Fox Sports is reporting that Favre phoned the Detroit Lions prior to their Sept. 14 game with the Packers (Favre was traded to the Jets on Aug. 17), and gave them complete details of Green Bays' offense. Fox is saying that Favre spent more than an hour on the phone with Lions coaches, trying to prepare them for the game. Fox is also saying that there are rumors that Favre has talked to other teams about the Packers. This of course is just fine with his former teammates.

"He contacted them? I don't respect that," Green Bay Charles cornerback Charles Woodson said after the Packers' victory over Indianapolis on Sunday. "If they call him and he gives them information, that's one thing. But to seek a team out and to feel like you're trying to sabotage this team, I don't respect that. I know he's been the greatest player around here for a long time, but there's no honor in that."

Oh, by the way, it was Packers 48, Lions 25. And St. Louis 34, Dallas 14. If Brett calls you, I'd advise letting it go to voicemail.

Is Favre Guilty Of Insider Trading? [Fox Sports]

Doubt we'll be able to find out an answer to Rodgers' retractable shnozz, but here are some other notable observations about his debut:

• "Rodgers epitomized steadiness. He rarely, if ever, got himself into trouble with high-risk throws. He took the check-down passes when necessary and even scrambled his way out of potential trouble spots." [Green Bay Press Gazette]

• "Rodgers found his footing in his quest to follow in Favre's cleat marks, the defense figured out a way to contain Vikings superback Adrian Peterson and the oft-questioned special teams delivered with a 76-yard Will Blackmon punt return for a touchdown in the Packers' 24-19 season-opening victory over the Vikings at Lambeau Field.The end result? An awfully nice beginning." [Wisconsin State Journal]

• "They just interviewed Aaron Rodgers. Damn, he looks just like Pinnochio. Unless something was distorted with the camera lens he has the biggest damn nose I've ever seen. My German Shepherd doesn't even have a nose like that." (Ed. note — Guess there's something to that emailt.) [Chicago Bear Report]

• "Rodgers didn't make a franchise or a Packers-obsessed city and state forget about Favre. But that was never the point. Trying to erase 16 years of Favre in green and gold would be like trying to sell Brian Urlacher jerseys in the Lambeau Field gift shops. " (Includes nose video.) [ESPN]

This year, the previews will be a little shorter, but will hopefully give us enough of a taste so that, come fall, we'll all be officially sick of previews.

If you'd like to volunteer to write one for this year, please email me at ajd@deadspin.com There are still some teams in desperate search of an author.

Today: The Favre-less Green Bay Packers. Your author is Paul Noonan.

Paul Noonan writes The Wisconsin Sports Bar, which covers "Wisconsin sports and features an interesting cross section of personalities." Hope so.

His words are after the jump.

Way back in 2005 Brett Favre threw 20 touchdowns and 29 interceptions, and people were calling for the old, washed up gunslinger to hang up his saddle, consarnit. Of course, he was throwing to guys named Rod Gardner, Andrae Thurman, and the immortal Robert “Turd” Ferguson, and handing the ball to Samkon Gado for 8 games. Donald Driver was around, but that was about it.

In 2006 they acquired the up-and-coming Greg Jennings, managed to sober up Koren Robinson for 4 games, and picked the underrated Ruvell Martin off the scrap heap while flushing Turd down the proverbial craphole, which, incidentally, drains into Minnesota. They also waved goodbye to Samkon while they went into full blown Bronco running back-by-committee mode with the almost-used-up Ahman Green, Vernand Morency, and Noah Herron. Favre rebounded to an even-Steven 18 TDs and 18 picks.

Interesting…

2007 rolled around, Greg Jennings turned out to be so good that he would visit crazy people in ESPN commercials while wearing a red blazer, Donald Driver was still here, people were drinking the James Jones Kool-Aid, and Ahman Green was sent down to the minors/Texans in favor of Giant cast-off Ryan Grant, whose 5.1 yards-per-carry average was the highest since the 2003 version of Ahman Green (Note: Najeh Davenport matched this number in 2004, but we all know that he was a #2 RB. So to speak.) Favre was fantastic, throwing for 28 TDs and only 15 picks.

Objectively speaking, you would be hard pressed to make the case that a 98-year-old Favre got better over the past 2 seasons. It would make much more sense to argue that Favre probably played better because of better talent around him. And while Brett is gone, that talent is still there. In fact, it might be even better.

While Aaron Rodgers may never be accepted by the Packer faithful with arms wide open, it should be easy for him to succeed as long as he’s somewhere around average. And doesn’t break his foot. Or pull his hammy. Again.

