So What's Next For Brett?

I'm completely shocked about what's been going on with Brett Farve and his relationship with the GreenBay Packers.

What the hell were the Packers thinking? This should have been a very simple situation and the packers have turned it into a nightmare scenario for Brett, their fans and all the rest of us that follow NFL football.

After last season, Brett was tired and spent, so when he was asked about his future he said, "I really don't know. Talk to me in a few months. Right now, I'm leaning toward retiring."

That was good enough for me. The guy needed time to make an informed, thoughtful decision. But the Packers have a Professional Football Team to run. They need answers about Farves future so they can plan for next season.
Fair enough.
What's the best way to deal with this kind of situation?
Do you have any suggestions?

My thoughts were this: The packers needed answers, but Brett wasn't ready to give a definitive answer. Something has to give.

I felt the best way to get resolution was for the Packers to give Brett a deadline. Say, like May 1, 2008. Maybe something like, OK Brett, we need to have a decision by the first of May so we can move forward. You have until 1 May at Midnight to either apply for reinstatement to the club, submit a request in writing that you want to be traded, or formally indicate that you are going to officially retire.

Simple huh? Play with the Packers, request a trade, or retire.

So how did we get to this fiasco we're witnessing in the media?

Terry Bradshaw had this to say about it...
What the heck are the Packers thinking?
There has to be more to this whole Brett Favre story than we really know right now. Because how is it possible that one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game, maybe the greatest Packer ever, isn't given at least a chance to compete for his old job?

I have the feeling that Brett must have been pressured into retiring. When I retired, I was done. I couldn't throw. My body said I was done. I had no choice and never looked back, but Brett had a great year last season. I know he threw that interception against the Giants at the end of the NFC title game, but that isn't enough to say he's a declining player. I don't how you can label him a loser because they lost to the Giants and he didn't play well in the second half. As I recall, Tom Brady lost to the Giants, too.
I was at the Hall of Fame luncheon today in Canton and most of the former players I talked to thought it was insulting that the Packers are offering him some marketing deal worth $20 million not to play. How dare they do that simply to keep him from playing?
The other thing is: How can Packers coach Mike McCarthy really believe that Aaron Rodgers is better than Brett because of how Rodgers has performed in seven-on-seven drills in mini-camps? That's how he won the job — on the practice field!
What's wrong with allowing Brett to come back and at least compete for his old job? Let the fans and coaches see who is the better quarterback. And if they are so worried about letting him compete in Green Bay, then let Brett go play somewhere else even if it means Minnesota.

A lot of great quarterbacks — Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath, Bert Jones and Joe Montana — finished their careers with another team. So what Brett is asking to do — to play somewhere else — is not that unusual. It didn't work out for all of those guys, but they still wanted to play and I think that's every player's right to make that decision.

I don't know how this is going to end. I still can't believe that the Packers aren't going to allow performance on the practice field, in training camp, to decide who gets the play. In the NFL, I thought the best player played.

The Packers have a real dilemma on their hands. If Brett doesn't take this money, still asks to play for the Vikings and Green Bay doesn't let him, that franchise jeopardizes its relationship with one of its greatest players.

I mean, if Brett leaves the game angry, he may stay away from Green Bay forever. The hope is that within five years, he will be going into the Hall of Fame and the Packers would want to be a big part of that. But right now, it looks like the Packers have a lot of patching up to do.

Then theres this from Jay Glazer ...
McCarthy: Favre not ready to play for Packers

The bond between Brett Farve and the Packers appears to be broken beyond repair.
Speaking publicly for the first time about his series of meetings with Favre, Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy said the quarterback was not in the "proper mindset" to continue as a member of the team.
"We talked about everything that has happened since this whole process started," McCarthy said. "We rehashed all the different things that's gone on. We agreed and disagreed. Our whole focus was, was he a member of our football team and where was his mind at. He was not at the proper mindset to be part of our football team."

Even with the chance to win his starting job back potentially on the table, McCarthy said Favre couldn't seem to get past emotional wounds that were opened as tensions mounted in recent weeks.
"The football team's moving forward," McCarthy said. "The train has left the station, whatever analogy you want. He needs to jump on the train and let's go. Or, if we can't get past things that have happened, I have to keep the train moving."

