybe Rodgers will succeed and maybe he'll fail, but at this point I think he gives the team the best chance to win.

I agree with you. Packer fans can't get past the iconic mentality. I felt the same way about Bert Jones, even though that's apples and oranges. The bottom line is that it's hard for fans to move past their heros.

Not for me. I disagree strongly that Favre is a below-average QB. No way the Packers significantly exceed expectations last season and get one game away from the Super Bowl with a below-average QB. That said, if Rodgers is the best man for the job let him prove it in camp. If Favre is really a below-average QB, then Rodgers shouldn't have any difficulty beating him out for the job. In fact, if Favre really is a below-average QB, then the Packers should have no problems whatsoever allowing the competition since it will prove conclusively their decision to fully support Rodgers is correct.

I think the reality is different, however. The Packers (as everyone in the galaxy outside of the Aaron Rodgers family) knows Favre is the superior QB and it's probably not even close at the present time. They do not want a competition because they know (just like Favre told Ted Thompson) that Favre will win the job and thus all of their adamant support for Rodgers will look foolish. They do not want to run the risk of making it clear without any question that they were willing to potentially undercut their success for this season by putting a lesser talented player on the field as the starting QB.

I think this is what Thompson is most afraid of. He's going to get blistered for this and he knows it. But if Favre were to come into camp and significantly outplay Rodgers and win back the starting job, now he looks like a fool because he has been so hellbent on keeping Favre off the team.

Edited to add that if the JS blog report is true, it's nice to see the Packers finally accept the most intelligent option that's been available to them throughout this mess. Rodgers and Favre should compete and nobody on the team should be running scared from the idea of such a battle for the starting QB job.

 

[Andy Herron]

I think that the reason the commish hasn't made a ruling on the tampering charges is the following:He was waiting to see if Favre pushed it to the point that he showed up for camp.Since he has, here's what I see happening:Favre will be traded to the Vikings for a 2nd or 3rd round pick.I believe that the Vikes probably did "technically" tamper with Favre. So, to save face for the Vikings (avoide the charges) and to save face for the Packers (get some sort of compensation) that Favre will be traded to the Vikes.So, instead of the Vikes losing a 3rd round pick for tampering and the Packers being forced to release Favre for nothing, the pick simply goes to the Packers. Both sides come out looking better.

I'll buy that.

 

[TommyKramer]

MURPHY: “WE’LL WELCOME FAVRE”

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 3, 2008, 4:11 p.m.

Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy says the franchise is ready for the reinstatement of Brett Favre.

Although the Packers aren’t ready to hand Favre the starting quarterback job, Murphy told the Green Bay Press-Gazette this afternoon they “will welcome him back and turn this situation to our advantage.”

Meanwhile, Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, told the Hattiesburg American that he and Favre will fly up to Green Bay this evening.

“He’s ready to go,” Cook said. “He’s ready to go in there and be a part of that team.”

Favre told his friend Al Jones of the Sun Herald that he is still unsure whether going up to Green Bay means he will be playing in Green Bay this season.

“I don’t know how this will be resolved yet,” Favre said. “I do know if I am going to play this year, I need to get in camp. I would love to play again. Everyone says, ‘Brett, go play.’ My question is, where?”

The answer could be Green Bay, it could be Minnesota, or it could be a few other NFL cities. Every option is still on the table.

 

[TommyKramer]

I think that the reason the commish hasn't made a ruling on the tampering charges is the following:He was waiting to see if Favre pushed it to the point that he showed up for camp.Since he has, here's what I see happening:Favre will be traded to the Vikings for a 2nd or 3rd round pick.I believe that the Vikes probably did "technically" tamper with Favre. So, to save face for the Vikings (avoide the charges) and to save face for the Packers (get some sort of compensation) that Favre will be traded to the Vikes.So, instead of the Vikes losing a 3rd round pick for tampering and the Packers being forced to release Favre for nothing, the pick simply goes to the Packers. Both sides come out looking better.

I'll buy that.

Sold.

