Yesterday, MDS noted that Brett Favre decided to take his case for un-retirement to the airwaves, and Fox News' Greta Van Susteren, who made her name in sports journalism during the O.J. Trial, landed the biggest interview of the NFL offseason. Weird (until you learn she's a Packers shareholder and then, well, it's still weird).
Anyway, Part I aired on Monday night, and Part II follows tonight. Which is bad news for Packers general manager Ted Thompson, apparently. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (via PFT), Favre unloads on Thompson and the franchise. The paper obtained a transcript of tonight's chat, and Favre's frustration stems from three recent incidents:
In one instance, Favre told Van Susteren that "I worked my butt off two years ago to try to get them to sign Randy Moss," adding that he was willing to give up salary to land the talented receiver. ...Favre then added, "And none of those had anything to do with me retiring once again but, you know, it's hard for me to trust, you know, this guy when I - either I'm told one thing and everyone else is told another, or he's telling the public one thing and telling me another. And so - and that's part of the reason for the release..."
In a second instance, Favre said he once tried to convince Thompson to re-sign Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle, two key linemen, but the two got away and signed elsewhere.
In a third case, Favre told Van Susteren he tried to convince Thompson to interview Steve Mariucci, an old friend, for the head coaching job vacated by Mike Sherman. Favre said Thompson ended up hiring Mike McCarthy instead.
Look, here's the thing: Favre is the Green Bay Packers. I get that. But most organizational charts don't include the quarterback as part of the front office, no matter how long he's been with the team. And assuming that's the case in Green Bay, maybe Favre should be less concerned about what Thompson's doing and more concerned with throwing game-deciding picks, or trying to make up his mind about whether he really wants to retire ... ever.
It would be one thing if the Packers were losing as a result of Thompson's personnel decisions, but the team has been pretty successful, and I'm pretty sure Moss, Rivera, Wahle or Mariucci wouldn't have changed anything.
I like Favre. In general, I think he's good for football, and in many ways, he's a throwback (whatever that means). But he's also incapable of making a decision, which would be fine if it didn't paralyze a franchise in the process. At this point, he's like Jerry Rice -- a sure Hall of Famer who just can't leave the game -- but sadder.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-15-2008 @ 4:30PM
sirr Purr said...
I think the Packers should unload Favre and all of his troubles to the Panthers for a rack of ribs and a pitcher of sweet tea!!!
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7-15-2008 @ 4:51PM
Hannah Zimmerman said...
It seems that everyone has an opinion about bret favre. I found these two "letters" to him on the Pitch website that are pretty funny. Anyone who is, or who is not, a Favre fan should check it out. Here are the links...letter one and letter two.
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7-15-2008 @ 5:12PM
Hannah Zimmerman said...
It seems that everyone has an opinion about Bret Favre. Today Ik found two "letters" on the Pitch website that are pretty funny. I think any one who is, or who isn't a fan of Favre would enjoy them. Here is a link....letter one and letter two.
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7-15-2008 @ 5:14PM
al coholic said...
Ryan....two good posts in a row. The comparison to Rice is right on.
Bret has unfortunately been the one who is unprofessional. Remember, Moss was a long shot before he went to the Pats. Thompson made the correct call based on what he knew. It wasn't Bret's call.
As good as his career has been, the last three years might have better been spent getting the quarterback of the future some playing time with Bret mentoring him. Two of Bret's last three years have been pitiful. A case could be made that Bret is holding the franchise back.
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7-16-2008 @ 12:11AM
George B Vieto said...
Brett Favre should realize the saying "Know your role." and let Ted Thompson have the burden of making the Packers rosters as Ted sees fit. Look what happens when a great player becomes a general manger or coach usually flops just like Matt Millen in Detroit.
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7-16-2008 @ 11:23AM
Badger64 said...
