Farve Reinstated; expected to report Monday (1 Viewer)

[ookook]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I am not sure, was never sure, that Favre has been allowed to practice with the team, let alone compete.If they did OFFER to let him compete (doubtful, but uncear) and he declined, you are right.

It would be a violation of the CBA if Favre was prohibited to practice with the team after reinstatement. You saw a version of that with McNair and the Titans two years ago. They cannot lock a player out of their facility unless he's been officially suspended (and I think per the TO episode with Philly and the Keyshawn episode with TB that that's limited to four games IIRC), so there are zero grounds to assume this is what's happening with Favre.

Nope. They just need to give him access to the facilities and staff. Not the team. Hence why he can supposedly do "individual" practices.Indeed, they could have said "you can be backup but never practice with the team or take a preseason snap".

 

[ookook]

You know NFL football is about 3 things and it is really simple. 1) Please your fans 2) Win 3) Make Money Which QB helps those 3 things in the hear and now (this is not fantasy football people). Yeah that's right Brett Favre 1) The fans want Brett 2) He will only help them win now 3) His jersey and marketing for Green Bay is only going to make more money (Green bay is an institution already but Favre is Green Bay right now...he is the face of the franchise right now until he decides to hang them up). We have talked about his flip flopping ad nausem already and I agree it is a joke....but he is Brett Favre not some 2nd string linemen. Mark this down right here and right now. If Favre is released or traded (within the division) Ted and Mike are gone next season....they will get their pink slips. Their ego's have blinded them. It is Favre that makes the talent around him rise to another level. All the great QB's of all time have that power. System guy's come and go. It is about talent, toughness and leadership and Favre has all of that. Rodgers has not had the opportunity I agree.....so what. He has to wait his turn. This is not Steve Young on the bench that is for sure. And he will in all liklyhood based on my own opinion (and we all have them) be an average NFL QB at best. The Packers front office are being ludicrus. Flat out nut's. The funny thing is the players would embrace Favre and be pumped that their leader is back. Problem is the ego maniac front office and coach don't want him back because he could not give them an answer back in February. You don't pressure your 3 time MVP Super Bowl winning never misses a game in his life franchise QB to give you an answer a month after playing one of his greatest seasons and coming an overtime away from getting to the big dance. What people forget so easisly is the Packers would have never sniffed the post season without Favre and they won't this season if they go with Rodgers. That is almost a certainty in my eye test. I am a huge fan of Favre the football player and I want Brett Favre to play football if he wants to. He has more than earned the right to change his mind. Say what you want about the team needs to move on or have a new direction blah blah blah. That does not matter. Only 3 things matter: 1) Make the fans happy 2) Just win baby 3) Be profitable. Only one of those 3 things will happen in the near future for the Packers. Guess which one that will be and you know why it is so crystal clear why TT and MM will be shown the door if this continues to go as it is. It is to the point of insanity and both sides are to blame no doubt.Bottom line though and you can argue and point to stats all you want. Who gives your team the best chance to win now. And that is all that matters. I would rather have 3-4 losing seasons in a row but get a world title in between that any day of the week. Then take a step back for 2-3 years for the sake of developing an average prospect to begin with. If Rodgers is so good why did they not show Brett the door after his 2005 and to some degree his 2006 season? TT has drafted well and built a nice squad but he does not have the QB to bring it all together unless his name is Brett Favre.They being egomaniac's (TT & MM) and if I were a Packer fan I would be outraged that they did not just say ok....we thought we were moving forward but now we are not because we have the opportunity to have our 3 time MVP top tier QB coming back to make one more run at this thing.Do you really think that the locker room does not want favre back as their leader? My goodness what a nightmare this front office is turning this into.Yes Brett is to blame too we all know that. But it is a simple fix.....get him back to practice (which he took the first step in doing) and get this thing going again. That team will not miss a beat. OTA's...blah blah blah....now is the time you get your house in order. July and August is when the real men report. 17 year Veterans don't exactly need to be at OTA's (of course it's good they are) but one year missing them is not going to be bad for a guy like Favre.That's it. I am done. What will be will be.I just think football is a hell of alot better watching favre compete.

Give how the organization is structured, I am pretty sure both TT and MM will be there for a few years even if they go 4-12.It is not like they have Mark Cuban around or something.

If they go 4-12 I highly doubt they will be there for a few years. Just watch how ugly it will get in GB if Rodgers and the Packers struggle to start the season.

Tell it to the Lions fans.

 

[Joe Bryant]

ESPNNews is reporting the trade discussion is with the Buccaneers...

I hope it's the Vikings. I doubt it will be but that would be infinitely more interesting than Tampa.J

 

[T Bell]

ESPNNews is reporting the trade discussion is with the Buccaneers...

For personal reasons this is the one team I don't want to see him traded to.

 

[ScottyFargo]

ESPNNews is reporting the trade discussion is with the Buccaneers...

No! This will ruin everything!

 

[T Bell]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I am not sure, was never sure, that Favre has been allowed to practice with the team, let alone compete.If they did OFFER to let him compete (doubtful, but uncear) and he declined, you are right.

It would be a violation of the CBA if Favre was prohibited to practice with the team after reinstatement. You saw a version of that with McNair and the Titans two years ago. They cannot lock a player out of their facility unless he's been officially suspended (and I think per the TO episode with Philly and the Keyshawn episode with TB that that's limited to four games IIRC), so there are zero grounds to assume this is what's happening with Favre.

Nope. They just need to give him access to the facilities and staff. Not the team. Hence why he can supposedly do "individual" practices.Indeed, they could have said "you can be backup but never practice with the team or take a preseason snap".

Where are you getting this stuff? They can't bar him from any team activity that he wants to join. Now, he can't dictate how many snaps he gets, but they can't force him to sit out practices either.

