Brett Farve

[Sean-AMN]

My best Bday present, Brett Farve is now a Jet! Oh for years my poor team has stunk it up... While I was a fan of Chad, his arm isnt what it was. Broadway Joe version 2.0. I hope the Madden curse ends with the trade... no getting hurt or off years!

[Monkeylord]

I recognise the words... but the order they're in makes it gibberish, lol.

[MR EPIC]

I didn't want to bring down the enthusiasm of Sean's thread, nor did I want to reign on his parade, but if you care to get my take on this issue along with how ESPN has handled the situation, you can do so by clicking right here (http://forums.kombo.com/showthread.php?t=25121&page=2) (post 23).

Otherwise, congrats Sean.

[RivenWinner]

I saw the official news late last night while in a bar, and became very upset, being a Packers fan and all. This whole situation was not handled well by anyone--by the Packers management, by Favre himself and by the media.

I'm a true Favre fan--for various reasons. He's a great player and he's got good character. He also loves the game, and it shows, and that's something that tends to be missing in many athletes these days (not just in football, but everything else). I've also always been a fan of old, veteran players, and Favre certainly fits that category.

IMO he should have not announced his decision to retire back in March, and that way he could have kept his spot and his team. He's "retired" before only to come back, and each time the Packers management has welcomed him, but not this time.

It's understandable. They picked Aaron Rodgers some years back, waiting for him to become the team's next star. Since Favre's emotional retirement announcement, the Packers have counted with Rodgers, and have been using him during summer training. With all that in mind, could they really just go "Oh, sorry Aaron, Brett's taking your place. Again."

Ideally, I wanted Favre back in the QB spot, even though I would feel sorry for Rodgers. However, realistically what should have happened in this situation was that the Packers admitted Favre back, but now as a backup quarterback. Of course, Favre is still a great player (this past season was one of his best ever) and no doubt he wants to continue being a starter/main player (he's got that record going too, you know). However, if he would have just stayed with the team and not retire, none of this would have happen.

I'm glad for you Jets fans out there, and I'm glad that Favre can continue playing ball. I'm also glad that Rodgers has a chance to really pick up his game. Of course, I really wish Favre would have stayed, but alas. I'll cheer him on.

and all these b!tchy Packers fans need to shut up. I'm talking about the ones that keep dissing Rodgers. Leave the guy alone. He's a Packer and a member of a team and not a leper.

and shame on espn for reporting this whole news story. i agree, it was handled very poorly.

[Nismo]

I'm glad, I'm a secondary Jets fan (Steelers are number one!) and always root for them. I'm 20 minutes away from Giants Stadium and definitely getting tickets this year to see this man play.

[Smokey]

Not having ESPN, I was unaware of this until about half an hour ago. The last I had heard of this was Favre's wish to continue playing the game, but the speculation was that he wasn't going to be quarterback. Further speculation was that he was considering taking the role of manager or assistant coach. Guess that didn't pan out.

[MR EPIC]

Riven Winner, ask yourself this...

From the press conference Brett Favre did announcing himself as a Jet, can you honestly look at him and say that he's returning to Football for the right reasons? Does he look like a man who's happy to be back in the NFL? The guy actually admitted that he had some bad motives in wanting to force the Packers' hand in trading or releasing him. If you think about it, his probable motivation stems from guilt of throwing that interception in the NFC championship game and has personal reasons to want to make up for that, hardly the best reasoning for wanting to return. And can he really take the Jets deep into the play-off or even to the play-offs at all? The packers ranked 9th in defense while the Jets ranked like 28ths last year. The interceptions he throws are going to be way more costly this time around as the opposition is sure to return them for more points against NY's weak defense. Plus as his age he has to learn an entirely new offense which could prove to be a tough task. Look at what happened to Jeff Garcia: He came off a pro-bowl year and was traded to Cleveland (who new offense) and had the worst year of his career. If Brett had returned as a Buc maybe he'd stand a better chance at success. My point to all of this is that Brett knows exactly what he's getting himself into and the potential heat he's going to take from the NY media if he can't perform. So I really have to question both his motives and his passion for the game anymore.

[RivenWinner]

I'll agree with you some Epic, because to be honest I'm sort of mixed on his current intentions as well. Many giants of sports history often retire when they're on top, take Lance Armstrong, for instance. These athletes often accomplish enormous feats and are considered the best of their game, and often to choose to retire while they're currently winning. Many can continue playing because they might still be young, or they might still have a few years left in them, but they retire because they don't want their image tarnished by a possible crappy season.

