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Shutdown Corner

Sun Jul 13, 2008 12:43 am EDT

The Packers seem to be taking my advice on this Favre ordeal

By MJD

I didn't think they'd do it, but the Packers are indeed, in not so many words, telling Brett Favre to stick it. I wrote this 10 days ago:

They won't do it because it would alienate the Favreophiles in Green Bay, but the Packers would be perfectly justified in telling Favre that they've put him in the rearview. Tell him he won't be traded, he won't be released, and if he insists on coming back, he can't do anything but hold the clipboard for Aaron Rodgers.

And whaddaya know? Favreophiles be damned, that's exactly what the Packers are doing. I'm really not patting myself on the back here, because I honestly believed my proposition to be unrealistic. I never thought they'd do it. But here we are.

“We’ve communicated that to Brett, that we have since moved forward,” [Packers general manager Ted] Thompson said Saturday, in his first public comments since Favre requested to be released this week. “At the same time, we’ve never said that there couldn’t be some role that he might play here. But I would understand his point that he would want to play.”

And while we're on the subject, I got dozens of emails about that post, about 90 percent of which accused me of hating the Packers. I trust that all of you will now email the Packers organization and complain that they also hate the Packers.

And here's another interesting little tidbit:

When asked whether that role might be as a backup or coach, Thompson said: "not a coach."

Added McCarthy: "He did ask about that, though."

Brett Favre asked about being a coach? Wait a second ... wouldn't that sort of solve everyone's problems here? Favre gets to scratch his itch in some way, the Packers get to welcome him back, they don't have to be the bad guy, and they don't have to watch him go play for Chicago or Minnesota. Doesn't that make perfect sense?

If it's true, and Favre did inquire about coaching, I don't know why they wouldn't jump on that offer in a second. Who's their current quarterbacks coach, that they wouldn't fire him for Brett Favre? Is it Jesus? Because short of that, I don't know if any position coach is that valuable to a football team.

Feel free to take this advice, too, Packers.

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676 Comments

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  1. jimmy n
    1. Posted by jimmy n Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:39 pm EDT

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    The packers are in a lose, lose situation. They definitely cant risk just releasing him. But they cant just hold on to him and not let him go. They eventually are gonna have to look like the bad guys just like SF did with Montana. But like i said before, Favre will be playing in Buffalo. Everyone keeps saying he will play somewhere in the NFC North division but thats just stupid. If people actually used their "Brains" which seems to be a rare thing nowadays, then people would actually see that there are the teams that are in contention have set QBs. All except the Buffalo Bills and honestly if the Bills are serious about at least making the playoffs then they are better off with Brett Favre and not Trent Edwards.
  2. HitAgain
    2. Posted by HitAgain Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:47 pm EDT

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    I still say trade him to Atlanta for a future pick, he was drafted there and could go back and complete a pass for the Falcons.
  3. rgcham
    3. Posted by rgcham Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:26 pm EDT

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    After 2 previous let me lead you by the nose off-seasons, I would think the Management Team of the Packers as well as the Packer Fans would be tired of Bret Farve and his " YOUR TEAM IS NOTHING WITHOUT ME AND I CAN PROVE IT " stance. This is exactly what he's saying to all of Green Bay, by holding you hostage lately year after year. What do you Cheese-Heads and Packer Management do? You welcome him back and still get dumped on because in the later part of the season, he no longer has the passion because he's " OLD AND TIRED " JUST GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS so that you can't say he didn't try. When he said that he didn't feel 100% commited to football during his TEAR FILLED ( I'm Gonna Screw With You Again Later ) retirement speech, you should believe him and this time tell him to kiss-off, by granting him his requested release and if by chance he should show up with some other team to play the Packers your defense should view him as just another OLD QUARTERBACK THAT SHOULD HAVE STAYED IN RETIREMENT. As you may have guessed I'm not a Bret Farve worshipper like some of you, but think about it... Would It Feel Good to Stick It to Him This Time? I know he's the best thing Green Bay has had since Bart Starr. AARON RODGERS JUST MIGHT TURN OUT TO BE BETTER THAN BOTH.... Green Bay, you'll never know unless he gets a chance...
  4. mighty b
    4. Posted by mighty b Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:32 pm EDT

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    Not only would letting him be a coach solve the problem of if he should be #2 or be traded.......as a coach he wouldn't count against the cap at all.
    If he really asked about it,and they really blew him off......the packers deserve more than a "gut-wrentching".
  5. Dagblastit
    5. Posted by Dagblastit Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    Hmm Brett Favre as Aaron Rodgers quarterback coach. Let's see, for the four years Rodgers has been there Favre hasn't been very open with him so why would anyone think that they could have that sort of relationship now? I can see how that probably wouldn't work out very well and have to agree with the Packers on this also.
    Sorry Brett, you retired and they had to move on when you made that decision. They've drafted two qb's in the last draft to find a new backup and your own actions or lack of openess with Rodgers sort of killed the chance for you to be the qb coach.
  6. Thomas C
    6. Posted by Thomas C Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:08 pm EDT

