Report: Pack offer Favre $20 million to stay home

[jviers77]

He's set to be reinstated after 3pm today (GB Time). Both sides, I've heard from numerous sources, would like to have a deal in place, whatever it may be, before Favre is reinstated. By having a deal done before the reinstatement, it would ensure Favre either stays home with the merch deal (which, by the way, was offered to him initially right after he retired) or reports to training camp with his new team. I have it on good authority that there is already a deal in place for Favre to go to Minnesota. I hope it's not true, but from what I'm told, the source has never given bad info before.

As I've said before, I think Favre gives the Packers the best chance to go deep in the playoffs this year, which leads me to believe this has more to do with personal feelings on TT's part than football. I have no problem with Aaron Rodgers at QB, but if Favre wants to play in GB, he should at the very least be allowed to compete for the job. I've never seen an organization set a position in stone as much as GB is doing with AR. I hope Aaron does well, but I have my doubts.

[MickeyDavis]

This is a similar situation to Marino and the Dolphins, except Marino had been injured the previous season. Below is from the Miami Herald in 2000. Some will say there is a difference since we have Rodgers and Miami had Damon Huard, Fiedler, Jim Druckenmiller and Scott Zolak. And while those guys turned out to be stiffs, we have no idea how Rodgers will turn out. And Marino was a free agent. But it's still interesting.


Wayne Huizenga and Dan Marino are supposed to get together for golf in Stuart today. The play will be casual. The stakes will be anything but. To so many anxious thousands of South Florida football fans and citizens in general, no final round ever played at the Masters or U.S. Open has offered up a result as important.

This is Huizenga's final chance to stop the hemorrhaging that threatens to leave Marino estranged from the club he has served with such loyalty and splendor for so long.

This is Huizenga's final chance to stop the hemorrhaging that threatens to leave an enormous chunk of Dolfans feeling disenfranchised, betrayed by the club they've poured money and heart into for so long.

This is Huizenga's final chance to do the right thing.

The golf on H. Wayne's private playground may include the perfunctory small talk and chitchat, but at its core this round is a four-hour business meeting at which Marino's NFL future likely will be decided.

Huizenga has closed many a deal while ostensibly chasing par.

He needs to close this deal fast -- and make certain No. 13 is again wearing aqua in September, and not the ghastly bruise of a color the Minnesota Vikings call purple.

The decision is pragmatic and emotional, and hugely both.

It is pragmatic because Marino, even diminished, still is a better QB than anyone currently on Miami's roster. You do not give up on the game's all-time passing leader, discard him like some career journeyman, because, coming off an injury, he had his first poor season in 17.

The decision is emotional because this is The Franchise. He is not just another player. He does deserve extraordinary accommodation. And the Dolphins may discover, too late, the profound negative impact of letting Marino go in such a mishandled manner.

Huizenga's legacy as a sports baron may depend on how he handles this. His dismantling of the 1997 World Series champion Marlins he then owned was a public relations disaster he managed to survive. I'm not sure if this one is.

Does he wish to be the owner who did nothing while his new coaching staff allowed Marino to turn purple and the Dolphins to turn red?

The Dolphins are now claiming Marino always has been welcome to come back and compete again -- which would be funny if it weren't so pathetic.

Two things are ludicrous about that.

1) It's a lie. New coach Dave Wannstedt has avoided every opportunity, and there have been many, to make Marino feel welcome. He has done anything but offer a curt ``Good riddance!''

(Wannstedt happened to be playing golf himself Monday, with Dolphins suite-holders, the most monied of fans. Convincing them Jay Fiedler is better than Dan Marino must have been even tougher than bagging birdies.)

2) Marino should not have to compete for his job. He should be made to keep it based on performance, as always. But he damned well should be No. 1 coming into training camp -- especially against a motley, utterly unproven quartet like Damon Huard, Fiedler, Jim Druckenmiller and Scott Zolak.

Vikings coach Dennis Green, who has offered Marino the starting job up there, understands this, even if Wannstedt and company do not. Green knows -- even if so many blinded by Marino's one off year and age do not -- that a fiercely competitive, fiercely proud man with something to prove can be an exceptionally potent weapon.

The Vikes and Dolphins meet this coming season. If Marino winds up in purple, I wonder if Huizenga has any clue how many Dolphins fans would be rooting for Marino to beat the team that filed for divorce?

Dennis Green, by the way, has been in the playoffs seven of his eight seasons in Minnesota.