This is what Favre has in store. The Jets look desperate enough hiring Favre, as if it's some quick short term solution for success, which it isn't. Favre hasn't been playing/practicing since like March, and the season's right around the corner. Add to that, as you said, the Jets lineup is completely different to what he's used to playing, and that's why was he hoping for the Bucs of the Vikings.

You say that some of his intentions might have been motivated by that fateful interception he threw in the NFC Championship (probably his real, only big mistake this past season). If that's the case, I don't think that's a problem. An athlete, just like any other person, especially if they're competitive, often strives to fix and correct mistakes. This might have made more sense if he would have stayed with the Packers, but now with the Jets...

My prediction is that the Jets will end with a so/so mediocre season, with Favre being somewhat mediocre as well. Hell, I would be glad for them if they prove me wrong, but I doubt it. One thing is for sure though, the Jets will probably be selling tons more tickets and merchandise.

[Smokey]

The guy actually admitted that he had some bad motives in wanting to force the Packers' hand in trading or releasing him. If you think about it, his probable motivation stems from guilt of throwing that interception in the NFC championship game and has personal reasons to want to make up for that, hardly the best reasoning for wanting to return.

I'm not sure I get your reasoning here. Why doesn't wanting to correct past mistakes qualify as a good reason to stay in the game? Don't most athletes continue competing to improve on past seasons, both good and bad?

[MR EPIC]

Because that would have made sense to return to the Packers after taking them so close to the Super Bowl the year before and trying to make something better out of it. But if you remember, he wanted to retire and stated this publicly. The Packers stated that they didn't feel that Brett was coming back 100% committed to the team or to football when he changed his mind, it seemed more of a personal thing. And since the Packers didn't want him back afterall, he isn't likely to be able to replicate another situation like the one in last years NFC championship game. It just seems to me that he was trying to force the packers hand, got shut down by them, and is now trying to save face and pretend that he's still 100% committed to the game by going to another team. He continues to talk about GB and that's where his heart will always be. He didn't want NY and I don't believe he's going to be 100% committed to playing for them. If I were a Jets fan I would be wary of having this guy on my team.

[Smokey]

You may be right. I don't think Favre would do something like that, since I think he has too much integrity to pull something like that, but I'll say that it's possible.

[DEATHSTAR]

Give the man some slack, he played 16 season with one team. I think he has some room to be a little indifferent to his new digs.

There HAS to be a level of uncertainty looming over his and everyone elses head that's involved. I don't have a problem with him or anyone else vocalizing it.

Whether he did it to save face or not at this point is moot as he's done the right thing and followed through with his current intentions. If he truly wasn't in it for the game he walked away from $25M to do NOTHING. Save face or not, it takes some character to even walk away from that kind of loot even when you're rich.

This isn't a insta-fix for NY. Probably will go down as the most dubious dealing in Packer history regardless of the outcome of the season (save for them winning a superbowl or conference). And if he doesn't adapt to the system this will be another easy way for his haters and detractors to mar his legacy one more time before he truly calls it quits.

It's jacked up, everyone has a bit of the blame but I will say this... This is exactly the kind of **** that happens when teams draft QB's or any other non-essential position before they need too. The Packers, even before Favre pulled shenanigans, had already invested too much money in the future before they had gotten there. He definitely through a wrench in their vision but they set the stage for such drama by having Rodgers riding the pine for almost 4 years. That's too long to have someone on the payroll that you're not using.

[OAR]

I'd like to say, that I'm sick and tired of Favre right now. I just want him to go away and retire.

[DEATHSTAR]

I'd like to say, that I'm sick and tired of Favre right now. I just want him to go away and retire.

That's got more to do with the media than him, he's not making them cover him 24/7. So while I sympathize I can also say that if you stay away from network and cable news shows you probably won't be exposed to him much.

Seriously, living in Chicago (AND being a Packer fan) the only time you ever hear about the dude is when they're playing the bears or during football season.

I was aware that some **** was going down but as a non-ESPN consumer I pretty much didn't know any of the details from the last few weeks until I actively sought out the articles and stories.

