Nightmare in Green Bay: Favre asks for his unconditional release from Green Bay

[Wretched Excess]

the packer's official statement seems to imply that if he comes back, he would be rogers' backup . . . or at least, that is my initial, and admittedly overly anguished, take on it.

The Green Bay Packers are aware of the latest developments regarding Brett Favre.

Brett earned and exercised the right to retire on his terms. We wanted him to return and welcomed him back on more than one occasion.

Brett's press conference and subsequent conversations in the following weeks illustrated his commitment to retirement.

The finality of his decision to retire was accepted by the organization. At that point, the Green Bay Packers made the commitment to move forward with our football team.

As a retired player, Brett has the option to apply for reinstatement with Commissioner Goodell. If that were to occur, he would become an active member of the Green Bay Packers. As always, the Packers will do what's right and in the best interest of the team.

As with all Packers greats, Brett's legacy will always be celebrated by our fans and the organization, regardless of any change in his personal intentions.

Brett and Deanna will always be a part of the Packers family.

[Wretched Excess]

sigh.

no, it looks like I read it right.

The Packers legend asked the team for his unconditional release on Friday, but the organization has no intention of granting that request, FOXSports.com has learned. If anything, sources say, the team is prepared to welcome Favre back as a backup to Aaron Rodgers.

how . . . . unsettling.

[ReardenSteel]

sigh.

no, it looks like I read it right.

The Packers legend asked the team for his unconditional release on Friday, but the organization has no intention of granting that request, FOXSports.com has learned. If anything, sources say, the team is prepared to welcome Favre back as a backup to Aaron Rodgers.

how . . . . unsettling.

WTH?

A 12 million dollar backup? 

Put him on a short leash but the man has earned a starting role. At the very very least let them fight it out in camp and earn the spot back. ( I'd wager he wins it) sheesh

[Atomic Lib Smasher]

This is confusing as all hell. On one side, the Pack want to welcome Favre back, on another side it says they've "moved on". Shit, I think it's harder for us hardcore PackerBackers. We went through 6 months of coping and moving on already and reluctantly accepting that the NFL was going to stand for the No Favre League. But now ya got this back and forth between Favre and the Green Bay organization. If ya look on the front page of Packers News]http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage]Packers News, you'll see the cluster**** of mix ups there. I just don't get it.

It'd tear me apart to see Favre not play for the green and gold, but I'd still catch the games he does play to get another sight of such wizardry on the gridiron.

[Wretched Excess]

the plot thickens . . . .

Packers GM, coach say team won't release Favre despite request

[Wretched Excess]

sigh.

no, it looks like I read it right.

The Packers legend asked the team for his unconditional release on Friday, but the organization has no intention of granting that request, FOXSports.com has learned. If anything, sources say, the team is prepared to welcome Favre back as a backup to Aaron Rodgers.

how . . . . unsettling.

WTH?

A 12 million dollar backup? 

Put him on a short leash but the man has earned a starting role. At the very very least let them fight it out in camp and earn the spot back. ( I'd wager he wins it) sheesh

if he shows up in camp, there is no way he doesn't win the job.

he won 13 games, threw for almost 4,200 yards and 28 TDs last year.  it was one of his best statistical years ever, and THAT is really saying something, considering who we are talking about.

[ReardenSteel]

sigh.

no, it looks like I read it right.

The Packers legend asked the team for his unconditional release on Friday, but the organization has no intention of granting that request, FOXSports.com has learned. If anything, sources say, the team is prepared to welcome Favre back as a backup to Aaron Rodgers.

how . . . . unsettling.

WTH?

A 12 million dollar backup? 

Put him on a short leash but the man has earned a starting role. At the very very least let them fight it out in camp and earn the spot back. ( I'd wager he wins it) sheesh

if he shows up in camp, there is no way he doesn't win the job.

he won 13 games, threw for almost 4,200 yards and 28 TDs last year.  it was one of his best statistical years ever, and THAT is really saying something, considering who we are talking about.