Another oh-by-the-way: Huard, Fiedler, Druckenmiller and Zolak have a combined 19 career touchdown passes. That's a mere 401 behind Marino.

It is up to Huizenga now to override Wannstedt's painfully obvious wishes and re-sign Marino before it's too late.

There is no question Dan immensely prefers to continue with Miami. This is his home, in every way. Minnesota offers Marino a wonderful opportunity -- including two receivers, in Randy Moss and Cris Carter, who are a more potent pair than even Marks Duper and Clayton were, and a runner, in Robert Smith, more gifted than any Marino has ever had here -- but Marino certainly would prefer not to start all over on an artificial turf home field. Neither does Dan's wife, Claire, wish for the move.

That is how ferociously Marino wants to play another season, though.

Dolphins president Eddie Jones said he was ``flabbergasted'' Dan might join the Vikings? I'm flabbergasted Jones would be flabbergasted.

It has been staggeringly apparent Marino wants to keep playing. That's why he voided his Dolphins contract and became a free agent. That's why he didn't retire when, initially, interest seemed negligible.

And that's why it has been such an embarrassing joke for the Dolphins to claim the decision is ``up to Dan'' while all along giving no indication whatsoever they want him back.

In effect, they've been praying Marino, lacking an offer from another team, simply would retire.

Now that the Vikings have emerged, the onus squarely is on Huizenga.

So what will it be, H.?

Is Dan Marino still and forever a Miami Dolphin? Or not?

The ball is on the tee, H.

You're driving.

[Neusch23]

This is a similar situation to Marino and the Dolphins, except Marino had been injured the previous season. Below is from the Miami Herald in 2000. Some will say there is a difference since we have Rodgers and Miami had Damon Huard, Fiedler, Jim Druckenmiller and Scott Zolak. And while those guys turned out to be stiffs, we have no idea how Rodgers will turn out. And Marino was a free agent. But it's still interesting.


Wayne Huizenga and Dan Marino are supposed to get together for golf in Stuart today. The play will be casual. The stakes will be anything but. To so many anxious thousands of South Florida football fans and citizens in general, no final round ever played at the Masters or U.S. Open has offered up a result as important.

This is Huizenga's final chance to stop the hemorrhaging that threatens to leave Marino estranged from the club he has served with such loyalty and splendor for so long.

This is Huizenga's final chance to stop the hemorrhaging that threatens to leave an enormous chunk of Dolfans feeling disenfranchised, betrayed by the club they've poured money and heart into for so long.

This is Huizenga's final chance to do the right thing.

The golf on H. Wayne's private playground may include the perfunctory small talk and chitchat, but at its core this round is a four-hour business meeting at which Marino's NFL future likely will be decided.

Huizenga has closed many a deal while ostensibly chasing par.

He needs to close this deal fast -- and make certain No. 13 is again wearing aqua in September, and not the ghastly bruise of a color the Minnesota Vikings call purple.

The decision is pragmatic and emotional, and hugely both.

It is pragmatic because Marino, even diminished, still is a better QB than anyone currently on Miami's roster. You do not give up on the game's all-time passing leader, discard him like some career journeyman, because, coming off an injury, he had his first poor season in 17.

The decision is emotional because this is The Franchise. He is not just another player. He does deserve extraordinary accommodation. And the Dolphins may discover, too late, the profound negative impact of letting Marino go in such a mishandled manner.

Huizenga's legacy as a sports baron may depend on how he handles this. His dismantling of the 1997 World Series champion Marlins he then owned was a public relations disaster he managed to survive. I'm not sure if this one is.

Does he wish to be the owner who did nothing while his new coaching staff allowed Marino to turn purple and the Dolphins to turn red?

The Dolphins are now claiming Marino always has been welcome to come back and compete again -- which would be funny if it weren't so pathetic.

Two things are ludicrous about that.

1) It's a lie. New coach Dave Wannstedt has avoided every opportunity, and there have been many, to make Marino feel welcome. He has done anything but offer a curt ``Good riddance!''

(Wannstedt happened to be playing golf himself Monday, with Dolphins suite-holders, the most monied of fans. Convincing them Jay Fiedler is better than Dan Marino must have been even tougher than bagging birdies.)

2) Marino should not have to compete for his job. He should be made to keep it based on performance, as always. But he damned well should be No. 1 coming into training camp -- especially against a motley, utterly unproven quartet like Damon Huard, Fiedler, Jim Druckenmiller and Scott Zolak.

