Aaron Rodgers registers for gun ownership

[DrunkBomber]

Packers: Favre has "itch" to play

GREEN BAY — Brett Favre has the itch to play football again, but the Green Bay Packers apparently prefer for the legendary quarterback to scratch it elsewhere.

 

An NFL source told the State Journal on Wednesday afternoon that Favre — or agent James "Bus" Cook on his behalf — contacted the Packers "within the past few weeks" about returning, and the conversation ended in him asking the club for his release. The Packers refused.

 

Favre has communicated his potential desire to coach Mike McCarthy, but talks have not advanced to a substantive stage, a Packers source told Mortensen.

 

The league source, who spoke to the State Journal on the condition of anonymity, wouldn't say why Favre would've asked to be released, but the logical reason he'd have made such a request would be because the team had told him it had moved on with new starter Aaron Rodgers and did not want him back. The Packers also could've been gauging Favre's resolve to see how serious he really is about playing again.

 

When Mortensen's report broke, Packers cornerback Al Harris was participating in one of several ESPN appearances he was making throughout the day. Asked on "NFL Live" what he knew of Favre's intentions, Harris replied: "I've talked to Brett and I know he has the itch to come back and play. If he will or not, I don't know. But I know he's feeling he wants to play."

 

Reached later Wednesday by the State Journal, Harris said his last conversation with Favre had been "a while ago."

 

"Everybody, retired or not, has the itch to play at this time of year," Harris said. "I'm not sure what he's going to do. It's totally up to Brett. If he wants to play, he should play."

 

Asked if he could picture Favre playing for another team, Harris replied, "I can't (picture that). I don't think he could either. But it could happen."

 

The Packers placed Favre on the reserve/retired list on April 25 — termed a "procedural" move by general manager Ted Thompson at the time — and continue to hold his rights, which they could trade to another team if Favre wants to come back and is willing to do so with another club.

 

If Favre is serious about reporting to training camp — the first practice is July 28 — and the Packers are committed to moving on, it would set up a potentially awkward parting of the ways between the franchise and its preeminent star. Favre could demand to be activated from the reserve/retired list, and that would give the Packers three options: Re-activate him, release him or trade him.

 

The Packers are set to retire Favre's No. 4 at a ceremony at Lambeau Field during the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on "Monday Night Football."

 

A team source told Mortensen that the Packers "value Brett's legacy, we think he values it, and we'd want to protect that. Brett's a high-quality person and he's not going to push it that far. He'll do the right thing (and stay retired). This was almost predictable, the idea that Brett would get the itch to play as we get closer to the season."

 

Indeed, Favre did tell David Letterman on CBS-TV's "The Late Show" on April 24 that, as the start of training camp approached, "Something's bound to happen." Asked by Letterman what he meant, Favre smiled before adding, "Butterflies, or I don't know. I don't know. Something's bound to happen."

 

Packers spokesman Jeff Blumb said McCarthy and Thompson were both on vacation and unavailable for comment.

 

"The Packers have no reaction," Blumb said when asked for the club's official statement on the report of Favre's desire to play again.

 

Asked whether Favre contacted the team about returning and then asked for his release, Blumb would neither confirm nor deny it, saying simply, "I don't have any information on that."

 

Favre's brother, Scott, told WISN-TV in Milwaukee that Favre has been "throwing and running" with the local high school football team in Hattiesburg, Miss., as he has during past offseasons, which would also indicate he's serious about coming back.

 

"I don't know what he's going to do," Scott Favre said. "It's getting closer to camp time. Who knows? He may be getting that itch."

 

Scott Favre said he had dinner with his brother on Tuesday night and disputed ESPN's assertion that Favre's family has been "tugging" on him to play.

 

"I don't know how true that is. Sure, I'd like to see him play again. (But) I haven't told him anything," Scott Favre said. "He knows that we'd like to see him play. But that's up to him. I don't want him to play if he's not happy."

