Brett Favre

[rmackman]

It happened... It really happened...

YES!

[turns on ESPN]

Curt, send your photo in to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel at www.jsonline.com. They ran this photoshopped photo on their front page today:

Curt did a better job than the newspaper!

[FiddySicks]

listen, everyone seems to be pounding Brett on this whole saga, but in my eyes the Packers are the ones who made this a clusterfu*k. The needed to be quick right from the start and tell Brett that he wasn't gonna be back in Green Bay, and that if he got reinstated, they would trade him. They didn't do that, they dragged their feet, told him that if he came back he wouldn't be the starter, that he'd hold a clipboard. Then when he got reinstated, they said there would be an open competition. Wha? Why not say that from the beginning, and save yourself they hostility that was obviously built up between the two parties?

I think those calling Brett "Brat", and other disparaging remarks truly don't have an understanding of the situation and how it went down. It should have never been handled the way it was. Wether you agree he should have stayed retired or not is not the issue. Rookies cut during camp are shown more respect than Bret was shown throughout this process.

Ok realistically, ALL parties handled it terribly. Favre, the Pack, the NFL, Green Bay fans, the Buccaneers, the Jets. Now I personally put the blame on Favre much more than any of the other parties, but in reality everyone walked away looking completely stupid.

Now, since my Bucs don't play out west this year, it looks like I'll be attending a few games that tie into this saga. Since last night I've collaborated with some friends to get ahold of tickets to:

Niners vs Packers (Pre Season) 8/16

Raiders vs Broncos 9/8

Raiders vs Jets 10/19

Niners vs Jets 12/7

Cripes. Thats a WHOLE LOTTA crappy football right there

[Jigga]

listen, everyone seems to be pounding Brett on this whole saga, but in my eyes the Packers are the ones who made this a clusterfu*k. The needed to be quick right from the start and tell Brett that he wasn't gonna be back in Green Bay, and that if he got reinstated, they would trade him. They didn't do that, they dragged their feet, told him that if he came back he wouldn't be the starter, that he'd hold a clipboard. Then when he got reinstated, they said there would be an open competition. Wha? Why not say that from the beginning, and save yourself they hostility that was obviously built up between the two parties?

I think those calling Brett "Brat", and other disparaging remarks truly don't have an understanding of the situation and how it went down. It should have never been handled the way it was. Wether you agree he should have stayed retired or not is not the issue. Rookies cut during camp are shown more respect than Bret was shown throughout this process.

First, that was a well reasoned argument. You make some valid points. None of us truly have an understanding of the situation and how it went down, that includes the Favre supporters, the Favre detractors, and those that couldn't care less. Nevertheless, we can all recognize this entire situation was mishandled. We just disagree on the ratio of the blame assessment.

Second, EVERYONE is not pounding Favre here. I would venture that there is a plurality of support on Favre's side, even on this board. Combine that with the habitual slurping that Brat enjoys from members of the national media, and the kid gloves treatment he receives at the hands of the adoring local press who bend over backward to worship at the feet of St. Brett of Kiln.

In every single situation involving the me-first, prima donna, spoiled, "don't you know who I am", bigger than the team athlete with a God complex, he is raked over the coals, why should Favre be any different? He didn't want to honor the terms of his contract. He simply thought he was entitled to play wherever the hell he wanted because he is Brett freaking Favre, don't we know who he is?

For at least the last 4 off-seasons, Favre has waffled over the agonizing decision of whether or not to call it a career. I can't imagine what that put him through emotionally. We fans in the stands and armchair quarterbacks don't know what it's like to have our entire identity ripped from us like that. To be told at 30-something years old, that you can no longer do the one thing that has defined you and dominated the better part of your life since you can remember. But after four years of being held hostage, the Packers decided this was going to stop. They needed Favre to make a quicker decision. He retired in that tearful press conference that seemed a bit insincere to me right from the start. Favre retired, the Packers didn't retire him. They wanted him to come back. But he flip-flopped to the point that even John Kerry had to chime in saying, "Damn, that's one flip-floppin' sumbitch!" The Pack didn't owe him anything after he went back on his retirement for either the 2nd or 3rd time, depending on which report you believe.

