Yardbarker: Brett Favre

Brett Favre triumphantly returns via Madden 09'

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:48:32 -0500

Brett Favre has rejoined the Packers. And believe it or not, amicably. It seems that the cheese heads in charge of the Packers weren't ready to turn the reigns of their team over to Aaron Rodgers quite yet. The NFL's most beloved record breaking quarterback is returning to Green Bay for another Super Bowl run after prematurely retiring after last season's play-off loss to the New York Giants.

ESPN Has Officially Run Out Of Stuff To Talk About In Regards To Brett Favre

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:23:08 -0500

You would think it would be hard for a 24-7 Sports Network to run out of stuff to talk about in regards to a subject, but it officially happened to ESPN this morning. First Take decided to dust off the ESPN Photoshop Department (located in the janitor's closet behind Studio D) and put them to work on what Favre would look like in other team's uniforms. Who cares if blogs did this three weeks ago, or that FOX Sports did it as well (complete with taped on heads), the world needs ESPN's take!

Here is their rendition....

Not a bad job actually. It looks like they took some time and didn't mess around....oh wait....spoke to soon....

Ugh. About the only thing that came from this that I can approve of is Favre in an Arena League jersey and Stephen A. Smith slowly losing his mind on set. That guy cannot stand this story AT ALL.

Top this NFL Live! Bet you can't.

ESPN Has Officially Run Out Of Stuff To Talk About In Regards To Brett Favre

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:23:08 -0500

ESPN's "Favre Fest 2008" Might Be In Jeopardy

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:23:07 -0500

YES! More Brett Favre news!!! Actually this tidbit is somewhat interesting if you consider that one of the main reasons ESPN picked the Vikings at Packers for its MNF opener was because of the impending Favre ceremony. ESPN's move of its entire core of NFL reporters and personalities to Green Bay this September could be in jeopardy because the Packers might be calling the whole thing off.

PFT caught part of a press conference with President Mark Murphy and the current plan of a retirement ceremony has been put on hold....

Packers president Mark Murphy announced moments ago at a press conference held in conjunction with the team's annual shareholders meeting that plans to retire Brett Favre's jersey are now on hold.

Earlier this year, the team had announced that Favre's No. 4 would be retired on the first game of the regular season, on the evening of September 8 against the Vikings.

This development could mean several things. Maybe the Packers now think Favre will be playing for them on September 8. Or maybe he'll be playing elsewhere, and they now want to wait for him to finish his career. Or maybe he'll be wearing a white-and-purple jersey during said September 8 game.

Very interesting. This thing has turned into the biggest pissing match ever, but it's still making me laugh occasionally. This is also pretty damning to ESPN whose stable of "Favre Lovers" are going to be left out in the cold. Well let's be honest, they probably would have sent that many to Lambeau anyway, but they just wouldn't have the retirement angle to play with anymore.

Plans To Retire Favre's Jersey On Hold (Pro Football Talk)

ESPN's "Favre Fest 2008" Might Be In Jeopardy

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:23:07 -0500

Packers president Mark Murphy announced moments ago at a press conference held in conjunction with the team's annual shareholders meeting that plans to retire Brett Favre's jersey are now on hold.

Earlier this year, the team had announced that Favre's No. 4 would be retired on the first game of the regular season, on the evening of September 8 against the Vikings.

This development could mean several things. Maybe the Packers now think Favre will be playing for them on September 8. Or maybe he'll be playing elsewhere, and they now want to wait for him to finish his career. Or maybe he'll be wearing a white-and-purple jersey during said September 8 game.

Top 10 Fantasy QB Preview - Photo Gallery

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:17:50 -0500

Who are the top-10 fantasy quarterbacks? Fantasy writer Roger Rotter reveals his list, along with a possible wild card contender that could unretire and join the list.