No doubt man. I think his completion percentage was way up there too. But anyway, since we are on the record as being in agreement here, let me ask you a different question all together...

... Would you draft Favre as your fantasy football QB if the draft were held today?

[Wretched Excess]

sigh.

no, it looks like I read it right.

The Packers legend asked the team for his unconditional release on Friday, but the organization has no intention of granting that request, FOXSports.com has learned. If anything, sources say, the team is prepared to welcome Favre back as a backup to Aaron Rodgers.

how . . . . unsettling.

WTH?

A 12 million dollar backup? 

Put him on a short leash but the man has earned a starting role. At the very very least let them fight it out in camp and earn the spot back. ( I'd wager he wins it) sheesh

if he shows up in camp, there is no way he doesn't win the job.

he won 13 games, threw for almost 4,200 yards and 28 TDs last year.  it was one of his best statistical years ever, and THAT is really saying something, considering who we are talking about.

No doubt man. I think his completion percentage was way up there too. But anyway, since we are on the record as being in agreement here, let me ask you a different question all together...

... Would you draft Favre as your fantasy football QB if the draft were held today?

considering the fact  that the most likely scenario is that he applies for reinstatement, is accepted, and languishes all season
as aaron roger's backup?  no.

[Rebel Yell]

sigh.

no, it looks like I read it right.

The Packers legend asked the team for his unconditional release on Friday, but the organization has no intention of granting that request, FOXSports.com has learned. If anything, sources say, the team is prepared to welcome Favre back as a backup to Aaron Rodgers.

how . . . . unsettling.

WTH?

A 12 million dollar backup? 

Put him on a short leash but the man has earned a starting role. At the very very least let them fight it out in camp and earn the spot back. ( I'd wager he wins it) sheesh

I wouldn't blame the Packers either way.  Fact is, they drafted 2 QB's because of Favre's retirement.  They really do need to move on.  If Favre comes back and decides to stay another couple years, the steal of the draft a couple years ago, Aaron Rogers, will never have gotten a chance.  What if he goes on to great things somewhere else, Chicago, Minnesota, or Detroit?  Brett sealed his own fate by retiring, now he has to play with the hand he dealt himself.  I think the best thing to do is release him, with the condition he not play for a division rival, a la Joe Montana.  Favre gets to play, and the Packers get to move on (they've been held hostage during the offseason long enough).

[Zeus]

Favre goes to the Vikings. The Vikings get moved to New Jersey. The Vikings win a Super Bowl. 

[ReardenSteel]

sigh.

no, it looks like I read it right.

The Packers legend asked the team for his unconditional release on Friday, but the organization has no intention of granting that request, FOXSports.com has learned. If anything, sources say, the team is prepared to welcome Favre back as a backup to Aaron Rodgers.

how . . . . unsettling.

WTH?

A 12 million dollar backup? 

Put him on a short leash but the man has earned a starting role. At the very very least let them fight it out in camp and earn the spot back. ( I'd wager he wins it) sheesh

I wouldn't blame the Packers either way.  Fact is, they drafted 2 QB's because of Favre's retirement.  They really do need to move on.  If Favre comes back and decides to stay another couple years, the steal of the draft a couple years ago, Aaron Rogers, will never have gotten a chance.  What if he goes on to great things somewhere else, Chicago, Minnesota, or Detroit?  Brett sealed his own fate by retiring, now he has to play with the hand he dealt himself.  I think the best thing to do is release him, with the condition he not play for a division rival, a la Joe Montana.  Favre gets to play, and the Packers get to move on (they've been held hostage during the offseason long enough).

I would say the fact that they drafted 2 QB's says a lot more about Rodgers than it does about Favre. Brian Brohm, a second round pick, was brought in to compete with Rodgers right away, not to groom for the future. Rodgers may well have fallen in that draft for good reason. (I don't "know" that but who does?) As to the division rivals do you think Favre could be worse than any of those starting QB's, LOL? Fact is, Brertt Favre will be the best QB in GB if the team gets out of his way. Brett is not Joe Montana or Rice or E. Smith even if he has, sadly, gone diva.