Vikings coach Dennis Green, who has offered Marino the starting job up there, understands this, even if Wannstedt and company do not. Green knows -- even if so many blinded by Marino's one off year and age do not -- that a fiercely competitive, fiercely proud man with something to prove can be an exceptionally potent weapon.

The Vikes and Dolphins meet this coming season. If Marino winds up in purple, I wonder if Huizenga has any clue how many Dolphins fans would be rooting for Marino to beat the team that filed for divorce?

Dennis Green, by the way, has been in the playoffs seven of his eight seasons in Minnesota.

Another oh-by-the-way: Huard, Fiedler, Druckenmiller and Zolak have a combined 19 career touchdown passes. That's a mere 401 behind Marino.

It is up to Huizenga now to override Wannstedt's painfully obvious wishes and re-sign Marino before it's too late.

There is no question Dan immensely prefers to continue with Miami. This is his home, in every way. Minnesota offers Marino a wonderful opportunity -- including two receivers, in Randy Moss and Cris Carter, who are a more potent pair than even Marks Duper and Clayton were, and a runner, in Robert Smith, more gifted than any Marino has ever had here -- but Marino certainly would prefer not to start all over on an artificial turf home field. Neither does Dan's wife, Claire, wish for the move.

That is how ferociously Marino wants to play another season, though.

Dolphins president Eddie Jones said he was ``flabbergasted'' Dan might join the Vikings? I'm flabbergasted Jones would be flabbergasted.

It has been staggeringly apparent Marino wants to keep playing. That's why he voided his Dolphins contract and became a free agent. That's why he didn't retire when, initially, interest seemed negligible.

And that's why it has been such an embarrassing joke for the Dolphins to claim the decision is ``up to Dan'' while all along giving no indication whatsoever they want him back.

In effect, they've been praying Marino, lacking an offer from another team, simply would retire.

Now that the Vikings have emerged, the onus squarely is on Huizenga.

So what will it be, H.?

Is Dan Marino still and forever a Miami Dolphin? Or not?

The ball is on the tee, H.

You're driving.

sounds all too familar...Curious to see if the Dolphins had spent as much time spining lies to the fans before this took place....because I have been sick of the lies here since this whole mess started.

Mark Murphy, only a few miles from my parents house in Janesville said that he hadn't heard from Brett since he retired in March, then 48 hours later tells the Press in GB that he has been working hand in hand with TT and MM for months since Brett wanted to come back (this was after Brett asked for his release).

MM says that Brett is welcome on the team, but as a back, but would be part of our future, but then TT and Murphy are begging him to stay away.

So they have moved on. Come up with a better excuse if you're going to sugar coat your reasons. We are afraid to loose Rodgers, and we want him here for 10 years, instead of Brett for one. Stop candy coating every word that barfs from your mouths Murphy, Thompson, and McCarthy. Tell the truth.

Please start being straight with everyone, and truely move on. Give Brett his helmet, or send him to Minny so he can play, get your extra draft pick or picks, and deal with it for the next year or two. As you have basically put it, its just Brett Favre.

I will be surprised if Brett takes basically a figured head position for big bucks....

[TheGhostDog]

The emotions involved in the Marino retirement complications certainly sound familiar, but what struck me was, are the Minnesota Vikings the Tooth Fairy? "Got an old star QB that's fallen out of favor with management? We'll take him!" Ever gotten rid of an old sofa by leaving it at the end of the driveway, and *presto* it's gone by morning? Now you know... it was the Vikings.

[LUKE23]

If Favre is traded to the Vikings I am completely done with our entire front office.

[Mags FTW]

If Favre is traded to the Vikings I am completely done with our entire front office.

Even if he reverts back to '05-'06 Favre and they go 8-8 again?

[LUKE23]

I'm not going to get into it. You don't trade one of the greatest Packers ever to your most hated rival and give them a major upgrade at easily their biggest position of weakness.

Might as well just hand them the division on a platter, on top of Packer fans having to see Favre in those faggy Vikings colors, on top of the media circus it's going to cause for an entire goddam month before the Monday night showdown game.

Trading him to the Vikings would be one of the most idiotic things ever to transpire in sports. And it isn't close.

[ReasonablySober]

I'm not going to get into it. You don't trade one of the greatest Packers ever to your most hated rival and give them a major upgrade at easily their biggest position of weakness.