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

It's gotten to the point where the Packers are not acting like a team but a pissed-off significant other. Honestly, I have never seen a team that was one play from the superbowl be so eager to go into full-blown rebuilding mode. I mean, does anyone, Packers management and Mccarthy included, honestly believe that Aaron Rodgers gives them a better chance to win? Can anyone out there make any kind of argument that their record this year will be better with Rodgers at QB instead of Favre? I get that they want to "move on" but at this point it's like they are more concerned about Rodgers than they are about the state of the franchise.

FWIW, I think it's more than 50% likely that Aaron Rodgers gives the Packers a better chance to win this year than Favre does.I'm not interested in debating this topic at length. But Favre, as great as he was for so many years, is not that good anymore. In 2005 and 2006, he averaged 6.3 YPA and threw 9 more INTs than TDs. (Over the last five seasons, Favre leads the NFL in interceptions with an astonishing 99. Joey Harrington is second with 69.) In 2007, his stats look better than they did in the two previous years, but those stats are deceiving.

The Packers' coaches have gotten to watch Aaron Rodgers in practice every day for the last several years. Rodgers has worked with the first team through OTAs and training camp so far this year. Rodgers looked good in his few regular-season pass attempts last year.

Brett Favre, IMO, is a below-average starting NFL quarterback right now. Maybe not below average, but IMO not above average either.

The Packers' coaches, who've seen more of Rodgers than the rest of us have, apparently believe that Rodgers is an above-average quarterback.

Maybe Rodgers will succeed and maybe he'll fail, but at this point I think he gives the team the best chance to win.

I agree with you. Packer fans can't get past the iconic mentality. I felt the same way about Bert Jones, even though that's apples and oranges. The bottom line is that it's hard for fans to move past their heros.

Not for me. I disagree strongly that Favre is a below-average QB. No way the Packers significantly exceed expectations last season and get one game away from the Super Bowl with a below-average QB. That said, if Rodgers is the best man for the job let him prove it in camp. If Favre is really a below-average QB, then Rodgers shouldn't have any difficulty beating him out for the job. In fact, if Favre really is a below-average QB, then the Packers should have no problems whatsoever allowing the competition since it will prove conclusively their decision to fully support Rodgers is correct.

I think the reality is different, however. The Packers (as everyone in the galaxy outside of the Aaron Rodgers family) knows Favre is the superior QB and it's probably not even close at the present time. They do not want a competition because they know (just like Favre told Ted Thompson) that Favre will win the job and thus all of their adamant support for Rodgers will look foolish. They do not want to run the risk of making it clear without any question that they were willing to potentially undercut their success for this season by putting a lesser talented player on the field as the starting QB.

I think this is what Thompson is most afraid of. He's going to get blistered for this and he knows it. But if Favre were to come into camp and significantly outplay Rodgers and win back the starting job, now he looks like a fool because he has been so hellbent on keeping Favre off the team.

Edited to add that if the JS blog report is true, it's nice to see the Packers finally accept the most intelligent option that's been available to them throughout this mess. Rodgers and Favre should compete and nobody on the team should be running scared from the idea of such a battle for the starting QB job.

I think Aaron Rodgers is a real talent and shouldn't have to deal with this crap. The Packers need to look beyond 2008, and to stunt the growth of Rodgers, or lose him altogether to FA later, is a big mistake. I think the Packer brass knows this and so should Packer fans. They just can't get past the hero worshiping.

 

[renesauz]

John Clayton is reporting Favre has REJECTED THE 25 MILLION dollar buyout and wants to play football.

then let him play for the Jets.

if they're willing to pay him what he's due under his contract...

Favre nixed it. The Packers would have LOVED to have made this trade.I still can't get over how many people are so blind on Favre. The same people who are so convinced that he's still a all-pro caliber QB are the ones saying the Pack should let him compete in camp.They can't, because in the court of popular opinion, Favre wins the camp battle in a landslide, regardless of how Favre and Rodgers play. It's a no-win for the organization.And GREAT POST BY Maurile!! I believe the same thing(that Favre is a shell of his former pro-bowl self), and Rodgers might actually be the better QB at this point. BUT...we are in a significant minority on this opinion.

