Awesome Article on Favre

[Scoops]

Full article:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/ ... ortCat=nfl

Highlights:

Did Green Bay Packers management get dropped on its head as an infant? Tumble down a long row of Lambeau Field concrete steps? Suffer a series of second-degree concussions?

It all makes sense until you ask a simple, essential question: "Is my team better or worse with Brett Favre at quarterback?"

That's it. Nothing else should matter. Thompson's job is to construct the best possible Packers roster. And if he thinks Rodgers is better than Favre, then Thompson needs to submit his resignation yesterday.

Thompson ought to be in Hattiesburg, Miss., right now, asking ... no, begging Favre to return. Whatever it takes -- ride shotgun on Favre's tractor, wear Wrangler jeans, spring for the worms at the local bait and tackle store -- Thompson should do it.

And anyway, if the Packers are so thrilled with Rodgers' potential, why exactly did they draft Brian Brohm in the second round and Matt Flynn in the seventh?

The only NFL quarterbacks better than Favre right now are:

Tom Brady. Peyton Manning. And, uh ...

...if the goal is to win as many games as possible, Thompson has to embrace Favre's possible return.

The Packers' training camp begins July 28. Between now and then, Thompson needs to understand there are worse things than having Favre as Green Bay's starting quarterback.

Like, not having Favre as Green Bay's starting quarterback.

Couldn't agree more.

[Scoops]

Funny how Brewers are doing the complete opposite right now. Going balls out to put them in the best position to win a World Series this season. And then the Packers are basically passing on a chance at the Super Bowl this year because they're playing for the future when Rodgers very well could be garbage (as could Laporta).

And even funnier how fans are behind the Brewers with CC but not the Packers with Favre.

[ReasonablySober]

Funny how Brewers are doing the complete opposite right now. Going balls out to put them in the best position to win a World Series this season. And then the Packers are basically passing on a chance at the Super Bowl this year because they're playing for the future when Rodgers very well could be garbage (as could Laporta).

And even funnier how fans are behind the Brewers with CC but not the Packers with Favre.

If Favre were 28 and in his prime Packer fans would feel different. Favre had an amazing season, but he was 0-3 in the games that Green Bay needed him most. He didn't even show up. The thing is, that's not even atypical of him since the Super Bowl win. He just hasn't been a QB you trust when something big is on the line.

Unfortunately for him, with the cast around him, anything less than a Super Bowl birth is going to be a disappointment, and I don't know if Brett has it in him to win an NFC Championship. Rodgers may not, either. But they're not going to ask him to win games on his own, either. He doesn't have a history of throwing terrible balls when he's out to do too much. He's going to be asked to manage games, move the chains, and make plays when they're there. With a tough defense, a loaded WR core and a potentially dominant run-game, maybe that's all this team needs.

[Scoops]

Funny how Brewers are doing the complete opposite right now. Going balls out to put them in the best position to win a World Series this season. And then the Packers are basically passing on a chance at the Super Bowl this year because they're playing for the future when Rodgers very well could be garbage (as could Laporta).

And even funnier how fans are behind the Brewers with CC but not the Packers with Favre.

If Favre were 28 and in his prime Packer fans would feel different. Favre had an amazing season, but he was 0-3 in the games that Green Bay needed him most. He didn't even show up. The thing is, that's not even atypical of him since the Super Bowl win. He just hasn't been a QB you trust when something big is on the line.

Unfortunately for him, with the cast around him, anything less than a Super Bowl birth is going to be a disappointment, and I don't know if Brett has it in him to win an NFC Championship. Rodgers may not, either. But they're not going to ask him to win games on his own, either. He doesn't have a history of throwing terrible balls when he's out to do too much. He's going to be asked to manage games, move the chains, and make plays when they're there. With a tough defense, a loaded WR core and a potentially dominant run-game, maybe that's all this team needs.

Favre may not be young but it's hard to argue he's not playing like he's in his prime after last season.

And all Favre did was manage the games last year. That's why he had such a great season. He wasn't forcing it as much. And when the team needed him to step up and win games, he did...(San Diego, Denver, KC, off the top of my head)

And how is the Seattle game not the 2nd most important game of the season? He played great in that game.

