GarageGabs

Well, I haven’t posted in quite some time, but I had a very dear friend request my opinion on the whole Brett Favre situation.  I’m not going to sit here and tell you that I’ve followed this all too closely.  Quite frankly, I grew tired of the whole thing….several years ago.

See, as most people know, this isn’t Favre’s first time pulling this sort of stunt.  More than once he’s left the Packers in limbo as to whether he would return or not.  He’d mull around for half the summer and finally make a decision at the last moment.  I always had a problem with that.  Never really rung as a “team” player to me.  I mean, let’s be real….running an NFL franchise takes an immense amount of planning.  Probably one of the more important places to start is with your quarterback.  If you aren’t solid on him returning for an upcoming season, well, life is in limbo.

Also, Favre is the same guy that criticized Javon Walker for holding out a couple years back. Favre publically stated that Walker was hurting the team and needed to report to camp.  Something along the lines of “take whatever they’ll give you and just play”.  Commenting on a teammates contract situation (especially when you come out against the player) is a BIG NO NO.  Yeah, these guys get paid millions to play a game but the NFL presents one of the more unstable job atmospheres possible.  I don’t even know why they’re called contracts, because players can get cut anytime.  Also, how often to you hear ownership speaking out against ownership?  Never.  Players should stick together, or at worst, keep their mouths shut in regard to such situations.  Obviously, the idea of “if you can’t say nothing nice, don’t say nothing at all” was beyond Favre.  Brett was the LAST PERSON that should have commented on Walker’s situation.  JERK.

Anyway, back to the present.  I got wind of this deal when it all started.  ESPN big-timers started reporting that Favre was having “second thoughts” about his retirement.  Of course, Brett sat back and said nothing.  Packers brass said the rumors were untrue.  I could be wrong, but seems like Favre even came out and said it wasn’t true.  Next thing ya know, it was true.  Favre definitely had the itch to return to the football field.  Why did he take so long to confirm the rumors?

Problem was, the Packers had already planned to move on without Favre.  They’ve been grooming 1st round pick Aaron Rodgers to take over the team in 2008.  Remember, it was Favre who cried at a press conference while announcing his retirement.  Favre got dirty and said that the Packers somehow had him retire.  Rodgers played it perfectly, not saying a word.

One thing led to another.  Packers brass said, sure you can come back, but most likely in a backup role.  Favre stated that he didn’t want to be a backup.  He wanted the Packers to move him or release him.  Apparently the Packers offered him 30 million dollars to just quit.  They then agreed to move him to another team, which hasn’t happened.  Now, he’s been reinstated by the NFL and is gonna show up to Packers camp.  Honestly, I believe the Packers are dragging their feet to keep Favre out of an NFL camp, thus, keeping him from getting any sort of head start on the upcoming season.

What a HUGE mess.

My opinion?  Favre is the biggest cry-baby on the planet.  I get it that he wants to play.  But dude, seriously, make up your mind.  Imagine if year after year you threatened your boss that you were gonna quit.  Then, finally, one year they had a big going away party for you, complete with cake & ice cream, all your co-workers wished you off, and your replacement (an up and coming college graduate) stepped in to take over your duties.  After a couple months, you call up the office and say…”Hi, can I have my job back?”

Brett Favre Retires

How is your boss supposed to take that?  Brett Favre being Brett Favre obviously makes things somewhat difficult.  I mean, he is one of the more storied (and overrated) quarterbacks in NFL history.  Favre owns tons of NFL passing records, (including most interceptions) and is a shoe in for the Hall of Fame….whenever his time comes up.  Green Bay is scared to let the guy go.  Be it fear of ruining his legacy or fear that he’ll come back to beat them in 2008….they’re scared.

My advice?  Let the dude hit the road.  Send him to Kansas City or the Jets where he can have a mediocre season and more than likely miss the playoffs.  Keep in mind that last season was an abnormality on the radar for Favre.  His 28 TD’s and 15 Interceptions were well above the pace he was setting his previous two seasons (38 TD, 47 INT).  Favre isn’t gonna join some other team and blow up.  He’s going to struggle.  He’s going to get sacked.  Hell, he’ll probably get hurt.

Anyway, now, when you think of Brett Favre, you’ll think of this.  Gone will be his all or nothing playing style.  People will just remember him crying and then un-retiring, and then making a big deal out of it.  Maybe he’ll be remembered for leading the Chiefs (or some other run of the mill team) to a 6-10 record in his final season.  Maybe he’ll start for Green Bay?  Who knows.  Either way, it’s a big mess, he created it, and his team is paying for it.  For all the flack guys like Terrell Owens catch for being “distractions” Brett Favre tops them ALL.  Favre has thrown any idea of team player out the door in favor for selfishness and “I’m Brett Favre, let me play” attitude.  I’ve never been a big fan of the guy, always felt he was overrated, (1 Super Bowl Ring with all those great Packer teams) and at times, I’ve thought his gunslinger mentality hurt the team more than helping it.

Brett Favre wants to come back.  WHO CARES.  The guy was hyped too much when he played, and now we continually hear about him when he’s not.

*UPDATE*

As you know, Favre is now a Jet.

At present, he’s been a bit better than mediocre, leading the Jets to a 4-3 record with 15 TD’s and 11 INT’s….of course, he threw 6 of those TD’s in 1 game, but still….he’s playing pretty well.  It’ll be interesting to see if he can get the Jets in the playoffs.