 

[Uber]

The same people who are so convinced that he's still a all-pro caliber QB are the ones saying the Pack should let him compete in camp.

They can't, because in the court of popular opinion, Favre wins the camp battle in a landslide, regardless of how Favre and Rodgers play. It's a no-win for the organization.

Favre to compete with Rodgers for job.

 

[packersfan]

It's gotten to the point where the Packers are not acting like a team but a pissed-off significant other. Honestly, I have never seen a team that was one play from the superbowl be so eager to go into full-blown rebuilding mode. I mean, does anyone, Packers management and Mccarthy included, honestly believe that Aaron Rodgers gives them a better chance to win? Can anyone out there make any kind of argument that their record this year will be better with Rodgers at QB instead of Favre? I get that they want to "move on" but at this point it's like they are more concerned about Rodgers than they are about the state of the franchise.

FWIW, I think it's more than 50% likely that Aaron Rodgers gives the Packers a better chance to win this year than Favre does.I'm not interested in debating this topic at length. But Favre, as great as he was for so many years, is not that good anymore. In 2005 and 2006, he averaged 6.3 YPA and threw 9 more INTs than TDs. (Over the last five seasons, Favre leads the NFL in interceptions with an astonishing 99. Joey Harrington is second with 69.) In 2007, his stats look better than they did in the two previous years, but those stats are deceiving.

The Packers' coaches have gotten to watch Aaron Rodgers in practice every day for the last several years. Rodgers has worked with the first team through OTAs and training camp so far this year. Rodgers looked good in his few regular-season pass attempts last year.

Brett Favre, IMO, is a below-average starting NFL quarterback right now. Maybe not below average, but IMO not above average either.

The Packers' coaches, who've seen more of Rodgers than the rest of us have, apparently believe that Rodgers is an above-average quarterback.

Maybe Rodgers will succeed and maybe he'll fail, but at this point I think he gives the team the best chance to win.

I agree with you. Packer fans can't get past the iconic mentality. I felt the same way about Bert Jones, even though that's apples and oranges. The bottom line is that it's hard for fans to move past their heros.

Not for me. I disagree strongly that Favre is a below-average QB. No way the Packers significantly exceed expectations last season and get one game away from the Super Bowl with a below-average QB. That said, if Rodgers is the best man for the job let him prove it in camp. If Favre is really a below-average QB, then Rodgers shouldn't have any difficulty beating him out for the job. In fact, if Favre really is a below-average QB, then the Packers should have no problems whatsoever allowing the competition since it will prove conclusively their decision to fully support Rodgers is correct.

I think the reality is different, however. The Packers (as everyone in the galaxy outside of the Aaron Rodgers family) knows Favre is the superior QB and it's probably not even close at the present time. They do not want a competition because they know (just like Favre told Ted Thompson) that Favre will win the job and thus all of their adamant support for Rodgers will look foolish. They do not want to run the risk of making it clear without any question that they were willing to potentially undercut their success for this season by putting a lesser talented player on the field as the starting QB.

I think this is what Thompson is most afraid of. He's going to get blistered for this and he knows it. But if Favre were to come into camp and significantly outplay Rodgers and win back the starting job, now he looks like a fool because he has been so hellbent on keeping Favre off the team.

Edited to add that if the JS blog report is true, it's nice to see the Packers finally accept the most intelligent option that's been available to them throughout this mess. Rodgers and Favre should compete and nobody on the team should be running scared from the idea of such a battle for the starting QB job.

I think Aaron Rodgers is a real talent and shouldn't have to deal with this crap. The Packers need to look beyond 2008, and to stunt the growth of Rodgers, or lose him altogether to FA later, is a big mistake. I think the Packer brass knows this and so should Packer fans. They just can't get past the hero worshiping.

Speaking for myself, it has nothing to do with hero worshipping and everything about what gives this team its best chance to win. If it's with Rodgers at QB, I have no problems with that. But if there's a chance for the Packers to put a better player in the starting lineup at any position I do not want to see them potentially undercut their chances for success by ignoring that option. Again, if Rodgers is better than Favre, let him prove in camp. Why has this become such an outlandish request? One would think that anyone who believed strongly in Rodgers' talent would have zero problems with him facing competition. For the life of me, I can't see why the Packers have been running scared from it. That's why I hope the latest report is correct that they will allow the two to battle it out. This is what training camps are for. This is what teams do every year in training camp and have done since the NFL was first formed.