 

[Phil Elliott]

ESPNNews is reporting the trade discussion is with the Buccaneers...

I hope it's the Vikings. I doubt it will be but that would be infinitely more interesting than Tampa.J

Yes, I would love to see him going to the Vikings too... But Tampa is kind of thin on QB's this year

 

[Eric Stratton]

You know NFL football is about 3 things and it is really simple. 1) Please your fans 2) Win 3) Make Money Which QB helps those 3 things in the hear and now (this is not fantasy football people). Yeah that's right Brett Favre 1) The fans want Brett 2) He will only help them win now 3) His jersey and marketing for Green Bay is only going to make more money (Green bay is an institution already but Favre is Green Bay right now...he is the face of the franchise right now until he decides to hang them up). We have talked about his flip flopping ad nausem already and I agree it is a joke....but he is Brett Favre not some 2nd string linemen. Mark this down right here and right now. If Favre is released or traded (within the division) Ted and Mike are gone next season....they will get their pink slips. Their ego's have blinded them. It is Favre that makes the talent around him rise to another level. All the great QB's of all time have that power. System guy's come and go. It is about talent, toughness and leadership and Favre has all of that. Rodgers has not had the opportunity I agree.....so what. He has to wait his turn. This is not Steve Young on the bench that is for sure. And he will in all liklyhood based on my own opinion (and we all have them) be an average NFL QB at best. The Packers front office are being ludicrus. Flat out nut's. The funny thing is the players would embrace Favre and be pumped that their leader is back. Problem is the ego maniac front office and coach don't want him back because he could not give them an answer back in February. You don't pressure your 3 time MVP Super Bowl winning never misses a game in his life franchise QB to give you an answer a month after playing one of his greatest seasons and coming an overtime away from getting to the big dance. What people forget so easisly is the Packers would have never sniffed the post season without Favre and they won't this season if they go with Rodgers. That is almost a certainty in my eye test. I am a huge fan of Favre the football player and I want Brett Favre to play football if he wants to. He has more than earned the right to change his mind. Say what you want about the team needs to move on or have a new direction blah blah blah. That does not matter. Only 3 things matter: 1) Make the fans happy 2) Just win baby 3) Be profitable. Only one of those 3 things will happen in the near future for the Packers. Guess which one that will be and you know why it is so crystal clear why TT and MM will be shown the door if this continues to go as it is. It is to the point of insanity and both sides are to blame no doubt.Bottom line though and you can argue and point to stats all you want. Who gives your team the best chance to win now. And that is all that matters. I would rather have 3-4 losing seasons in a row but get a world title in between that any day of the week. Then take a step back for 2-3 years for the sake of developing an average prospect to begin with. If Rodgers is so good why did they not show Brett the door after his 2005 and to some degree his 2006 season? TT has drafted well and built a nice squad but he does not have the QB to bring it all together unless his name is Brett Favre.They being egomaniac's (TT & MM) and if I were a Packer fan I would be outraged that they did not just say ok....we thought we were moving forward but now we are not because we have the opportunity to have our 3 time MVP top tier QB coming back to make one more run at this thing.Do you really think that the locker room does not want favre back as their leader? My goodness what a nightmare this front office is turning this into.Yes Brett is to blame too we all know that. But it is a simple fix.....get him back to practice (which he took the first step in doing) and get this thing going again. That team will not miss a beat. OTA's...blah blah blah....now is the time you get your house in order. July and August is when the real men report. 17 year Veterans don't exactly need to be at OTA's (of course it's good they are) but one year missing them is not going to be bad for a guy like Favre.That's it. I am done. What will be will be.I just think football is a hell of alot better watching favre compete.

Give how the organization is structured, I am pretty sure both TT and MM will be there for a few years even if they go 4-12.It is not like they have Mark Cuban around or something.

If they go 4-12 I highly doubt they will be there for a few years. Just watch how ugly it will get in GB if Rodgers and the Packers struggle to start the season.

Tell it to the Lions fans.

I'm sorry but the Board of Directors and fans would not tolerate a 4-12 season after going 13-3 last year. It would be tough for TT to survive if that happens.

 

[gianmarco]

ESPNNews is reporting the trade discussion is with the Buccaneers...

No! This will ruin everything!

You drafted Garcia that early?

 

[CletiusMaximus]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I don't. It reads to me as though Favre is saying Rodgers deserves to remain the starter right now because he's been in camp and Favre has not. Should there be an open competition for the job however, Favre is confident he will prevail and he believes McCarthy knows this as well. But, Favre thinks the end result of his ultimately supplanting Rodgers a month from now will create "mass confusion" for the players and hurt the team.

What if Favre didn't win? Do you think he would be on the sidelines supporting Rodgers and the team as a back-up should? Would he be prepared to fill that role and be available if there were an injury? I don't think he would ever fill that roll. He would go home and they would be left without a backup. That's why I think Favre is not fully prepared to buy into an open competition.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I don't. It reads to me as though Favre is saying Rodgers deserves to remain the starter right now because he's been in camp and Favre has not. Should there be an open competition for the job however, Favre is confident he will prevail and he believes McCarthy knows this as well. But, Favre thinks the end result of his ultimately supplanting Rodgers a month from now will create "mass confusion" for the players and hurt the team.

Favre is running to the media every chance he gets. I think he is saying some of these things to try to make it seem like he is taking the high road.

 

[ScottyFargo]

ESPNNews is reporting the trade discussion is with the Buccaneers...

No! This will ruin everything!

You drafted Garcia that early?

Noooo. But I didn't draft Galloway, and that still isn't the worst part of it all if the Pack trades him to TB.

 

[T Bell]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I don't. It reads to me as though Favre is saying Rodgers deserves to remain the starter right now because he's been in camp and Favre has not. Should there be an open competition for the job however, Favre is confident he will prevail and he believes McCarthy knows this as well. But, Favre thinks the end result of his ultimately supplanting Rodgers a month from now will create "mass confusion" for the players and hurt the team.