But asked specifically if Favre had played his final game with the Packers, McCarthy tiptoed around the subject.

"There's no decision made," McCarthy said. "We talked about speaking again tonight."
Even if the decision isn't yet official, McCarthy appeared to be comfortable proceeding with Aaron Rodgers as his starting quarterback.
"Aaron Rodgers has done everything right," McCarthy said. "I understand the attention he gets for being in his position. I think that he has the tools — mentally, physically, emotionally. Who's had better training than Aaron Rodgers in being an NFL QB? I believe in Aaron because he's very talented."

After meeting for more than five hours Monday night, Favre and McCarthy met for another four hours Tuesday morning. Shortly after that meeting concluded, Favre left Lambeau Field before the Packers began their Tuesday afternoon practice.

But the discussions didn't stop there.

FOXSports.com learned that multiple Packers executives continued to meet with Favre off-site in an attempt to resolve the situation.

Favre has told the team that he wants to be traded to either Minnesota or Chicago. But according to sources, it is believed the Bears have no interest and the Vikings appear to be a long shot as well.

However, the Buccaneers and Jets have been interested in obtaining Favre since the saga began and sources from both teams have told FOXSports.com that their interest has not wavered.
The continued discussions came less than a day after a marathon session of meetings between Favre, McCarthy and GM Ted Thompson Monday night, the details of which were first reported by FOXSports.com.

During those meetings, Favre and McCarthy agreed that an open quarterback competition would be an unwanted distraction for the team, essentially agreeing that Aaron Rodgers would be the team's starting quarterback. Favre also told McCarthy and Thompson that he did not want to ruin team chemistry.

The talks were largely amicable, but the sides remain stalemated over a possible destination for the three-time MVP, with Favre very much wanting to remain within the division and the team hoping to find another option.

Did Favre not feel wanted or welcome enough by the Packers?
"That's part of the issue with him, quite frankly," McCarthy said. "And listening to him talk about that, you respect his opinion. And frankly, I told him, I said, 'I'll take responsibility because I have a voice in the building.' I never thought he truly was going to play. I thought he was emotionally driven for other reasons."

McCarthy said Favre was "very convincing" in their conversations about his desire to play Monday night and Tuesday. But McCarthy still seemed to have reservations about Favre's commitment to preparation.

Would Favre continue to stay at Lambeau late at night to study film, a major factor in his success last season?
"That was a very good question for him," McCarthy said. "He's in a tough spot right now."
McCarthy also didn't seem convinced that Favre was thinking clearly about his future.
"He has a lot going through his head, and I think he's emotional," McCarthy said. "And just talking to him, he's in a tough spot."

So, of course, are McCarthy and Thompson. Correctly or not, they might end up being seen by fans as the men who drove Favre out of Green Bay.

"That's not a good feeling, but I don't view it that way," McCarthy said. "I can only trust the truth. I've been part of a lot of conversations, and I don't feel that's the case."
Rodgers, meanwhile, stuck to his mantra of not worrying about things he can't control.
"I just know we were out at practice today, and he wasn't there, and I'm the starter," Rodgers said. "So that's where we're going right now."

Speaking to reporters after Tuesday's practice, Rodgers stood just a few feet away from a locker with a "FAVRE" nameplate above it, stocked with shoulderpads and other equipment. It hadn't been used — and now might never be.

Cornerback Charles Woodson had a hard time imagining the Packers trading such an iconic player. "Everything went kind of sour a few weeks or a month back, but you never felt like it would get to the point or to the talks of him actually being traded," Woodson said. "I felt once he stepped back in here, he would be the quarterback. Him not being here today, I guess management has a different route. So at that point, we've got to go out and do our job."

What a mess! The packers surely dropped the ball and have nearly ruined the reputation of one of the greatest quarterbacks to have ever play the game! Packer Management needs to visit the Betty Ford Center to be deprogammed from stupid.

So what's next? Alex Marvez has this to say...
The chants of "Bring Back Brett" and "We Want Favre" resonated from fans throughout Tuesday's Packers practice.