[Rebel Yell]

sigh.

no, it looks like I read it right.

The Packers legend asked the team for his unconditional release on Friday, but the organization has no intention of granting that request, FOXSports.com has learned. If anything, sources say, the team is prepared to welcome Favre back as a backup to Aaron Rodgers.

how . . . . unsettling.

WTH?

A 12 million dollar backup? 

Put him on a short leash but the man has earned a starting role. At the very very least let them fight it out in camp and earn the spot back. ( I'd wager he wins it) sheesh

I wouldn't blame the Packers either way.  Fact is, they drafted 2 QB's because of Favre's retirement.  They really do need to move on.  If Favre comes back and decides to stay another couple years, the steal of the draft a couple years ago, Aaron Rogers, will never have gotten a chance.  What if he goes on to great things somewhere else, Chicago, Minnesota, or Detroit?  Brett sealed his own fate by retiring, now he has to play with the hand he dealt himself.  I think the best thing to do is release him, with the condition he not play for a division rival, a la Joe Montana.  Favre gets to play, and the Packers get to move on (they've been held hostage during the offseason long enough).

I would say the fact that they drafted 2 QB's says a lot more about Rodgers than it does about Favre. Brian Brohm, a second round pick, was brought in to compete with Rodgers right away, not to groom for the future. Rodgers may well have fallen in that draft for good reason. (I don't "know" that but who does?) As to the division rivals do you think Favre could be worse than any of those starting QB's, LOL? Fact is, Brertt Favre will be the best QB in GB if the team gets out of his way. Brett is not Joe Montana or Rice or E. Smith even if he has, sadly, gone diva.

Do you think they would have drafted those QB's if Favre hadn't retired?  I don't think they could have passed on Brohm, who I thought was the best QB in the draft, but whoever the other one was wouldn't have been drafted.  If Favre does come back and get his starting job back, this is the last year of Rodgers contract, I think.  What are the odds of him re signing if that is the case?  Brett is 39 years old, his last two seasons were horrible and I don't see that team catching lightning in a bottle twice.  Which Favre would we see, last years great season, the two horrible ones before, or somewhere in the middle?

I don't think there is a wrong answer for Green Bay.  I also don't think there is a right answer.  Brett has put the organization in a bad, bad position.

If I quit my job today, and they move on and hire someone else for my position, even if that person isn't as good at my job as I am, should I be able to walk back in and take my job back?

[Wretched Excess]

Favre to Fox News: Packers should let me play elsewhere .

uh, oh.  things start to get personal in the second part of this interview.  if there isn't some gigantic moment in the next few days, there is no way he is going back.  that smell in the air is lighter fluid being applied to brett's bridges back to green bay.

[BlueStateSaint]

Favre to Fox News: Packers should let me play elsewhere .

uh, oh.  things start to get personal in the second part of this interview.  if there isn't some gigantic moment in the next few days, there is no way he is going back.  that smell in the air is lighter fluid being applied to brett's bridges back to green bay.

And that sound that sounds like linen ripping is the battalion eight going overhead to make sure those bridges are gone . . .

[Rebel Yell]

Favre to Fox News: Packers should let me play elsewhere .

uh, oh.  things start to get personal in the second part of this interview.  if there isn't some gigantic moment in the next few days, there is no way he is going back.  that smell in the air is lighter fluid being applied to brett's bridges back to green bay.

What alot of athletes and fans tend to forget is that these ballplayers are employees.  Brett Favre was an employee of the Green Bay Packers.  He retired, they made the moves that were in their best interest to carry on the business.  He is not entitled to anything from them, short of a ceremony retiring his jersey.  The organization needs to do what's best for the future of their franchise.  