Favre is running to the media every chance he gets. I think he is saying some of these things to try to make it seem like he is taking the high road.

Why this isn't more apparent to the people who are all over the team and supporting Favre is beyond me.

 

[MarshallRob]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I don't. It reads to me as though Favre is saying Rodgers deserves to remain the starter right now because he's been in camp and Favre has not. Should there be an open competition for the job however, Favre is confident he will prevail and he believes McCarthy knows this as well. But, Favre thinks the end result of his ultimately supplanting Rodgers a month from now will create "mass confusion" for the players and hurt the team.

What if Favre didn't win? Do you think he would be on the sidelines supporting Rodgers and the team as a back-up should? Would he be prepared to fill that role and be available if there were an injury? I don't think he would ever fill that roll. He would go home and they would be left without a backup. That's why I think Favre is not fully prepared to buy into an open competition.

I have no idea. But the Packers don't want him around as a backup as much as Favre doesn't want to be a backup, and Favre knows it. His mere presence would be a disaster for the team even if Favre did and said all the right things.

 

[Joe Bryant]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I don't. It reads to me as though Favre is saying Rodgers deserves to remain the starter right now because he's been in camp and Favre has not. Should there be an open competition for the job however, Favre is confident he will prevail and he believes McCarthy knows this as well. But, Favre thinks the end result of his ultimately supplanting Rodgers a month from now will create "mass confusion" for the players and hurt the team.

Favre is running to the media every chance he gets. I think he is saying some of these things to try to make it seem like he is taking the high road.

For a story this big, we've heard relatively very little from Favre on this. There are tons of reporters trying to get the inside word from him on this. He has tons of friends in the media that he could easily use to work things his way. I don't see him running to the media every chance he gets at all. Where do you see it?J

 

[Michael Fox Fan]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I don't. It reads to me as though Favre is saying Rodgers deserves to remain the starter right now because he's been in camp and Favre has not. Should there be an open competition for the job however, Favre is confident he will prevail and he believes McCarthy knows this as well. But, Favre thinks the end result of his ultimately supplanting Rodgers a month from now will create "mass confusion" for the players and hurt the team.

Favre is running to the media every chance he gets. I think he is saying some of these things to try to make it seem like he is taking the high road.

Why this isn't more apparent to the people who are all over the team and supporting Favre is beyond me.

Because some of us believe that a 3-time MVP who just led his team to the NFC Championship Game (while playing at a high level) should be reinstated as starter automatically vs. an unproven, injury-prone QB who hasn't started a single game in the NFL, and was coached by the same guy who launched the college careers of multiple failed pro QBs.Does that sum it up?

 

[malaka]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I don't. It reads to me as though Favre is saying Rodgers deserves to remain the starter right now because he's been in camp and Favre has not. Should there be an open competition for the job however, Favre is confident he will prevail and he believes McCarthy knows this as well. But, Favre thinks the end result of his ultimately supplanting Rodgers a month from now will create "mass confusion" for the players and hurt the team.

Favre is running to the media every chance he gets. I think he is saying some of these things to try to make it seem like he is taking the high road.

What do you bet the press conference in 15 minutes with McCarthy will make it seem like they are taking the high road. Neither one is running to the media....its more like the media is running to them every chance they can.

 

[Eric Stratton]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I don't. It reads to me as though Favre is saying Rodgers deserves to remain the starter right now because he's been in camp and Favre has not. Should there be an open competition for the job however, Favre is confident he will prevail and he believes McCarthy knows this as well. But, Favre thinks the end result of his ultimately supplanting Rodgers a month from now will create "mass confusion" for the players and hurt the team.

Favre is running to the media every chance he gets. I think he is saying some of these things to try to make it seem like he is taking the high road.

For a story this big, we've heard relatively very little from Favre on this. There are tons of reporters trying to get the inside word from him on this. He has tons of friends in the media that he could easily use to work things his way. I don't see him running to the media every chance he gets at all. Where do you see it?J

Brett, Bus Cook and Scott Favre have been leaking info to press through this whole process. The guys on ESPN even were joking about all the text messages some of the ESPN reporters have been getting from them.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Does Ted Thompson not deserve some benefit of the doubt, given what he's accomplished so far in his tenure?

Yes. The criticism of Ted Thompson reminds me very much of the constant criticism of AJ Smith during his first few years as Chargers GM.If you listened to the fans, everything he did was a huge mistake. Cutting David Boston, drafting-and-trading Eli Manning for three draft picks who have all been Pro Bowlers (instead of passing on Manning to draft Robert Gallery) ... nearly everything he did, he was heavily criticized for, and pretty much every time it has worked out great. People were suggesting that AJ Smith should have been fired immediately after the draft when he selected Antonio Cromartie and Marcus McNeill with the first two picks.

The common theme, though, is that people always criticized AJ Smith for stuff that hadn't played out yet. People thought he should be fired because they predicted that Cromartie wouldn't be a good player ... but they didn't wait to see who was right.

It's the same thing with Ted Thompson now. People might say that Thompson should be fired because they think Aaron Rodgers won't be as good as Brett Favre. But nobody's waiting to see who's right about that.

I would say that if you're going to criticize Thompson for something, you should wait to see how it works out before suggesting he should be fired. If it works out great, the criticism will look silly in hindsight.

I know there were some threads here in the Shark pool skewering Thompson for hiring McCarthy . . . Maybe people should have waited before being so harshly critical.

To say "My opinion differs from Thompson's, so I think he's wrong" is one thing. But to say "My opinion differs from Thompson so I think he should be fired before we wait to find out who was right" seems a bit premature.