Health is probably the biggest concern with Rodgers, as he has suffered two significant injuries while having played in only one important game, last year against Dallas. This puts him on pace to break Brett Favre’s consecutive games streak sometime in the year 2055. However, if Rodgers can stay healthy, his accurate short passing game should mesh well with a corps of WRs who led the NFL in Yards After Catch in 2007.

Defensively, the combined age of the corners is almost larger than Favre’s, but while Al Harris is slipping (being eaten and shat out by Plaxico Burress on national TV will do that to someone) Charles Woodson is still strong. Aaron Rouse should be able to unseat the popular but penalty-prone Atari Bigby. In fact, if the secondary can clean up its act just a bit they may once again attain elite status. Last year, rough play in the defensive backfield brought out more yellow flags than Cedric Benson in a NASCAR race. Al Harris and Charles Woodson joined forces to commit 23 penalties, and the careless Jarrett Bush and head-hunting Atari Bigby made matters worse. However, while the aged corners may find it difficult to improve in this facet of the game, the young kids should become more disciplined, or be replaced over the course of the season.

The front seven still includes playmakers like Aaron Kampman, Cullen Jenkins, Nick Barnett, and A.J. Hawk, and should not slip much, if at all. Kampman, in particular, is a secondary’s best friend. Even though he saw his sack total decline slightly he still lived in the backfield and wreaked havoc on opponents’ passing attacks.

Ted Thompson has been building this team for the post-Favre era. Few will excuse him for ushering that era in a tad bit earlier than Favre would have liked, but you could not ask for much more as far as well-oiled machines go. You get the feeling that this one could almost drive itself. It’d better be able to, for Thompson’s sake.

"I understand it to some point if I put myself into a Favre fanatic’s shoes,” Rodgers said today, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “The things I can’t understand, the things I really take personally, is when I’m driving up to the (parking lot) gate and punching in my punch code and somebody says ‘F.U.’ to me. That kind of bothers me. Or when a little kid is yelling swear words at me. That kind of gets to me. The boos, they expect a high level of play and they miss Brett Favre. I understand that. But the ‘F.U.’ and the little kids saying swear words to me, I don’t understand that.”

But at least Rodgers is smart enough not to bottle it all up inside, so that it eventually affects his play.

What can you do?” Rodgers said. “Do people really feel better about themselves after they say stuff like that to me? It’s disappointing. I’m not too dumb, I’m not going to say anything back to them. It’s not my style, it’s against my religion.”

Oh.

Rodgers Doesn't Get Why Kids Cuss At Him [Pro Football Talk]
Rodgers Trying To Deal With Pro-Favre Crowd [Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel]

• Madden '09 Sim Suggests Favre Will Pay Huge Dividends For Jets. If Madden NFL 09 is considered to be an accurate predictor of the upcoming NFL season, the Jets probably made a good move in picking up Brett Favre. Immediately after the story broke that Favre was dealt, EA Sports released a simulation from the upcoming Madden NFL 09 that suggested Favre would lead the Jets to an 11-4-1 record next season and eventually bow out to Cleveland in the AFC wild card. As for the Favre-less Packers, they would miss the post-season at 9-7 with Aaron Rodgers (or perhaps Chad Pennington) at the helm. [uatgsports.com]

• Newsflash: Favre Officially Traded To The Jets. Oh. My. God. The fact that no announcement was made for tomorrow’s game about the starting QB was the last shoe dropping to me. I’d imagine that Kellen will be seeing a majority of time. As noted, this means goodbye for Pennington … his salary is his ticket out of town, and he’ll catch on somewhere else. I’m just stunned at this point … utterly stunned. [TheJetsBlog]

• Report: Favre Is A Jet. KILL ME NOW. [The Pewter Plank]

• Brett To The Jets. I don’t know what to say. I am speechless. I am without speech. I would have never thought in a million years that the Jets would pull this off. Give the organization credit, this team wants to win and they are going after it this year. Breaking the move down, here are some things to consider ... [The Cockpit]

• Our Long National Nightmare Is Over ... I Think. The arm of the Jets starting quarterback just aged 30 years. The body attached to it is different as well. Brett Favre has been traded to the Jets and not a minute too soon. ... The Packers organization's rep has taken a hit over the wishy-washy, indecisive, bitch way they handled this drama. Let's see how he deals with the New York press when they're constantly on his ass after his first six interception game. [Deuce Of Davenport]

