Favre reinstated; headed to GB

[Captain Erv]

Sunday, August 3, 2008
Favre says Goodell has reinstated him, will fly to Green Bay for Family Night
ESPN.com new services

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated Brett Favre on Sunday, the three-time MVP told ESPN's Ed Werder.

The Packers couldn't confirm the reinstatement, and said because it wasn't an offical business day for the league it wasn't possible Sunday.

Nevertheless, Favre was prepared Sunday to fly to Green Bay. ESPN's Wendi Nix reported his plane was scheduled to touch down at 6:30 ET, though he didn't plan to attend the sold-out Packers Family Night at Lambeau Field, which more than 60,000 fans were expected to attend.

On Saturday, Goodell said he hoped the situation would be resolved by Monday, by which team and league sources told ESPN's Wendi Nix that he was expected to act on the reinstatement.

Goodell visited the Cincinnati Bengals' training camp on Saturday before heading north to Canton, Ohio, for the weekend's Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

"I'm not trying to interject myself," Goodell said in Georgetown, Ky., according to The Associated Press. "I was interjected into it because there was a tampering charge initially. I'm not looking for things to interject myself to. It's an issue that needs to be addressed because of the competing interests. You want to make sure it's done properly and within our rules. This is an issue that ultimately has to be decided between Brett and the Packers."

The Packers hold Favre's rights until his current contract expires after the 2010 season.

Tensions have built between Favre and the team over the past several weeks.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy again praised his players for not allowing the Favre situation to distract them.

"What's going on between Brett and the organization is something that the players and coaches, we cannot handle," McCarthy said Saturday. "We're not involved in it. I think they did a good job from a responsibility standpoint dealing with it for about two days, but the focus has been on improving."

Earlier this week, Favre sent a letter to Goodell requesting to be reinstated from the team's reserve/retired list. But Goodell has held off approving the request, hoping the two sides could resolve their differences.

"Primarily, it starts with the fact, does Brett want to play football?" Goodell said. "The second is, do the Packers want him to play for the Packers. Those are the two principal points that have to be resolved. And only two parties can make that determination, not me."

Goodell said both parties are being "reasonable."

"They're difficult, emotional issues," Goodell said. "They're important to the future of both of them."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

[InsideOut]

Yawn, Favre can't go a single day without texting or leaking some spin to the media. Seeing as how most of his leaks have been lies or spin I'll assume this one is as well.

Goodell is quoted in the paper today saying he won't take action until Monday because he didn't want to take away from the Hall of Fame weekend. Then add the fact this article says "The Packers couldn't confirm the reinstatement, and said because it wasn't an offical business day for the league it wasn't possible Sunday".

[paulpressey25]

I just can't figure out why "Ed Werder" is now the choosen one over Al Jones, Peter King and Chris Mortenson. Maybe Ed gives him better press and doesn't question anything in the leaks he gets.

Interesting that he chooses to land in Green Bay a few minutes before A-Rod would take the field for family night.

Trade him to the Vikings......Pat Williams and a 2009 second round pick.

[aaprigs311]

If he's not reinstated until tomorrow morning he won't be at camp tomorrow. (If there is camp after Family Night?) Packer's have an additional 24 hours after his reinstatement to maybe make a final decision or ultimately lose control of the team.

[aaprigs311]

I just can't figure out why "Ed Werder" is now the choosen one over Al Jones, Peter King and Chris Mortenson. Maybe Ed gives him better press and doesn't question anything in the leaks he gets.

Interesting that he chooses to land in Green Bay a few minutes before A-Rod would take the field for family night.

Trade him to the Vikings......Pat Williams and a 2009 second round pick.

I think it's obvious why he chose Ed Werder. Clearly it's the STACHE'.

[paulpressey25]

I think it's obvious why he chose Ed Werder. Clearly it's the STACHE'.

I just wonder if Peter King and Mort have turned off their cell phones as they have tired of the soap opera.

It makes no sense why the tier 3 ESPN guy who is a dedicated Cowboys correspondent now gets all the scoops from Favre.

[bucks59]

As per ESPN
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3517219

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated Brett Favre on Sunday, the three-time MVP told ESPN's Ed Werder.

Favre was prepared Sunday to fly to Green Bay, he said.

ESPN's Wendi Nix reported Favre's plane was scheduled to touch down at 6:30 ET, though he didn't plan to attend the sold-out Packers Family Night at Lambeau Field, which more than 60,000 fans were expected to attend.

Packers officials planned to greet Favre upon his arrival to Green Bay.

The NFL office is officially closed on Sunday, so the reinstatement will become official Monday.

Favre was expected to report to training camp Monday by 1 p.m. ET, when the Packers say they will be prepared to make a roster move. It could be to add him, trade him or usher him back into retirement if they complete negotiations on a deal.

Their potential marketing agreement, worth a reported $25 million over 10 years, could end Favre's bid to return just months after retiring.

There had been indications Favre was wavering on the offer. A source close to the negotiations told Werder on Saturday that Favre has developed misgivings about the proposed deal because it fails to accomplish his primary objective in deciding to unretire -- namely, it would not put him back on the football field.

Also on Saturday, Goodell said he hoped the situation would be resolved by Monday, by which team and league sources told ESPN's Wendi Nix that he was expected to act on the reinstatement.

Goodell visited the Cincinnati Bengals' training camp on Saturday before heading north to Canton, Ohio, for the weekend's Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

"I'm not trying to interject myself," Goodell said in Georgetown, Ky., according to The Associated Press. "I was interjected into it because there was a tampering charge initially. I'm not looking for things to interject myself to. It's an issue that needs to be addressed because of the competing interests. You want to make sure it's done properly and within our rules. This is an issue that ultimately has to be decided between Brett and the Packers."
The Packers hold Favre's rights until his current contract expires after the 2010 season. Tensions have built between Favre and the team over the past several weeks.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy again praised his players for not allowing the Favre situation to distract them.