I hear you MT but I like the debate AS the decisions are being made. I mean, let's say that Thompson trades Favre to Minnesota. And then Aaron Rodgers goes out and plays terribly. While Favre leads the Vikings to a Super Bowl.

The "I told you so" posters are kind of lame after the fact. I'd rather hear a guy take a strong stand now, before the game is played. You know what I mean?

Obviously, that means we don't truly know who is right or wrong yet. Rodgers could be the MVP this year. But it's fun to debate / discuss what we think of the GMs move and what we'd do if we were the GM. That's pretty much fantasy football.

J

Yes, I agree with all that, and I think discussing these kinds of issues is fun and worthwhile . . . I just think the issue shouldn't be discussed as if it were a foregone conclusion.What should the Packers do here? There are a number of different opinions. Some may look good in hindsight and others may look bad in hindsight. But as of right now, we don't know which are which. We can speculate. I just think a lot of people are a lot more certain about things than they ought to be.

What's the percentage chance that Favre would get more wins (or go further in the playoffs) than Rodgers this year? IMO, anyone who believes it is 99% is delusional, yet a lot of the rhetoric would suggest that 99% is on the low end. IMO, anywhere in the 40%-80% is probably reasonable. Someone who says it's 45% isn't being so ridiculous that he can be dismissed as obviously wrong before the season even starts. Let's see what happens before we pronounce the issue settled.

 

[QUEZILLA]

Sounds to me like Tampa and Minny are the only 2 teams interested. GB won't let him got to Minny, so Favre has agreed to at least meet with Tampa.

JG and Bruce are great at feeding players so I expect Favre to be a sometime tomorrow. It shouldn't be too hard to convince him, but he will have to agree to come in and compete with Jeff.

 

[Phil Elliott]

Sounds to me like Tampa and Minny are the only 2 teams interested. GB won't let him got to Minny, so Favre has agreed to at least meet with Tampa. JG and Bruce are great at feeding players so I expect Favre to be a sometime tomorrow. It shouldn't be too hard to convince him, but he will have to agree to come in and compete with Jeff.

I would guess there will be an announcement at McCarthy's press conference at 6:00 (et). They wouldn't have a press conference to say there is no news...

 

[Joe Bryant]

Does Ted Thompson not deserve some benefit of the doubt, given what he's accomplished so far in his tenure?

Yes. The criticism of Ted Thompson reminds me very much of the constant criticism of AJ Smith during his first few years as Chargers GM.If you listened to the fans, everything he did was a huge mistake. Cutting David Boston, drafting-and-trading Eli Manning for three draft picks who have all been Pro Bowlers (instead of passing on Manning to draft Robert Gallery) ... nearly everything he did, he was heavily criticized for, and pretty much every time it has worked out great. People were suggesting that AJ Smith should have been fired immediately after the draft when he selected Antonio Cromartie and Marcus McNeill with the first two picks.

The common theme, though, is that people always criticized AJ Smith for stuff that hadn't played out yet. People thought he should be fired because they predicted that Cromartie wouldn't be a good player ... but they didn't wait to see who was right.

It's the same thing with Ted Thompson now. People might say that Thompson should be fired because they think Aaron Rodgers won't be as good as Brett Favre. But nobody's waiting to see who's right about that.

I would say that if you're going to criticize Thompson for something, you should wait to see how it works out before suggesting he should be fired. If it works out great, the criticism will look silly in hindsight.

I know there were some threads here in the Shark pool skewering Thompson for hiring McCarthy . . . Maybe people should have waited before being so harshly critical.

To say "My opinion differs from Thompson's, so I think he's wrong" is one thing. But to say "My opinion differs from Thompson so I think he should be fired before we wait to find out who was right" seems a bit premature.

I hear you MT but I like the debate AS the decisions are being made. I mean, let's say that Thompson trades Favre to Minnesota. And then Aaron Rodgers goes out and plays terribly. While Favre leads the Vikings to a Super Bowl.

The "I told you so" posters are kind of lame after the fact. I'd rather hear a guy take a strong stand now, before the game is played. You know what I mean?

Obviously, that means we don't truly know who is right or wrong yet. Rodgers could be the MVP this year. But it's fun to debate / discuss what we think of the GMs move and what we'd do if we were the GM. That's pretty much fantasy football.

J

Yes, I agree with all that, and I think discussing these kinds of issues is fun and worthwhile . . . I just think the issue shouldn't be discussed as if it were a foregone conclusion.What should the Packers do here? There are a number of different opinions. Some may look good in hindsight and others may look bad in hindsight. But as of right now, we don't know which are which. We can speculate. I just think a lot of people are a lot more certain about things than they ought to be.

What's the percentage chance that Favre would get more wins (or go further in the playoffs) than Rodgers this year? IMO, anyone who believes it is 99% is delusional, yet a lot of the rhetoric would suggest that 99% is on the low end. IMO, anywhere in the 40%-80% is probably reasonable. Someone who says it's 45% isn't being so ridiculous that he can be dismissed as obviously wrong before the season even starts. Let's see what happens before we pronounce the issue settled.

For sure. None of us know what will happen. We think we know. That's what makes it fun.And on the see what happens before we announce it settled angle, I think that's a different thing. We're talking here about what we think will happen. Not analyzing what already has happened.

J

 

[statedogg]

I would guess there will be an announcement at McCarthy's press conference at 6:00 (et). They wouldn't have a press conference to say there is no news...

I wouldn't say that. It probably will be no news, at least no new news. This is probably a post practice presser.I would think a trade presser would be TT and Brett.

 

[Joe Bryant]

What's the percentage chance that Favre would get more wins (or go further in the playoffs) than Rodgers this year? IMO, anyone who believes it is 99% is delusional, yet a lot of the rhetoric would suggest that 99% is on the low end. IMO, anywhere in the 40%-80% is probably reasonable. Someone who says it's 45% isn't being so ridiculous that he can be dismissed as obviously wrong before the season even starts. Let's see what happens before we pronounce the issue settled.