• Overdraft Notice. To: Mr. Brett Favre, 1265 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay, WI 54304. From: Your friends at Credibility Bank. Dear Mr. Favre, We regret to inform you that your account with Credibility Bank has been overdrawn. As is our policy in all overdraft situations, your account is heretofore been closed. [My Official Green Bay Packers Blog]

• Bucs Stay Put At QB As Packers Move Favre To The Jets. In the end, the Bucs felt that the asking price for Favre, which is a conditional draft pick based on his play in 2008, was too high. The team ended up not even talking to the Packers on Wednesday according to reports, and in the end the Packers moved on and took the deal with the Jets to move Favre. [Buccaneers Gab]

• Needell: Favre-Jets A Bad Fit. (Posted July 25, 2008) Chris Mortensen is reporting the Jets have received permission to talk with Favre. There's just no chance that Jets coach Eric Mangini and GM Mike Tannenbaum have any interest in going there. Get real, people. Tangini does everything possible to avoid a circus-like atmosphere. Bringing in Favre is an invitation to ESPN setting up a second home in Hempstead this summer and at the team's new training facility in Florham Park come September. [NJ.com]

• Favre To The Jets! Asphalt Jungle, My Ass. The media explosion in New York will die out as the INTs pile up. That will lead to recrimination and a major distraction for the Jets, who have improved their offensive and defensive lines yet have holes elsewhere. With at least another year before they're ready to challenge the Patriots for the division, a one-year disappointment with #4 will set them back unnecessarily. Meanwhile, what's the over-under that unproven Packers QB Aaron Rodgers gets hurt or just sucks? By Week 3 Packers fans will be screaming for Favre to come back. [I Dislike Your Favorite Team]

• J-E-T-S BRETT, BRETT, BRETT. For any Brett Favre fans that want to jump on the Jets bandwagon we want to let you know that there are plenty of seats available. You can sit just about anywhere. [Jet Nation]

• The War On 4 Is Over; Let The Children Rejoice And Sing. So who won The War on 4? Personally, I subscribe to the Jeannette Rankin quote, "You can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake," and I certainly feel like we've all been losers in this highly annoying, offseason-dominating, joy-draining saga. [Shutdown Corner]

I'm kind of surprised there's no Madden card, although I admire the inclusion of "Schick Quattro, Brett's morning razor."

• Relationship to Favre: Shares a bathroom.

• Years in Love With Favre: Since puberty.

• Fav. Thing About Favre. Loves Favre because he never gets overworked. America loves whiskers on their golden child — and so does Schick Quattro. Plus, "quattro" in Spanish is "four." That's some serious symmetry.

Limited Edition Brett Favre Trading Cards [Joe Sports Fan]

The Tribune has learned Favre will not stand in the way of a trade from Green Bay to Tampa Bay and the deal is likely to be finalized within 24 hours. The chances of the trade unraveling are remote and Favre has indicated to the Bucs directly that he is willing to change teams after 16 years of growing his legend in Green Bay.

The Packers, unwilling to deal the 3-time league MVP to an NFC North rival, view the Bucs as a compromise in this ugly impasse. The Bucs view Favre as an upgrade on QB Jeff Garcia, who made the Pro Bowl in 2007 while leading Tampa Bay to an NFC South title.

Questions, questions. Who will be involved in the trade? Will it involve Jeff Garcia, who, after all, has the third-highest rating among active quarterbacks and made the Pro Bowl last season (replacing, ironically, Favre)? It was greatly due to Garcia's play — winning their division — that Gruden got a big contract extension. You know Garcia was sitting around a month ago muttering "Somehow I just know it's going to be me getting screwed here."

Anyway, welcome to the Matt Flynn Era in Green Bay.

UPDATE: Fox Sports says the Tampa Tribune story is untrue; and that it's really the Jets who are most in play. "Right now the Jets have a better deal on the table than the Buccaneers do,” Fox Sports' Jay Glazer said. “The deal the Jets are offering right now is so much sweeter than the deal the Buccaneers are offering.” But Glazer added that even though Favre is talking to the Jets, he so far simply hasn’t warmed up to the idea of playing for them.

Report: Favre On Verge Of Joining Bucs [Tampa Tribune]
Jets Make Best Offer; Are Favre's Last Choice [Pro Football Talk]

The two sides are expected to meet again in the morning as they try to work toward a solution palatable to both sides. However, one detail FOXSports.com gathered from the meeting was Favre's insistence that he did not want his presence to destroy the team's chemistry. In fact, Favre was adamant that he wanted to do what was in the best interest of the locker room and admitted this distraction was not what his teammates needed.

