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Shutdown Corner

Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:39 am EDT

Report: Packers desperately throwing money at Favre

By MJD

In passing along the news yesterday that Packers team president Mark Murphy was headed to Brett Favre's house to ask him to not show up at Packers training camp, I said I didn't know what they could offer Favre that would convince him to stay home.

I don't know why I didn't think of the obvious: boatloads of cash.

Via the Packers Blog at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee says that the organization is willing to pay Favre $20 million to stay home, mow his lawn, and abandon all this "I still want to play football" business:

WTMJ-TV Channel 4 in Milwaukee, citing two sources, reported Wednesday that Packers president Mark Murphy at least floated the idea to Favre of paying him a package in the neighborhood of $20 million over 10 years to remain retired. Murphy met most of Wednesday with Favre and his agent, Bus Cook, in Hattiesburg, Miss.

A source subsequently confirmed that the Packers have discussed monetary compensation with Favre and Cook.

Desperation, as police chief Grady once said, is a stinky cologne. And this might be the most desperate thing I've ever heard of.

I've made no secret of my qualms with Favre throughout this ordeal, but this is where I have a beef with the Packers, too. If you aren't going to release the guy, and you aren't going to trade him, then you have to just man up and deal with the consequences of Favre being in training camp. That's just something you have to do. You can't have it both ways.

You don't have to start him, and you don't have to play him. But he is under contract to the Packers, and he's got a right to be at camp. You may not like that it increases the intensity of the spotlight on Aaron Rodgers, but that's life. If you're committed to Rodgers, be committed Rodgers. No matter who's around.

And while we're talking about Rodgers, the pressure on him just keeps mounting, doesn't it? The Packers are so committed to getting the post-Favre era underway that they're not only willing to get into this drawn-out, spiteful, bridge-burning, fan-alienating drama with Favre, but they're also reportedly willing to give up $20 million to protect Rodgers's fragile emotions from the ghost of Favre.

That's a hell of a lot of sacrifice for a quarterback for who hasn't proven much of anything.

Gracias, Pro Football Talk.

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39 Comments

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  1. Butt Pirate
    1. Posted by Butt Pirate Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:03 pm EDT

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    Wait, wait... Bus Cook? Bus Cook is his agent's name? What the hell is that?
  2. AlexR
    2. Posted by AlexR Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:57 pm EDT

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    Well MJD, after the awfully unimaginitive shark dedication post, you go and totally redeem yourself, simply by quoting one of Spurberry's Finest. I try to use that desperation line as often as possible.
    Continue with the good sht, no more ghost writing for sharks
  3. Jon
    3. Posted by Jon Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:40 pm EDT

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    Wouldn't it be kind of funny if Rodgers tore an ACL in Week 1, or even in preseason? I'm not saying it's funny that the guy gets hurt, just that the situation would be very humorous.
  4. Mr. Z
    4. Posted by Mr. Z Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:42 pm EDT

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    Until you know the absolute facts of what was discussed, I don't think you should be commenting on what's going to happen in GB. At this point, it's all speculation. And, as far as Aaron Rodgers fragile emotions; I don't know where you get that crap from. Rodgers has handled this whole thing very very well for a 24 year old. Also, I was in GB this week. There's not that much fan-alienating going on. The vast majority of fans seem to be fed up with Favre's attitude. They'll always love him as their quarterback, but they're not liking the side of him that they're seeing now.
  5. txkitchenchef
    5. Posted by txkitchenchef Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:25 pm EDT

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    Dam.........i'm staying retired for 20 mil over 10 yrs..1/2 mil a year is a good good salary for me..lol
  6. john
    6. Posted by john Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:39 pm EDT

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    i'm tired of hearing about this guy... just go away Bret..go fishing or do something else.. don't come back. don't you have kids? go spend some time with them.
  7. FairlyHonestBob
    7. Posted by FairlyHonestBob Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:28 pm EDT

