The Brett Favre Saga

[slw911SC]

Hey Folks

Can someone please explain to an interested Canadian football fan what the heck is going on here? I don't get it.

Is Brett Favre:

1. Still under contract with the Packers, or not.

2. Wanting to play for the Packers, or not.

3. Wanting to be released from any contract obligations, or not

4. Wanting to play for someone else, or not.

5. Wanting to go to training camp, or not.

6. Wanting to be the Packers first string QB, or not.

7. Wanting to stay home

I think maybe a combination of 3 and 4?

Cheers.

[VincentVega]

At least for today, he wants to start for some one. GB isnt interested so he needs to be released. W/o 'good' trade offers, GB holds the cards.

[slw911SC]

OK, got it - at least for today!

[m21sniper]

Favre is under contract to GB, and they have 'moved on'.

So unless GB decides to trade him, he is hosed.

I will absolutely crack up laughing if Aaron Rogers sucks.

[Seric]

From Seattle Times article;

Nearly five months after his tearful retirement news conference in March, Favre filed for reinstatement with the NFL on Tuesday. He is awaiting approval from commissioner Roger Goodell, which could come as early as Wednesday.

Once he is reinstated, a step considered a formality, the Packers will have 24 hours to decide whether to release him or return him to their active roster. The team has ruled out releasing Favre, fearing he would immediately sign with division rival Minnesota.

The Packers also could trade Favre, although no deal appeared imminent. The Packers hold Favre's rights until his contract expires after the 2010 season.

Despite the apparent nature of Murphy's trip, McCarthy reiterated Wednesday that Favre "absolutely" was still welcome in Packers camp. Team officials have made it clear, both publicly and to Favre, that he would no longer be the starter if he returned to the team.

"I've said it, and I'll just say it again: He was a big part of our history, and he can reinstate, come here and be part of our future," McCarthy said.

[cmccuist]

Brett Favre is retired right now. Until he sends that letter to the NFL asking for reinstatement, he will continue to be retired. If he sends that letter, Green Bay has to either take him back and pay him $12 million, cut him, or trade him.

If they cut him, they don't have to pay him, but he could sign with the Vikings or Bears, which GB doesn't want.

They could trade him to an AFC team, but I doubt Favre would do that, even though John Gruden is known as a quaterback coach.

If he shows up to training camp, it will be a circus. Green Bay wants to move on with Aaron Rogers as the starter. With Favre around, every time Rogers overthrows a receiver, or goes three and out, or throws an interception, the cheeseheads will be screaming for number 4.

Bottom line, GB wants Favre to retire, Favre wants to play.

Oh, and if GB does take him back and they make it through this year with both Rogers and Favre, they can look forward to the same freakery next year and the year after as Favre has a 3-year, $39 million contract.

[slw911SC]

So, if re activated by the NFL, and because GB won't trade him because he's still their property until 2010, and they don't want him competing against them with some other team, he would return to GB and sit on the sidelines pouting? Well, that makes a LOT of sense! Earth to GB: he ain't all that good any more!

[cmccuist]

The thing about being a starting quarterback in the NFL is that it's the biggest crap shoot in sports. Tom Brady was a 7th round pick. Johnny Unitas was drafted in the 19th round. There was actually a big debate the year Peyton Manning was drafted as to who was the better prospect - Manning or Ryan Leaf?!?!

Green Bay is pissed at Favre because he didn't make up his mind and they went out and drafted two QB's. But when you have a proven commodity (based on Favre's year last year), the argument goes - what has Aaron Rogers done? Why not give the Hall-of-Famer one more year?

[Jim Richards]

Favre can no longer win the big game nor can he handle cold weather. GB hopes to be playing in both of those conditions. Time to move on, IMO. Favre will be re-instated today or tomorrow, and I expect the Pack to subsequently trade him to someone like Tampa Bay for conditional draft choices. If Favre doesn't report, the Bucs will go after his pro-rated signing bonus money, just like they did (successfully) with Jake Plummer.

[Les Paul]

It just looks live he'd have the common sense to bow out gracefully. I never knew the guy was such an attention whore drama queen. He is messing in his lunch kit over and over lately.

[VincentVega]

trade him to someone like Tampa Bay

I agree, but from what I've read, GB wants a 1st round pick. LOL

[Jim Richards]

Chris, I think that is just a rumor. The compensation the Packers want/will settle on is TBD, and is likely conditional on a variety of factors.

[lukeh]

Packer season ticket holder here.

A couple of weeks after he retired he asked the Packers to take him back. They said yes but then two days later he changed his mind again and said forget it. Then a few weeks later he again changed his mind and said he wanted to play again. At that point the GM was so fed up he said no so Favre went public and started the media circus. Favre is the biggest egomaniac and baby I have ever seen. Most of the state is sick of his will he or won't he retire routine. However, there are still a group of fans that think the guy is God and would kiss his butt to get him to play.

It turns out Favre wants to play for the Vikings because he hates the cold and GM. GM said they will trade him but Favre refuses to give the Packers a list of teams he'd agree to be traded to. GB has also given other teams permission to speak with Favre but Favre won't return their calls. He thinks the team should just release him so he is free to sign with our biggest division rival. The GM isn't stupid and won't help the enemy and Favre won't allow a trade so we are now stuck with him trying to be a pain in the butt so the GM gets fed up and releases him. That won't happen so we all hope Rogers is great and Favre can keep in playoff choking all-time interception leading butt on the bench.

[Super_Dave_D]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Favre can no longer win the big game nor can he handle cold weather. GB hopes to be playing in both of those conditions. Time to move on, IMO. Favre will be re-instated today or tomorrow, and I expect the Pack to subsequently trade him to someone like Tampa Bay for conditional draft choices. If Favre doesn't report, the Bucs will go after his pro-rated signing bonus money, just like they did (successfully) with Jake Plummer.

I may be wrong BUT...................if he is traded to someone he dont likes - he simply does not report and GB has to take him back or release him. Is that not correct?

[Super_Dave_D]

Originally Posted by lukeh

That won't happen so we all hope Rogers is great and Favre can keep in playoff choking all-time interception leading butt on the bench.

Isnt he ALL the pack had for many years??? You quote the all time record for interceptions but what other all time records does he have?? I dont even like the pack!

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by Super_Dave_D

I may be wrong BUT...................if he is traded to someone he dont likes - he simply does not report and GB has to take him back or release him. Is that not correct?

That is not correct. That was only the case prior to Favre applying for reinstatement. The Packers couldn't trade him or his rights while he was technically retired, unless Favre approved. Once he's on the Packers roster, he's trade bait.

[m21sniper]

He can always just retire again, which is an effective trump in being traded to a team he doesn't favor.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

He can always just retire again, which is an effective trump in being traded to a team he doesn't favor.

Absolutely. This is the Packers' preferred outcome.

[m21sniper]

They better hope Rogers doesn't suck...

[Jim Richards]

Don't know about Rogers, but the Pack are counting on Rodgers to be successful. I hope they're right. Regardless, Favre can't take them to the promised land if the path includes Dallas, Philly, Chicago, or some outdoor venue that's real cold.