I learned how to tune hype out over my hiatus from the site, managed to do the same thing with E3, damn near 0 exposure and it felt good. This is my new hustle :)

[OAR]

^ my local paper, the Inquirer, has had every day 2 articles at least on him

[Smokey]

You're not alone, the papers here were all over that ****, too.

[RivenWinner]

Whether he did it to save face or not at this point is moot as he's done the right thing and followed through with his current intentions. If he truly wasn't in it for the game he walked away from $25M to do NOTHING. Save face or not, it takes some character to even walk away from that kind of loot even when you're rich.




yeah, this is also a good point. $25 million to stay retired and continue serving major Packers marketing/merchandising efforts...? I mean damn.

wish someone would offer me that sum to stay retired, lol

[MR EPIC]

Did the Packers actually come out and admit to offering him that much money to stay retired? I don't think that rumor was ever actually validated by them. Now I don't think that somebody would just make up a blatant lie like that, but there could have been a slew of other factors involved. You never know what goes on behind closed doors, especially in the cliche filled world we call sports.

[Blinger101]

EA's going to have to update the Madden 09 cover then. Brett shouldn't be in a Packers uniform.

[Nismo]

The guy just wanted to play football. That's pretty much it. He made the right choice.

[MR EPIC]

He shouldn't have been so quick to open his mouth and say that he wanted to retire then. I personally can't stand fools who either just don't know when to give up and retire or that say they're going to retire and keep coming back year after year.

[RivenWinner]

Yes, it was official. The Packers did offer him some $20 million to stay retired. In addition to this monetary offer, he was to have a special place in the marketing and promotions of the team.




EA's going to have to update the Madden 09 cover then. Brett shouldn't be in a Packers uniform.

All console versions of the game (360, PS3, Wii, and even PS2 I think) will have updated roaster changes--including Favre.

Additionally, EA Sports has stated that although they currently have no plans to change the retail box of the game at this moment, they will, however, offer a new cover featuring Favre's new team to download and print on their website.


Speaking of Madden covers....hope that Madden Curse doesn't affect Favre this season, lol. It's like it's almost bound to happen.

[DEATHSTAR]

I think the Madden curse already happened. What we've seen is a diversification of the symptoms/effects this season.

Epic: People retiring pre-maturely or repeatedly is a sports problem in general. Bret Favre didn't invent the phenomenon. I'd blame Mike Jordan or [insert Boxer] here for the commonality of that practice now.

Bret clearly isn't washed up so this isn't the worst case of "I'm not retired yet" that we've seen in football either. He may be close to that point but I always thought he had a season or two left in his tank. It would have been better to burn that gas in Green Bay but unfortunately that ship has sailed.

[HGW XX/7]

I would have killed to see him become a Minnesota Viking. That would have been awesome.


C'mon Jets, trade him to the Vikings. It'll be the greatest thing to happen in football since ever.

Imagine Favre doing the Lambeau Leap in a Vikings uniform? That'd be the the greatest thing in football history.

Note: I'm a Giants fan and the scenario above would top the Giants showing the Patriots that cockiness kills.

[MR EPIC]

Epic: People retiring pre-maturely or repeatedly is a sports problem in general. Bret Favre didn't invent the phenomenon. I'd blame Mike Jordan or [insert Boxer] here for the commonality of that practice now.

I'm not pinning the whole situation on Favre, I'm merely saying that I for the most part I don't dig when guys either say they want to retire and then keep coming back or when they don't know when to give up in general. For the last 3 season including this one, Favre has stated that he intended to retire, whether he actually went through with it or not. The guy who ticked me off the most though was Roger Clemens. He acted like a freakin' Primadonna towards the Houston Astros for the last few years of his career, with the way he would only play home games and demanded that ridiculous salary.

[Darc Requiem]

Yeah I see what you are saying EPIC. The Brett Favre saga annoyed me to no end. I'm not going to say that the Packers are blameless but Favre deserves the most of the blame. They drafted Aaron Rodgers because he was thinking of retirement over 3 years ago. He has been stringing them along ever since. He retired this year and they drafted two more quarterbacks, decides he wants to comeback and changes his mind 2 days before the GM and Coach were going to fly out and meet him. They could have used those two picks on players that could have helped a Brett Farve led team make a run at the Super Bowl. I'd be sketchy about bringing him back too after all that. All they basically wanted from him for him to say he was 100% certain he was returning. If any of us pulled this kind of crap at our jobs we wouldn't get hired back either.