Might as well just hand them the division on a platter, on top of Packer fans having to see Favre in those faggy Vikings colors, on top of the media circus it's going to cause for an entire goddam month before the Monday night showdown game.

Trading him to the Vikings would be one of the most idiotic things ever to transpire in sports. And it isn't close.

What's the alternative?

The reason Favre hasn't been dealt yet is he refuses to speak with any of the currently interested teams.

If he's brought back the team is split. It sounds like there are two distinct camps in that locker room and everyone knows that Favre would have to be made the starter. But once that happens, you kiss Rodgers goodbye and you probably piss off a large number of players that were behind him.

Favre can't come back to Green Bay. McCarthy doesn't want him, neither does the front office. He's taken a flame thrower to quite a few bridges.

If he doesn't accept the marketing agreement like Marino did, it's becoming increasingly evident that he'll be dealt to Minnesota. I think you can include Chicago with the Jets and Bucs. Why the hell would he want to go to that mess of an offense? Terrible line, terrible WRs, unproven RB. That team probably doesn't win six games, even with Favre.

Whereas I originally couldn't see any way he becomes a Viking, now I see it as the most likely possibility.

[TheGhostDog]

By the way, to be serious for a moment, I have been arguing for awhile that Favre is on a personal vendetta against TT. His statement to ESPN's Werder shows it yet again.

"They say 'no,' so I still want to play in this division for obvious reasons, which I made clear to management. If they won't let me play in Green Bay, let me play against you."

Again, if all Favre really wanted to do was just play football again, why is he so determined to stick it to the Packers? There are other NFL teams outside our division that would be happy to let Favre come start for them, if he'd only return their calls. Instead of encouraging Favre with a long-term team marketing role, the Packers should be getting a restraining order on him.

[LUKE23]

If he won't take a trade to anywhere but Minny and he doesn't want to do the marketing whatever for $20M, I bring him to camp. Anything is better than trading him to the Vikings, and watching them win the division with Favre.

Someone will murder TT if that goes down.

[msiris]

I'm not going to get into it. You don't trade one of the greatest Packers ever to your most hated rival and give them a major upgrade at easily their biggest position of weakness.

Might as well just hand them the division on a platter, on top of Packer fans having to see Favre in those faggy Vikings colors, on top of the media circus it's going to cause for an entire goddam month before the Monday night showdown game.

Trading him to the Vikings would be one of the most idiotic things ever to transpire in sports. And it isn't close.

I agree. With AP back there Brett would not have carry the load like he did here.
To say he he is completely washed up is a joke. He is still a good QB who has proven his worth. Both sides are to blame. But a trade the Viking would be a great blunder on the Packers part.

[LUKE23]

The Vikings already have a better OL, DL, and RB than us. If we give them a better QB (Favre will be better than Rodgers this year, and I like Rodgers a lot), they definitely have the better overall team (it's close as is with Jackson as their QB). TT's job is to give us the best chance to win. Trading Favre to the Vikings does the opposite of that.

God what a horrible day that would be.

[jakecronus8]

I cant believe anyone would still be on the Packers side in all of this. Sparky was on yesterday saying this was the darkest moment in Packers history and I gotta say I agree. We are trying to bribe the face of our franchise coming off an MVP caliber season to stay away because we don't want to hurt Teddy's ego or Aaron's feelings. Just sad and pathetic.

[ReasonablySober]

I wish people would stop with this bribe bull. It's completely inaccurate and was brought up back in March. I've got no doubt that someone in Favre's camp leaked it and spun it in a way that made it sound like a $20 million bribe, but why expect anything else?

Luke, I think you have to worry about your team first and foremost, and not what a division rival is doing or is capable of doing. We don't know how Minnesota will do this season. On paper they would look to be one of the best, if not the best, team in the NFC. But a lot of things could happen next season. Favre could continue to struggle in the dome. Peterson, or any key player, could go down with an injury. The offense could stutter with Favre being unfamiliar with the offense and personnel.

However, Favre returning here means the head coach has to roll with a guy he doesn't want on the team. The GM looks like he's working for Favre, and not the other way around. The locker room is a disaster. The QB that they've groomed for three years, the guy that's earned the respect of his teammates, tells the team to shove it when it comes time for him to re-sign. A dark cloud hovers over what was once a promising season.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Obviously, I wouldn't want this as a GM....But as a fan with competitive juices, part of me doesnt want to see all this end with the Merch deal, I want to see what Monday night football would be like against Brett.