May the best man win.

 

[MarshallRob]

A number of people have expressed the opinion that the Packers should keep Favre as a backup or hold onto him until the just before the season starts, but I don't see how that's a realistic option. (1) As others have mentioned having Favre around places enormous extra pressure on Rodgers; (2) It will ensure a circus atmosphere lasting every single day of the preseason; and (3) It will almost surely create a split among the players. Even if most claim to be in Rodgers' corner now once Favre's in camp the veteran players at least would have to prefer the proven vet to the untested Rodgers. The Packers organization must think of the future as well as the present but the players don't; they have short careers and a shot at the Super Bowl right now. And the opinion of Green Bay fans will probably begin to swing Favre's way once he's in camp, especially if the team continues to sticks to its decision not to allow him to compete for the starting job.

If Rodgers looks bad at any point in a preseason game or suffers any type of injury the calls for Favre begin. And no QB takes all the snaps in every preseason game so Favre gets his chance to play at some point and looks like his old self or the team conspicuously refuses to allow him to play in a meaningless exhibition with Rodgers already on the bench. Either is a PR nightmare. People say Favre has no power here but I think that's wrong. It hurts the team to have Favre in camp with Rodgers as the designated starter. The Packers have desperately tried to avoid that happening for very good reasons and Favre knows this. If the Packers have moved on with Rodgers, a defensible decision, then Favre has to go, the sooner the better. Contractually Favre can't control where he's traded to but the Jets and Bucs are the only other teams reported to have any interest in him besides the Vikings so Green Bay's options are limited. Favre obviously wants to go to Minnesota for a number of reasons, one of which is the personal relationship he has with the coach. If there's no way to work a deal with Tampa Bay or the Jets, who may or may not even want Favre and who Favre doesn't want to play for, what realistic choice does Green Bay have but to deal him to Minnesota and at least get something out of this?

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

The same people who are so convinced that he's still a all-pro caliber QB are the ones saying the Pack should let him compete in camp.

They can't, because in the court of popular opinion, Favre wins the camp battle in a landslide, regardless of how Favre and Rodgers play. It's a no-win for the organization.

Favre to compete with Rodgers for job.

If they do this I guarantee you there's a 99.99% chance Rodgers walks when he's a FA. Talk about ruining their chances for the future. I know some will say, but look, we have Brohm. Well, a lot of folks believe he was overrated in college, and I'm one of them.

 

[renesauz]

The same people who are so convinced that he's still a all-pro caliber QB are the ones saying the Pack should let him compete in camp.

They can't, because in the court of popular opinion, Favre wins the camp battle in a landslide, regardless of how Favre and Rodgers play. It's a no-win for the organization.

Favre to compete with Rodgers for job.

They are well past the point of doing what they want to in this situation. They really don't have a choice but to say they'll "let him compete". The real question is....WILL IT BE A FAIR, UNBIASED, COMPETITION which is IMMUNE TO THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION? My answer to that question is: "How could it be?"

 

[Franknbeans]

Is spelling his name "Farve" just schtick?

only legends deserve to have their name spelled correctly

 

[sho nuff]