The first time he asked about coming back, the Pack jumped at the chance to welcome him. Brat waffled yet again, and changed his mind, opting to stay retired. The Pack moved on. They had to. Of course, they should have known he would have wanted to come back. Brat was always leaning toward retirement at first. Then as it got closer to the draft (or minicamp, depending on the offseason), he decided to play again. I don't think it's unreasonable to default to calling it quits after a long, grueling season that ended in disappointment.

Once he got the "itch" and let his mom and brother become his mouthpieces, he chose not to respond to 'rumors' and 'media creations.' We've all seen the same reports since mid-June, so I don't need to rehash them. Both the Pack and Favre drew their lines in the sand and refused to back away. Classic "don't" behavior when it comes to negotiation, but as we are so quick to bring up when dudes complain about salaries or PT, Favre was under contract. The Packers were under no obligation to negotiate a damn thing.

Now, I will agree that whether or not Favre should have stayed retired is irrelevant. I may bash him for his behavior, and even say he's overrated, I'm glad he decided to come back. An NFL with Favre is MUCH better than without him. He's great (but not in the pantheon of top 10 ever), but more than that, he's interesting. He's more relatable to the average fan (maybe that's why he doesn't get the same treatment as other prima donnas). He'd rather drive a tractor than a Maybach. He wears Wrangler jeans, when the dude could buy the freaking company twice over for God's sake! However, he should not be absolved for his boorish behavior just because he's Brett freaking Favre ZOMGWTFBFFG2G!!!!!111

You say rookies cut during camp are shown more respect than Bret. I say that rookies cut during camp show more respect to the organization on their way out the door than Brat has shown throughout this process. He had a contract. He should have just shut up and played. That's what we say about all the other athletes, right? Therefore, I will continue to call him Brat because he is behaving like a petulant child -- sulking, lashing out, throwing his little temper tantrum because he didn't get his way. I don't mean to disparage the man. I don't know him, and won't ever, but his behavior warrants the title. Plus it's cutesy. We love cutesy.

So, Brat it is. We could call him much worse, you know.

[quantum]

listen, everyone seems to be pounding Brett on this whole saga, but in my eyes the Packers are the ones who made this a clusterfu*k. The needed to be quick right from the start and tell Brett that he wasn't gonna be back in Green Bay, and that if he got reinstated, they would trade him. They didn't do that, they dragged their feet, told him that if he came back he wouldn't be the starter, that he'd hold a clipboard. Then when he got reinstated, they said there would be an open competition. Wha? Why not say that from the beginning, and save yourself they hostility that was obviously built up between the two parties?

I think those calling Brett "Brat", and other disparaging remarks truly don't have an understanding of the situation and how it went down. It should have never been handled the way it was. Wether you agree he should have stayed retired or not is not the issue. Rookies cut during camp are shown more respect than Bret was shown throughout this process.

Packers management wasn't perfect, but most of this is Brett's own fault. Bottom line is Brett had an bad attitude about personnel and staffing choices. He says he wants to go to Minnesota or at least the NFC North. Why? Because, like many people wronged by their boss, he wants to stick it to them. His derogatory comments gives the insight to his real intent. He isn't the villain some may think, but he did screw up handling this situation. Unfortunately for Brett, his father's passing has left him known as a flip-flopper. Brett relied heavily on his dad's advice, and no one has stepped up to fill the void. As for the starting job, the Packers said upon his return he could compete for a job. No where did the word "starting" pop up into the conversation. It was the national media and Brett that read into the statement an opportunity to start. In fact, only one local GB station picked up on the wording given by management. And the wording used was before Ari Fleischer was hired by the team.