[Wretched Excess]

Favre to Fox News: Packers should let me play elsewhere .

uh, oh.  things start to get personal in the second part of this interview.  if there isn't some gigantic moment in the next few days, there is no way he is going back.  that smell in the air is lighter fluid being applied to brett's bridges back to green bay.

What alot of athletes and fans tend to forget is that these ballplayers are employees.  Brett Favre was an employee of the Green Bay Packers.  He retired, they made the moves that were in their best interest to carry on the business.  He is not entitled to anything from them, short of a ceremony retiring his jersey.  The organization needs to do what's best for the future of their franchise. 

well, i haven't forgotten it, i just don't think it's particularly enlightening to attempt to make sense of this sort of
situation using strictly an employee/employer perspective.  it's a great deal more complicated than that.

[Wretched Excess]

Favre to Fox News: Packers should let me play elsewhere .

uh, oh.  things start to get personal in the second part of this interview.  if there isn't some gigantic moment in the next few days, there is no way he is going back.  that smell in the air is lighter fluid being applied to brett's bridges back to green bay.

And that sound that sounds like linen ripping is the battalion eight going overhead to make sure those bridges are gone . . .

yeah, it done got personal now.

[Rebel Yell]

Favre to Fox News: Packers should let me play elsewhere .

uh, oh.  things start to get personal in the second part of this interview.  if there isn't some gigantic moment in the next few days, there is no way he is going back.  that smell in the air is lighter fluid being applied to brett's bridges back to green bay.

What alot of athletes and fans tend to forget is that these ballplayers are employees.  Brett Favre was an employee of the Green Bay Packers.  He retired, they made the moves that were in their best interest to carry on the business.  He is not entitled to anything from them, short of a ceremony retiring his jersey.  The organization needs to do what's best for the future of their franchise. 

well, i haven't forgotten it, i just don't think it's particularly enlightening to attempt to make sense of this sort of
situation using strictly an employee/employer perspective.  it's a great deal more complicated than that.

I would be more inclined to feel for Favre, who I've always liked, if we hadn't played the "Am I retiring game" for the last couple of offseasons.


On edit:  I wasn't saying you forgot.  I'm was talking about 49% on ESPN SportsNation saying they should just release him to go play wherever he wants.

[Wretched Excess]

Favre to Fox News: Packers should let me play elsewhere .

uh, oh.  things start to get personal in the second part of this interview.  if there isn't some gigantic moment in the next few days, there is no way he is going back.  that smell in the air is lighter fluid being applied to brett's bridges back to green bay.

What alot of athletes and fans tend to forget is that these ballplayers are employees.  Brett Favre was an employee of the Green Bay Packers.  He retired, they made the moves that were in their best interest to carry on the business.  He is not entitled to anything from them, short of a ceremony retiring his jersey.  The organization needs to do what's best for the future of their franchise. 

well, i haven't forgotten it, i just don't think it's particularly enlightening to attempt to make sense of this sort of
situation using strictly an employee/employer perspective.  it's a great deal more complicated than that.

I would be more inclined to feel for Favre, who I've always liked, if we hadn't played the "Am I retiring game" for the last couple of offseasons.

I'm certainly on the "bring him come back" side of the argument, but it's because I think green bay would be a much
better team with him, drama queen antics notwithstanding.  of course, that sort of prognostication is immune to
being proved logically, so it's pretty much a crap shoot.

[Rebel Yell]

Favre to Fox News: Packers should let me play elsewhere .

uh, oh.  things start to get personal in the second part of this interview.  if there isn't some gigantic moment in the next few days, there is no way he is going back.  that smell in the air is lighter fluid being applied to brett's bridges back to green bay.

What alot of athletes and fans tend to forget is that these ballplayers are employees.  Brett Favre was an employee of the Green Bay Packers.  He retired, they made the moves that were in their best interest to carry on the business.  He is not entitled to anything from them, short of a ceremony retiring his jersey.  The organization needs to do what's best for the future of their franchise. 

well, i haven't forgotten it, i just don't think it's particularly enlightening to attempt to make sense of this sort of
situation using strictly an employee/employer perspective.  it's a great deal more complicated than that.

