Favre making a mistake by waiting
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Favre has said that he doesn't want to turn the Packers' training camp into a circus, but it would be his arrival and demand to be on the roster that could hasten his departure from Green Bay if he's serious about playing this season. His value and importance to another team lessens if he misses most of training camp because of the need for him to become acclimated with his new teammates and also learn a new playbook. Bus Cook, Favre's agent, said he has until the sixth week of the regular season to file reinstatement papers, which is true, but that time frame would turn off many prospective teams.
Also, by filing for his immediate reinstatement, that would be the signal to everyone in the NFL that Favre is 100 percent serious about playing this season. His commitment has been the biggest question mark with both Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy, and not demanding to be put on the roster when camp opens next week simply puts Favre in a vague arena.
The Green Bay situation is truly unique in that the franchise is community owned. Thompson and McCarthy basically have the power to dismiss Favre, something that probably wouldn't happen with the other 31 franchises that have owners. Can you imagine a powerful owner like Jerry Jones, Bob Kraft or Daniel Snyder not becoming involved and ultimately resolving such a situation with such a high-profile player? Mark Murphy has been on the job for less than five months as Green Bay's president and CEO, and he has completely deferred to Thompson on Favre.
Finally, there have been reports that Favre really wants to be able to pick his future team. Well, any NFC North rivals are off limits, but there is one very intriguing club where the head coach has a strong relationship with Favre. How about Andy Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles?
It wasn't that long ago when we were speculating that Donovan McNabb would be on the trading block this year and it never happened. Favre could give the Eagles a breath of fresh air — then Philadelphia could opt to trade McNabb to either Minnesota or Chicago, two clubs that have been forever mentioned when it comes to Favre. Also, replacing McNabb, who turns 32 in November, with the 38-year-old Favre would provide a more natural and (slightly, haha) less controversial bridge to the eventual starting QB in Philadelphia — second-year man Kevin Kolb.
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