A number of people have expressed the opinion that the Packers should keep Favre as a backup or hold onto him until the just before the season starts, but I don't see how that's a realistic option. (1) As others have mentioned having Favre around places enormous extra pressure on Rodgers; (2) It will ensure a circus atmosphere lasting every single day of the preseason; and (3) It will almost surely create a split among the players. Even if most claim to be in Rodgers' corner now once Favre's in camp the veteran players at least would have to prefer the proven vet to the untested Rodgers. The Packers organization must think of the future as well as the present but the players don't; they have short careers and a shot at the Super Bowl right now. And the opinion of Green Bay fans will probably begin to swing Favre's way once he's in camp, especially if the team continues to sticks to its decision not to allow him to compete for the starting job. If Rodgers looks bad at any point in a preseason game or suffers any type of injury the calls for Favre begin. And no QB takes all the snaps in every preseason game so Favre gets his chance to play at some point and looks like his old self or the team conspicuously refuses to allow him to play in a meaningless exhibition with Rodgers already on the bench. Either is a PR nightmare. People say Favre has no power here but I think that's wrong. It hurts the team to have Favre in camp with Rodgers as the designated starter. The Packers have desperately tried to avoid that happening for very good reasons and Favre knows this. If the Packers have moved on with Rodgers, a defensible decision, then Favre has to go, the sooner the better. Contractually Favre can't control where he's traded to but the Jets and Bucs are the only other teams reported to have any interest in him besides the Vikings so Green Bay's options are limited. Favre obviously wants to go to Minnesota for a number of reasons, one of which is the personal relationship he has with the coach. If there's no way to work a deal with Tampa Bay or the Jets, who may or may not even want Favre and who Favre doesn't want to play for, what realistic choice does Green Bay have but to deal him to Minnesota and at least get something out of this?

Do you think the pressure on Rodgers is going away any time soon?If Favre is the backup...the calls will be why is #4 not starting.If Favre is in Minny...the calls if Rodgers plays bad will be, why did you get rid of Favre.The pressure would not go anywhere.

 

[Master of Past and Present]

The same people who are so convinced that he's still a all-pro caliber QB are the ones saying the Pack should let him compete in camp.

They can't, because in the court of popular opinion, Favre wins the camp battle in a landslide, regardless of how Favre and Rodgers play. It's a no-win for the organization.

Favre to compete with Rodgers for job.

What are the chances that this is just for show? The Packers can't like Goodell sticking his nose and telling them to move on this situation so if they intend to release him right before week 1, they would need to act like they are giving him a fair shot at the job to satisfy Goodell. I'm not convinced this is an open competition since all it could amount to is a smoke screen to keep people satisfied while they continue to decide what is best to get him off their team.

 

[sho nuff]

The same people who are so convinced that he's still a all-pro caliber QB are the ones saying the Pack should let him compete in camp.

They can't, because in the court of popular opinion, Favre wins the camp battle in a landslide, regardless of how Favre and Rodgers play. It's a no-win for the organization.

Favre to compete with Rodgers for job.

If they do this I guarantee you there's a 99.99% chance Rodgers walks when he's a FA. Talk about ruining their chances for the future. I know some will say, but look, we have Brohm. Well, a lot of folks believe he was overrated in college, and I'm one of them.

Agreed...he will probably have to walk...or when they sit down with him they get him to sign on for another year or 2 (if he will) or try to move him as soon as they can.Though, Id rather have him kept this year in case Favre finally does have an injury.

 

[packersfan]

The same people who are so convinced that he's still a all-pro caliber QB are the ones saying the Pack should let him compete in camp.

They can't, because in the court of popular opinion, Favre wins the camp battle in a landslide, regardless of how Favre and Rodgers play. It's a no-win for the organization.

Favre to compete with Rodgers for job.

If they do this I guarantee you there's a 99.99% chance Rodgers walks when he's a FA. Talk about ruining their chances for the future. I know some will say, but look, we have Brohm. Well, a lot of folks believe he was overrated in college, and I'm one of them.

People said the same thing about Rodgers which is among the reasons he went from being the potential No. 1 pick in his draft to falling to Green Bay near the end of the first round. But Thompson still took him and he took Brohm with a high pick as well. If Rodgers were to get pissed off and leave, then Brohm would get his shot and given the fact he was taken in the second round, one would like to believe he was taken there with the belief that he would someday be a quality starter in the NFL. Seems like Thompson has done a very good job of protecting the team in case Rodgers isn't the long-term answer.

 

[Phurfur]

What a way to treat the legend. This will be a brutal move for the Packers for PR reasons and Brett will really come back to haunt them than. Nothing like a man who is pissed. Just think of all the games where Brett faces adversity and comes up huge. He could be MVP with such a scenario and Vikings pay nothing for him. There team is good enough without him to keep things warm till he is ready to go. Say week 5 and watch out.