Another agreement from the meeting was that, despite reports to the contrary, there would not be an open quarterback competition as even Favre felt this would not be in the best interests of the locker room. Thus, Aaron Rodgers is the team's starting quarterback.

So could Favre be headed, finally, to the Vikings? I just can't picture anyone's bedroom with a Favre fathead in a Jets uniform.

UPDATE: Ah, just what we needed in this saga ... former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer.

Pack, Favre Moving Closer To The Edge [Fox Sports]

Meanwhile, the Packers had to cancel a press conference to introduce Favre back to the team, because he was still meeting with coach Mike McCarthy, with no indication that anything was decided. Well, this season has certainly gotten off to a smooth start.

Playing with the No. 1 offense, Rodgers completed just seven of 20 passes for 84 yards and ended his only crack at the two-minute drill by throwing an interception in the end zone on a ball that badly missed receiver Greg Jennings. A handful of plays before safety Aaron Rouse picked off Rodgers, some in the crowd began to boo.

“They’re booing all of us, probably me mostly,” Rodgers said. “So, yeah, I take it personally. But it’s not the first time, and it probably won’t be the last time.”

Except that it indeed might. Added to the fact that Favre may be "competing" with Rodgers for the starting spot beginning today, we have this:

Though Rodgers’ stats were hurt by several dropped passes, at one point he suffered through a stretch with nine straight incompletions. Six of those came against the second-string defense. What’s more, Rodgers never faced the Packers’ top cornerbacks because Al Harris and Charles Woodson were held out of the scrimmage.

By next week, Rodgers may not even be booworthy.

But at least Packers' fans are keeping sight of what's really important; like offering up their toddlers as targets for the Lambeau Leap.

Incomplete Reception [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
Rodgers: 'It's Going To Be A Dogfight' [Green Bay Press-Gazette]

This isn't the first time someone has added subtitles to this scene from the German film Downfall for parody goodness (see below). Best part: When Hitler asks all Jets, Buccaneers and Vikings fans to leave the room, and about three quarters of the general staff depart. I had no idea!

Here's a soccer version; a version in which Hitler has trouble with Windows Vista; someone stole Hitler's car; Hitler takes the Cowboys loss very hard; and of course my favorite, in which Hitler gets banned from World of Warcraft for botting.

Even Hitler Is Tired Of Brett Favre [Epic Carnival]

If this is the true ending of this saga, it's a bizarre one. The public animosity displayed between the Packers and Favre has seemingly dissipated (for now) and, instead, now both sides have reverted back into this brainwashed state of normalcy while Favre "competes" for the starting job. There are still rumblings that this is a just a standard course of action the Packers have to endure either until they can work out a deal with the Vikings or Aaron Rodgers gets run over by a milk truck. But now that Favre has done his hero's march back into Green Bay, can all of those fans who supported Favre— and who've supported the Packers organization in stonewalling Brett's comeback — be happy with a scenario that doesn't involve number 4 starting for them this year? Principles aside, Aaron Rodgers can deal with hurt feelings for another season (or two) but if the Packers organization hands Favre over to the Vikings just to save face it would be the worst decision they could make. Unless, of course, he goes over to Minnesota, gets hurt, misses time, and the Vikings miss the playoffs. That's a huge risk.

For now, though, it looks like Brett has won this showdown. Now all he has to win back his job and the cheese-stuffed hearts of the Packers fans who deserted him. That should be the easiest part.

Fans ignore storm to welcome Favre [Green Bay Press Gazette]
After so much summer heat, a much needed thaw in Green Bay [ESPN]

On Wednesday Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy met with Favre in Hattiesburg, Miss., and reportedly offered the quarterback $20 million over 10 years to go away and stay retired; an offer which Favre refused. This just blows me away; is there a precedent? $2 million a season not to play? Ryan Leaf will do that for $200!

Favre wants to play, and his best chance for getting a new team is to show up at training camp and force Thompson’s hand. Favre’s presence at practices surely will create a charged atmosphere with the iconic quarterback and his successor, Aaron Rodgers, on the same field, and a rapt and emotionally involved public attending the workouts.

Roger Goodell has not yet approved Favre's faxed request to be reinstated to the Packers, but that's expected today. I think it would be funny for Goodell to send him about five faxes — yes, your'e reinstated ... no, you're not ... yes, go ahead ... no, I changed my mind ... your rights have been sold to the Calgary Stampeders — just to mess with his head.