 

Scott Favre also spoke with WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee, and when asked if his brother would play for another team if the Packers wanted to go in another direction, Scott Favre replied, "I don't see why not. I'm sure plenty of other teams would want him. If the Packers decide it's time to move on, it's time for Brett to move on, if that's the case."

 

Cook downplayed Favre's desire to return to Mortensen, saying, "As far as I know, right now, Brett Favre is retired and until he tells me something different, that's what it is."

 

Favre has two years remaining on his contract, with a $12 million base salary in 2008 and a $13 million base salary in 2009. He tearfully said at a March 6 news conference that the burden after playing 17 NFL seasons had become too great.

 

"I expect a lot out of myself and certain things are expected of me within this organization and I tried to live up to those all the time," Favre said that day. "And Brett Favre got hard to live up to.

 

"There were numerous Saturdays (before) home games where I was here (at Lambeau Field) at 8:30 at night watching film. I had never done that before. It was never enough for me. (My wife) Deanna knows this: After numerous games I would come home and after a couple of hours I had the computer out and I was watching film of the upcoming opponent instead of enjoying the win we just had. At some point, you've got to relax and enjoy and I found myself not enjoying it as much."

 

At age 38, Favre had a renaissance season in 2007, completing a career-best 66.5 percent of his regular-season passes for 4,155 yards, 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions for a 95.7 passer rating (his best since 1995) while leading the team with the youngest opening-day roster in the NFL to the NFC Championship Game, where the Packers lost in overtime to eventual the Super Bowl XLII-champion New York Giants.

 

But he wasn't as effective down the stretch — after registering a passer rating of 100 or better in eight of the first 11 games and throwing 22 TD passes versus eight INTS, he had 11 TDs and nine INTs over the final seven games, including two playoff games — and his final NFL pass was intercepted by the Giants cornerback Corey Webster in overtime of the NFC Championship Game, preventing the Packers from reaching their third Super Bowl of the Favre era.

 

Afterward, there were concerns within the organization about whether Favre, once invincible in cold weather, could still win in adverse conditions. He played poorly in a windy loss at Chicago late in the regular season, and Giants quarterback Eli Manning handled the frigid NFC title game weather much better than his older counterpart.

 

Following his retirement announcement, Favre publicly mused about a possible comeback on several separate occasions this spring, and in April, the Los Angeles Times reported — and the State Journal confirmed — that Cook had been quietly talking to other NFL teams to gauge their interest if Favre were to return.

 

Cook denied it, and Favre told Sports Illustrated's Peter King later that week that a comeback was "the last thing I'm thinking about. I have no idea where that came from, but it certainly didn't come from me. I'm happy about my decision and I haven't once said, 'I wonder if I made the wrong decision.' I know it's the right one."

 

But Favre later backtracked on that, admitting in late April in an ESPN interview that he second-guessed his decision to retire "every day."

[Connorbear]

This guy really, really needs a hobby.

 

Peace

[ASHKUM BEAR]

Brett Favre to Devin Hester!!!!!

 

Just a pipe dream that would certainly put the Bears in contention for a SB title.

[BearFan2000]

Brett Favre to Devin Hester!!!!!

 

Just a pipe dream that would certainly put the Bears in contention for a SB title.

 

 

That very thought had crossed my mind, however, at most it would be a two year term to finish out his contract but more likely a one year deal. I'm guessing nothing happens and he stays retired.

 

I agree with that article and Packer org. on this they have made the mental and emotional step to move on. They have committed to Rodgers, if they allowed Favre to come back for a year would you now just suddenly rework your plans to make room for him and go back to the "is this the last year, does he retire now, will he be back next season" People forget how many years that went on and on. Even to the point where he'd not say one way or another till just before he'd have to show up for team functions. Granted he was still under contract and didn't really need to say I'm not going anywhere but given the media speculation it would have been courteous.