I would be more inclined to feel for Favre, who I've always liked, if we hadn't played the "Am I retiring game" for the last couple of offseasons.

I'm certainly on the "bring him come back" side of the argument, but it's because I think green bay would be a much
better team with him, drama queen antics notwithstanding.  of course, that sort of prognostication is immune to
being proved logically, so it's pretty much a crap shoot.

If I thought they could make a legitimate run to the Super Bowl, which I don't, I'd say bring him back.  If he's gonna come back and lead them to a 10-6 season and an early playoff exit, which is what I see, why not go ahead with Aaron Rodgers/Brian Brohm.  Why cost yourself your "QB of the future" for one more mediocre season?  If they leave Aaron riding shotgun again, especially after getting to hold the keys, he'll be playing somewhere else next season.  Then what?  It would be nice to Favre give it one more go, but they could possibly be setting the team back a couple years by doing so.



As I said earlier in this thread.  There's no wrong answer for the Packers, but unfortunately, there's no right answer either.

[Wretched Excess]

green bay may actually have a bigger problem than whatever may happen with favre . . . their RB ryan grant is holding
out.  the key difference in GB being 13-3 and being 8-8, and 4-12, for that matter, was ryan grant.

I think that sort of difference in performance level would be true regardless of who is QB.

[Wretched Excess]

Favre to Fox News: Packers should let me play elsewhere .

uh, oh.  things start to get personal in the second part of this interview.  if there isn't some gigantic moment in the next few days, there is no way he is going back.  that smell in the air is lighter fluid being applied to brett's bridges back to green bay.

What alot of athletes and fans tend to forget is that these ballplayers are employees.  Brett Favre was an employee of the Green Bay Packers.  He retired, they made the moves that were in their best interest to carry on the business.  He is not entitled to anything from them, short of a ceremony retiring his jersey.  The organization needs to do what's best for the future of their franchise. 

well, i haven't forgotten it, i just don't think it's particularly enlightening to attempt to make sense of this sort of
situation using strictly an employee/employer perspective.  it's a great deal more complicated than that.

I would be more inclined to feel for Favre, who I've always liked, if we hadn't played the "Am I retiring game" for the last couple of offseasons.

I'm certainly on the "bring him come back" side of the argument, but it's because I think green bay would be a much
better team with him, drama queen antics notwithstanding.  of course, that sort of prognostication is immune to
being proved logically, so it's pretty much a crap shoot.

If I thought they could make a legitimate run to the Super Bowl, which I don't, I'd say bring him back.  If he's gonna come back and lead them to a 10-6 season and an early playoff exit, which is what I see, why not go ahead with Aaron Rodgers/Brian Brohm.  Why cost yourself your "QB of the future" for one more mediocre season?  If they leave Aaron riding shotgun again, especially after getting to hold the keys, he'll be playing somewhere else next season.  Then what?  It would be nice to Favre give it one more go, but they could possibly be setting the team back a couple years by doing so.



As I said earlier in this thread.  There's no wrong answer for the Packers, but unfortunately, there's no right answer either.

well, I am personally of the opinion that there is no such thing as a "QB of the future" until he has proven that he is
the "QB of the present".  rodgers has completed 35 passes in his career.  the only thing that can really be said about
his NFL credentials is that he looked pretty good in a fill in role for a half against dallas.  that's really not too much to hang
your hat on.

his contract is up at the end of next season, true, but his best chance at stepping into an instant starter role is still
going to be with GB at that point.  as for going to another team . . . how much demand is there for a QB with 35
career completions, and would be starting over in a brand new system?

 

[Rebel Yell]

Favre to Fox News: Packers should let me play elsewhere .

uh, oh.  things start to get personal in the second part of this interview.  if there isn't some gigantic moment in the next few days, there is no way he is going back.  that smell in the air is lighter fluid being applied to brett's bridges back to green bay.