What a way for a legend to act. And by the way he is not a legend and doesn't even come close to making the top 3 when it comes to the GB Packers.

Come on now Phurfur...stop this.He is easily top 3 all around when it comes to GB and probably the best Packer ever when you take everything into consideration.

You obviously don't know much about the Packer Legacy.LambeauLombardiStarrJust to name three. Favre can not touch any of them when it comes to GB Packer Legends. GB has won 12 NFL championship Favre has only one of them.

 

[renesauz]

Again, if Rodgers is better than Favre, let him prove in camp. Why has this become such an outlandish request? One would think that anyone who believed strongly in Rodgers' talent would have zero problems with him facing competition.....May the best man win.

The problem is that Rodgers won't be competing with Favre 2008, but with the LEGEND of Favre. If there were going to be a fair competition, it would have had to have been set up way back in February, not in July under these circumstances.

 

[sho nuff]

The same people who are so convinced that he's still a all-pro caliber QB are the ones saying the Pack should let him compete in camp.

They can't, because in the court of popular opinion, Favre wins the camp battle in a landslide, regardless of how Favre and Rodgers play. It's a no-win for the organization.

Favre to compete with Rodgers for job.

What are the chances that this is just for show? The Packers can't like Goodell sticking his nose and telling them to move on this situation so if they intend to release him right before week 1, they would need to act like they are giving him a fair shot at the job to satisfy Goodell. I'm not convinced this is an open competition since all it could amount to is a smoke screen to keep people satisfied while they continue to decide what is best to get him off their team.

Very possioble...but at this point...it might be the smartest thing they can do.

 

[sho nuff]

What a way to treat the legend. This will be a brutal move for the Packers for PR reasons and Brett will really come back to haunt them than. Nothing like a man who is pissed. Just think of all the games where Brett faces adversity and comes up huge. He could be MVP with such a scenario and Vikings pay nothing for him. There team is good enough without him to keep things warm till he is ready to go. Say week 5 and watch out.

What a way for a legend to act. And by the way he is not a legend and doesn't even come close to making the top 3 when it comes to the GB Packers.

Come on now Phurfur...stop this.He is easily top 3 all around when it comes to GB and probably the best Packer ever when you take everything into consideration.

You obviously don't know much about the Packer Legacy.LambeauLombardiStarrJust to name three. Favre can not touch any of them when it comes to GB Packer Legends. GB has won 12 NFL championship Favre has only one of them.

I think he pushes Starr out of that quite easily right now.And i was thinking more players...Also an lol of bringing out Curly.

 

[packersfan]

What a way to treat the legend. This will be a brutal move for the Packers for PR reasons and Brett will really come back to haunt them than. Nothing like a man who is pissed. Just think of all the games where Brett faces adversity and comes up huge. He could be MVP with such a scenario and Vikings pay nothing for him. There team is good enough without him to keep things warm till he is ready to go. Say week 5 and watch out.

What a way for a legend to act. And by the way he is not a legend and doesn't even come close to making the top 3 when it comes to the GB Packers.

Come on now Phurfur...stop this.He is easily top 3 all around when it comes to GB and probably the best Packer ever when you take everything into consideration.

You obviously don't know much about the Packer Legacy.LambeauLombardiStarrJust to name three. Favre can not touch any of them when it comes to GB Packer Legends. GB has won 12 NFL championship Favre has only one of them.

Favre is without question a Packers legend. Favre may not have the titles those three have but when it comes to football immortality he ranks as their equal.

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

What a way to treat the legend. This will be a brutal move for the Packers for PR reasons and Brett will really come back to haunt them than. Nothing like a man who is pissed. Just think of all the games where Brett faces adversity and comes up huge. He could be MVP with such a scenario and Vikings pay nothing for him. There team is good enough without him to keep things warm till he is ready to go. Say week 5 and watch out.

What a way for a legend to act. And by the way he is not a legend and doesn't even come close to making the top 3 when it comes to the GB Packers.

Come on now Phurfur...stop this.He is easily top 3 all around when it comes to GB and probably the best Packer ever when you take everything into consideration.