"What's going on between Brett and the organization is something that the players and coaches, we cannot handle," McCarthy said Saturday. "We're not involved in it. I think they did a good job from a responsibility standpoint dealing with it for about two days, but the focus has been on improving."

Earlier this week, Favre sent a letter to Goodell requesting to be reinstated from the team's reserve/retired list. But Goodell has held off approving the request, hoping the two sides could resolve their differences.

"Primarily, it starts with the fact, does Brett want to play football?" Goodell said. "The second is, do the Packers want him to play for the Packers. Those are the two principal points that have to be resolved. And only two parties can make that determination, not me."

Goodell said both parties are being "reasonable."

"They're difficult, emotional issues," Goodell said. "They're important to the future of both of them."

[paulpressey25]

Here's the good story from MJS:

Favre on his way to Green Bay, but negotiations still on
By Tom Silverstein
Sunday, Aug 3 2008, 11:00 AM
Green Bay -- Brett Favre has been reinstated and is on his way to Green Bay, but it's still not a lock that he'll be in uniform again for the Packers.

A source familiar with the Favre situation said that commissioner Roger Goodell called Packers president Mark Murphy this morning to tell him he has reinstated Favre and that the Packers have until noon Monday to create a roster spot for him. Favre is scheduled to fly to Green Bay today and arrive at the airport at around 5:30 p.m.

The team is fully prepared to take Favre back. It has been saving a room for him at St. Norbert's College and has a plan to integrate him back into practice. Favre will have to take a physical and a conditioning test Monday before being put on the roster. The Packers will have to cut someone to make room for him.

The source emphasized that negotiations on the marketing deal offered by the Packers are not over. In fact, there's some thought that Favre, who is coming to Green Bay with his agent, James (Bus) Cook, and his family, may be reporting to force the Packers to meet his financial demands. The negotiations are believed to be all about money.

Once Favre gets to Green Bay, it's likely he'll meet with Murphy, although the Packers have their intrasquad scrimmage tonight and Murphy will be among the 60,000 in attendance at Lambeau Field. Throughout it all, the Packers have not been under the impression Favre is 100% certain about wanting to come and play second fiddle to Aaron Rodgers and so there's a possibility this trip is being made to get the Packers to up their offer on the marketing deal.

Various reports have said Favre has received a lot of encouragement from Cook and wife Deanna to force the Packers' hand and report to training camp. Favre has not spoken on the record about his committment to playing this year in several weeks, so it's hard to know exactly how he feels about playing football again.

The Packers probably will step up trade talks just to see what kind of interest there is.

[magicfan4life05]

I think it's obvious why he chose Ed Werder. Clearly it's the STACHE'.

I just wonder if Peter King and Mort have turned off their cell phones as they have tired of the soap opera.

It makes no sense why the tier 3 ESPN guy who is a dedicated Cowboys correspondent now gets all the scoops from Favre.

yeah I agree, strange indeed

Until mid last week, King and Mort were his "go to guys".....now the cowboys guy is the new insider...it's really interesting....

[Mags FTW]

Looking forward to watching the scrimmage and HOF game tonight.

[Reddeye]

I think it's obvious why he chose Ed Werder. Clearly it's the STACHE'.

I just wonder if Peter King and Mort have turned off their cell phones as they have tired of the soap opera.

It makes no sense why the tier 3 ESPN guy who is a dedicated Cowboys correspondent now gets all the scoops from Favre.

Mortensen was the emcee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Enshrinees Dinner. I would bet King was at the Hall of Fame ceremonies also.

[eagle13]

I just can't figure out why "Ed Werder" is now the choosen one over Al Jones, Peter King and Chris Mortenson. Maybe Ed gives him better press and doesn't question anything in the leaks he gets.

Interesting that he chooses to land in Green Bay a few minutes before A-Rod would take the field for family night.

Trade him to the Vikings......Pat Williams and a 2009 second round pick.

Hell I'd take either Williams straight up. But it does not make sense for them to weaken themselves at another position to get Brett - yet they do have to clear salary to take Brett in a trade. Thats why Brett wants release. MN can't really afford to trade for him.

[humanrefutation]

I just can't figure out why "Ed Werder" is now the choosen one over Al Jones, Peter King and Chris Mortenson. Maybe Ed gives him better press and doesn't question anything in the leaks he gets.

Interesting that he chooses to land in Green Bay a few minutes before A-Rod would take the field for family night.

Trade him to the Vikings......Pat Williams and a 2009 second round pick.

Hell I'd take either Williams straight up. But it does not make sense for them to weaken themselves at another position to get Brett - yet they do have to clear salary to take Brett in a trade. Thats why Brett wants release. MN can't really afford to trade for him.

I think that Brett would undoutably restructure his contract in order for Minnesota to trade for him, so I don't think that's much of an obstacle.

And, I think the best we'd hope to get from Minny would be a first rounder. Maybe we can convince them to Hershel Walker themselves all over again...that would be acceptable

[TheGhostDog]

Thank you Commissioner Goodell. Just in time for me to sell those 10,000 T-shirts I had printed that say "A-Pack-olypse Now: The Countdown to Favre-ageddon".

[MajorDad]

godell should have reinstated favre last week so that we get past this impass. the longer i is dragged out , the uglier it gets. Goodel l should have taken a cue from Hilliary bowing out.

I haven't been really that impressed with Goodall as a commish. he could have handled the patriots' tapes issues a lot better. and in this case, he's waiting too long to make/force a resolution.