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    Yes it is a lose, lose situation for the Packers. They lose the respect of the players who want to win a Superbowl if he comes back, or they bring him back and lose more games because his luck bucket has gone dry. Send him to Detroit, he fits the the game plan they have, losing. But the Packers will give in and suffer another losing season. All the Packer fans that do want him back, remember you get what you ask for, more false hope, more interceptions and more losses, well at least you can all cry together. AGAIN.
  7. Paul C
    7. Posted by Paul C Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:04 pm EDT

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    The Pack can hold their heads up high, they've always been up front and straight with Brett.They were family, and I think Brett turned his back and showed disrespect. If I can't have my way when I want it then I'll get a new family. But like a spoiled little bret, I mean brat, send him to his room without supper and ground him for the length of his contract.
  8. thumbsup692002
    8. Posted by thumbsup692002 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:08 pm EDT

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    Let me say this......Who gives the Packers the best chance to win this year? Yeah I know you all will say the future is where they want to go. But as I learned the future is un predictable and you can not say that Rogers will do well this year or beyond. So if you want to go with maybe then Rogers is your man. But if you want a proven winner (Most wins of any QB all time) the Favre is the best choice. But again I ask who will give you the best chance to win this year?
  9. Mr. Z
    9. Posted by Mr. Z Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:42 pm EDT

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    How about this. Brett Favre man's up and agrees to come back as the back-up. If Rodgers gets hurt, then Favre is there. This situation was created mostly by Brett Favre. I don't agree that because he's Brett Favre he can do whatever he wants. He needs to do what's best for the team and that is to cause as little friction as possible. I am a huge Favre fan, but I think he has created a bad situation. He needs to be man enough to try to fix it and in the process save his legacy from being tarnished. Also, wouldn't it be nice to hear something from the horse's mouth? Wouldn't it be great if Favre would actually speak; not Bus Cook, not his brother, not ESPN, not his mom. Let's hear from him.
  10. Mar
    10. Posted by Mar Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    Brett Favre as quarterback versus an unproven quarterback....seems like a no brainer.
    He changed his mind and wants to play. So what let him. The team went into overtime before loosing and missing out on the final dance last year. I realize it was due to his interception but it was also do to all the teams plays before that interception.
    The media dogs this guy all season and even in the preseason wanting to know 'is this his last? When will number 4 retire?' I think it's a bit understandable that he's exhausted by the end of a season. No other player faces the piled on media generated pressure that he does. Warren Sapp retired the same day he did and I didn't even realize it til last night. Like Sapp said he got 5 minutes coverage of his retirement compared to nonstop coverage for Favre.
    Let him reclaim his position as starting quarterback or release him!
  11. richard l
    11. Posted by richard l Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    This will be a tough pill to swallow either way. Title town USA has to do right by the best thing they've had since the Starr era. He can stil play, will he accept a backup role (thusly enharent the starter role by default as he can get it done) will he coach or will they bite the bullit and allow a trade outside their Division. I grew up a Packer fan and changed to Chiefs with Lamar at the helm when I moved here. It ain't the same with Carl and Herm in charge. What is my point? I would love to see Brett here in KC just like I welcomed Joe Montana. Of course I would gladly give you Carl and Herm in return! On paper we have a decent team but cheerleaders doesn't get the job done, MOTIVATOR'S DO! Maybe Clark Hunt will get the picture (I hope)
  12. TallGuy
    12. Posted by TallGuy Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:18 pm EDT

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    Though I have always been a Giant's fan, I had always thought very highly of the Packer's franchise and their fine football tradition. Ted Thompson and the rest of the top brass have managed to make the Packers into the biggest "No Class" organization in football. No real Packer's fan should ever again buy a ticket to see a team that has been disgraced by it's management!
  13. A Yahoo! User
    13. Posted by A Yahoo! User Sun Jul 13, 2008 4:15 pm EDT

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    right on "irapter".i hate farve and wish hed dissapear. I live in wisconsin and thats all thats on the news here.No regard for the high crime or strange weather.Farve is an egomaniac nd he shouldnt even be considered to return.Hes worn out.A posing a$$ kisser.
  14. Dewayne G
    14. Posted by Dewayne G Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:42 pm EDT

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    Let Rodgers play and when he starts to lose games badly and the fan base turns on Green Bay Ted Thompson will be packing his bags. Where did Ted Thompson get the idea he is bigger than the Packers and the fan base. Its time for the stock holders to have a meeting and flex some muscle of there on.
  15. Barbara
    15. Posted by Barbara Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    If the Packers don't want him, they should release him and let him play himself out for the good or the bad. Other players have done it and many times we have seen a sad ending.
    BL
  16. Mr. Z
    16. Posted by Mr. Z Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:42 pm EDT