You obviously don't know much about the Packer Legacy.LambeauLombardiStarrJust to name three. Favre can not touch any of them when it comes to GB Packer Legends. GB has won 12 NFL championship Favre has only one of them.

Favre is without question a Packers legend. Favre may not have the titles those three have but when it comes to football immortality he ranks as their equal.

Packer legend yes, their equal, definitely not.

 

[packersfan]

Again, if Rodgers is better than Favre, let him prove in camp. Why has this become such an outlandish request? One would think that anyone who believed strongly in Rodgers' talent would have zero problems with him facing competition.....May the best man win.

The problem is that Rodgers won't be competing with Favre 2008, but with the LEGEND of Favre. If there were going to be a fair competition, it would have had to have been set up way back in February, not in July under these circumstances.

This where you place your trust in McCarthy and Thompson's ability to evaluate talent. So far, McCarthy has proven to be a quality head coach and Thompson's resume has been impressive in terms of building an elite team. If you believe in them then there should be no hesitancy to allow them to evaluate this competition fairly and intelligently.

 

[packersfan]

What a way to treat the legend. This will be a brutal move for the Packers for PR reasons and Brett will really come back to haunt them than. Nothing like a man who is pissed. Just think of all the games where Brett faces adversity and comes up huge. He could be MVP with such a scenario and Vikings pay nothing for him. There team is good enough without him to keep things warm till he is ready to go. Say week 5 and watch out.

What a way for a legend to act. And by the way he is not a legend and doesn't even come close to making the top 3 when it comes to the GB Packers.

Come on now Phurfur...stop this.He is easily top 3 all around when it comes to GB and probably the best Packer ever when you take everything into consideration.

You obviously don't know much about the Packer Legacy.LambeauLombardiStarrJust to name three. Favre can not touch any of them when it comes to GB Packer Legends. GB has won 12 NFL championship Favre has only one of them.

Favre is without question a Packers legend. Favre may not have the titles those three have but when it comes to football immortality he ranks as their equal.

Packer legend yes, their equal, definitely not.

You must not have spent much, if any time, in Wisconsin the past decade or so.

 

[renesauz]

Contractually Favre can't control where he's traded to but the Jets and Bucs are the only other teams reported to have any interest in him besides the Vikings so Green Bay's options are limited. Favre obviously wants to go to Minnesota for a number of reasons, one of which is the personal relationship he has with the coach. If there's no way to work a deal with Tampa Bay or the Jets, who may or may not even want Favre and who Favre doesn't want to play for, what realistic choice does Green Bay have but to deal him to Minnesota and at least get something out of this?

Actually, Favre DOES control where he goes....it's part of his contract. That's is the only reason he isn't already a Jet. He's demanded that any trade will be to a contender...but how many "contender"s would want him? Only one...the Vikings.

 

[ScottyFargo]

And by the way he is not a legend

This shows how emotional this is getting for some...

Yup, this is sad.

Actually I hold my "legends" to a little higher standard than some of you do.

When did you drop "holding every concievable passing record" from your standards list? Oh...when Brett Favre peed in your corn flakes. Makes sense, yeah I can dig it, man.

 

[Jimmy James]

The appropriate thing to do would have been TT saying no more than, "If Brett wants to be on this team, he should send in the appropriate paperwork and come into camp." That's it. The team then has the following options:

1) Cut him

2) Trade him

3) Let him take over the starting spot and piss off AR

4) Let him be backup and ruin the season

Strangely, these are precisely the options the team still has despite all the Packers-sourced drama. They can't help the Favre part of the drama, but they could have acted as professionals. Of course, they would have had to be professionals in the first place for that to be an option.

Now, they have managed to piss off the most significant player they have had in decades. Now, there can be no doubt that he'll end up with the Vikings if he is cut just so he can have an opportunity to play Green Bay twice a year and try to keep them out of the playoffs.

Do you think he has handled it professionally?

