The Student of the Game

I’ve heard it from a few loyal subscribers . . . ‘Why haven’t you written a retirement article for Brett Favre yet?’. Because I could have reasonably predicted Favre’s retirement in the post-season of the past 3 years and I would have been wrong each time.

But this past March was a different story. He actually had a press conference — and he actually cried. Hell, ESPN threw so much coverage on him the week of this press conference, you’d think he died in a plane crash or something. Having viewed all of these bits of evidence, I was inspired to do research on the good and bad of Brett Favre by finding numbers and facts to prove that while he is a Hall of Famer, he’s not in the top 10 all time QBs. (And possibly even evidence that he’s not even the best QB to play for Green Bay compared to Hall of Famer Bart Starr).

Even as I was viewing the impressive numbers and lifetime powderpuff schedule he faced, I could not shake the feeling that this player who had been both the object of disdain and praise from the SoTG and company hadn’t yet played his last down. And as it turned out, Brett Favre was still predictable as ever.

As I write this, the iconic Modern Legend of Lambeau has his reinstatement papers on the desk of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell who will feel compelled to complete the process (if he hasn’t by the time this article is up) and the stand-off is extended.

Wait — STAND OFF!?! You mean the Packers aren’t going to blindly embrace the return of their scruffy-faced deity? Apparently being dragged 3 times through an emotional wringer with that ‘will he or won’t he’ dance of the past few seasons has worn heavily upon the psyche of the team’s president, Ted Thompson. Thompson insisted that his team is willing to move on and Brett will not be starting QB.

With this statement, text messages and rumors flew about the NFL universe (enough, at least, to inspire tampering allegations against the Vikings), speculating and even propositioning the 17 year (soon to be 18, in theory) veteran to different colors. But apparently, Thompson’s version of ‘moving on’ is a matter of some conjecture. The Packers have refused to release Favre, made the requested trade compensation for him to be ridiculous (at nothing less than a 1st round draft pick), and in addition, that Favre’s declared role will be as a back-up ONLY!!!

As you could probably imagine, Favre’s goal is to play not carry a clipboard, but in terms of contracts, there’s nothing Favre can do but beg, plea, and make things as difficult as possible for the Packers organization. Apparently he’s managed that because the organization made him an offer of $20 million dollars over 10 years to stay retired from football, but work in the front office within Marketing and Sales for the team.

So let’s get this straight — I understand publicly saying that you want to protect the legacy of your Grid Iron hero and then wimping out when he asks you to honor statement of ‘needing to move on’. You’re afraid of him going to the Bucs, Bears, or Vikings (3 of the most often mentioned in rumors for Favre’s relocation). All of the mentioned are 2008 regular season opponents and in the case of Minnesota and Chicago, Favre’s presence not only implies 2 games you’ll have to play against him (guaranteed MIND RAPE for all those upon the Green Bay roster), but will propel either of these teams to the title of pre-season favorite to win the NFC North division (and possibly a Super Bowl prediction).

It seems senseless to pay a dude $12 million dollars to hold a clipboard (I guess he better be hittin’ some curls in the gym), but upon further review that $12 million dollars is an investment toward prevention of revitalizing 2 division rival locker rooms and guaranteed ‘L’s trying to play against the Champion Cheesehead of modern times.

There are those who believe this would create a locker room rift amongst the Packers between those who think sitting Brett is nuts and those who believe QB Aaron Rogers sitting down yet again after being the 1st round draft pick from Cal and being declared the starter going into camp for the 1st time as injustice. Assuming the Packer Head Coach Mike McCarthy had the audacity to do that, is it any better a move than offering this famous #4 $2 million a year for 10 years to essentially push paper?

The list of Packer players last year who didn’t make $2 million includes RB upstart Ryan Grant. If I was the main force of the running attack for a team with some old fart who’s whining and flip-flopping, do you think I’d be stoked to be making less money than the old fart in question for him to wear a suit instead of shoulder pads? Where the biggest injury risk this old-fart risks is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Personally, I believe the Packers were making a mistake in letting Favre not at least try to compete (assuming they put their $12 million where their mouth is). But the silliest thing about all of this is that what could this all mean when the season starts in September? Nothing . . . Except maybe the game that would have been Brett Favre’s dedication game which was to occur when the Vikings visit Lambeau will not have any ceremonies of that caliber at half time.