But Brett Favre, reporting to practice on Friday! I understand there may be pictures!

Packers Float $20 million Offer To Keep Favre Retired [Green Bay Press-Gazette]
Green Bay Has 2 Choices: Release Or Trade Favre [NBCSports]

Bedard speculates that this is a final attempt to prevent any more distractions from the Packers from moving on with the Aaron Rodgers era. The Green Bay Press-Gazette seems to imply that Favre is now in the position to get anything he wants.

So, maybe Favre heading to Minnesota isn't that far-fetched an idea any more? When Murphy meets with Favre's agent Bus Cook this morning, he'll try to attempt to broker some sort of deal that prevents Favre from showing up to training camp, but also gives them some options. However the way Favre's handled this thing so far, don't be surprised if his demands ultimately force Green Bay to release him and get nothing in return for him at all.

Murphy mum as he boards plane to Hattiesburg [Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel]
Murphy heads south, asking Favre to stay home [Green Bay Press-Gazette]

The speculation about Favre heading to Tampa moved aroundplenty this week, but it has all been disregarded. (Of course) But if Farmer is to be trusted — and there's no reason not to at this point — it appears if Favre is going anywhere, it's the Bucs. For now.

Guess the conversations Favre has had with Gruden were all made on a pay phone.

Sam Farmer [Dan Patrick Show]

Apparently, the phone Favre's been making his not-so-stealthy calls on was issued to him by the team. (Brett Favre is clearly not a "Packer Insider" subscriber.)

ESPN's Kevin Seifert is quick to point out that the records are not evidence of tampering, but it might be evidence enough for the NFL to pursue the charges. As already noted, if the Vikes are found guilty, they'll lose draft picks, get fined, and most definitely lose Favre. Well done.

Report: Packers' Have Favre's Phone Records [Minneapolis Star-Tribune]

What are Favre's chances of playing this season? Zero, if he doesn't come back and beg the Packers for one more year, according to Young.

"I've always likened retirement to falling off a cliff emotionally," Young told host Ralph Barbieri. "You're at the top of your field, and suddenly you're done. I was great at football, but I haven't been that great at anything since. And once that sinks in, that realization is really hard.

"So I understand the cliff Brett was facing. He was emotionally drained in February, but by April he wanted to come back, and I completely understand that."

But he also sees the Packers' position. They wanted to move forward — and by all accounts asked Favre twice if he wanted to come back — and when Favre said no both times, it was over.

"The Packers said that there has to be a point when you say you're done, and that's it," Young said. "They said, 'You've crossed the Maginot Line, you're done, and we have to move on.' That's the business. But the mistake they made is not telling everyone that at the time. Now both sides are telling different stories and it's a mess."

What would Young do if he were in Favre's shoes?

"He's not going to get traded, and he's not going to be released," Young said. "The Packers can't take the chance that he'd sign with the Vikings and come back and beat them twice. So Brett's in a tough spot. The Packers called his bluff, and he has few options. If he really wants to play, about the only thing he can do is go in and try and cut a deal with Green Bay. He could say 'Is there any way I can play one more year? I'll sign whatever you want to make it official; one more year and I'm done.' That way he can go out on his terms. It's about the only way."

Young didn't try to sign on with another team after the 49ers because, he said, it's harder for a quarterback to move in the twilight of his career than it is for a position player.

"I was talking to Jerry Rice about this recently," Young said. "Jerry can go to the Raiders because it's easier for a receiver. With a quarterback there are so many different factors; you kind of run the team, you're looking at the protection you're going to have; the situation has to be right. And I didn't want to end my career like Joe Namath in a Rams jersey (he could have said Joe Montana in a Chiefs jersey, but refrained). It was going to be the 49ers or nothing."

My wish for Young since his retirement has always been that he be allowed to go in and by the 49ers. But that seems even less likely than Favre in a Bears jersey.

Steve Young Pretty Sure He Remembers Bill Walsh [The Onion]
Young Deserves Better [ESPN]

The maze was developed by Carlene and Duane Schultz of Elva, Wis., and will open to the public on Sept. 1. Yes, they want you to stop by and give their maze a whirl. (Closed during winter). Be sure to also visit the Mark Chmura Hot Tub Adventure (children 15-under free), and the Paul Hornung kissing booth.

Favre Corn Maze [Yahoo]

Finally, Glazer peeled himself off the jiu-jitsu mat and comes through with this scoop — the Packers have filed tampering charges against the Vikings.

