It's All About Brett - Tuesday, July 15, 2008
217 Views :: 0 Comments :: :: Michael Bradley

   He sobbed in January. He turned down a visit in March. He said "No" in June. Brett Favre has been given plenty of chances to come back and play for the Green Bay Packers. Every time, he has declined. The "itch" wasn't substantial enough. Calamine lotion could handle it; football wasn't necessary to satisfy it.

   Now, Favre can't believe the Packers have moved on. Can't believe they're not bowing down before him, ready to ruin their salary structure by throwing $12 million at him in July. Doesn't understand why after spending three months building a team around Aaron Rodgers, he can't just decide he wants to play and then magically run out of the tunnel, ready to throw snowballs and captivate broadcasters all over again.

   Favre had his chance to do things his way. If he had told GM Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy in March that he wanted to play, he would have been the starter, no questions asked. If, in June, he had given the thumbs-up, there probably wouldn't have been any problem, either, unless you count the anger Rodgers would have felt. Too bad, young buck, the guy's a legend. But now? Brett Favre feels the itch now, with training camp a week away? Sorry, but that behavior doesn't warrant special treatment.

   Bringing Favre back may work in the short term, but as Joe Theismann said yesterday, he could well be the biggest "cancer" ever in a locker room, given the bonding the Pack has done since his "retirement." Forget about Rodgers in the long term. He'll be gone as soon as his contract is up in '09. Favre wants to play football, but the Packers don't want him now, and you can't blame him. Further, you can't blame them for not granting him his outright release. You know he'd head right for Minnesota or Chicago, two of the Packers' biggest rivals. Talk about a P.R. nightmare. That's not going to happen, either.

   The Packers will probably give Favre a limited release, prohibiting him from signing with a direct rival. Is that what Favre wants, to play for Tampa Bay, the Jets or Miami? This isn't quite Joe Namath in a Rams uniform or Johnny U's playing for the Chargers, but it would be a sour end to a great career. Favre has to understand the Packers gave  him the chance to set his terms, and he declined. Now, they're in charge. No amount of complaining can fix that.

   Favre should stay retired. If he's about the team, as he has always maintained, he would serve it best right now by bowing out. He had his chances to come back and turned them down. He chose poorly and must now pay the price.

   Or play for the Dolphins. Neither scenario is all that palatable, but that's what happens when you're out for yourself. Sometimes, you get burned.