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    How has the management disgraced the team? They bent over backwards and tried to get Favre to stay. He retired. Then he unretired. Then he retired yet again and they told him that they were going to move on and draft personnel based on what Favre told them; he was not coming back. I think Favre is the one who is causing the problem. I have been and will always be a Brett Favre fan. I have enjoyed watching him since he came to Green Bay and I would have loved to have him back, but he has put this team and its management in a terrible situation. So, if they bring him back, you can bet that next season Aaron Rodgers will be gone. And then what if Brett retires...again. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place.
  17. packers_rule
    17. Posted by packers_rule Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:23 pm EDT

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    irapter, grow up and get a life
  18. BW
    18. Posted by BW Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:12 pm EDT

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    God I'm tired of this pissin contest... Am I the only one in the world who knows what the Packers & Favre should do??? Packers need to back up and rethink... Invite Brett to come to camp and compete... Tell Rodgers that if he wants the Starting QB job... he needs to earn it by beating out the only 3 time MVP... if he can do that... it's his job... It's not his job because TT "really" "really" wants it's to be... TT may be a great GM... that is yet to be determined in the annuals of history... We already know Brett is at least in the top 10 active QBs... (and why is the Packers MGMT (Macarthy/TT) saying Brett needs to asked to be reinstated before they pull their heads out...!!!???) Rodgers maybe the the future... but it will be after BRETT finally does take his last and final bow... All of them need to grow up... swallow their pride... get on the same page... It is a business... act like it!! The BUSINESS IS: Regular Season, Playoffs, Superbowl!! If Rodgers beats out Brett... so be it... if he doesn't... get on with it!!! It's not hard... it's not rocket science... Show up... compete... Put the best 11 men on the field... Why all the BS??? So what if someone signs Matt Flynn... so what if Rodgers has to sit another year... Brett may not have handled this situation in a "Hall of Fame" manner... so what... Which of you have ever had to make such a decision...??? It is making physically sick to see which side is going to make another bone head play 1st... both sides have made mistakes... admit it... move forward with the task at hand!!!! Fielding the best team possible... I'm OUT!!!!!
  19. Cheesehead Stacey
    19. Posted by Cheesehead Stacey Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:03 pm EDT

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    I've been a Packer Fan my whole life and a Brett Favre for the majority of that time. I hated to hear that he was retiring because he was such a pivotal part of the Packers organization and a joy to watch. I do have to agree with the fact that it kind of upsets me that he retires and then turns around months later and says oh I changed my mind. If we could keep him as a coach I think his experience and approach to the game would be a great asset to the Packer team and would solve this upsetting situation. But what does a lifetime fan know or why should it matter?????
  20. Thomas C
    20. Posted by Thomas C Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:08 pm EDT

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    Best chance too win what? What will another playoff season with no super bowl get the Pack? The same crap they have now, more crying, and more he gives us the best chance too win stupidity. The only reason your crybaby hero has any wins is because great recievers have bailed him out when he throws another bad pass that is not picked off. Please let him come back, so we won`t have to worry about the Pack in the post season. Oh yeah, how many seasons has crybaby started, how many superbowls has he won? Best chance too win huh, Get the Kleenex out,
  21. Arnold
    21. Posted by Arnold Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:57 pm EDT

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    Go away Brett. You had your 15 minutes.......
  22. alcatrazboy04
    22. Posted by alcatrazboy04 Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:49 pm EDT

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    Brett Favre was pressure by media for retire from NFL and suppose he go ahead and announce at March 2008 and get over with it. Then on July he was pack his clothes and ready for Spring Trianing then he like oh *bleep* I announced that I retire. Then he just ask to return back because he was accident announced retired.
    Packers make big deal and Rodgers too. I'm from West but I know what Brett Favre's feeling. He make Packers alive from dead.
    Let him play as starter. I bet that he will play other 5 good years to make up for fans and Packers and win one superbowl. Trade Rodgers and trianing Brohm or Flynn as his backup
  23. gafhptva
    23. Posted by gafhptva Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:05 pm EDT

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    sad to see. he's supposed to have been a leader and now all we see is waffling and immaturity. in the short term, he's lost a little class. i'm absolutely certain, whether he ever admits it or not, he will wish he had never pulled this one. legacy intact in long term. common sense, wisdom and class is however lacking as of late.
  24. alcatrazboy04
    24. Posted by alcatrazboy04 Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:49 pm EDT

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    When Brett Favre return from retire and win a Superbowl and will make Packers legend.
    Think about it...
  25. Thomas C
    25. Posted by Thomas C Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:08 pm EDT

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    Wow, i was so right,

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Shutdown Corner is an NFL blog edited by Matthew J. Darnell. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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