Packers ESPN Preview

[ReasonablySober]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/preview07 ... team07/gnb

Brett Favre is the biggest problem here. He's running the entire organization. Mike McCarthy would love to see what Aaron Rodgers can do, see if he's the answer at QB. But Brett Favre has handcuffed the entire organization by refusing to quit. He isn't what he used to be. He forces passes, he can't move around like he used to and he'll be a sitting duck because they have no proven running back. And Mike McCarthy can't bench Favre without looking like a jerk

[Ayt]

I'm the anonymous scout, BTW. Just look at some of my past posts on the situation.

[BuckPack]

Yup, it sure looks like Favre has been running this organization for the last two years. TT has catered to every one of Favre's demands...in fact, Favre's had significant input-hell final say-on every decision Thompson and McCarthy have been making. I can't wait to see this offense loaded with veteran playmakers tear up the NFC this year. Favre's really done a good job in recruiting those playmakers he's publicly craved for.

Thank god we didn't let Thompson run the organization and rebuild it for the last two years, or else we'd be sitting here staring at an offense without any semblance of a running game or even a somewhat competent Tight End. PHEW!

[ReasonablySober]

Yup, it sure looks like Favre has been running this organization for the last two years. TT has catered to every one of Favre's demands...in fact, Favre's had significant input-hell final say-on every decision Thompson and McCarthy have been making. I can't wait to see this offense loaded with veteran playmakers tear up the NFC this year. Favre's really done a good job in recruiting those playmakers he's publicly craved for.

Thank god we didn't let Thompson run the organization and rebuild it for the last two years, or else we'd be sitting here staring at an offense without any semblance of a running game or even a somewhat competent Tight End. PHEW!

True or False:

If McCarthy and Thompson had their wish Rodgers would be the Packers QB and Favre would be home in Mississippi mowing his lawn on a tractor.

[deep throat]

Yup, it sure looks like Favre has been running this organization for the last two years. TT has catered to every one of Favre's demands...in fact, Favre's had significant input-hell final say-on every decision Thompson and McCarthy have been making. I can't wait to see this offense loaded with veteran playmakers tear up the NFC this year. Favre's really done a good job in recruiting those playmakers he's publicly craved for.

Thank god we didn't let Thompson run the organization and rebuild it for the last two years, or else we'd be sitting here staring at an offense without any semblance of a running game or even a somewhat competent Tight End. PHEW!

Brett Favre is running an offense that is like a kiddy corps to him. Except for Donald Driver, his receivers are young. His running backs are young and unproven. The tight end position is in flux. Last year, the offensive line underwent a youth movement and came out better. When Favre was young, he didn't like hearing Mike Holmgren crack the whip about mental mistakes and accountability. Now, he's doing the same to his young offensive players.

Favre doesn't know if this will be his final season or not, but he certainly sounds as though he's playing with urgency. He's not tolerating mistakes or sloppy attitudes. He wants to win. The Packers have a good defense and should be in most of the games, but scoring remains a question. For years, Packers fans reveled in an offense that seemed to be unstoppable. Now, even Favre doesn't know if he can deliver at least 20 points a game.

Favre wanted to win and TT wanted to rebuild. As BP points out Ted didn't give in and didn't give him anyone in free agency= Moss, McMichael, Turner (trade), Griffith, etc. He stuck to his rebuilding plan. Doesn't sound like a guy who's in control to me either.

Group 1: Will say he should have made a few moves and given Favre (and GB fans) a better shot to win in what probably is his last year.

Group 2: Will say that Ted is doing the right thing, wait, and ...well we know the song and dance because each thread on the Pack seems to plarize these two groups, then it gets ugly, no one agrees, and then DUDE comes in a makes a middle of the road comment , the topic is exhausted.

Is it possible to avoid this? How about we just agree to disagree. let's wait and see how this plays out.

[deep throat]

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True or False:

If McCarthy and Thompson had their wish Rodgers would be the Packers QB and Favre would be home in Mississippi mowing his lawn on a tractor.

Why doesn't Ted have the balls to say "Brett, you've been a great player and a credit to this organization. The thing is we're in rebuilding mode right now and at the stage your at in your career it's probably not the right place for you right now"

[MickeyDavis]

Yup Brett is running things. That's why we've been loading up the defense and neglecting the offense. That's just what any quarterback would do.