Grant Threatens Holdout

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:12:17 -0500

As the offseason progresses for the Packers, someone other than Brett Favre gets involved in the news. Sensational running back Ryan Grant, a one-year wonder so far, is threatening to holdout of training camp if he does not receive a new long-term deal. According to Grant's agent, Alan Herman, Grant deserves this: "You would think that it would not be that difficult to get done," Herman said. "I think we're trying to do that. Overall, the majority of the money we're willing to put into performance-based pay. The better he does, the more money he makes. It's a no-brainer. "Ryan's done everything to be professional about this. You see other people around the league not showing up (for off-season workouts). Ryan didn't have to show up, but he did." I think Grant does deserve a longer contract than the one-year, $370,000 contract he was offered, as he basically made the season last year, but he was inconsistent. I'm not sure what kind of money he wants, but he has to realize that the Packers are basically under an all out assault right now. The team needs to sign five more draft picks before training camp opens Sunday while the media is scrutinizing their every move in the Favre saga. Having Grant in camp and on the team would make the transition to Aaron Rodgers much, much easier. Brandon Jackson is lurking, but Grant is the man in Green Bay, and he needs to be in camp.

Grant Threatens Holdout

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:12:17 -0500

Bucs Talk Favre

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:02:16 -0500

Does Simms really have to try this hard. For more visit www.thesportsrotation.squarespace.com

Packers talking deal with Bucs for Brett Favre?

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:50:56 -0500

A person with direct knowledge of Goodell's interest said the commissioner has spoken with Packers management several times recently as tensions mounted between the three-time MVP and his team. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks. ESPN.com first reported Goodell's interest in the Favre predicament, indicating that Goodell encouraged Packers general manager Ted Thompson to survey teams around the league to try to find a trade partner in hopes of resolving it quickly. With the Packers committed to moving forward with Aaron Rodgers as their starter and Favre apparently still intent on reversing his decision to retire in March -- although there have been no reports that Favre has formally petitioned Goodell for reinstatement -- the best outcome for both parties could be a trade. And Tampa Bay is emerging as perhaps the most likely destination for Favre, although it is unclear whether Favre would be willing to play for the Buccaneers. NFL.com reported Tuesday that the Packers had spoken to several teams to gauge their interest in a trade for Favre. Tampa Bay officials have publicly downplayed interest in trading for Favre, but Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms told the St. Petersburg Times that Bucs general manager Bruce Allen asked him about Favre last week. "He asked if I felt Brett would be able to come back and be good here if he didn't have a lot of reps in training camp," Simms said, according to the paper. "I said I thought he would but there would have to be some compromise with coach (Jon) Gruden. He'll just want the play called and to drop back and throw it in there. But it's something we talked about." Gruden was a Packers assistant coach from 1992-94 and runs a version of the West Coast offense Favre would be familiar with. The Packers play the Buccaneers Sept. 28 in Tampa. Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said he "can't imagine" seeing Favre anywhere other than Green Bay, but isn't surprised that he wants to play again. "He loves football, and I think he kind of made the decision when the season was over," Urlacher said. "He was tired, he probably was worn down, like he said and he made a decision that he didn't want to stick with. But he's Brett Favre, he can do whatever he wants. I don't know what's going to happen, but I would like to see him playing somewhere next year." But Urlacher said Chicago wasn't a likely destination for Favre.

AARON RODGERS IS NOT GOING TO SUCK

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:50:33 -0500

by Andrew, The Grand National Championships

I'm not here to make the claim that Favre in 2007 would bring a downgrade to Rodgers in 2008. The asshole was awesome. But you know what? It was a lot more supporting cast aided then everybody's saying and the folks at Bring Back Brett Favre are nothing more than terrorists.

Polite, well-meaning, unorganized terrorists. But by the loosest sense of the word? They are.

ANYWAY, Aaron Rodgers. Sure, he's got a Mark Prior affinity to get himself hurt. But if he plays 16 games, the Packers will make the playoffs, and Rodgers will pull a 3700-30-10 season of yards/scores/picks.

I'm crazy right? Too much allergy medication for your old pal? Nah. There's logic to the ossified nightmare of Brett Favre. The Packers aren't going to miss him.

