This years Favre stuff has started

[joseephuss]

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=364374

Packers: Favre retirement page a mistake

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Posted: February 28, 2008
Dennis Dillon
Sporting News

The Sporting Blog: Favre's magically disappearing retirement page

Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre will let us all know whether he is retiring or coming back for an 18th NFL season -- in fact, an announcement could come as early as next week -- but his decision isn't imminent, as was rumored Thursday.

A page on Packers.com set the rumor mill in motion. On a page that was labeled as breaking news, a headline read: "Favre to retire." Underneath a picture of Favre, there was a line that read: "Packers quarterback Brett Favre has announced that he will retire."

The page contained the words "Due to the magnitude of today's Packers news, Packers.com is offering this Breaking News page in lieu of our normal Packers.com site."

But it all was a mistake, according to a Packers spokesperson, and there is no truth that Favre has made his decision. Favre's agent, James "Bus" Cook, told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that Favre has not made a decision and that no announcement was imminent.

"There's nothing to it," Packers director of public relations Jeff Blumb said about Favre retiring. "The people who handle our website set up mock pages. It's as simple as that. ... A third party was preparing something in case (Favre's retirement) happened. They've done that the last five years."

Blumb said the people who maintain Packers.com are not official employees of the organization but "work in our direction ultimately."

The timing of the Favre false alarm seemed particularly strange in light of new Packers president Mark Murphy's comments about Favre at a Milwaukee Press Club luncheon Wednesday. Murphy said, "My guess is he's going to come back. The team has gotten better around him and is in a position to really do great things next year."

John Dorsey, the Packers' director of college scouting, also denied the accuracy of the website's announcement of Favre's retirement, saying it was "not legit."

Favre, 38, had one of his best seasons in 2008. He completed 356-of-535 passes (66.5 percent) for 4,155 yards and 28 touchdowns with only 15 interceptions. Along the way, he broke Hall of Famer Dan Marino's record for touchdown passes and passing yards. Favre has thrown 442 touchdown passes and has 61,655 passing yards.

He also continued one of the most remarkable streaks in NFL history by extending his number of consecutive starts to 253 games -- 273 including playoffs.

The Packers were one of the 2007 season's biggest surprises as they went 13-3, won the NFC North and advanced to the NFC championship game, where they lost at home to the Giants, 23-20, in overtime. It could have been a fitting climax to a superb career if Favre had led the Packers to Super Bowl 42. Instead, his interception in overtime led to Lawrence Tynes' game-winning field goal for the Giants.

If Favre were to retire, the Packers would go into the 2008 season with Aaron Rodgers as the starter -- unless they traded for a veteran who they felt would give them a better chance to win. Rodgers has played sparingly in three years as Favre's backup, but he did perform well during a regular-season game in Dallas last season when Favre left because of an injury.

The question of whether Favre will be back has been an annual rite of spring the last several years. He might not wait until this spring to make his decision, but it won't be today.

Senior writer Dennis Dillon covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at

 

[Hostile]

With Free Agency slated to get started he's kind of handicapping the Packers if he does later pull the plug. They might pass on options at QB and lose out.

 

[The Panch]

With Free Agency slated to get started he's kind of handicapping the Packers if he does later pull the plug. They might pass on options at QB and lose out.

Exactly. Im sick of "The Great Favre" getting a pass for pulling this b.s. every year. If you're gonna retire, retire. But dont wrap the franchise around your finger when they got free agents they have to sign. Im glad to see guys like Greeney and Carter on ESPN calling him out.

 

[Hostile]

Exactly. Im sick of "The Great Favre" getting a pass for pulling this b.s. every year. If you're gonna retire, retire. But dont wrap the franchise around your finger when they got free agents they have to sign. Im glad to see guys like Greeney and Carter on ESPN calling him out.

He's doing a favor to us though. The last thing we want is for them to have a decent QB option in case he does reitre. I just wouldn't do it.

 

[The Panch]

He's doing a favor to us though. The last thing we want is for them to have a decent QB option in case he does reitre. I just wouldn't do it.

I hope he stays for the simple fact we might meet in the playoffs in Texas stadium just to see him choke again. God forbid "The Great-er" Aaron Rodgers would light us up again like he did last time.

 

[FloridaRob]

How are Green Bays plans being affected? Ted Thompson has already said that Favre staying or leaving does not affect his decision making process. He has said that at least 10 times in the past couple of years. The president of the Packers said he can take all the time he wants. Ted Thompson has said he can take all the time he wants. Mike McCarthy has said he can take all the time he wants. So if the three main cogs in the Packer franchise are on board with him doing that, why is everybody else up in arms? The people that are affected the most are the ones that have no problem with the process. The media and fans make more of this than Favre and the Packers.

 

[Hostile]

How are Green Bays plans being affected? Ted Thompson has already said that Favre staying or leaving does not affect his decision making process. He has said that at least 10 times in the past couple of years. The president of the Packers said he can take all the time he wants. Ted Thompson has said he can take all the time he wants. Mike McCarthy has said he can take all the time he wants. So if the three main cogs in the Packer franchise are on board with him doing that, why is everybody else up in arms? The people that are affected the most are the ones that have no problem with the process. The media and fans make more of this than Favre and the Packers.