[stillgotgame]

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Why doesn't Ted have the balls to say "Brett, you've been a great player and a credit to this organization. The thing is we're in rebuilding mode right now and at the stage your at in your career it's probably not the right place for you right now"

Simple answer as far as I see it - TT doesn't have any balls. Every move he has done has been conservative, he has not taken any chances. Even when he signed Woodson, he had to sign somebody because we were below the MINIMUM salary for 2006.
TT is a good evaluator of college talent, no doubt about it. But has no balls, none at all. If he were truly rebuilding for the future via the draft, why not have the balls to trade Harris, or Woodson, or Driver for future draft picks? They are not going to be around when a full rebuild is done.
And if we're not in full rebuild mode, go out and get a playmaker on offense w/ all the cap space available.

[BuckPack]

first of all, this T/F ignores the completely bogus statement by the scout that FAvre was running the organization. So, I guess I'd ask you:


Has Ted Thompson ACTED upon ONE of Brett Favre's recommendations? And if not, how can he be "running the entire organization"? Perhaps that question should be addressed to Ayt....

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True or False:

If McCarthy and Thompson had their wish Rodgers would be the Packers QB and Favre would be home in Mississippi mowing his lawn on a tractor.

I don't think that's an answer that you or I could answer--your point of view would carry far more speculation since it's contrary to their public statements (particularly in the case of MM). Prior to THIS preseason (you know, when Rodgers couldn't find his @$$ with two hands?), I think they preferred to have Favre stick around to tutor him. Now that Rodgers has shown an ability to potentially start, sure, then maybe the thought creeps into their minds, but that doesn't mean they're ready for Rodgers to start. 2008? Sure.

Moreover, if they didn't want Favre to return, then why beg him to come back behind the scenes (as McCarthy has done for the last two years)? Maybe Thompson didn't fly down to Favre's house as he did last offseason, but I don't think you can conclude that his non-appearance means he'd rather have Rodgers at QB...Favre made a quick decision, so TT didn't have time to go down there even if he wanted to.

For the most part, they know what they have in Rodgers. Sure they'd like to see him in a game, but I don't think Favre would be here if they felt that--Favre's said on NUMEROUS occasions, that if he got the hint that either MM or TT did not want him around (and wanted AR to be the QB), he'd retire. So, based on Favre's word (and MM's and TT's), I think that statement is FALSE.

[LUKE23]

I don't give a crap what people say, the Lions will NOT finish ahead of us this season.

[paulpressey25]

I think you guys are reading too much into the initial part of the quote that says "running the organization"

I think he was just using a figure of speech and to those of us on this board it doesn't make sense given how TT hasn't done anything to help Favre with weapons.

But if you read the quote in it's totality, this guy is saying what a couple of us yahoo's have been posting this summer. The August 2007 Favre is a poor QB and Rodgers physical skills at this point are superior.

Whether A-Rod can stay healthy and lead a team is another matter. But Favre's skills have eroded far worse than anyone here wants to admit. I equate it with Bill Simmons comments when Gary Payton was on the Lakers. He said something like "The Gary Payton situation is confusing for NBA fans.....he looks just like the all-star GP.....he talks just like the all-star GP.....nothing's changed.....except that he can't play anymore."

[Thunder Muscle]

But if you read the quote in it's totality, this guy is saying what a couple of us yahoo's have been posting this summer. The August 2007 Favre is a poor QB and Rodgers physical skills at this point are superior.

Whether A-Rod can stay healthy and lead a team is another matter. But Favre's skills have eroded far worse than anyone here wants to admit. I equate it with Bill Simmons comments when Gary Payton was on the Lakers. He said something like "The Gary Payton situation is confusing for NBA fans.....he looks just like the all-star GP.....he talks just like the all-star GP.....nothing's changed.....except that he can't play anymore."

Exactly. The quote is essentially saying that Favre's skills have diminished.

And it is easy for you and me to say "get some balls and bench Favre." Would you really want to be the guy that has to do this? The guy is one of the biggest icons in our State's history. A good portion of these people think he can still sling it. McCarthy and TT I assume like their job, and trust me, if they decide to bench Favre, much of the fan base/media will blast them...and never underestimate a rabid fan base/media having the ability to run coaches/GMs out of town.

[El Duderino]

Favre staying here has helped the Packers the last two years from putting a young QB out on the field to likely fail,so i don't buy Favre held the franchise hostage.Now this season does seem the ideal time to have Rodgers on the field playing and my guess is deep down TT/McCarthy wished Favre hung it up after last season,but the quote from the scout made it seem like Favre has been holding things up for years.

If though Brett doesn't retire after this season,the team needs to tell him that the end has arrived.

[Ayt]

I think you guys are reading too much into the initial part of the quote that says "running the organization"

I think he was just using a figure of speech and to those of us on this board it doesn't make sense given how TT hasn't done anything to help Favre with weapons.

But if you read the quote in it's totality, this guy is saying what a couple of us yahoo's have been posting this summer. The August 2007 Favre is a poor QB and Rodgers physical skills at this point are superior.