It pretty much comes down to, does Favre give the team the best chance to make the Super Bowl? The answer is obviously yes, so you bring him back.

[TheGhostDog]

I feel like Favre vs. Rodgers has already been discussed ad nauseum, with myself being a major culprit, in the Favre Talking Return thread, so I'm not getting into that again. I just had to ask what the heck is ESPN's Gene Wojciechowski thinking when he says "if the Packers are so thrilled with Rodgers' potential, why exactly did they draft Brian Brohm in the second round and Matt Flynn in the seventh?"

Um, NFL teams usually carry multiple QBs on their rosters. Indeed, it might come as a news flash to Detective Wojo that NFL teams carry backups for pretty much every player on their roster, in case they happen to, um, get hurt playing football or something. According to Wojo's logic, if the Packers really were confident in Rodgers they'd go into the season with only 1 QB. The only veteran backup QB the Pack deemed worthy of offering a contract to was Culpepper, so when he turned them down what sane course of action could they have taken except draft 2 QBs?!

Also, not sure if it was Wojo again or the OP saying "the goal is to win as many games as possible", but I beg to differ. The goal is to win the Super Bowl.

[mnstinks]

Seems like an article written by someone who thinks Favre is still in his prime.

If Favre wants to really come back why doesnt he say it. And, if TT and MM thought he was the best QB for the Packers right NOW, don't you think they would bring him back? Maybe, just maybe, since they see the players every day they might know who is the best player for each position, including QB. That QB is most likely AROD, who seems to have the full confidence of his teammates.

If you think Favre is still in his prime go back and look at how old he looked wearing his snowmobile suit trying to keep warm in the NFC championship game. The Favre from 2000 and earlier wouldn't have been wearing 10 layers of clothing.

And, in games that mattered, Favre didn't play so well.

[Wade-A-Holic]

Brett Favre will very likely go down as my favorite athlete of all time. However, I do not buy for ONE SECOND what his inner circle is saying about Ted Thompson. I believe that Favre made an emotional decision, now regrets it, and is now making Ted Thompson look like the bad guy because, instead of getting down on his hands and knees and begging Favre to come back, Thompson said "I respect your decision" and decided to move on.

The real loser in all of this is Rodgers, who for the first time has to be bothered by the Favre headlines he's reading. I don't blame Rodgers at all for his SI comments. I'd probably lash out too if I was asked the same stupid questions day after day for months at a time about a guy that isn't around anymore. Rodgers has done everything the right way, IMO, and has gone above and beyond to earn the respect and trust of his teammates. That is the ONLY kind of respect and trust that matters right now because that is the ONLY kind of respect and trust that will translate onto the playing field, which is where he will ultimately earn the respect and admiration of the fans.

[humanrefutation]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/w ... ml?eref=T1

Peter King's article on Favre gives a better summation of the situation than any I've read thus far.

[JustinCredible]

Both articles are great and have very good points...but I completely agree with the ESPN article. Nothing else matters....Brett Favre gives the Packers the best chance to win.

[Wade-A-Holic]

Both articles are great and have very good points...but I completely agree with the ESPN article. Nothing else matters....Brett Favre gives the Packers the best chance to win.

Favre giving us the best chance to win WOULD be the most important factor IF he wasn't acting like a child and having his friends and family go around attacking Ted Thompson and the organization instead of swallowing his pride and admitting that he made an emotional overreaction by retiring and that he simply has realized that he still has that fire and wants to play. Had Favre approached this the correct way, I'm sure his desire to play would be much more widely accepted.

I believe Favre feels wronged to the extent that A. Thompson probably told him that he wanted Favre's decision before the draft and B. That Thompson respected Favre's wishes rather than begging him to return.

Also, in light of the way Favre has handled this situation, I do not believe he gives the Packers the best chance to win the Super Bowl this season. I believe that many of the players have moved on and are fully on board with Aaron Rodgers. Favre is coming off as selfish and I firmly believe there would be some chemistry issues if he came back.