He's brilliant. That's one of the smartest philosophies I have ever heard. [/sarcasm off]

 

[FloridaRob]

He's brilliant. That's one of the smartest philosophies I have ever heard. [/sarcasm off]

Whose philosophy are you referring to? Favre? Thompson? McCarthy. It worked to a 14-4 record and NFC championship game appearance. Works for me and apparently for the Packers too.

 

[Hostile]

Whose philosophy are you referring to? Favre? Thompson? McCarthy. It worked to a 14-4 record and NFC championship game appearance. Works for me and apparently for the Packers too.

Thompson's.

How do you feel now that Derek Anderson is a Free Agent? YOu are one of the teams probably out of the running for him because he will have no idea whether or not Favre comes back or not.

See what I mean?

What about WRs? You think it doesn't affect their thinking not knowing who might be throwing them the ball?

Oh, and one more thing, I don't doubt for one minute that privately the Packers' brass hates the fact that they do not know. They're just being PC and saying the right things.

 

[joseephuss]

There is not a great group of potential back up QBs available. If it doesn't matter what Favre is going to do, then are the Packers going go ahead and sign a quality backup QB or just hope that Rodgers can be penciled in at starter and count on Nall to back him up? Are they prepared to sign a good quality back up and keep him as their #3 in case Favre does return? Would a potential back up be willing to accept that role?

I am not worried about Rodgers as the starting QB. I was not impressed with his brief appearance in the Dallas game. Dallas let down more than Rodgers stepped up and played well. The defense played more passive once Favre left the game and looked lackadaisical. That is why they tackled very poorly in that second half. When it truly mattered, the defense stepped up and shut down the Packers and Rodgers could do nothing except take back breaking sacks.

Rodgers may be a decent QB, but he won't be anything special.

 

[FloridaRob]

Thompson's.

How do you feel now that Derek Anderson is a Free Agent? YOu are one of the teams probably out of the running for him because he will have no idea whether or not Favre comes back or not.

See what I mean?

What about WRs? You think it doesn't affect their thinking not knowing who might be throwing them the ball?

Oh, and one more thing, I don't doubt for one minute that privately the Packers' brass hates the fact that they do not know. They're just being PC and saying the right things.

Hos, When Favre retires, the job is Aaron Rodgers. They have groomed him for three to four years now and will give him the opportunity. Thompson drafted Rodgers in his first year with the idea to replace FAvre down the road. He already has they guy in place. They would not go for some free agent high priced QB with that settled. MM says that Rodgers needs to play now and if FAvre retires will see what he can do first.

The only thing the Packers would do is sign a back up veteran. Somebody like Dilfer or a QB of that ilk. As far as the WRs go, the guy throwing them the ball will be Aaron Rodgers. They already know that. And training camp doesn't start until July.

And I don't doubt TT is telling the truth about this. He would have been more upset the first year he was the GM with Favre waiting until the week before the draft. He wasn't then and with the team much more settled now, he is even less likely to be upset.

AS I stated, the media and fans have more anxiety about this than the Packers managment.

 

[FloridaRob]

There is not a great group of potential back up QBs available. If it doesn't matter what Favre is going to do, then are the Packers going go ahead and sign a quality backup QB or just hope that Rodgers can be penciled in at starter and count on Nall to back him up? Are they prepared to sign a good quality back up and keep him as their #3 in case Favre does return? Would a potential back up be willing to accept that role?

I am not worried about Rodgers as the starting QB. I was not impressed with his brief appearance in the Dallas game. Dallas let down more than Rodgers stepped up and played well. The defense played more passive once Favre left the game and looked lackadaisical. That is why they tackled very poorly in that second half. When it truly mattered, the defense stepped up and shut down the Packers and Rodgers could do nothing except take back breaking sacks. ...

I have no idea how Rodgers will do in teh long term. I am more concerned about Rodgers durability than what he offers as a starting Qb. Packer fans are spoiled and when Favre retires, the Packers will need a game manager at QB instead of a playmaker. I have no idea if Rodgers is that QB. Letting him play is the only way to tell.

]

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Thompson's.

How do you feel now that Derek Anderson is a Free Agent? YOu are one of the teams probably out of the running for him because he will have no idea whether or not Favre comes back or not.

See what I mean?

What about WRs? You think it doesn't affect their thinking not knowing who might be throwing them the ball?

Oh, and one more thing, I don't doubt for one minute that privately the Packers' brass hates the fact that they do not know. They're just being PC and saying the right things.

it would cost a 1st and a 3rd to get Anderson

 

[Hostile]

Hos, When Favre retires, the job is Aaron Rodgers. They have groomed him for three to four years now and will give him the opportunity. Thompson drafted Rodgers in his first year with the idea to replace FAvre down the road. He already has they guy in place. They would not go for some free agent high priced QB with that settled. MM says that Rodgers needs to play now and if FAvre retires will see what he can do first.