Reason #1 Ruvell Martin.

This guy's a 6'4" deep threat. He caught 80% of the looks that came his way in the Red Zone last season. He caught 70% of his looks on third down. And you know what? He's currently 5th on the Depth Chart.

Yeah, Ruvell is what those in the Roto world would call an opportunity based sleeper. See, Greg Jennings is the big-play guy. Donald Driver is the posession guy/mentor. James Jones is the guy who's on the Greg Jennings career track. And Jordy Nelson's a tall dude with elite hands and lateral quickness. Three big names get hurt and the Packers still aren't bereft of targets.

What does this mean? This means Babe Mother Falcon Laufenberg can rise up from his insurance desk, take snaps for the Packers, and still throw for a 51% completion rating. And Ryan Grant and Donald Lee aren't receiving chopped liver either.

Reason #2: The System

The system was not about gunslinging and just having fun out there. The system was built upon slants and receivers who could take it from there. What does this mean?

This means a talented offensive line had to hold their blocks for a shorter time. This means you won't have to roll up on a third and eighteen and throw it up for grabs. This means you can have Korey Hall or Donald Lee in for maximal protection. And you know what else?

The Packers running game just might not be an aberration either. Look at it this way, people. Spergeon Wynn could handle his shit with the other ten players that the Packers have.

Will the Packers not win the division? Maybe. Will they miss the playoffs? It's possible. If Aaron gets hurt, a 1st place schedule plus two cornerbacks who are becoming elderly could equal 8-8.

But hear me now, and let me be foolish if I am wrong.

If Aaron Rodgers stays healthy, he will be a good professional quarterback for the Packers in 2008. Let Favre rot.

AARON RODGERS IS NOT GOING TO SUCK

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:50:33 -0500

MSM's Erroneous Reporting

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:14:54 -0500

On Tuesday we cited a Milwaukee Sentinel-Journal report that Brett Favre had used his "Packers issued" cell phone to communicate (illegally) with the Minnesota Viking staff. Well shame on us for assuming the Sentinel-Journal was a legitimate source. Today, ESPN is reporting "Packers didn't give Favre team-issued cell phone" according to sources of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. We'd expect this kind of irresponsible reporting from "full of sh*t" bloggers, not from genuine newsman.

Antoine Winfield - Please Shut Up

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:11:40 -0500

Most Viking veterans are saying the right things about the Brett Favre speculation…and then there's Antoine Winfield, who has officially endorsed the idea of the Purple adding old number 4, and essentially thrown Tarvaris Jackson under the bus at the same time. Said Antoine: I think [getting Favre] would be a great move for us, but I don't know if Green Bay would trade him to a division rival. Favre is still a great player. That's what you want to do in this league is add as many great players as you can. I think Tarvaris will do a great job for us if it doesn't happen. He tried softening the blow with that last sentence but I'm not falling for it. Antoine held himself out of voluntary activities before last season precisely because he didn't think Tarvaris Jackson could get the job done…because he thought the team wasn't taking enough of a win-now approach, which would've meant signing a more experienced QB (like Jeff Garcia). Winfield has been quiet this off-season, but you had to believe he still wasn't 100% sold on Tarvaris. And now we know he isn't. Otherwise he wouldn't have been so up-front about his hard-on for Favre. Let me clarify…I'm not ripping Winfield for wanting Favre. I'm sure all the veterans on the team, in their heart of hearts, would prefer to have #4 taking the snaps when the season opens in Lambeau. But most of the veterans understand that this is unrealistic…that Tarvaris Jackson is going to be the QB, and it thus behooves them to endorse Tarvaris publicly and help his confidence. Only Antoine doesn't seem to get this, and that's why I'm ripping him. He thinks he's being refreshingly honest…but he's actually being selfish and counter-productive. I really wish someone would take him aside and explain what it means to be a team player.

Antoine Winfield - Please Shut Up

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:11:40 -0500