[Neusch23]

Funny how Brewers are doing the complete opposite right now. Going balls out to put them in the best position to win a World Series this season. And then the Packers are basically passing on a chance at the Super Bowl this year because they're playing for the future when Rodgers very well could be garbage (as could Laporta).

And even funnier how fans are behind the Brewers with CC but not the Packers with Favre.

If Favre were 28 and in his prime Packer fans would feel different. Favre had an amazing season, but he was 0-3 in the games that Green Bay needed him most. He didn't even show up. The thing is, that's not even atypical of him since the Super Bowl win. He just hasn't been a QB you trust when something big is on the line.

Unfortunately for him, with the cast around him, anything less than a Super Bowl birth is going to be a disappointment, and I don't know if Brett has it in him to win an NFC Championship. Rodgers may not, either. But they're not going to ask him to win games on his own, either. He doesn't have a history of throwing terrible balls when he's out to do too much. He's going to be asked to manage games, move the chains, and make plays when they're there. With a tough defense, a loaded WR core and a potentially dominant run-game, maybe that's all this team needs.

how is someone 0-3 in big games when we made it to the NFC championship game...one that was lost because we couldn't defend a WR...one that did the same to one of the best team ever....

Also I didn't think that we had a bye week right up to the NFC championship game....we had to win some big games to get there.

He was also 2nd in MVP voting....

He gives us the best chance to win.

He has a contract with 2 years left on it.

While I disagree with the timing, I think he just should have waited if he needed more time, he has the right, and I hope he does.

win now.

[Neusch23]

Brett Favre will very likely go down as my favorite athlete of all time. However, I do not buy for ONE SECOND what his inner circle is saying about Ted Thompson. I believe that Favre made an emotional decision, now regrets it, and is now making Ted Thompson look like the bad guy because, instead of getting down on his hands and knees and begging Favre to come back, Thompson said "I respect your decision" and decided to move on.

The real loser in all of this is Rodgers, who for the first time has to be bothered by the Favre headlines he's reading. I don't blame Rodgers at all for his SI comments. I'd probably lash out too if I was asked the same stupid questions day after day for months at a time about a guy that isn't around anymore. Rodgers has done everything the right way, IMO, and has gone above and beyond to earn the respect and trust of his teammates. That is the ONLY kind of respect and trust that matters right now because that is the ONLY kind of respect and trust that will translate onto the playing field, which is where he will ultimately earn the respect and admiration of the fans.

the loser in all of this is only rodgers if Favre comes back...if Thompson doesn't bring back brett, then everyone else looses.

Things are harder on Rodgers. Don't think that every time we have broken plays, and his learning curve that our fans won't be on him.

If Brett is playing for another team, and we saw last year, he still has lots of game....this is just a mess.

If Brett is released, everyone else looses....if we bring him back, it is only Rodgers.

[Wade-A-Holic]

The talk about granting Favre his release can just end. It won't happen. Even though this IS Brett Favre we're talking about and he's closing in on 40 years of age, he's still a major asset at one of the toughest positions to fill in professional sports. Nobody would be crazy enough to release him without getting something in return for him.

[xTitan]

What does Brett Favre give the Packers the best chance to win? It's not a trip to the Superbowl, he has been for the most part a bad to awful playoff QB since the second half of the Denver Superbowl, I do not think he has put together decent back to back playoff games, much less very good games....IMO, Favre gives GB no chance to make the Superbowl, plus he is a first class douche bag. I don't think Rodgers gives the Packers much of a chance to make the Superbowl this year either, but if he can get the Packers to the playoffs then he has a far better chance to get the Packers to the Superbowl the following years by developing and growing with the other young players......so stay the hell away.

[mbucks22]

What does Brett Favre give the Packers the best chance to win? It's not a trip to the Superbowl, he has been for the most part a bad to awful playoff QB since the second half of the Denver Superbowl, I do not think he has put together decent back to back playoff games, much less very good games....IMO, Favre gives GB no chance to make the Superbowl, plus he is a first class douche bag. I don't think Rodgers gives the Packers much of a chance to make the Superbowl this year either, but if he can get the Packers to the playoffs then he has a far better chance to get the Packers to the Superbowl the following years by developing and growing with the other young players......so stay the hell away.

