The Favre Comeback

The roomofzen wrote about Favre's retirement back in March. A few things to remember:

1. The Packers mangled Favre's retirement. Bad blood ensued.

2. There were conflicting accounts as to why Favre retired. Favre's agent said one thing, Favre another. Confusion reigned.

3. Rumors of a comeback persisted despite Favre's retirement. Mortenson said this, the media said that.

Now the story continues with friends and family adding fuel to the fire. Just last week a Favre-friend said Brett's retirement "comes down to Ted Thompson...The main thing is the man has shown no respect to perhaps the greatest quarterback in their franchise history. Brett's a little disappointed. He feels like he can still play. He knows he can still play."

Of course the Packers deny this allegation and claim that:

"We went about this off season the way we have the last several, making sure Brett knew that Mike (McCarthy) and I both felt he's still a good player, can still play the game, can still win and that our team was going to be in a position to win..."I think that's what a veteran looks for: Do we have a chance to win? And can I still play? Other than that, it's not my place to try to convince someone that they're making a bad decision or a good decision. It's my place to say, these are the facts as I see them, now it's up to you and Deanna to make your choice."

Does your bullshit meter go off when you read statements and quotes like these? Mine does.

1. Of course the Packers want Brett Favre to retire. Why don't they just come out and say so? Everyone knows it's true. Instead of acting like cowards and pretending like they wanted him back, why don't they just make the case to the fans?

- Brett is old and should retire. Last season was an anomaly and he's probably not going to repeat that type of performance. He's won a Super Bowl, so what else he have to play for right now? He's not John Elway.

- We've drafted our future QB so we'd like to see a return on our investment. Can he develop, please? Don't we owe it you, the fans, to nurture our franchise QB?

- Brett is not only a liability on the field, but also a liability off the field with the salary cap. Think of the salary we'd have to pay him, even as a back-up, and tell me he's worth it at the ripe age of 38-39? What about our team's future? Is it fair to let him hold our franchise hostage like this?

- In recognition of Favre's greatness, we will make him an honorary coach and franchise "steward." We will even give him the ability to work in the Packer's front office so he doesn't stay separate from football! (Note: why haven't the Packers done this? Hush money, right?)

2. We all love Brett Favre, but why is he allowed to use his friends, family and agents as a proxy to criticize the Packer's front office? Isn't this somewhat chicken-shit on his part? Why doesn't he just come out and say that he regrets retirement and that he wants to come back? Why is he letting his friends and family do all the talking? It's like he's sitting on his farm in Mississippi and sniping away at the Packers right now. This is not behavior I expect from Brett Favre...

Obviously this situation is very complex and difficult to analyze without knowing the full story. But this much is clear: either Favre or someone close to Favre wants him to reconsider a career in football. How else can you explain this weird pattern of behavior from Favre's minions? Next thing you know Deanna Favre will be holding a press conference telling everyone "the Packers are pathetic wimps for rejecting her husband." It's not out of the question at this point.