To make sure I'm understanding you, Maurile. You're assuming both players start for Green Bay, right?If one thinks 40% is reasonable, you're saying there are people who think Aaron Rodgers would win more games this year than Favre would if they both had the chance to be the GB QB?J

 

[T Bell]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I don't. It reads to me as though Favre is saying Rodgers deserves to remain the starter right now because he's been in camp and Favre has not. Should there be an open competition for the job however, Favre is confident he will prevail and he believes McCarthy knows this as well. But, Favre thinks the end result of his ultimately supplanting Rodgers a month from now will create "mass confusion" for the players and hurt the team.

Favre is running to the media every chance he gets. I think he is saying some of these things to try to make it seem like he is taking the high road.

Why this isn't more apparent to the people who are all over the team and supporting Favre is beyond me.

Because some of us believe that a 3-time MVP who just led his team to the NFC Championship Game (while playing at a high level) should be reinstated as starter automatically vs. an unproven, injury-prone QB who hasn't started a single game in the NFL, and was coached by the same guy who launched the college careers of multiple failed pro QBs.Does that sum it up?

In other words you're willing to overlook the tactics Favre is using to get what he wants because he's a good enough player for you not to care. Yeah, I'd say that that sums it up.

 

[Joe Bryant]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I don't. It reads to me as though Favre is saying Rodgers deserves to remain the starter right now because he's been in camp and Favre has not. Should there be an open competition for the job however, Favre is confident he will prevail and he believes McCarthy knows this as well. But, Favre thinks the end result of his ultimately supplanting Rodgers a month from now will create "mass confusion" for the players and hurt the team.

Favre is running to the media every chance he gets. I think he is saying some of these things to try to make it seem like he is taking the high road.

Why this isn't more apparent to the people who are all over the team and supporting Favre is beyond me.

Because some of us believe that a 3-time MVP who just led his team to the NFC Championship Game (while playing at a high level) should be reinstated as starter automatically vs. an unproven, injury-prone QB who hasn't started a single game in the NFL, and was coached by the same guy who launched the college careers of multiple failed pro QBs.Does that sum it up?

In other words you're willing to overlook the tactics Favre is using to get what he wants because he's a good enough player for you not to care. Yeah, I'd say that that sums it up.

What exactly are "the tactics Favre is using to get what he wants" in your opinion?J

 

[Phil Elliott]

...and GM is getting some much needed free advertising for their Escalade!

 

[Tom Servo]

Many of you guys arent' old enough to remember when Coke decided to change their flavor to New Coke. I was in college. I remember thinking, "That seems like a terrible idea. But the guys calling the shots at Coke are smart business people making a ton of money. They must know what they're doing."Turns out they did not know what they're doing.I think we're watching the NFL equivalent of that now. If I were a die hard Packers fan (I'm not but I know there are tons that are) I would be beyond :whoosh: right now. Unbelievable if they truly do find a way to screw this up.J

You rolled out a New Coke reference? Brother, I tasted that while in college and it was .To the point...and your analogy. Business do make decisions that they think are right. Think about your own boat business; you've never said, "I'm going to do something that will hurt my business and cause me to lose market share." Nobody in control of their faculities does that. My own employer at one time thought the future of their business was in energy trading; it put them literally DAYS away from Chapter 11 (and trust me, an electric utility in Chapter 11 is not a good thing). Companies do their due diligence; investigate their options, do the cost/benefit analysis and market research and proceed appropriately. Does it always work? No, as anyone who invests in the stock market can attest. The larger point is that the Packers feel the future is with Rogers. Could it bite them? Darn straight it could. So could keeping Favre around for another year. It is also not a given that BF will take GB deep in the playoffs. Part of being an American (citizen or corporation) is that we have the freedom to both succeed AND fail on our own terms...and that is something I support. (If I go any farther, it'll need to be moved to the FFA.) My

Actually, I am willing to bet Joe HAS made decisions that he knew would cost his business money but he were the right thing to do. And not just "well it will be better in the long run" (which is a more distal profit motive), but because it was right.

*sigh* I'm not talking about taking a moral/ethical stand in his business dealings. I'm talking about honest business decisions between Plan A and Plan B. Are you trying to be obtuse on purpose?

 

[Joe Bryant]

...and GM is getting some much needed free advertising for their Escalade!

The Escalade might be the only winner here.J

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

To make sure I'm understanding you, Maurile. You're assuming both players start for Green Bay, right?If one thinks 40% is reasonable, you're saying there are people who think Aaron Rodgers would win more games this year than Favre would if they both had the chance to be the GB QB?J

Yes, and I think Mike McCarthy might be one of them.

 

[sho nuff]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I don't. It reads to me as though Favre is saying Rodgers deserves to remain the starter right now because he's been in camp and Favre has not. Should there be an open competition for the job however, Favre is confident he will prevail and he believes McCarthy knows this as well. But, Favre thinks the end result of his ultimately supplanting Rodgers a month from now will create "mass confusion" for the players and hurt the team.

Favre is running to the media every chance he gets. I think he is saying some of these things to try to make it seem like he is taking the high road.

Shhh...don't talk like this...I have been saying this all day today and the last few days and been getting bashed for having such an opinion.

 

[mozzy84]

Sounds to me like Tampa and Minny are the only 2 teams interested. GB won't let him got to Minny, so Favre has agreed to at least meet with Tampa. JG and Bruce are great at feeding players :whoosh: so I expect Favre to be a sometime tomorrow. It shouldn't be too hard to convince him, but he will have to agree to come in and compete with Jeff.

and I would think they get him for next to nothing, he would be great for tampa imoor farve say no thanks to tampa (which would not shock me at all)

 

[Man in the yellow hat]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I don't. It reads to me as though Favre is saying Rodgers deserves to remain the starter right now because he's been in camp and Favre has not. Should there be an open competition for the job however, Favre is confident he will prevail and he believes McCarthy knows this as well. But, Favre thinks the end result of his ultimately supplanting Rodgers a month from now will create "mass confusion" for the players and hurt the team.