Just stop, you're embarrassing yourself. Favre gives the Pack no chance to make the Super Bowl?

This article puts all of the Favre haters in their place. Spot on article and anyone that thinks the Packers are better with Rodgers than Favre...well, I won't even bother. No way to talk sense into you.

[xTitan]

What does Brett Favre give the Packers the best chance to win? It's not a trip to the Superbowl, he has been for the most part a bad to awful playoff QB since the second half of the Denver Superbowl, I do not think he has put together decent back to back playoff games, much less very good games....IMO, Favre gives GB no chance to make the Superbowl, plus he is a first class douche bag. I don't think Rodgers gives the Packers much of a chance to make the Superbowl this year either, but if he can get the Packers to the playoffs then he has a far better chance to get the Packers to the Superbowl the following years by developing and growing with the other young players......so stay the hell away.

Just stop, you're embarrassing yourself. Favre gives the Pack no chance to make the Super Bowl?

This article puts all of the Favre haters in their place. Spot on article and anyone that thinks the Packers are better with Rodgers than Favre...well, I won't even bother. No way to talk sense into you.

Oh please there are as many if not more articles saying he should not be back....Favre hasn't been to a Superbowl in forever, he is a bad playoff QB, the numbers don't lie...but go ahead and talk out of your ass and maintain your baseless arguement.

[Wade-A-Holic]

What does Brett Favre give the Packers the best chance to win? It's not a trip to the Superbowl, he has been for the most part a bad to awful playoff QB since the second half of the Denver Superbowl, I do not think he has put together decent back to back playoff games, much less very good games....IMO, Favre gives GB no chance to make the Superbowl, plus he is a first class douche bag. I don't think Rodgers gives the Packers much of a chance to make the Superbowl this year either, but if he can get the Packers to the playoffs then he has a far better chance to get the Packers to the Superbowl the following years by developing and growing with the other young players......so stay the hell away.

Just stop, you're embarrassing yourself. Favre gives the Pack no chance to make the Super Bowl?

This article puts all of the Favre haters in their place. Spot on article and anyone that thinks the Packers are better with Rodgers than Favre...well, I won't even bother. No way to talk sense into you.

Oh please there are as many if not more articles saying he should not be back....Favre hasn't been to a Superbowl in forever, he is a bad playoff QB, the numbers don't lie...but go ahead and talk out of your ass and maintain your baseless arguement.

Titan, his argument has more of a base than yours does considering Aaron Rodgers has not even started a single NFL game yet, let alone a playoff game! You gonna blame Favre for his performance against the Giants? Fine, but that same Giants team made Tom Brady and the previously immortal Patriots offense look incredibly pedestrian on the biggest stage in football.

Yes, Favre has had some bad playoff performances. A guy that has BEEN to the playoffs as often as Favre and been around as long as he has is bound to. He's only human. It's not in his nature to sit back and simply manage in big games.

[xTitan]

Great article on Favre and the Packer situation...best I have seen

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

[Scoops]

Yes, Brett is already a douchebag and he'll be a traitor SOB if he goes to another team. Screw this guy. Brett didn't give the Packers nothing. Mike Holmgren and Ron Wolf made the Packers. A couple years from now, people will be going, Brett who? I'm a real Packer fan. I root blindly for the Packer jersey only and could care less about the people in it. When Brett was going through his family and drug troubles, I was like shutup and play you ego maniac. If Jeffery Dahmer and Osama Bin Laden suit up for the Green and Gold and win a Superbowl, awesome! Because I'm a true Packer fan. I'm also a (Please Use More Appropriate Word).

(It's one thing to think the Packers should part ways, but to totally turn on Brett, kick him to the curb, pretend he was never here after everything he has given the team, town, the State is ridiculous.)

[tracey_nice]

I don't go on the Packers board a whole lot, but I cannot believe the amount of Favre haters there are on the GREENBAY PACKERS BOARD; I bet there are less Favre haters on the Minnesota Vikings board, and the Chicago Bears board.