I'm not sure yet. The more stupid things the Packers do, the more I buy into the idea that this has all been about reacting to the Packers on Favre's part.Let's say it's a no, though. Let's say I think Favre was just as immature as Owens was. The difference between a decent organization like the Eagles and one filled with assclowns like it seems the Packers are is how they react to the less than professional conduct of others. His conduct does not excuse theirs.

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

What a way to treat the legend. This will be a brutal move for the Packers for PR reasons and Brett will really come back to haunt them than. Nothing like a man who is pissed. Just think of all the games where Brett faces adversity and comes up huge. He could be MVP with such a scenario and Vikings pay nothing for him. There team is good enough without him to keep things warm till he is ready to go. Say week 5 and watch out.

What a way for a legend to act. And by the way he is not a legend and doesn't even come close to making the top 3 when it comes to the GB Packers.

Come on now Phurfur...stop this.He is easily top 3 all around when it comes to GB and probably the best Packer ever when you take everything into consideration.

You obviously don't know much about the Packer Legacy.LambeauLombardiStarrJust to name three. Favre can not touch any of them when it comes to GB Packer Legends. GB has won 12 NFL championship Favre has only one of them.

Favre is without question a Packers legend. Favre may not have the titles those three have but when it comes to football immortality he ranks as their equal.

Packer legend yes, their equal, definitely not.

You must not have spent much, if any time, in Wisconsin the past decade or so.

You must be under the age of 35.I've lived in MN for the last 9 years, so I've spent a lot of time in Wisconsin. The older generation respects Brett as a legend, but they also know more about the "Packer" legend, and it's bigger than Brett Farve.

 

[bcr8f]

Favre to compete for starting job

Negotiations dead; Favre to compete for starting job

By Tom Silverstein

Sunday, Aug 3 2008, 03:09 PM

Green Bay -- The Green Bay Packers are through negotiating with quarterback Brett Favre on a marketing deal and they are anticipating him reporting for training camp Monday and being on the field as soon as he passes his physical, a Packers source said.

Another source close to the club, said that the Packers have agreed to allow Favre to compete with Aaron Rodgers for the starting job and he won't necessarily be the backup this season. Trade talks with Favre have not advanced and coach Mike McCarthy is expected to come up with a plan that will split the practice repetitions with Rodgers.

The Packers released this statement from president Mark Murphy:

"Sixteen years after Brett Favre came to the Packers, he is returning for a seventeenth season. He has had a great career with our organization and although we built this year around the assumption that Brett meant what he said about retiring, Brett is coming back. We will welcome him back and turn this situation to our advantage.

"Frankly, Brett's change of mind put us in a very difficult spot. We now will revise many actions and assumptions about our long-term future, all predicated on Brett's decision last March to retire. As a result of his decision, we invested considerably in a new and different future without Brett and we were obviously moving in that direction. That's why this wasn't easy. Having crossed the Rubicon once when Brett decided to retire, it's very difficult to reorient our plans and cross it again in the opposite direction - but we'll put this to our advantage.

"Brett will be in camp tomorrow. Although there has been uncertainty regarding Brett's return, Ted Thompson and Coach McCarthy had previously discussed this and have had a plan in place. Coach McCarthy will talk to the team and the quarterbacks about the plan moving forward, and after he has done that we will share it publicly.

"No matter what, I look forward to another successful season for the Packers and our fans. This has been a tough situation, but the Packers will make the most of it."

McCarthy is expected to address the quaerterback situation after the scrimmage tonight.

 

[sho nuff]

Contractually Favre can't control where he's traded to but the Jets and Bucs are the only other teams reported to have any interest in him besides the Vikings so Green Bay's options are limited. Favre obviously wants to go to Minnesota for a number of reasons, one of which is the personal relationship he has with the coach. If there's no way to work a deal with Tampa Bay or the Jets, who may or may not even want Favre and who Favre doesn't want to play for, what realistic choice does Green Bay have but to deal him to Minnesota and at least get something out of this?

Actually, Favre DOES control where he goes....it's part of his contract. That's is the only reason he isn't already a Jet. He's demanded that any trade will be to a contender...but how many "contender"s would want him? Only one...the Vikings.

No...its not part of his contract.His only action would be to not report.He has no real no-trade clause.