Now that Brett is with the Jets, I truly wish him success and good luck. He is still very talented. In fact, his talent was never what was in question with the team. There is a lot of misleading info that has been reported regarding this situation. A fresh start for Brett with a more accommodating management staff may be enough to keep him going for a few years to come. He will bring excitement for the Jets, NYC and for the league as a whole. Congratulations to the Jets.

I just heard it reported that an order for 60,000 Favre Jets jerseys has been placed for production. His jersey sales instantly becomes #1 in the league.

[Island_Style]

It would be hilarious if Brett just tears it up in New York and Rodgers blows chunks in Green Bay.

[quantum]

So what happens to the Madden 09 release? Will they sell it first with Favre in Pack gear and them new shipments will have Jet gear. I know most places get their shipmets a few days before, so it may be too late to turn back unless EA recalls the Pack covers and sends out new Jet covers.

Brett in a Jets jersey will be a free download from EA. They will also have a roster update available for download.

[quantum]

It would be hilarious if Brett just tears it up in New York and Rodgers blows chunks in Green Bay.

What's really funny is even before all this Favre business went down, Rodgers was recognized for being a better QB than either the Vikings or Bears could field.

[TFoA]

I just hope for the Jets' sake, Broadway Brett doesn't equal Buckhead Brett. Lord knows you guys don't want that.

[JQK]

(Very good, very lengthy post)

Excellent points made. I see the argument that Brett has kind of held the Packers hostage the last few years with his retirement questions. I understand that.

I suppose i can see how some could become sick of his antics, and see him as being a brat. Good argument. I won't go as far as you in calling him a brat, as i see him as an amazing talent and am glad i will be able to watch him for another year, but you've convinced me that your side of the argument is perfectly valid.

[Jimmy!]

When all is said and done - wherever Fav-ruh goes - the result will just be another sad addition to this series:

Lest we forget the great Seattle Seahawk, Franco Harris.

Brett and the Jets come to Seattle in December. Should be fun to watch.

[Roger Clemente]

How amazing that this happens less than a week before EA's MADDEN 09 hits the shelves with Brett in his classic Packers jersey adorning millions of covers.

[TFoA]

As expected, Chad Pennington is now a FA. Who picks him up, and another question, who cares?

[budbowl77]

As expected, Chad Pennington is now a FA. Who picks him up, and another question, who cares?

As a New York Jets fan and former Jets season ticket holder. I will always be great full for Chads years of service to the New York Jets. Thanks Chad and good luck in future endeavors.

[NEW.ERA]

As expected, Chad Pennington is now a FA. Who picks him up, and another question, who cares?

I could see him in KC but it seems that the Chiefs are ready to usher in Brodie Croyle

[quantum]

As expected, Chad Pennington is now a FA. Who picks him up, and another question, who cares?

I could see him in KC but it seems that the Chiefs are ready to usher in Brodie Croyle

I heard the Dolphins were interested.

[Joshawaggie]

Pennington shouldn't last long out there in FA land. When healthy, he is clearly an upgrade for a lot of teams, and at worst, he is a very serviceable back up.

[DDR]

Pennington shouldn't last long out there in FA land. When healthy, he is clearly an upgrade for a lot of teams, and at worst, he is a very serviceable back up.

He'd be a veteran QB presence the Packers don't have right now....

[Cujo]

It happened... It really happened...

YES!

[turns on ESPN]

Curt, send your photo in to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel at www.jsonline.com. They ran this photoshopped photo on their front page today:

Curt did a better job than the newspaper!

Much thanks, Ryno!

However, there is no longer a need for these photoshopped Favre pics...

[NoHoJoe]

G-R-E-E-D....GREED! GREED!!!GREED!!!!!

[speedy]

G-R-E-E-D....GREED! GREED!!!GREED!!!!!

What? He would've been greedy if he accepted the Packers offer to say retired, think about it. Another brilliant post by NoHoJoe.