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Packers Daily Briefing 04.29.09: Favre edition
By Greg A. Bedard of the Journal Sentinel
Apr. 29, 2009 9:31 a.m.
Like the swallows returning to the cliffs of San Juan Capistrano, spring in Wisconsin is marked by speculation about a certain Mississippian's tractor-riding habits.
Here we go. Again.
In an obviously choreorgraphed move to maximize publicity -- immediately after the NFL Draft and during a dead point for league news -- Brett Lorenzo Favre was released from the New York Jets.
Favre and his agent, Bus Cook, requested Favre's release. It now means he is free to sign with any other team without anyone having to pay a penalty to the Packers.
So if Favre starts scratching again, he's back in with a twirl of the fax machine in Roger Goodell's office.
Favre said the procedural move does not mean he is returning to the game.
"Nothing has changed," Favre said in a statement. "At this time, I am retired and have no intention of returning to football."
Dave Hutchinson of the Newark Star-Ledger, who broke the story, has some more background this morning, including these tidbits from a Jets source:
This is the second time Favre's camp asked for his release since February. With Mark Sanchez in the fold, they thought they could pressure the Jets a little bit more.
"Secondly, the Jets didn't want any "Favre drama" hanging over their heads with Sanchez trying to find his way. If Sanchez struggled this summer in training camp, for instance, the club didn't want the specter of a possible return by Favre hanging over their heads."
"Sure, the Jets didn't have to grant Favre his wish, but they had nothing to gain by holding onto him and trying to get some compensation (he cost them a third-round pick) if a team wanted to sign him. They felt a mid-round draft pick (at best) wasn't worth the headache."
Here are my thoughts on the topic:
Favre keeps having these itches. Must be the Mississippi humidity. Isn't there any medication for it? Please?
Favre lied repeatedly last year about his interest in coming back after his first retirement.
There are now three possible outcomes: 1) Favre stays retired; 2) Favre signs a one-day contract to retire as a Packer and then has his jersey retired on opening night; 3) Favre returns to quarterback the Minnesota Vikings.
The second option is probably the longest at this point. Nothing I've heard has indicated there's been a softening of the hard feelings against Ted Thompson in the Favre camp. In fact, a Favre source said as far as he knows, the feelings are as hard as ever.
If Favre really wasn't coming back or had no interest in coming back, he could have just said: "Despite this move, there is zero chance I'm returning to the game. I'm done. I'm not changing my mind." But he didn't. His statement were poured over. Everyone in his camp knew what the reaction would be. They still went ahead with those ambiguous words.
The Vikings have about $14 million in cap space even with the rookie pool factored in.
The Vikings have only one game in cold-weather -- Favre's major weakness as 39 years old -- all of next season: Dec. 28 at Chicago. Five of Minnesota's final eight games are in the Metrodome. The other away games are at Arizona and Carolina.
With Adrian Peterson in the backfield, Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin to throw to, West Coast offense buddies Darrell Bevell and Brad Childress to deal with, the Vikings have to be tempting.
Having Favre in the fold can't hurt ticket sales or the team's pursuit of a new stadium, which is needed for the Vikings to remain there.
People in Favre's camp badly wanted him to gain his release last year so he could play for the Vikings and "stick it" to Thompson.
There is still the issue of the tear in Favre's biceps tendon. Jets doctors said he should have surgery if he wanted to return. Favre, as far as anyone knows, did not have surgery. That being said, Dr. James Andrews' office is a short drive for Favre. The injury can also heal with rest. But it wouldn't be healed by now.
I'm wondering how much Favre fans can take. Obviously this constant back and forth has to be draining, and the thought of Favre in purple nauseating.
When Zach Thomas had a chance to go to the New England Patriots, he said no because of how weird it would be and how he couldn't do that to his Dolphins. Jason Taylor recently said he couldn't see himself playing for the Jets for the same reasons.
Besides retiring a Packer, there's no other reason for Favre to ask for his release other than to keep his options open. Options lead to inquisitiveness. Inquisitiveness leads to interest. Interest leads to action.
In my opinion, Favre will return to the NFL and quarterback the Vikings next season.
