http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3471189 <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>With his family "tugging" on him to play, Brett Favre has an "itch" to come out of retirement and report to training camp with the Green Bay Packers later this month, according to sources close to the team and player. Favre has communicated his potential desire to coach Mike McCarthy but talks have not advanced to a substantive stage, a Packers source said. The source said the Packers would be reluctant to open the door for Favre because "Brett retired for the right reasons, even though I know his family is tugging on him [to play]." Another source conceded Favre was "getting the itch" to play football in 2008. However, Favre's agent downplayed the likelihood that the quarterback could un-retire or that he was prepared to report to camp July 28. "As far as I know, right now, Brett Favre is retired and until he tells me something different, that's what it is," James "Bus" Cook, Favre's agent, said. Favre was unavailable for comment. A Packers spokesman said that McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson were on vacation. Favre has two years remaining on his contract at an average of about $12.5 million per season. His salary is not currently counting toward the salary cap because the Packers placed him on the reserve-retired list. If Favre decides that he absolutely wants to play this season, the Packers could be confronted with a sensitive issue. The entire offseason has been spent preparing Aaron Rodgers to play quarterback to the point where "the offensive scheme has evolved" and, psychologically, closing the door on Favre's legendary 17-year career. If the Packers resist a stronger push by Favre to return, sources speculate that the quarterback could press the team to release him from his contract so that he could seek a job with another team. A league official said that Favre could force a decision by asking the Packers, in writing, to reinstate him to active status. The team would have to comply or release him. "That's speculation and I wouldn't go there," a team source said. "We 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." In an interview done with ESPN around the time Favre retired in early March, McCarthy predicted Favre "will have an itch to come back. I saw Joe Montana go through it, even though I was a younger coach in Kansas City at the time." McCarthy said it was Favre who convinced the coach that retirement was the "right thing to do." "I tried to talk him out of retirement," McCarthy said back in March. "Tom Clements [Green Bay's quarterbacks coach] and I were trying to sell him on the concept that he could still play at a high level with 80-to-85 percent of the commitment he had last year. Brett thought that maybe he could do it but he reasoned that when you cut back the commitment, you open yourself up to injury, to not being on top of your game -- which was very important to Brett -- and letting the team down in the process. "Really, what Brett did was very honorable because the stress and pressure he feels is a direct result of the standard he sets for himself."</div> Sadly, I saw this coming. As a Vikings fan, I am sad. Very sad.
Doesn't bother me if he comes back. I know it won't stop the Pats from winning it all. But seriously, he needs to stay away and enjoy life.
NOOOO!! I'm sick and tired of dealing with him two times a year!!! Just retire and make me happy. Dammit.
Hmmm. If Favre comes back, does that mean that Thompson throws caution to the wind and tries to make a move that will help insure another Super Bowl run? Take another stab at trading for Jason Taylor?
I could definitely see that happening, unfortunately. Assuming the comeback happens, of course. I really hope this is just something blown completely blown out of proportion.
If he came back now it would be immature as hell. Stop all the drama with the press conference and all of that. The Packers had their draft already and have been molding their offense around Rodgers. If he wanted to come back he should have done so earlier, now he's just causing a distraction. These kind of decisions are serious, if you're going to flip flop this badly don't make it so official with the cry-fest conference. It just makes it look like he wants to be pampered more. My God they already shipped his locker over to his house.
The thing that must be really killing the Packers is that...well...he's still really good. It's hard to say no to the all time touchdowns leader.
Exactly. How do you say no to the QB that led the Pack to the NFC Championship Game last year? The Packers have a good team right now and those types of windows don't always stay open very long. So, if your the GM and the public knows that Favre wants to come back, how do you say no and risk Rodgers stinking up the joint. Lovie Smith has survived with Grossman thus far, but he didn't deny a proven QB in order to give the job to Rex.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DolfanDale @ Jul 3 2008, 11:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Exactly. How do you say no to the QB that led the Pack to the NFC Championship Game last year? The Packers have a good team right now and those types of windows don't always stay open very long. So, if your the GM and the public knows that Favre wants to come back, how do you say no and risk Rodgers stinking up the joint. Lovie Smith has survived with Grossman thus far, but he didn't deny a proven QB in order to give the job to Rex.</div> Whatever, say yes to Favre then, it still reflects poorly on him to drag it out like this.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (huevonkiller @ Jul 3 2008, 02:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DolfanDale @ Jul 3 2008, 11:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Exactly. How do you say no to the QB that led the Pack to the NFC Championship Game last year? The Packers have a good team right now and those types of windows don't always stay open very long. So, if your the GM and the public knows that Favre wants to come back, how do you say no and risk Rodgers stinking up the joint. Lovie Smith has survived with Grossman thus far, but he didn't deny a proven QB in order to give the job to Rex.</div> Whatever, say yes to Favre then, it still reflects poorly on him to drag it out like this. </div> While the whole Favre retirement things does get old at times, fans seemed to forgive all of Michael Jordan's false retirements. If Favre were to play at a high level this year, Packer fans and a large amount of NFL fans will forgive him by game one. I don't really blame Favre. I'm sure getting ready to play gets harder as he gets older, but his competitive nature makes it hard to walk away. The quality that has made him great is what is making him conflicted now. If I'm a Packer fan, then I'm praying Favre comes back and Thompson trades for Jason Taylor. Take a shot at the Super Bowl while the window is cracked open.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (agoo101284 @ Jul 3 2008, 06:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Cut the shit Brett...you already called it a career. You've stepped aside, now stay to the side.</div> Word. Why does he seem so infatuated with this non-stop media drama. Just fade into obscurity, please.