The allegation stems from Favre's supposed "inappropriate" dialogue with Vikings' offensive coordinator Darren Bevell, who's also Favre's buddy and a former Packers' coordinator, before this whole mess happened. There have been no confirmations from the league about this filing and the Vikings deny any wrongdoing.

If the Vikes are found guilty, they'll possibly lose draft picks and get slapped with fines — and probably back off their supposed pursuit of Brett Favre.

Sources: Packers Say Vikings Tampered With Favre [Fox Sports]
Packers File Tampering Charges Against Vikings [PFT]

He doesn't even need to step on the field to tarnish that legacy anymore. The Wisconsin State Journal printed the transcript from the second portion of Brett Favre's interview with Greta Van Susteren and Favre comes off like a man who's completely lost any and all human sensibility.

Some excerpts:

• "It's hard for me to trust this guy (Packs' GM Ted Thompson) when either I'm told one thing and everyone else is told another, or he's telling the public one thing and telling me another. ... That's part of the reason for (asking for) the release (from the Packers)."

• Favre also put his friend, offensive line coach James Campen, in a tough spot with the organization by saying his former teammate told him he could "force their hand" by applying for reinstatement and coming back to the team.

• When Van Susteren intimated during the aired portion of the interview that Aaron Rodgers, whom the Packers have backed publicly as their 2008 starting quarterback, probably won't stay healthy after suffering injuries the past two seasons, Favre replied, "I do feel bad for Aaron a little bit."

• Favre also acknowledged that he hasn't talked to Rodgers and that, "I never gave him advice, really."

"I know this has been tough on him," Favre said of Rodgers. "And this has nothing to do with him, this whole deal. If they want to make (me) a backup ... how does that protect my legacy if I'm a backup? If (they say), 'Brett, we'll welcome you back, we'll pay you $12 million, but you've got to hold the clipboard and ball cap?' That's probably better for them as opposed to letting me go somewhere and me coming back (with another team). Then their legacy, the management, would, you know, could be in jeopardy."

• "Ted (Thompson) and I, I thought, have always had a good relationship. We don't talk a whole lot, we don't go out and eat and shoot the bull. But on three different occasions ... I don't want to say (he) lied — I think that's kind of a harsh word — but I think 'untruth' or whatever is (a) better (word)."

He's a gunslinger...he's just a little kid having fun out there...he's a pretty special guy.

Favre Slams GM Thompson [Wisconsin State Journal]

Newt offered his opinion on how the Favre saga should play out on his website yesterday, imploring the Packers to keep Brett in Green Bay. Here's his long-winded, heartfelt plea. A "Contract With Favrerica", if you will:

A Plea From Two Packers Fans - Paul Lubbers is my son-in-law, but we share more than family ties. He's also a fellow shareholder in the Green Bay Packers. And as responsible shareholders, we – like many of those invested in the Green & Gold - feel compelled to speak out on the turmoil surrounding the return of Brett Favre to the NFL and whether or not he should wear Packer's uniform.

Should Favre have taken some time (like he did the past few years) to rest, recover and reclaim some perspective? Yes. Did he make a bad decision to retire? Also Yes. Should Ted Thompson and the Packers welcome him back to Packers family? Absolutely!!

For the last 16 years, football fans have all had the opportunity to watch Favre display his many gifts as a quarterback, breaking every NFL record, and leading the Packers to the playoffs 11 times during his tenure. His performance last year proved beyond a doubt that he can still play.

I understand that the Packers have made plans to build the offense around Aaron Rodgers, but plans are made to change. And in this case the Packers should adjust their plans quickly to bring back Favre. Can you imagine Favre as a Viking or even worse a Chicago Bear?

The fact is Brett Favre made a bad decision, kind of like when he throws one of his record-setting interceptions. Now it is the Packers turn to change their mind and put the ball back in Favre's hands, so that he can again throw some more record setting touchdowns wearing Packer Green & Gold.

Somebody should check John Ashcroft's Facebook page in the next couple days to see if he mentioned anything about Favre.

Do It All, Do It For America [HumanEvents]
Why Is Brett Favre Talking To This Woman? [Deadspin]

Van Susteren, via her personal "Greta Wire," made the announcement.

I just interviewed Brett Favre in Mississippi….he is, as you know, entangled in a dispute with the Green Bay Packer General Manager. Brett understands the GM decision..and he accepts it..(And yes he loves the Packer fans)…but now - since the Packer GM made plain he does not want him - he wants to be released by the Packers so that he can see if any other team wants him. I am rushing to the airport but you will see the interview tonight...