By Greg A. Bedard of the Journal Sentinel
Apr. 29, 2009 9:31 a.m.
Like the swallows returning to the cliffs of San Juan Capistrano, spring in Wisconsin is marked by speculation about a certain Mississippian's tractor-riding habits.
Here we go. Again.
In an obviously choreorgraphed move to maximize publicity -- immediately after the NFL Draft and during a dead point for league news -- Brett Lorenzo Favre was released from the New York Jets.
Favre and his agent, Bus Cook, requested Favre's release. It now means he is free to sign with any other team without anyone having to pay a penalty to the Packers.
So if Favre starts scratching again, he's back in with a twirl of the fax machine in Roger Goodell's office.
Favre said the procedural move does not mean he is returning to the game.
"Nothing has changed," Favre said in a statement. "At this time, I am retired and have no intention of returning to football."
Dave Hutchinson of the Newark Star-Ledger, who broke the story, has some more background this morning, including these tidbits from a Jets source:
This is the second time Favre's camp asked for his release since February. With Mark Sanchez in the fold, they thought they could pressure the Jets a little bit more.
"Secondly, the Jets didn't want any "Favre drama" hanging over their heads with Sanchez trying to find his way. If Sanchez struggled this summer in training camp, for instance, the club didn't want the specter of a possible return by Favre hanging over their heads."
"Sure, the Jets didn't have to grant Favre his wish, but they had nothing to gain by holding onto him and trying to get some compensation (he cost them a third-round pick) if a team wanted to sign him. They felt a mid-round draft pick (at best) wasn't worth the headache."
Here are my thoughts on the topic:
Favre keeps having these itches. Must be the Mississippi humidity. Isn't there any medication for it? Please?
Favre lied repeatedly last year about his interest in coming back after his first retirement.
There are now three possible outcomes: 1) Favre stays retired; 2) Favre signs a one-day contract to retire as a Packer and then has his jersey retired on opening night; 3) Favre returns to quarterback the Minnesota Vikings.
The second option is probably the longest at this point. Nothing I've heard has indicated there's been a softening of the hard feelings against Ted Thompson in the Favre camp. In fact, a Favre source said as far as he knows, the feelings are as hard as ever.
If Favre really wasn't coming back or had no interest in coming back, he could have just said: "Despite this move, there is zero chance I'm returning to the game. I'm done. I'm not changing my mind." But he didn't. His statement were poured over. Everyone in his camp knew what the reaction would be. They still went ahead with those ambiguous words.
The Vikings have about $14 million in cap space even with the rookie pool factored in.
The Vikings have only one game in cold-weather -- Favre's major weakness as 39 years old -- all of next season: Dec. 28 at Chicago. Five of Minnesota's final eight games are in the Metrodome. The other away games are at Arizona and Carolina.
With Adrian Peterson in the backfield, Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin to throw to, West Coast offense buddies Darrell Bevell and Brad Childress to deal with, the Vikings have to be tempting.
Having Favre in the fold can't hurt ticket sales or the team's pursuit of a new stadium, which is needed for the Vikings to remain there.
People in Favre's camp badly wanted him to gain his release last year so he could play for the Vikings and "stick it" to Thompson.
There is still the issue of the tear in Favre's biceps tendon. Jets doctors said he should have surgery if he wanted to return. Favre, as far as anyone knows, did not have surgery. That being said, Dr. James Andrews' office is a short drive for Favre. The injury can also heal with rest. But it wouldn't be healed by now.
I'm wondering how much Favre fans can take. Obviously this constant back and forth has to be draining, and the thought of Favre in purple nauseating.
When Zach Thomas had a chance to go to the New England Patriots, he said no because of how weird it would be and how he couldn't do that to his Dolphins. Jason Taylor recently said he couldn't see himself playing for the Jets for the same reasons.
Besides retiring a Packer, there's no other reason for Favre to ask for his release other than to keep his options open. Options lead to inquisitiveness. Inquisitiveness leads to interest. Interest leads to action.
In my opinion, Favre will return to the NFL and quarterback the Vikings next season.
at the blind benefit of the doubt.
