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Sources: Favre flip-flopped before draft

by Jay Glazer

Jay Glazer is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com on MSN and also appears every week on FOX NFL Sunday as the network's NFL Insider.

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Updated: July 12, 2008, 2:27 PM EDT
It seems that Brett Favre isn't getting his way in Green Bay anymore.

In the latest chapter of Favre's retirement/comeback saga, the Green Bay Packers legend asked the team for his unconditional release on Friday, but FOXSports.com has learned that the organization has no intention of granting that request. If anything, sources say, the team would be prepared to welcome Favre back as a backup to quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Head coach Mike McCarthy and GM Ted Thompson addressed the issue publicly on Saturday.

"We've communicated (our position) to Brett, that we have since moved forward," Thompson said. "At the same time, we've never said that there couldn't be some role that he might play here. But I would understand his point that he would want to play."

When asked by The Associated Press whether that role might be as a backup or coach, Thompson said: "not a coach."

Added McCarthy: "He did ask about that, though."

Why the hard line from the Packers? Because this is not the first time Favre has waffled on the issue, and the last time he did, the quarterback's uncertainty threw the Packers' draft preparation into turmoil. Here's how it went down:

  • Back in late March during the NFL owners meeting, Favre informed the Packers that he wanted to play again, multiple sources have told FOXSports.com. Not only did he insist he was returning, both McCarthy and Thompson agreed that Favre still had something left to offer and they would welcome him back. Despite the fact that those close to Favre have stated Thompson did not want Favre back, Thompson's was the deciding vote in agreeing it was not too late to have him un-retire at that time and start for the Packers in 2008.

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  • In fact, team brass went as far as chartering a jet to fly to Mississippi to make it official later that week. The agreement was that the NFL's all-time leading passer would return for the year but would play an active role in making the situation easier on Rodgers, who would now be pushed back an extra year before taking over.

  • The group was set for this huge move when Favre suddenly phoned the team two days before the meeting was to take place and informed McCarthy that he had changed his mind yet again and was staying retired.

  • While team officials were stunned by Favre's reversal, they made the decision to move on and draft his replacement, a move that Favre indicated he understood at the time. The Packers selected two quarterbacks in April's draft, Louisville's Brian Brohm in the second round and LSU's Matt Flynn in the seventh round.

    Then, a few weeks ago, Favre phoned the team stating he had that "itch" again to play. However, since he had jilted the Packers in March, the team simply took his latest request with a grain of salt. In addition, the team has put considerable time and attention into making Rodgers comfortable as the heir apparent.

    Rodgers has worked as the team's starter for the last five months and Green Bay has been operating under that assumption since Favre announced his retirement in early March. Favre reaffirmed his decision to retire at the end of March.

    "Quite frankly, it's a little gut-wrenching as an organization to go through it, and certainly for Mike and myself," Thompson said. "This stuff hurts a lot of people. I mean, it hurts. I'm not talking about physically hurting, but the sensitivity. We understand where the fans are coming from. This is a hot-button issue that surpasses anything I've ever gone through."

    Green Bay would likely trade Favre before releasing him, sources indicate. The team has the cap space to take on Favre's huge salary, but it would rather deal him than give him up for nothing, if those were the two options. Thompson said he had not received any inquiries as of Saturday morning.

    The bottom line at this point is that we are far from the end of this drama.

    Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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    The Packers are currently the only non-profit, community-owned major league professional sports team in the United States.Who is Thompson, in charge of taking care ot the team, but actually he is working for Chicago and doing his best to screw the team over, and needs to get rid of Favre because he has been screwing up his plans by winning, thay are not moving on the 2008 outlook is 7-9 but he wants to make sure brett doesn't move on with 49ers as they are offering a 3rd round pick for trade and also don't have any games with GB this year. But TT knows he will be succesfull there too and needs Brett out of the picture to earn his Chicago bears paycheck

    skilkraxskilkrax
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    End the childish games Ted, Free Brett Now !!

    Determination111Determination111
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    brewerfanforlife.....the stupidity comes from Farve sitting on his brain. However you are sooooo right about it being a business.

    FRANKIE_STEINFRANKIE_STEIN
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    Mom's isn't that sort of like which came first the chicken or the egg? That is some good stuff there. Good to see good humor and both sides of the story at one time. Keep up the good work.

    FRANKIE_STEINFRANKIE_STEIN
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    Message to Green Bay Management:<br /><br />?Every day you hold back Brett from playing the game by not releasing him; you are saving him from tarnishing the organizations image and losing your fan base?.<br /><br />Wake up already, do what?s right and make him stick to his contract he signed and think about the team of 80 other players . I'm sure you remember the seventeen Not So Hall of Fame years he gave you don?t you ? <br /><br />Because we the fans do appreciate your sticking to your guns so to speak towards Brett and I am sure this will be fondly remembered. Thanks Packers Franchise<br /><br />Sit Favre on the Bench Now !!!

    Moms_MableyMoms_Mabley
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    Message to Green Bay Management:<br /><br />?Every day you hold back Brett from playing the game by not releasing him; you are tarnishing the organizations image and losing your fan base?.<br /><br />Wake up already, do what?s right and release the man. You do remember the seventeen Hall of Fame years he gave you don?t you ?<br /><br />Because we the fans do and you INACTION towards Brett will not be fondly remembered.<br /><br />Free Favre Now !!!