How Van Susteren landed this interview when there are plenty of other more sports-friendly outlets is a great question. Apparently, Van Susteren is a "family friend" and a Wisconsin native, according to Awful Announcing. Also, Brett's probably become a little annoyed with the way this story has been advanced, poked and prodded by every other sports media entity that he'd have a better time explaining his motivations for a return to a person who's not going bombard him with questions he doesn't feel like answering.

Brett Favre [Greta Wire]
Favre: Packers Should Let Me Play Elsewhere [AP]
Brett Favre Tells Greta Van Susteren He Wants Packers To Release Him [MDS' Fanhouse]

• What should Favre's role be with the Packers this season? 33 percent said he should start, almost 19 percent said he should be the backup, 14 percent player/coach and 34 percent said he should remain retired.
• Should the Packers trade Favre? 73% said 'no.'
• Would you feel betrayed if Brett won a Super Bowl with another team? 54% said 'yes.'

Somebody should really give Aaron Rodgers a call at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament to get his opinion. I'd be curious to hear his thoughts on this matter and then, after the call, watch how far he throws his cellphone. I bet it would be farther than Barkley's drive.

Green Bay-area Residents Polled On Favre Situation [MyFox N.E. Wisconsin]

This time it's not a text message. NFL Live's Chris Mortensen is reporting that Brett Favre has asked for his release from the Green Bay Packers. Apparently, the Packers really didn't want him darkening the Lambeau hallways anymore and are set to move ahead with Aaron Rodgers. If the Packers grant him his release, Favre will have the option to play with another team. All indications are that Favre still wants to play and will search for employment elsewhere.

It's an interesting quandary. Why wouldn't the Packers want him back? You have one more year with a proven (but old and erratic) quarterback or you spend next season possibly sacrificing a few games to let Aaron Rodgers hit his sea legs. Well, apparently, Favre will be another team's problem from here on out.

Let the massive speculation about where he'll land hit overdrive ...now.

Updates go here: ESPN, SI, Packers response.

The Packers Really Don't Want You Back (But ESPN Does!) [Deadspin]

Of course the denials are starting to pour out of Favre ( l love how his hometown paper is usually one of the first places he talks to. Well, and Jay Glazer. And AL HARRIS, apparently.) and his agent Bus Cook's once again overusing the phrase "As far as I know..." We get it, Bus. You know nothing.

Based on some of the information that I've been told from sources not related to Bus Cook or Brett Favre, here's how it possibly went down: Mort gets a scoop from his various Packers' "sources "(whomever they may be...) starts to work on it. Harris is in the studio, so, Hey, let's ask him if he knows anything about it? He does? Really? What's Brett say...

"He's itchin to come back..."

That's enough. Let's run with it...have Mort pick up a phone and call in to make it sound legit...

Let's say that Favre did actually approach Mike McCarthy about coming back and McCarthy (and the Packers) told him "We're moving in another direction." Does Brett Favre still have that "itch" then? If you watched yesterday's NFL Live did you notice how quickly the conversation went from "Favre going back to the Packers" to "Other teams who need a quarterback." One of the teams that would make some sense for Brett to check into (and who ESPN has deemed a "likely" candiate) are the Minnesota Vikings . Even though Tarvaris Jackson has received the over-the-top accolades from head coach Brad Childress so far this year, the Vikings do have some other weapons that might benefit from having the ol' gunslinger under center.

But — but!— if Favre goes to another team...what would happen to ESPN's magical opening dedication and Favre jersey retirement ceremony during the Monday Night Football opener? Wouldn't that ruin it? Not if he's on the Vikings.

Bottom line: Brett Favre may come back. He's just not not heading back to Green Bay. The team was very much looking forward to putting Number 4 along the other retired jerseys that adorn Lambeau field — that way they know they can keep him off the field.

After all of this , does it mean that Al Harris will now get an NFL analyst contract with ESPN? They should. The guy's got great sources.

Packers: Favre has "itch" to play[Wisconsin State Journal]







Favre: "It's All Rumor...No Reason For It." [PFT}

If he does come back to the Packers, it would probably make Aaron Rodgers feel even more stupid than he already does.

Developing...

NBC Sports officials are trying to persuade Brett Favre to make good on his earlier commitment to make his debut next month in the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship at Lake Tahoe, a tournament spokesman said Tuesday. The former Green Bay Packers quarterback told tournament officials in early May he would play for the first time in the 19th annual celebrity event July 11-13 at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course at Stateline. But his representatives sent an e-mail to NBC officials late Friday that said he was "probably not coming" due to a scheduling conflict, tourney spokesman Phil Weidinger said.