What alot of athletes and fans tend to forget is that these ballplayers are employees.  Brett Favre was an employee of the Green Bay Packers.  He retired, they made the moves that were in their best interest to carry on the business.  He is not entitled to anything from them, short of a ceremony retiring his jersey.  The organization needs to do what's best for the future of their franchise. 

well, i haven't forgotten it, i just don't think it's particularly enlightening to attempt to make sense of this sort of
situation using strictly an employee/employer perspective.  it's a great deal more complicated than that.

I would be more inclined to feel for Favre, who I've always liked, if we hadn't played the "Am I retiring game" for the last couple of offseasons.

I'm certainly on the "bring him come back" side of the argument, but it's because I think green bay would be a much
better team with him, drama queen antics notwithstanding.  of course, that sort of prognostication is immune to
being proved logically, so it's pretty much a crap shoot.

If I thought they could make a legitimate run to the Super Bowl, which I don't, I'd say bring him back.  If he's gonna come back and lead them to a 10-6 season and an early playoff exit, which is what I see, why not go ahead with Aaron Rodgers/Brian Brohm.  Why cost yourself your "QB of the future" for one more mediocre season?  If they leave Aaron riding shotgun again, especially after getting to hold the keys, he'll be playing somewhere else next season.  Then what?  It would be nice to Favre give it one more go, but they could possibly be setting the team back a couple years by doing so.



As I said earlier in this thread.  There's no wrong answer for the Packers, but unfortunately, there's no right answer either.

well, I am personally of the opinion that there is no such thing as a "QB of the future" until he has proven that he is
the "QB of the present".  rodgers has completed 35 passes in his career.  the only thing that can really be said about
his NFL credentials is that he looked pretty good in a fill in role for a half against dallas.  that's really not too much to hang
your hat on.

his contract is up at the end of next season, true, but his best chance at stepping into an instant starter role is still
going to be with GB at that point.  as for going to another team . . . how much demand is there for a QB with 35
career completions, and would be starting over in a brand new system?

 

Unless Chicago, Minnesota and Detroit all fill there need, there could be demand in Green Bays own division.

[ReardenSteel]

Do you think they would have drafted those QB's if Favre hadn't retired?  I don't think they could have passed on Brohm, who I thought was the best QB in the draft, but whoever the other one was wouldn't have been drafted.  If Favre does come back and get his starting job back, this is the last year of Rodgers contract, I think.  What are the odds of him re signing if that is the case?  Brett is 39 years old, his last two seasons were horrible and I don't see that team catching lightning in a bottle twice.  Which Favre would we see, last years great season, the two horrible ones before, or somewhere in the middle?

I don't think there is a wrong answer for Green Bay.  I also don't think there is a right answer.  Brett has put the organization in a bad, bad position.

If I quit my job today, and they move on and hire someone else for my position, even if that person isn't as good at my job as I am, should I be able to walk back in and take my job back?

That is pretty darn as dead on as a statement can be, lol. 

Of course they would not have grabbed two QB's in the draft if Brett didn't do the retirement two step. But what that showed was a tremendous lack of faith in Rodgers to do the job. I agree Favre really stuck it to management with his goofyness but the team has not comported themselves to greatly either.

IMHO, Favre is/would be the best QB the Packers can put on the field this year. I don't see why GB can't make another strong run at the super bowl. The NFC is a little weaker than the AFC and the Packers division is one of the weakest in the NFL. Green Bay (Brett excepted) is a young, talented and improving team. I think it's worth the risk of loosing Rodgers even if Brett played just one year over finishing his contract. (2 years, I think)

However, all that said it looks like the team really will "move on" from the Favre era. I think it's a mistake but it is their right to do it for sure. Favre does have the leverage to go to any other team he wants to (and who want him) so I expect him to use it in the comming days/weeks.

[Wretched Excess]

another day, another twist in the "brett favre retirement" or not saga.  even more ill will simmering beneath the surface in this one: Favre has no definite plans to apply for reinstatement