    Determination111Determination111
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    First...what does disabled seating have to do with Favre's stupidity?<br /><br />Second, the team busisness is just that...business. Favre has a contract, and that needs to be honored. Changing your mind about retirement does not void the contract, just your mind. The team wants him to honor what he promised--to be with the team for the time that was agreed upon. That's it. Just because he feels now that no one there likes him does not change the fact that he made a decision, all by himself, and you can't go back on your word. <br /><br />No one wants someone whose heart and body are not fully in the game to lead their team. Self admitted, Favre is gone from football. Let him it go already, sit on the bench, collect your money, help the team as long as you can, and bow out gracefully. End of story!

    brewerfanforlifebrewerfanforlife
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    It's not like the Packers Admin don't already think they're gods...<br /><br />Y'all ought to see what we need to go thru to get Disabled Seating tickets for games... Abled bodied families can bring their kids (more then 2 tickets) but if you're have to sit in Disabled seating sections, you can only buy 2 tickets!!! The Packers management do what they want when they want and give a care less if it's right or not. Someone should go under cover and try to buy 3 (yeah 3) tickets for a regular season game and see what rubbish you get. They're kooks and ignore what's right (like giving a release to a player that hasn't chance to start) as well as ignoring simple laws that further segregate disabled fans by having a TWO TICKET DISABLED SEATING ONLY POLICY!!!<br /><br />Who do I take, my wife, my attendant (if I needed one), or my son??? And, we can buy Disabled tix over the phone like other stadiums, or fax like other stadiums. The Packers ticket office do VERY LITTLE to provide the same fairness as they would Able Bodied Packer fans!!!<br /><br />Maybe someone can remind them they're owned by a government entity and are to comply with rules set up to prevent this sort of discrimination... Or of course, lose ANY funding they get from the state or federal level i.e., Parking, Public Safety, EEO, etc. When we're done talking about Favre's deadlock, they could alert the press or ACLU about this crime as well. Somebody needs to make things right for the Disabled fans that love football and love the GB Packers!

    BearsNeedOffenseBearsNeedOffense
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    Why would anyone is sports do an Interview with Gretta Van..Whatever?Who is she? (Realting to Sports) !!! Did you feel safe Brett? Why didnt you just do an Interview with Rachel ray, or Go on MTV's TRL! Better Yet how 'bout Martha Stewart! Nice Job! Dude! Hopefully "YOU" have not divided the Packers Locker room!

    SDRegionSDRegion
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    I am no Rocket Scientist. However I was smart enough to hear a couple of little white lies Farve told in his interview. Obviously there are 2 sides to every story. However it seems as though he was using the Roger Clemons techinique and forgot what he had said. Pushed into retirement my big ole B U T T. He has repetedly done this act on comong back each year over and over and over. The fans are tired of it now. So before you side with the interview....stop and realize there are 2 sides to every story. I am sure both sides bend the truth to make it agree with their way of thinking. Remember Farves past as him returning each year. Above all look at his lips.....if they are moving then he is probably lying.

    Homers_HangoutHomers_Hangout
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    Let Farve do or go or whatever. This is a free world after all. However he did sign a contract and should be a man about it. I'm sure both sides have given and taken. The real problem is the other 80 players having to be a part of this side show. His infringing on them and distracting from their lives is a problem. Farve is self centered and is thinking only of himself in this incedent. So stop the whinning and either SHOW OR GO.

    CORN_HOLEOCORN_HOLEO
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    If you think favre is overated try looking at romo or brady. neither has never had to play with an average team or less. Farve gave up money to the packers several times so they had cap room if he wants to play let him play if not in GB somewhere else. The only other QB to have his results was marino and he played with less than avg teams in his career as well. GB does'nt want to let him go so when rogers goes down he can step right in and mike and ted look good !!!!!!!!!!!

    mtscopesmtscopes
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    Let's bring Favre back so he can throw another airball to the only receiver that was covered when the game is in overtime and all you have to do is score a field goal and your team is going to the superbowl. Favre's an idiot.

    tradtrad
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    Farve was all pissed off because the Packers didn't sign Randy (whineyassed) Moss. He pulled the shame cr.p last year when the Packers didn't go after the baby. Suck it up Smuck. Stay in Mississippi.

    tradtrad
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    snake11763...who y'all calling a jerk? there are 111,921 shareholders are YOU ONE? well I am JERK

    txpkrfantxpkrfan
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    Glazer: Who do you believe after the interview. Seems things have changed a bit doesn't it


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    favreboy: Did you hear the interview? Packer mgnt. forced a decision out of him by the end of March. At that time he was tired and thought he wanted to retire. REPEAT Packer mgmt forced his decision in March


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    Can any of you nonpackerfan morons tell me who was #2 in MVP voting last year. Especially 12 yo mr. intreception. A cowgirl fan for sure


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    Fire ted: add McCarthy to the mix.


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    Because he verbally informed the Packer management of his intent to retire back in January. Remember the farewell game he had? Both teams gathered around him> Favre had a tear in his eye! Ring any bells for ya?

    mac6621mac6621
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