Favre is running to the media every chance he gets. I think he is saying some of these things to try to make it seem like he is taking the high road.

Why this isn't more apparent to the people who are all over the team and supporting Favre is beyond me.

Because some of us believe that a 3-time MVP who just led his team to the NFC Championship Game (while playing at a high level) should be reinstated as starter automatically vs. an unproven, injury-prone QB who hasn't started a single game in the NFL, and was coached by the same guy who launched the college careers of multiple failed pro QBs.Does that sum it up?

In other words you're willing to overlook the tactics Favre is using to get what he wants because he's a good enough player for you not to care. Yeah, I'd say that that sums it up.

What exactly are "the tactics Favre is using to get what he wants" in your opinion?J

Can't speak for the poster in question, but they are the exact same tactics Bus Cook and Steve McNair used to get McNair what he wanted. Only difference is McNair was more upfront about his desire to leave. Favre has not been.

 

[sho nuff]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I don't. It reads to me as though Favre is saying Rodgers deserves to remain the starter right now because he's been in camp and Favre has not. Should there be an open competition for the job however, Favre is confident he will prevail and he believes McCarthy knows this as well. But, Favre thinks the end result of his ultimately supplanting Rodgers a month from now will create "mass confusion" for the players and hurt the team.

Favre is running to the media every chance he gets. I think he is saying some of these things to try to make it seem like he is taking the high road.

For a story this big, we've heard relatively very little from Favre on this. There are tons of reporters trying to get the inside word from him on this. He has tons of friends in the media that he could easily use to work things his way. I don't see him running to the media every chance he gets at all. Where do you see it?J

Huh?Very little from Favre?

Aside from reports by Greta, Mort, Ed Werder, texts, his buddy Al Jones, more quotes on ESPN before the team has said a single thing.

He has been leaking things non-stop over the last 3-4 days Joe...what are you missing?

 

[Joe Bryant]

To make sure I'm understanding you, Maurile. You're assuming both players start for Green Bay, right?If one thinks 40% is reasonable, you're saying there are people who think Aaron Rodgers would win more games this year than Favre would if they both had the chance to be the GB QB?J

Yes, and I think Mike McCarthy might be one of them.

Cool. Do you think it's that Favre's skills have faded or that Rodgers really is the real deal? Or more mental / attitude stuff? Or a mix of all?J

 

[Michael Fox Fan]

To make sure I'm understanding you, Maurile. You're assuming both players start for Green Bay, right?If one thinks 40% is reasonable, you're saying there are people who think Aaron Rodgers would win more games this year than Favre would if they both had the chance to be the GB QB?J

Yes, and I think Mike McCarthy might be one of them.

You're making a great point MT. Most of us would think TT or MM are crazy if they believe Rodgers would win more games than Favre. Then again, people would have said the same thing about Brady vs. Bledsoe. (of course, Bledsoe was still the starter until he got injured......)Point being, it is certainly possible that Rodgers than Favre with the same supporting cast. History would tell us that the odds (of any QB succeeding) are pretty slim, but it's still possible. ("so you're sayin' there's a chance!")

 

[sho nuff]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I don't. It reads to me as though Favre is saying Rodgers deserves to remain the starter right now because he's been in camp and Favre has not. Should there be an open competition for the job however, Favre is confident he will prevail and he believes McCarthy knows this as well. But, Favre thinks the end result of his ultimately supplanting Rodgers a month from now will create "mass confusion" for the players and hurt the team.

Favre is running to the media every chance he gets. I think he is saying some of these things to try to make it seem like he is taking the high road.

Why this isn't more apparent to the people who are all over the team and supporting Favre is beyond me.

Because some of us believe that a 3-time MVP who just led his team to the NFC Championship Game (while playing at a high level) should be reinstated as starter automatically vs. an unproven, injury-prone QB who hasn't started a single game in the NFL, and was coached by the same guy who launched the college careers of multiple failed pro QBs.Does that sum it up?

So because you think he should just be given the job that he quit back...that means you can't see what Favre has been doing over the past few weeks?

 

[Phil Elliott]

...live feed of the McCarthy news conference "set up" at the Packers web site:

http://www.packers.com/

 

[sho nuff]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I don't. It reads to me as though Favre is saying Rodgers deserves to remain the starter right now because he's been in camp and Favre has not. Should there be an open competition for the job however, Favre is confident he will prevail and he believes McCarthy knows this as well. But, Favre thinks the end result of his ultimately supplanting Rodgers a month from now will create "mass confusion" for the players and hurt the team.

Favre is running to the media every chance he gets. I think he is saying some of these things to try to make it seem like he is taking the high road.

What do you bet the press conference in 15 minutes with McCarthy will make it seem like they are taking the high road. Neither one is running to the media....its more like the media is running to them every chance they can.

So the media was running the Brett when he was texting Ed Werder?or when the media continually had his side of the story right after meetings over the last 2 days?

Come on...I can buy it that back the past several years the media kept going to him...he was just answering questions that came up...I have defended him for as much.

But texting Ed Werder goes beyond the media just running to him.

It has gotten much different. It appears he is seeking out the media every chance he gets to try and keep the PR on his side.

 

[Joe Bryant]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I don't. It reads to me as though Favre is saying Rodgers deserves to remain the starter right now because he's been in camp and Favre has not. Should there be an open competition for the job however, Favre is confident he will prevail and he believes McCarthy knows this as well. But, Favre thinks the end result of his ultimately supplanting Rodgers a month from now will create "mass confusion" for the players and hurt the team.