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    It would be a tough call, but I think I could be bought for 20 mil. Senators have been bought for far less.
  8. YourOpinionSucksTryMine
    8. Posted by YourOpinionSucksTryMine Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:33 pm EDT

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    I wish they'd pay me $2 Million / Year to sit on my bum and shut up. Some guys have all the luck.
    I guess they could also let him show up at camp, take a few snaps with a full defense and no offensive line. No refs - it wouldn't even matter if it was a late hit. He could self snap and the nose tackle could take him out. That would also help convince him to stay retired. Pig pile on Farve! Deanna would look pretty good after being buried under a half ton of defensive line.
  9. soifa399
    9. Posted by soifa399 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:31 pm EDT

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    if he want to comeback and play let. its not like they are going to be losing money if he comes back. if anything they will be getting money. so just let him play
  10. mighty b
    10. Posted by mighty b Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:32 pm EDT

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    Yeah,this is much better than the shark bit:P
    Why would you think a man that has more money than he can ever spend,and only 1-2 years of doing what he loves left in him would choose money over playing?
    I'd be insulted if I were in Favre's shoes and found out the organization thought this was about money.
  11. nickelreligion
    11. Posted by nickelreligion Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:37 pm EDT

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    If the Packers are so confident in Aaron Rodgers, then trade Favre wherever...yes inculding the NFC North or release him. Hey, Aaron is your man, then who cares where Favre goes. That's the problem, I don't think the Packers are certain that Aaron is the solution, otherwise they wouldn't have used two draft picks on QBs in this past draft; otherwise they wouldn't be fighting this Favre thing so hard. The media painting Favre as a drama king or whatever is BS. The media has made this the circus it is. Look, people are allowed to change their minds, Brett Favre included. Strahan did this last season, I'm retiring, no maybe not...okay I'm not...Giants, Superbowl. Honestly, I think the Packers are stupid to not welcome Favre back with open arms. He took them to the NFC Championship last year! That's all I'm saying.
  12. Simplee Poetik
    12. Posted by Simplee Poetik Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:43 pm EDT

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    It doesn't matter! They are handling this all wrong. The issue is they are scared Favre will come and play and lead another team to the Super Bowl. They are trying to save face in case Aaron Rogers isn't all that they think he is. With Favre out of the picture they can control the PR issue. Right now all they are doing in causing their team mental and physical distractions which will hurt them one the season starts. So if Green Bay faulters all the blame goes to Thompson and Murphy not FAVRE!!! If they are so called moving forward, why not just release him. They drafted two QB's in April. Now they want to give him 20mil over 10 years to stay home. **ck that!!! He is scheduled to make more that half that amount thid year (12mil). I say either release him or let him comeback and compete for the job you know he will win. Hell you were one interception away form the Super Bowl....let Favre play.
  13. Thomas
    13. Posted by Thomas Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:27 pm EDT

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    Favre, come to Da Bears!
  14. Moe
    14. Posted by Moe Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:28 pm EDT

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    I still love this guy, how cant you? I think Favre will look good in purple. I'm a Seattle fan, but if he goes to the Vikings they will be the team to beat.
  15. olp
    15. Posted by olp Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:48 pm EDT

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    I hope Friday I will get my wish that Brett remains Packers #1 QB!!!
  16. the country gentleman
    16. Posted by the country gentleman Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:09 pm EDT

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    Green Bay fans have alway,s been the same, GB could put a team of 90 pound weakling,s on the field, and the fans would still blindly cheer. If they had any gut,s they would stay away from this season,s game,s, that would look great on Monday night football-empty stand,s! Ted Th., mark mur and mike mc. should all be fired by the fan,s who own the team. And Brett Favre should take his plane flight to GB and register in a hotel, go as a fan and watch practice. there is no law saying he cannot go to GB is there? I was a fan till this fiasco, no longer. And the league dude Art is just giving thompson and crew a real break in this circus. Let Favre in then cut him if that,s the way to go. By the way Farve is not good enough to be a packer ,but look out Mr. T won,t let him go to the viking,s where mr. T thinks he will be a star, something screwy. USE HIM OR LOSE HIM STUPID.
  17. janet m
    17. Posted by janet m Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:28 pm EDT