Whether A-Rod can stay healthy and lead a team is another matter. But Favre's skills have eroded far worse than anyone here wants to admit. I equate it with Bill Simmons comments when Gary Payton was on the Lakers. He said something like "The Gary Payton situation is confusing for NBA fans.....he looks just like the all-star GP.....he talks just like the all-star GP.....nothing's changed.....except that he can't play anymore."

This post pretty much sums up my view.

[paulpressey25]

I'd like Favre to play this season.....and next year as well if he wants......I'd just like to see a recognition on his part that if he's not bringing it and the team is losing that he'll give Rodgers a shot.

[El Duderino]

But if you read the quote in it's totality, this guy is saying what a couple of us yahoo's have been posting this summer. The August 2007 Favre is a poor QB and Rodgers physical skills at this point are superior.

Whether A-Rod can stay healthy and lead a team is another matter. But Favre's skills have eroded far worse than anyone here wants to admit. I equate it with Bill Simmons comments when Gary Payton was on the Lakers. He said something like "The Gary Payton situation is confusing for NBA fans.....he looks just like the all-star GP.....he talks just like the all-star GP.....nothing's changed.....except that he can't play anymore."

For myself,i'd rather see Rodgers starting at QB for the Packers this year because it's better for the team long term to get Rodgers on the field now.I also agree that Favre has lost quite a bit of his physical skills as a quarterback and don't agree with you that most here can't see that.

With that all said,i don't think for this year at least,whether if Favre starts 16 games or if Rodgers did,there would be much difference in what the record ended up being.Brett has declined alot,but i don't think "he can't play anymore".He's not a top 10 QB in the NFL,but he's likely not going to be a bottom 10 one either,somewhere in the middle.He's become a mediocre QB and that's what i think Rodgers would be this year if he started.

The bad thing about Brett playing this year isn't the effect it will have on this years team and it's chances for the playoffs,it' that it delays getting Rodgers first year as a starter learning curve out of the way by one more season.

Maybe i'll be wrong and Brett completely hits the wall this year and goes from being a middle of the pack QB to bottom 8-10,i just doubt it though.I think he has one decent year left in him.

[El Duderino]

I'd like Favre to play this season.....and next year as well if he wants......I'd just like to see a recognition on his part that if he's not bringing it and the team is losing that he'll give Rodgers a shot.

I don't,i hope Brett hangs it up after this season.I don't think it would be a healthy situation next year to have a scenario like you laid out.It would be much more ideal for Rodgers to come into next season knowing the job is his vs having it being some up in the air deal where Favre might have to be benched and replaced by Rodgers.You then could have games where if Rodgers is struggling at home,Brett is looming on the sidelines and possibly fans start chanting "Favre" or they boo Rodgers and up on the jumbotron the camera pans to Brett.

Rodgers doesn't need Brett looking over his shoulder once he gets his chance and the team can't wait any longer beyond this year to see what Rodgers can do.This year has to be it for Brett as a Packer,if he won't retire,then he has to decide if he wants to play elsewhere and see if another team wants him.

[Johnny Newman]

I think if Favre was running the show. He would of had us get Terrell Owens before the Cowboys got him. He would of got Moss this year and traded for Larry Johnson.

[eagle13]

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True or False:

If McCarthy and Thompson had their wish Rodgers would be the Packers QB and Favre would be home in Mississippi mowing his lawn on a tractor.

DB your so funny.

True or False:

IF Brett had his way Moss and Green would be Packers.

Hacking on Brett every chance you get.

TT has made his choices. All of them. Some I like - some I don't.
Who ever is playing QB THIS year I support!
Go Pack!

[eagle13]

-= original quote snipped =-
And it is easy for you and me to say "get some balls and bench Favre." Would you really want to be the guy that has to do this? The guy is one of the biggest icons in our State's history. A good portion of these people think he can still sling it. McCarthy and TT I assume like their job, and trust me, if they decide to bench Favre, much of the fan base/media will blast them...and never underestimate a rabid fan base/media having the ability to run coaches/GMs out of town.

And that is what balls are - do what you want even in the face of criticism.

Jerry Jones did it when he fired fan loved coach Tom Landry.

TT and M3 would have nothing to worry about IF Brett really was stinking it up and Rodgers was wowing everyone. Up to THIS preseason by Rodgers own admission and sports writers in JS article - Rodgers sucked and would have been destroyed. TT could not know Rodgers would take the great strides he has apppeared to - so they CHOSE to play it safe and keep Brett around another year to insure Aaron's ready. Seems logical.

Funny on how you and DB doubt TT so much that you think he is not doing what he wants.