The real question here is..what is best for the Green Bay Packers! They have an extemely talented football team that has a real shot of making it to the playoffs or maybe the SuperBowl this year. Which quarterback is better suited to lead this team to that objective? I liked what I saw in Arron Rodgers during the Dallas game last season; however, he has never started a game in the NFL, nor has the back up QB! That is a very risky strategy for Ted Thompson to take. Could it payoff...possibly? Just playing devil's advocate here..Steve Young spent more than 3 years patiently waiting in the wings behind Joe Montana before getting his shot...maybe Arron should step back and spend a little more time learning from a HOF QB before he THINKS he is ready to take over...maybe he should KNOW he is ready. In any way, it pains me to see this disconnection between Brett and the management at GB. I see both sides points of view; however, everyone needs to stay focused on what is best for GB and its goal of getting to the SuperBowl THIS year!
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7-24-2008 @ 6:29PM
Matt said...
As a 30 year viking fan - I say let him be a Packer at QB for another year. He has beat us many times and we have beaten him a few - Come the season opener at Lambeau we VIKING fans will come with Jared Allen , Kevin Williams, Pat Williams, EJ Henderson and M Williams- lets see what Farves got left - then McCarthy can decide who starts the next week. Matt
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7-17-2008 @ 4:47PM
jeff said...
a 30 year vicking fan god you must be insane.
7-17-2008 @ 1:40PM
Gordy said...
Isn't Thompson's job to do what's best for the Packers? Who can argue Favre gives them a better chance at the playoffs than Rodgers. For those who say Thompson is thinking long term, BS. If that's true, release Favre now and stay with Rodgers. Why won't Thompson do that? Because he knows Favre can still play and will show up Thompson and the rest of the inept management team when given the chance. If Rodgers is so good and Thompson is so positive about it, give Favre his release and let's see what happens.
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7-17-2008 @ 5:00PM
jeff said...
If I were Favre I would show up at camp and say where is the clip board and my check thank you
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7-19-2008 @ 5:53PM
Steve said...
jeff - God shoud always be capitalized as a proper name. geez! Having said that 30 years as a Vikings fan lol that is a long painful stretch.
Ted Thompson's ego is beginning show signs of busting out here - he's desperate for a living legacy. Three, five or seven years ago everyone was shouting for a world class wide receiver. Brett Favre could easily have written records the likes of no one in any sport in history. Instead we've kept him oppressed in the name of GM's! What the crap is that? I'm a share holder, a fan of the sport and yes a supporter of Brett's career. He and I could be casting on a lake and I've got the stones to tell him how to improve that game and the same goes for the field. No one's perfect here and everyone needs to see the bigger picture. AR is a punk he "may" be good he may only be decent and he may be a freaking bust for crying out loud. With Brett Favre the "business" knows what they have in terms of leadership, on field and league wide respect. Everyone whined that Michael Jordan could travel without a call because he earned well hell hasn't Brett? If you've got an issue with it email me at GTO67hdtp@aol.com and we'll carry on!
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8-23-2008 @ 1:58PM
KENT UNDERBERG said...
YOUR RIGHT ON. THANKS FOR THE POST
7-22-2008 @ 9:35AM
packerbacker4ever said...
Badger64 has it right. The simple question and stated goal of Ted (big ego) Thompson (and all true fans) is what is best for the Green Bay Packers. If anyone thinks that in the 2008-09 season Aaron Rodgers is a better choice than Brett they are demonstarting how little they know of the game. AR will be lucky to make it thru the first 4 games with his injury history. It's not a fluck he's been hurt in the few times he has gotten on the field...and we know what Brett's record is.
The big question is can they patch this thing up and save face. Brett should take control by going to camp, work his a^&%^% off and "earn" the job. Then he can start and Aaron can continue to fight for a second string job with Brohm. Packers then trade Rodgers and Brohm is the one to take over AFTER Brett's final year. Ok, well maybe that part won't happen, but I do think Brett is the BEST choice for the Packers this season.
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