Sorry, disgruntled Cheeseheads. It's not happening. Not unless Brett Favre changes his mind — once again.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy basically shut the door on Favre's potential return during a Tuesday news conference. After meeting with Favre for more than eight hours the past two days, McCarthy said the quarterback still wanted to play football. It's just not with the team where he has forged a Hall of Fame career over the past 16 seasons because of the soap opera that has unfolded with Packers management this offseason.

That means it's highly unlikely Favre will ever wear a Packers uniform again, even though he was officially reinstated to the team Monday.
"He was not at the proper mindset to be part of our football team," McCarthy said.

So what's next in the Favre saga? Here are the most likely options and the odds of them occurring.

1. A trade to Tampa Bay
Why it could happen: The Bucs make the most sense on many levels. Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden runs a West Coast offense that Favre should have an easy time learning, considering he played in similar systems throughout his Packers tenure. Favre and Gruden have familiarity from when the former was a Packers offensive assistant in 1993 and 1994. Tampa Bay has the salary cap space to accommodate Favre's $12 million base salary. Favre would be playing for what would become a legitimate Super Bowl contender, and even have a shot for revenge against the Packers during a Sept. 28 matchup.

Why it might not: Green Bay is reticent to trade Favre within the NFC. Favre also may balk at any trade in hopes of trying to negotiate his own free-agent deal by forcing a Packers release. Favre, though, doesn't have much leverage on that front. If he should refuse to report after being dealt, Favre's new team would have the right to try and recoup part of his signing bonus paid by the Packers. Tampa Bay did just that with quarterback Jake Plummer. He was forced to refund $3.5 million when deciding to stay retired, rather than play for the Bucs after being traded by Denver.
Odds: 2-to-1

2. A trade to the New York Jets
Why it could happen: So far, the only viable non-NFC trade option for Favre is New York. The Jets aren't considered the same caliber Super Bowl contender as Tampa Bay, especially playing in the same division as New England. But New York could make a playoff run after upgrading its personnel this offseason through trades and wild free-agent spending. New York's biggest question mark is at quarterback, where two ho-hum candidates — Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens — are battling for the starting spot.

Why it might not: Making another huge financial investment in a player like Favre might be too much for New York to fit under its salary cap. Favre also has no history with head coach Eric Mangini or offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. If the Jets don't feel Favre would be excited to play for them, why invite what could become a major headache?
Odds: 4-to-1.

3. Retirement
Why it could happen: Favre isn't speaking much, so it's difficult getting inside his head. But McCarthy said Favre was going through "a very stressful time for him and his family." Favre may ultimately decide that playing elsewhere just isn't worth it and retire once more.
Why it might not: McCarthy sensed that Favre wants to play in 2008. And since Favre successfully applied for NFL reinstatement while spending time preparing for a comeback, why stop now with the regular season roughly a month away?
Odds: 20-to-1

4. A trade to Minnesota
Why it could happen: Favre would green-light a deal that would reunite him with Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who coached him previously with the Packers. Favre would have familiarity with the opposition playing in the NFC North and get two regular season shots at the Packers.
Why it might not: Packers general manager Ted Thompson has said he wouldn't trade Favre within the division. The Vikings would have to offer considerable trade compensation for Thompson to reconsider his stance.
Odds: 50-to-1

5. The Packers release Favre
Why it could happen: If unable to receive adequate trade compensation, the Packers may decide that cutting Favre is the best option for future relations. Green Bay President Mark Murphy was so concerned about Favre's long-term relationship with the Packers that he reportedly offered a $20-million package for the quarterback to stay retired. From a business standpoint, Favre is a commodity whose merchandising value will remain strong as long as he continues to embrace the Packers, especially as his eventual Hall of Fame induction approaches. Granting Favre his wish for freedom would ensure he stays on good terms with the franchise.
Why it might not: The Packers don't want to let Favre join another team — especially a division rival like Minnesota — without receiving trade compensation.
Odds: 100-to-1

So there you have it. That's the lastest in the saga of Bret Farve's semi-retirement/renewed desire to play somewhere/and reluctance be a GreenBay $20 Million flunky.
I guess we'll see what happens soon?
All I can say is thay I hope I get to see that magnificent arm again and I hope he can keep the 'iron man' streak alive for another season. What a talent. What a really nice guy. It'd be a shame to see him go out with all this politically motivated, my ass is bigger than your ass!