Favre is running to the media every chance he gets. I think he is saying some of these things to try to make it seem like he is taking the high road.

For a story this big, we've heard relatively very little from Favre on this. There are tons of reporters trying to get the inside word from him on this. He has tons of friends in the media that he could easily use to work things his way. I don't see him running to the media every chance he gets at all. Where do you see it?J

Huh?Very little from Favre?

Aside from reports by Greta, Mort, Ed Werder, texts, his buddy Al Jones, more quotes on ESPN before the team has said a single thing.

He has been leaking things non-stop over the last 3-4 days Joe...what are you missing?

These guys are reporting. They're doing all they can to get the scoop from Favre. I think relative to what we could have seen and relative to how close he is with the media (for a guy that has his own regularly scheduled press conference each week of the season), we're seeing / hearing very little.I know I'd like to hear a LOT more from him on this.

J

 

[sho nuff]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I don't. It reads to me as though Favre is saying Rodgers deserves to remain the starter right now because he's been in camp and Favre has not. Should there be an open competition for the job however, Favre is confident he will prevail and he believes McCarthy knows this as well. But, Favre thinks the end result of his ultimately supplanting Rodgers a month from now will create "mass confusion" for the players and hurt the team.

Favre is running to the media every chance he gets. I think he is saying some of these things to try to make it seem like he is taking the high road.

Why this isn't more apparent to the people who are all over the team and supporting Favre is beyond me.

Because some of us believe that a 3-time MVP who just led his team to the NFC Championship Game (while playing at a high level) should be reinstated as starter automatically vs. an unproven, injury-prone QB who hasn't started a single game in the NFL, and was coached by the same guy who launched the college careers of multiple failed pro QBs.Does that sum it up?

In other words you're willing to overlook the tactics Favre is using to get what he wants because he's a good enough player for you not to care. Yeah, I'd say that that sums it up.

What exactly are "the tactics Favre is using to get what he wants" in your opinion?J

Leaking the report about the "bribe".Texting Ed Werder.

ESPN's reports are "according to Favre"...

Leaking he may take the deal to Wendy Nix.

Being the only one telling any news to the media right now while the team has remained pretty quiet?

 

[T Bell]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I don't. It reads to me as though Favre is saying Rodgers deserves to remain the starter right now because he's been in camp and Favre has not. Should there be an open competition for the job however, Favre is confident he will prevail and he believes McCarthy knows this as well. But, Favre thinks the end result of his ultimately supplanting Rodgers a month from now will create "mass confusion" for the players and hurt the team.

Favre is running to the media every chance he gets. I think he is saying some of these things to try to make it seem like he is taking the high road.

Why this isn't more apparent to the people who are all over the team and supporting Favre is beyond me.

Because some of us believe that a 3-time MVP who just led his team to the NFC Championship Game (while playing at a high level) should be reinstated as starter automatically vs. an unproven, injury-prone QB who hasn't started a single game in the NFL, and was coached by the same guy who launched the college careers of multiple failed pro QBs.Does that sum it up?

In other words you're willing to overlook the tactics Favre is using to get what he wants because he's a good enough player for you not to care. Yeah, I'd say that that sums it up.

What exactly are "the tactics Favre is using to get what he wants" in your opinion?J

First, let's define "getting what he wants". I think what is motivating Favre is a desire to make Thompson (and likely McCarthy too) look as bad as possible. He's not liked their stewardship of the team for years, so this is his revenge. He'd like to get back onto the field and play, but he wants to accomplish that - either with the Packers or with another team - in a way that's as painful as possible to them. So, with that in mind, here's what he's done:

1) repeatedly delayed making a retirement decision in the offseason;

2) publicly bashed Thompson for failing to resign Wahle and another OL, and for failing to sign Moss;

3) retired, then unretired and changed his mind, then re-unretired in June;

4) immediately bellyaching that Thompson and the team don't want him back;

5) leaking the now-infamous $20M bribe/marketing deal that was offered to him, to the media;

6) delaying the application for reinstatement needlessly, all while making equivocal statements in the Van Susteren interview about returning to play;

7) claiming today either that McCarthy told him he couldn't compete for the starting job, or claiming he voluntarily wouldn't compete for the starting job because he'd be a "distraction";

8) refusing to practice today.

This struggle is about perception among Packers fans and even football fans about who has made the team successful in recent years, who controls it going forward, and even who has created this retirement mess. Perhaps these tactics are best illustrated by what Favre could have done had this really been about returning to the playing field as he said it was. Here's what such a person would do:

1) announce clearly and unequivocally that you weren't ready after all to retire and you want to return;

2) apply immediately to the league for reinstatement;

3) report to camp.

That's it. That's what you do if you just want to play with no other agenda. Then, the ball is in the Packers' court, and either the Packers accept his return or they cut him or trade him. Any unfair treatment of him beyond that point is laid at the team's feet. If he didn't want to cooperate with them in a trade scenario as is his right by renegotiating his contract, he doesn't agree to renegotiate his contract and they'll probably have to cut him. So be it. Nobody would ever blame Favre for that.

This is how adults handle things. Instead, Favre has gradually escalated this mess, all the while whining about how the team doesn't really want him back.

Stop whining Brett. Force their hand by playing football.

 

[sho nuff]

...and GM is getting some much needed free advertising for their Escalade!

The Escalade might be the only winner here.J

Like I said the other night as the helicoptors followed him...at least he was rolling in an Escalade rather than a white Bronco.

 

[texheat]

...live feed of the McCarthy news conference "set up" at the Packers web site:

http://www.packers.com/

Good info here... the conversation in the room is interesting.

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

...live feed of the McCarthy news conference "set up" at the Packers web site:

http://www.packers.com/

Are you listening to the guy on the telephone? I don't think he realizes that the video feed is still up.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

To make sure I'm understanding you, Maurile. You're assuming both players start for Green Bay, right?