The clock struck 3. Get out your popcorn.

[rilamann]

When comparing the Packers & Vikings one very important factor to consider is coaching.

Chilldress will never be anywhere near the caliber of head coach Mike McCarthy is.

Chilldress would probably let Brett throw into triple coverage on a regular basis ala Mike Sherman.Im as big a Favre fan as you'll find but I think Brett would fall flat on his face with the Vikes.With that said though when you consier the Vikes QB situation,even if Brett went there and fell on his face he would still be an improvement over what they at QB right now.

I also think the Vikes are the most overrated team going into this season,they are good but not that good.9-7 maybe 10-6 at best if they stay healthy.

[ReasonablySober]

Obviously, I wouldn't want this as a GM....But as a fan with competitive juices, part of me doesnt want to see all this end with the Merch deal, I want to see what Monday night football would be like against Brett.

Me too.

I'm already done with Brett. By putting the organization through this mess he's completely ruined himself in my eyes. Years later when I'm older and nostalgic maybe I don't think back on this time, but for now he's nothing to me.

Brett Favre, entering Lambeau wearing a purple #4, watching Hawk and Barnett and KGB and Kampman running his ass down.....it would be the equivalent of sports heaven for me.

[Neusch23]

I wish people would stop with this bribe bull. It's completely inaccurate and was brought up back in March. I've got no doubt that someone in Favre's camp leaked it and spun it in a way that made it sound like a $20 million bribe, but why expect anything else?

Luke, I think you have to worry about your team first and foremost, and not what a division rival is doing or is capable of doing. We don't know how Minnesota will do this season. On paper they would look to be one of the best, if not the best, team in the NFC. But a lot of things could happen next season. Favre could continue to struggle in the dome. Peterson, or any key player, could go down with an injury. The offense could stutter with Favre being unfamiliar with the offense and personnel.

However, Favre returning here means the head coach has to roll with a guy he doesn't want on the team. The GM looks like he's working for Favre, and not the other way around. The locker room is a disaster. The QB that they've groomed for three years, the guy that's earned the respect of his teammates, tells the team to shove it when it comes time for him to re-sign. A dark cloud hovers over what was once a promising season.

DB, I am sorry, but you can spin it any way you want, however, the locker room is already split. There are more players in there right now, (according to the players that I have talked with, granted only 2, but they had the same story) more players want Brett.

The vets are not looking for a player to invite them over to play video games. They are looking for a leader. Someone who will get them to the playoffs. Someone to give them the best chance to win.

Driver, Woodson, Harris, etc. They are already on the back nine of their careers. They got to smell a NFC championship game, and they don't want to loose it.

The Players trust the winner, more than they do their buddy, and unproven talent.

Rodgers could be great, or he could be foot steps falco.

Bottom line, we don't owe Rodgers, or Favre anything. The team needs to put the best team on the field, and my opinion is they choose to buck the norm, and for really, the first time in history allow things to be public, and go this far with a Super Star. Should be an interesting ending.

[ReasonablySober]

DB, I am sorry, but you can spin it any way you want, however, the locker room is already split. There are more players in there right now, (according to the players that I have talked with, granted only 2, but they had the same story) more players want Brett.

The vets are not looking for a player to invite them over to play video games. They are looking for a leader. Someone who will get them to the playoffs. Someone to give them the best chance to win.

Driver, Woodson, Harris, etc. They are already on the back nine of their careers. They got to smell a NFC championship game, and they don't want to loose it.

The Players trust the winner, more than they do their buddy, and unproven talent.

Rodgers could be great, or he could be foot steps falco.

Bottom line, we don't owe Rodgers, or Favre anything. The team needs to put the best team on the field, and my opinion is they choose to buck the norm, and for really, the first time in history allow things to be public, and go this far with a Super Star. Should be an interesting ending.

Where this part of the argument falls apart is McCarthy. All he cares about is winning games. Don't you think if he thought Favre was head and shoulders above Rodgers at this point he'd be kissing Favre's ass and begging for him to come back?

[LUKE23]

Sure, it would be entertaining for two games a year, but when we lose both games and the Vikings win the division, then reality would set in. I could give a crap about the entertainment value of those two games, I want the Packers to win as many games as possible and get the best record/playoff seed possible, and trading Favre to the Vikings hurts that. In addition, you have the fan outcry and media circus beyond words if you trade him to Minny.

To me, it's the worst case scenario and it isn't close.