 

That said the thought of bringing him here to Chicago intrigued me when I first heard the "rumor." His situation would be somewhat similar to that of the Packers last year, no one expected the passing game of GB last year to be what it was, with a WR corps filled with rookies and question marks. Though their OL play was much better than ours last year and they had a RB who came out of nowhere and unless you followed ND knew little to nothing about Ryan Grant. We have an unknown at RB at least in NFL terms. Our line could be improved and even at his age he is pretty mobile and can make plays when thing break down. Also if the Packers refused to let him rejoin their team and if he and his agent have to work a deal for him to play somewhere. It might be fitting for him to come to Chicago and be a thorn in the side of the Packers at the benefit of a team he tormented most of his career.

 

Thinking of our current situation, we have Grossman under a 1 year contract, Orton under a 2 year contract, and then a couple no names. This coming season could again be a QB carousel. The team has invested time and money into both Rex and Kyle and need to know if either one is worth keeping. This year is to determine which one, both want to start and neither want's to come back to be a backup. Bringing in Favre to be in the mix would scrap our plans heading into this season. Favre is not coming back from retirement to ride the pine and I doubt any team that gets him would do so. For us that would mean he'd be our starter this year and at the end of the season Rex is gone and arguably he's had his opportunities to prove he deserves to stay and start. Orton would now be on a one year deal and I'd say he's the more unknown as he's had fewer opportunities. Sure he was part of a team that won and made the playoffs but If memory serves the offense was very stagnant and the Defense was winning games practically on their own. He had some success early but then came the Cincy game we have all come to loath where he threw, what five picks? They then castrated him and made him mr dink and dunk. A new term was coined "Ortonizing." From a team standpoint we need to see once and for all which one is worth keeping and which one should be sent packing. Brining favre in would only delay that and possibly screw us next year and beyond. Should he play two seasons here Rex and Orton would both be gone or possibly traded for who?, Brett would be gone, and we'd be left with even more unknown draft picks or someone we picked up in free agency.

[madlithuanian]

I doubt he'd do it, right now Minny looks like a far better option for him than us...

 

That very thought had crossed my mind, however, at most it would be a two year term to finish out his contract but more likely a one year deal. I'm guessing nothing happens and he stays retired.

 

I agree with that article and Packer org. on this they have made the mental and emotional step to move on. They have committed to Rodgers, if they allowed Favre to come back for a year would you now just suddenly rework your plans to make room for him and go back to the "is this the last year, does he retire now, will he be back next season" People forget how many years that went on and on. Even to the point where he'd not say one way or another till just before he'd have to show up for team functions. Granted he was still under contract and didn't really need to say I'm not going anywhere but given the media speculation it would have been courteous.

 

That said the thought of bringing him here to Chicago intrigued me when I first heard the "rumor." His situation would be somewhat similar to that of the Packers last year, no one expected the passing game of GB last year to be what it was, with a WR corps filled with rookies and question marks. Though their OL play was much better than ours last year and they had a RB who came out of nowhere and unless you followed ND knew little to nothing about Ryan Grant. We have an unknown at RB at least in NFL terms. Our line could be improved and even at his age he is pretty mobile and can make plays when thing break down. Also if the Packers refused to let him rejoin their team and if he and his agent have to work a deal for him to play somewhere. It might be fitting for him to come to Chicago and be a thorn in the side of the Packers at the benefit of a team he tormented most of his career.