If one thinks 40% is reasonable, you're saying there are people who think Aaron Rodgers would win more games this year than Favre would if they both had the chance to be the GB QB?

J

Yes, and I think Mike McCarthy might be one of them.

Cool. Do you think it's that Favre's skills have faded or that Rodgers really is the real deal? Or more mental / attitude stuff? Or a mix of all?J

Favre's skills have faded. He averaged 6.3 and 6.4 YPA in 2005 and 2006, and threw 9 more INTs than TDs. He averaged 7.8 YPA in 2007, a huge improvement, but that was largely due to his receivers' ability to get yards after the catch.When you look at just the last five years or so, instead of Favre's career as a whole, I think he is basically an average quality NFL starting QB.

It's hard for most of us to know whether Rodgers is above average or not, but McCarthy (and the other Packer coaches) may have a decent idea.

 

[Michael Fox Fan]

Because some of us believe that a 3-time MVP who just led his team to the NFC Championship Game (while playing at a high level) should be reinstated as starter automatically vs. an unproven, injury-prone QB who hasn't started a single game in the NFL, and was coached by the same guy who launched the college careers of multiple failed pro QBs.Does that sum it up?

In other words you're willing to overlook the tactics Favre is using to get what he wants because he's a good enough player for you not to care. Yeah, I'd say that that sums it up.

What exactly are "the tactics Favre is using to get what he wants" in your opinion?J

TB - If by "tactics" you mean "expressing a desire to be the anointed starting QB of the Packers with full support of mgmt", then yes, I'm willing to overlook his "tactics".On the flip side, I'm not willing to overlook the TT tactics, which at this point appear to rest on:1. spend a lot of time convincing your 3-time MVP QB to retire2. when he decides to come back, do everything in your power to change his mind3. lie to the QB and the public about your willingness to take him back on the team and give him a chance to start again4. bring in a hired PR gun (Ari Fleischer) to help you spin the story (e.g. "lie") when it becomes apparent that you can't win the PR battle, because your lies are transparent to everyoneSo yeah, when it comes to benefit of the doubt, I'm going to side with Favre - you know, the guy who brought a Super Bowl trophy back to Green Bay and consistently put his team and the franchise above himself in every single interview prior to this year.

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

To make sure I'm understanding you, Maurile. You're assuming both players start for Green Bay, right?

If one thinks 40% is reasonable, you're saying there are people who think Aaron Rodgers would win more games this year than Favre would if they both had the chance to be the GB QB?

J

Yes, and I think Mike McCarthy might be one of them.

Cool. Do you think it's that Favre's skills have faded or that Rodgers really is the real deal? Or more mental / attitude stuff? Or a mix of all?J

Favre's skills have faded. He averaged 6.3 and 6.4 YPA in 2005 and 2006, and threw 9 more INTs than TDs. He averaged 7.8 YPA in 2007, a huge improvement, but that was largely due to his receivers' ability to get yards after the catch.When you look at just the last five years or so, instead of Favre's career as a whole, I think he is basically an average quality NFL starting QB.

It's hard for most of us to know whether Rodgers is above average or not, but McCarthy (and the other Packer coaches) may have a decent idea.

Favre's highest completion percentage over the course of the year? Last year. I don't consider that faded skills.

 

[Phil Elliott]

...live feed of the McCarthy news conference "set up" at the Packers web site:

http://www.packers.com/

Are you listening to the guy on the telephone? I don't think he realizes that the video feed is still up.

yes, it might be better than the press conference.

 

[T Bell]

This is clipped from the article fatness posted.....

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

Does anyone else read this as Favre saying he welcomes the open competition, but wont' participate in it? Because that's how I read it.Am I off base?

No, you're not off base. He wants to have it both ways - he wants to say that he's fine with an open competition, but he doesn't want to participate in it, supposedly because it's too much of a distraction to the team. I guess that means he wants to just be handed the starting job in Green Bay . . . that is, to the extent he wants to play in Green Bay at all. And of course he doesn't want to play in Green Bay - he wants to go elsewhere.

This is exactly how I read it.

I don't. It reads to me as though Favre is saying Rodgers deserves to remain the starter right now because he's been in camp and Favre has not. Should there be an open competition for the job however, Favre is confident he will prevail and he believes McCarthy knows this as well. But, Favre thinks the end result of his ultimately supplanting Rodgers a month from now will create "mass confusion" for the players and hurt the team.

Favre is running to the media every chance he gets. I think he is saying some of these things to try to make it seem like he is taking the high road.

For a story this big, we've heard relatively very little from Favre on this. There are tons of reporters trying to get the inside word from him on this. He has tons of friends in the media that he could easily use to work things his way. I don't see him running to the media every chance he gets at all. Where do you see it?J

Huh?Very little from Favre?

Aside from reports by Greta, Mort, Ed Werder, texts, his buddy Al Jones, more quotes on ESPN before the team has said a single thing.

He has been leaking things non-stop over the last 3-4 days Joe...what are you missing?

These guys are reporting. They're doing all they can to get the scoop from Favre. I think relative to what we could have seen and relative to how close he is with the media (for a guy that has his own regularly scheduled press conference each week of the season), we're seeing / hearing very little.I know I'd like to hear a LOT more from him on this.

J

Honestly, Joe, what's so hard about this? "These guys are reporting." Exactly! And what are they reporting? They're reporting all the little things that Brett has been feeding them!

Oh, and the reason you aren't hearing a LOT more from Brett on this is that he didn't sit for an interview with a real football reporter who'd actually ask him some tough, substantive questions and might challenge him a little bit - he sat for an interview with WI native and legal analyst Greta Van Susteren! That made Bobby Knight's selection of Jeremy Schaap several years ago when he was under fire at Indiana look downright courageous.