The only thing the Packers would do is sign a back up veteran. Somebody like Dilfer or a QB of that ilk. As far as the WRs go, the guy throwing them the ball will be Aaron Rodgers. They already know that. And training camp doesn't start until July.

And I don't doubt TT is telling the truth about this. He would have been more upset the first year he was the GM with Favre waiting until the week before the draft. He wasn't then and with the team much more settled now, he is even less likely to be upset.

AS I stated, the media and fans have more anxiety about this than the Packers managment.

And if he goes down again?

Good luck with Aaron. You're going to need it. I've seen first hand what it's like to try and replace a legend at QB.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

He's not hindering them. For God Sakes they drafted Rogers to be his replacement and the kid has never had to do it yet. Why would they simply go out and get another guy when they don't really know what they have with Rogers and it's not like he's old or anything?

Rogers is the guy at QB for them when Favre retires. If is retirement is hindering any other FA decisions then his GM is an idiot. If you're looking at certain WR's, or RB's, or whatever you should be looking at them rather you've got Favre or not.

If Favre retired February 1st there is very little, if any, chance that GB would have went out and gotten a guy like Anderson anyway. They'd go with Rogers and draft another guy to groom behind him, maybe go after another low end vet later on. Which, with plenty of them still about, Favre is also not hurting them on.

The guy doesn't owe it to anyone to quickly decide his personal future. It's his future and his life. I couldn't care less how long he takes to decide.

 

[FloridaRob]

And if he goes down again?

Good luck with Aaron. You're going to need it. I've seen first hand what it's like to try and replace a legend at QB.

if Rodgers goes down again, the packers are screwed just like any team whose starting QB goes down. There is no QB on the free agent market or in the draft that can step in and do what this legendary QB has done. that is why they have to get more dominant on defense and running the ball. Favres status is not affecting those decisions. Just like Ted Thompson has said.....

 

[Hostile]

if Rodgers goes down again, the packers are screwed just like any team whose starting QB goes down. There is no QB on the free agent market or in the draft that can step in and do what this legendary QB has done. that is why they have to get more dominant on defense and running the ball. Favres status is not affecting those decisions. Just like Ted Thompson has said.....

The point is you don't have to be. Want a History lesson?

Don Majkowski went down and this kid named Favre stepped in and hasn't sat down ever since.

Montana went down to a back injury and Steve Young came in and took over.

Young went down with a concussion and Steve Bono stepped in and helped.

Another time Young went down and Elvis Grbac filled in.

Troy Aikman went down and Steve Beuerlein filled in.

Another year he went down and Randall Cunningham filled in.

Think it's just yesteryear?

Donovan McNabb went down and Jeff Garcia stepped right in.

Phillip Rivers went down in a critical game and Billy Volek helped them win.

Jason Campbell went down and Todd Collins rallied the Commanders to the playoffs.


The point is, Aaron Rodgers waited 3 years to get a decent shot, throws his first career TD, and is gone for the rest of the season.

It's called hedging your bets.

 

[joseephuss]

The point is you don't have to be. Want a History lesson?

Don Majkowski went down and this kid named Favre stepped in and hasn't sat down ever since.

Montana went down to a back injury and Steve Young came in and took over.

Young went down with a concussion and Steve Bono stepped in and helped.

Another time Young went down and Elvis Grbac filled in.

Troy Aikman went down and Steve Beuerlein filled in.

Another year he went down and Randall Cunningham filled in.

Think it's just yesteryear?

Donovan McNabb went down and Jeff Garcia stepped right in.

Phillip Rivers went down in a critical game and Billy Volek helped them win.

Jason Campbell went down and Todd Collins rallied the Commanders to the playoffs.


The point is, Aaron Rodgers waited 3 years to get a decent shot, throws his first career TD, and is gone for the rest of the season.

It's called hedging your bets.

Especially since Rodgers has already shown that he is injury prone. He stepped in a few years back and immediately got hurt. He got hurt this past season as well prompting Green Bay to re-sign Nall.

 

[Hostile]

Especially since Rodgers has already shown that he is injury prone. He stepped in a few years back and immediately got hurt. He got hurt this past season as well prompting Green Bay to re-sign Nall.

See, that seems painfully obvious to me amigo.

Favre is a warrior who can play through anything. He goes away prepare for the QB carousel to turn in Green Bay.

 

[FloridaRob]

Especially since Rodgers has already shown that he is injury prone. He stepped in a few years back and immediately got hurt. He got hurt this past season as well prompting Green Bay to re-sign Nall.

What Qb is out there in free agency that the Packers should be all over IF FAvre were to announce his retirement. Trent Green??? No thanks. Cleo Lemon??? No thanks... So exactly how are the Packers plans being affected by his delay of decision. Answer, they are not. Nobody is out there that is attractive as a back up much less as a stater. They will start the season witih Rodgers and hope for the best if Favre retires. Probably draft a QB in the 1st couple of rounds and sign a Nall type of vet.

Season doesnt start for 7 months. Packers plans are not affected by FAvres decision. He is supposed to make a decision by next week. Still plenty of time before the draft. Only people nervous about it don't work for the Packers.