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    You can almost see the scenario coming! Favre will come back, Aaron Roddgers will demand a trade because he's lost a position he never had. Favre will become the QB and Rogers will end up being the one who goes to another team. What a soap opera! I wouldn't blame Rodgers though if he wanted out because this has played out like a B movie with all the players looking like Daffy Duck and Rodgers will up up getting the short end. And...the author of all this confusion is Brett and no other.
  18. Richard
    18. Posted by Richard Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:28 pm EDT

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    Try and blame Brett all you want but evidently the buck doesn't stop at all in the pack management offices. Who is in charge and why are they so inept at handling this? They had only one problem in March. What do you do with a wishy washy Legend? Simple let him do anything he wants. Now they have let it grow into a media mess. This will be the first NFL fumble by management to hit the record books.
  19. lois m
    19. Posted by lois m Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:22 pm EDT

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    don't blame brett because the boys upstair are so dumn. all they had to do to avoid all this was release him then on super bowl sunday they can sit in front of their tv with brats and beer and watvh him take some other tean to the super bowl. the very next day go and file for unemployment my god how dumb can you get
  20. Rob
    20. Posted by Rob Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:46 pm EDT

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    Just retire already.... Seems he talks about retiring every year, and its getting old. This is how I will remember him, multiple tv cries, not for his stats, which in turn, Marino was a greater QB anyways, along with Montana, and Elway! PLEASE STAY RETIRED !!!!!!
  21. Rob
    21. Posted by Rob Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:46 pm EDT

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    If need be..... He is contracted thru the 2010 season.... keep him, sit him on the bench, and not give him one snap. make him the # 3 QB, and by the end of atleast this season, HE WILL RETIRE FOR GOOD!! Dont be such an Over rated baby , do what you started... Retirement! Young , Rich , and dont have to work ... What a life to have!
  22. A Yahoo! User
    22. Posted by A Yahoo! User Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:09 pm EDT

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    Brett, Don't accept anything and get the Commish to get you reinstated so you can make a choice of what you want to do. All the Pakcers want is to keep control of you through 2010 and have you available to be Rodgers backup when he goes down. If you want to play PLAY and screw the Packers because they sure and hell are trying to screw you
  23. Keith
    23. Posted by Keith Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:55 pm EDT

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    My last comment wasn't posted so I'll try again. Unless you've been a top level athelete then you needn't say anything. If Brett Farve is good enough to play in the NFL and he wants to still play then let him. He only has 2 or 3 good years left then the Packers should give him a shot or let him play elsewhere. He doesn't have time to mess about.
  24. Pat
    24. Posted by Pat Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:01 pm EDT

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    what's the big deal about Favre getting paid big not to play? most of the packers have been getting paid BIG for not playing for a number of years. this is just one more expensive case of rewarding someone who doesn't perform. favre had his high spots in the past, but he just is not a very crisp, pure passer. he's a winger-dinger, hit hard and hope, toss 'em up betty qb with a more heart than talent, and his stamina alone will be enough to get him into the H of F....big deal. he doesn't make a good pimple on the buts of people like elway, montana, marino, et. al. favre is a crybaby and a documented liar. i wish he'd just shut his mouth.
  25. Pat
    25. Posted by Pat Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:01 pm EDT

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    On second thought, I think the Packers' organization should give Brett Favre one more year to firmly cement a dubious distinction that will forever haunt his career: Most interceptions thrown by any other QB in the history of the game. Of the 288 interceptions served up by Favre, 281 of those have been someone else's fault. If you don't believe me, just ask Favre. Brett routinely refuses to be held accountable for serving up fat ones during key times during a game. ...always somebody else's fault. The entire GB organization is a poorly managed, sloppy enterprise with serious deficiencies in leadership. Give it up, Brett....you were never that good.

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