Originally posted on http://digital diatribes.wordpress.com on July 11, 2008.
We interrupt the global temperatures to address a critical and continually developing process entitled “The retirement of Favre’s retirement.”
To those of you who have been living in a cave, away from the sports pages, the last week has created a bit of a stir with regard to Favre. The icon has apparently officially asked for his release from Green Bay. This is the culmination (so far) of a week full of rumors about Favre wanting to come back to Green Bay, which were escalations of earlier statements by him that made it sound like he’d possibly be interested in returning to the Pack in the event that Rodgers would get injured.
Now, word has it that the Packers’ Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson did not react with wild enthusiasm at his request to unretire and rejoin the team. Thus the letter asking for his release.
This letter in no way obligates the Packers to do anything. But one can imagine that if they do not comply reasonably soon, then Favre will take the next step and officially unretire, which will force the team to either release him, trade him, or keep him. Favre has apparently asked to be released because he wants the flexibility to choose where to go, and has said that he does not want to be traded for that reason.
Unfortunately, some of the commentary is starting to turn negative. Instead of taking responsibility for the fact that he made a decision he is regretting, he is placing at least some of the blame on the Packers, who he is saying pressured him into a decision.
Emotions run high on this. We Packer fans love Brett and all he has done for the Packers. There is nobody I know who wants to see Favre play for any other team. Ever.
But let’s all take a deep breath and think about the situation, and what this all means. There are a number of things we Packers fans need to consider with reason, and not emotion:
1) Favre is the one who ultimately decided to retire. He’s a grown man. He should not be blaming the organization for desiring a quick decision. He has all year to weigh this decision. It is entirely reasonable for McCarthy and Thompson to want to know as quickly as possible what his plans are, so they can prepare for the draft and next season knowing who their QB is going to be, and how many holes need to be filled.
2) Let’s give credit where due. Favre had a wonderful year. But the team built around him has been the work of Thompson and McCarthy. I believe much of Favre’s success last year can be attributed to McCarthy. That takes nothing away from Favre – he still has to execute it. I guess what I’m saying is, Thompson and McCarthy will not be grinding an axe of any sort with their ultimate decision. They will be doing what they feel is best for this team for both the short and long term.
3) There is a real issue with Favre disrupting things right now. The Packers spent two draft choices on quarterbacks. They have likely spent a great deal of time adjusting the offense to accommodate Rodgers’ strengths. The psyche of the team has been such that they have been preparing for Rodgers to be the starter. It simply seems unreasonable to bring Favre back to the team. I say this as a person who very much wanted Favre to return and was sad that he retired. But once he retired, it completely changed the equation.
4) Let’s not forget about the importance of the future situation with Rodgers. The Packers really need to know whether or not he is worthy of consideration as the long-term starter. Taking this year from Rodgers not only hurts him, but it potentially hurts the long-term prospect of the team. This was true before Favre retired, but even more true now. If he continually feels like he is being jerked around, it presents a major problem for him not only from a preparation standpoint, but also from the standpoint of his desire to even play in Green Bay.
5) Trade possibilities: I think most of us need to come to grips with the fact that a trade is entirely possible, and it is probably the right business decision to make if Favre decides to press the issue. But how will Packers fans feel about a trade to Minnesota or Chicago? Many will emotionally overreact to this, should it happen. In fact, I agree, in principle, that this would be a horrible thing to do. However, suppose one of those teams makes an unreasonably ridiculous offer, such as two first-round draft choices? As much as I’d hate to see Favre in a Bears uniform, sign me up for the squad of people laughing at Chicago or Minnesota for thinking Favre is worthy of two first-rounders. This is entirely conjecture, and I don’t know where the tipping point is, but all I’m saying is let’s look at the actual deal before knee-jerk lambasting Thompson for such a move.
6) If the Packers determined that it was too big a risk to release Favre, they could actually absorb his cap number, as high as it is, and make him the backup. Favre would probably raise a stink with this and it may be too large a distraction, but they could do it. And quite honestly, it might be the right thing to do. Suppose Rodgers sucks? Suppose he gets injured? Suppose the only logical destination in Free Agency is Chicago or Minnesota? Why just release him? It may not be the wisest move on an economical basis, but weighing everything involved, it may be the best thing, particularly if they can get Favre to agree to be a team player about it.
7) If there is an outright release, fans just need to realize that Thompson and McCarthy assessed the situation and made the difficult decision that it was time to move forward, and eliminate all potential distractions. This will be difficult to accept, but it must be accepted. These guys are not relishing this situation.
This is a situation where there is no perfect resolution, given the condition that Favre actually is adamant that he wants to return. There just isn’t. And, as much as it pains me to say it, this is Favre’s doing. We love him, but this has really brought him down a notch on the endearment meter. In my opinion, Favre should take the year off no matter what he’s feeling, but stay in shape. Let the Packers know that, should Rodgers get injured, he is available. But leave it at that. Stay out of the way.
This has become a mess. It is very unfortunate.
UPDATE 1: The Green Bay Packers, and in particular Ted Thompson (GM) and Mike McCarthy (Head Coach), have understandably been somewhat muted in their response to all of this hullabaloo. However, they did release this statement, where they not only say that they will not release Favre, but that they welcome him back to the club in a different role. This is a gutsy call by the Packers brass, and they had to know that it would evoke strong emotion from many of the Packers faithful. Again, I call upon thinking and reasonable people to understand that this is complicated, and as much as many want to make it sound like a simple “who gives us the best chance to win now?” issue, it really is not as simple as that.
UPDATE 2: People, you are not taking my advice. Let’s let this play out. This story demonstrates to me that about 100 people simply have nothing better to do with their time, which is not a positive statement about their lives. But it’s nothing new. Overly emotional fans always seem to think that they really know what’s in the best interest of the team more than the coaches and GM. But I think history shows that the most successful teams are those willing to make tough decisions and not necessarily popular ones.
Don’t get me wrong, it may sound as if I’m calling for them to cut ties with Favre. I’m neither doing that nor am I clamoring for him to stay. All I’m saying is that they are in the best position to assess things. I can guarantee that 95% of these protestors had major issues with Thompson last year for not going out and getting a Running Back and/or Wide Receiver. I absolutely guarantee it. By the end of the year, we had an impact 1000 yard back and the deepest set of receivers in the league, and we were an overtime away from the Super Bowl.
Stop with the protesting already. We don’t even know what’s all really going on. You just look like idiots.
