Packers want Brett Favre to go away!

By: Larry Fitzgerald
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 7/23/2008

 

It’s clear that the Green Bay Packers have made their minds up that they want the great Brett Favre — the living icon, legend, and the NFL’s only three-time MVP — to stay retired. One problem: Favre has changed his mind and wants to play another season or two.

 Favre told On the Record with Greta Van Susteren that the Packers insisted he let them know last March what his intentions were for 2008, and that’s why he tearfully announced his retirement.

Well, it’s July and he still wants to play, but the Packers are committed to Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback. Rodgers was the Packers’ 2005 first-round pick and Favre’s backup the last three years.

 The Packers are in a tough spot nationally; some fans believe Favre should be allowed to come back and play, while other fans, like the Packers’ brass of General Manager Ted Thompson and Head Coach Mike McCarthy, want Favre to stay retired.

 Suddenly the Vikings have been thrown into the middle of this Favre mess. The Packers have filed a tampering charge with the NFL against the Vikings alleging that Vikings Offensive Coordinator Darrell Bevell, a former Packers assistant coach from 2000 to 2005 and a good friend of Favre’s, convinced Favre to come out of retirement for the purpose of signing with the Vikings, who have young Tavaris Jackson at quarterback.

 If Favre is serious, he has to first file with Commissioner Roger Goodell to be reinstated by the NFL. After his return is approved, the Packers would have to release Favre or put him on their active roster.

Favre clearly wants to play. And he can still play, as he proved during last year’s record-setting season when he led the Packers to a 14-4 record and an overtime loss to the New York Giants in the NFC title game.

 Favre wants the Packers to welcome him back for another season, no strings attached. The Packers, on the other hand, have obviously moved on and want to start moving forward with Rodgers at quarterback.

 I cannot see how the NFL would penalize the Vikings for talking to Favre. Players and coaches talk all the time. It’s a tough position to be in, but the Packers have to deal with it. Years ago, early in Favre’s career, he became addicted to pain killers, and the Packers helped him clear that hurdle.

 He still wants to play and should be allowed to play; if it’s not in Green Bay, then so be it. Remember, Joe Montana did not finish his career in San Francisco. Jerry Rice did not finish his career in San Francisco. Emmitt Smith did not finish his career in Dallas. Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan came back out of retirement twice and finished his career with Washington.

 The Packers have a public relations problem that is about to blow up in their face. They Packers want to move forward. Favre wants to play, and somebody will give him that opportunity, but only if he files first.

 Favre has said he wants the Packers to make the next move. I think he should do what he has to do first and then let this bizarre situation play out. Most NFL training camps start this week, including the Vikings’ and Packers’. This story won’t be going away unless Favre changes his mind again. Until that time, get used to As the Favre Turns.

 Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, and biweekly he commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). He welcomes reader responses to lfitzgerald@spokesman-recorder.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.