 

Thinking of our current situation, we have Grossman under a 1 year contract, Orton under a 2 year contract, and then a couple no names. This coming season could again be a QB carousel. The team has invested time and money into both Rex and Kyle and need to know if either one is worth keeping. This year is to determine which one, both want to start and neither want's to come back to be a backup. Bringing in Favre to be in the mix would scrap our plans heading into this season. Favre is not coming back from retirement to ride the pine and I doubt any team that gets him would do so. For us that would mean he'd be our starter this year and at the end of the season Rex is gone and arguably he's had his opportunities to prove he deserves to stay and start. Orton would now be on a one year deal and I'd say he's the more unknown as he's had fewer opportunities. Sure he was part of a team that won and made the playoffs but If memory serves the offense was very stagnant and the Defense was winning games practically on their own. He had some success early but then came the Cincy game we have all come to loath where he threw, what five picks? They then castrated him and made him mr dink and dunk. A new term was coined "Ortonizing." From a team standpoint we need to see once and for all which one is worth keeping and which one should be sent packing. Brining favre in would only delay that and possibly screw us next year and beyond. Should he play two seasons here Rex and Orton would both be gone or possibly traded for who?, Brett would be gone, and we'd be left with even more unknown draft picks or someone we picked up in free agency.

[jason]

Brett Favre to Devin Hester!!!!!

 

Just a pipe dream that would certainly put the Bears in contention for a SB title.

 

Blasphemy. That just made me sick. I don't see how any Bears' fan could want this. Thankfully, it will never happen.

 

What the hell happened to the rivalry? What happened to despising the Packers? I just don't get it. I went to a Chicago v. GB game in Lamblow last year, and let me tell you, they have not forgotten it. They still go on and on about how the Bears suck, yelling out choruses of boos and a song about how much the Bears suck. I will always hate the packers above all other teams, and despise farv for what he has done to my team so many times.

[madlithuanian]

I fully agree! But, if the helmet changes, so does my attitude about a player!

 

I hated Rodman, then I loved him. I will always hate the Pistons regardless.

 

But the point is moot as you mention....

 

Blasphemy. That just made me sick. I don't see how any Bears' fan could want this. Thankfully, it will never happen.

 

What the hell happened to the rivalry? What happened to despising the Packers? I just don't get it. I went to a Chicago v. GB game in Lamblow last year, and let me tell you, they have not forgotten it. They still go on and on about how the Bears suck, yelling out choruses of boos and a song about how much the Bears suck. I will always hate the packers above all other teams, and despise farv for what he has done to my team so many times.

[DrunkBomber]

I cant see how any Bears fan wouldnt want this. As long as its not some idiot like Pacman Jones or some guy who has been busted for juicing or anything like that I would take any player that makes the team better. If teams all of a sudden had to respect our passing game our running game would flourish. If you want to see a good example of that, mark my words. Ryan Grants production this year is going to fall way off. I dont think some people realize how much having a QB like Favre changes a defense. At any time he could throw a bomb so its almost impossible for teams to stack the box. I can argue we had the same effect in the beginning of 06 when Grossman was throwing bombs to Berrian all the time. Look what Jones was able to do because teams were worried that Grossman had the cannon to throw a fly to Berrian at any time. With Favre on our team we would become instant title contenders.

 

However, there isnt a chance in hell this would happen. If Favre were to play, which he wont, it would be for the Packers. He is a god there and he isnt going to spur the fans of Green Bay by demanding a trade or asking for his spot back so they are forced to release him. Even if he did he wouldnt sign here and for a few reasons. A) he wouldnt want to piss off Green Bay fans like that and in his eyes IF he were to leave he would want to go to a team that is ready to win now and only needs a QB which I doubt he would think is us. Lastly, if they traded him, they wouldnt trade him to their bitter divisional rivals.

[DABEARSDABOMB]

I would buy a Favre jersey as soon as he signed with the Bears. Thats how excited I'd be. However, there is absolutely no way he's going to come to a team with no proven WR's or RB's. If he's going to go somewhere else, look at Minnesota who has a tremendous defense, an improved receiving core (Berrian, despite getting overpaid, makes that WR core a lot better), and one ridiculous backfield (no denying that). Oh plus they have a tremendous oline. The one legit weakness on the Vikings is the young QB Tavarius Jackson and replacing him with Favre for a season or two could bring them to a couple Super Bowls.