Last-minute no-shows are not uncommon in this tournament; Michael Jordan did it last year, and Aidan Quinn left a trail of broken hearts when he sent his regrets on Friday. But with Favre, one has to wonder; is an NFL comeback the reason he's changing his plans? According to the events schedule on his web site, he's cleared his entire calendar.

Poor Aaron Rodgers. He won't get into an actual NFL game until he's 50.

Favre May Back Out Of Celebrity Golf At Lake Tahoe [Chicago Tribune]
Tahoe Celebrity Golf

The intruder was injured during the May 30th burglary and a second offender was apprehended outside the home by Brown County Sheriff's deputies, according to information released by the Brown County Sheriff's Department today. Herron was not hurt during the invasion.

Milwaukee Sentinel-Journal story here. Herron rushed for 123 yards on 48 carries with two touchdowns in 2006, but spent the 2007 season on the IR with a sprained knee. According to the Packers site, and I'm not making this up, his nickname is 'Lil No-No,' and his favorite TV show is 24.

Packers' Herron Fights Off Home Invaders [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]

Kids Wear The Darnedest Jerseys [Zoner Sports]

It's a sad day.

Twelve-year-old David Witthoft wore a red Nike shirt to school on April 24. It's significant because on each of the previous 1,581 days, Witthoft wore the Brett Favre jersey he received as a gift for Christmas 2003 when he was just 7.

"His last day wearing the jersey was April 23, which was his 12th birthday," Chuck Witthoft, David's father, said from their Ridgefield, Conn., home on Monday. "It was tough for him for awhile but now that he's 12, he is a little more concerned about his appearance. And the jersey barely came down to his beltline."

Plus, you know, now he has to make room in his closet for that Favre Bears jersey that he's gonna need in a month or so.

(Sorry, Pack fans ... we kid, we kid! Kind of.)

Favre Jersey Streak Ends For Connecticut Boy [Green Bay Press-Gazette]
Child About To Become Somewhat Less Smelly [Deadspin]

Former Packers safety Leroy Butler is saying supposedly retired QB Brett Favre not only wants to play but will end up getting traded away from Green Bay, which has prepared for life without Brett. Butler theorizes that Favre will likely end up with another NFC North team: Chicago, Minnesota, or Detroit.

Butler made the comments on WTMJ radio, then was immediately pummeled with brooms. Now I will never consider him officially retired until he gives a formal concession speech. And I take it back ... I'd almost like to see him come back just to see him in a Lions uniform. Favre and Millen, making the magic happen in '09!

Favre Still Wants To Return [MSNBC]

Apparently, Favre's agent is asking around to teams other than the Packers.

According to NFL sources, Favre's agent has quietly inquired with teams about their interest in trading for the three-time NFL most valuable player. The sources did not indicate whether Favre knew of the inquiries.

Favre, 38, has yet to give written notice of his retirement to the league or players' union, although that's neither required nor irrevocable. It's also not uncommon for players to delay in doing so, particularly if they are not in immediate need of their pension money.

Peter King, for the record, made it clear in this week's SI that Favre isn't coming back. But that could just be self-denial.

We have zero doubt we will be writing this exact same post in four years.

Brett Favre Retired? Maybe Not [Los Angeles Times]

UPDATE: Favre wants to make it clear that he's not coming back. Guess whom he called.

We are - and possibly always will be - in the throes of the media's fawning send-off to Brett Favre (Wright Thompson is still crying). His successor at Packers QB, Aaron Rodgers, yesterday felt the need to issue one of those communiques that new heads of state usually do when an important leader steps down. And, boy, was it...factual.

"I'm not Brett Favre," he said Saturday. "And if they're wanting me to be the next Brett Favre, I'm not going to be him. I'm Aaron Rodgers. That's who I am."

Read: STOP ASKING TO GROW STUBBLE! I'M A PORN 'STACHE MAN! I DON'T WANT HIS GUN HOLSTER! I CAN'T BE BRETT! LEAVE ME AND MY FAMILY ALONE! [sobs]

Rodgers knows the comparisons to Favre are inevitable. But he grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and is hoping to follow the path of Steve Young. Young wasn't the next Joe Montana, but he helped the 49ers continue their run of success by bringing a different approach to his position.

Oh, lordie. At this point, I'm hoping Rodgers is a spectacular failure. Another few years of "can he get the monkey off his back" stories a la Young and Montana is far too much to bear.

So don't fret, newspaper editors! Just be more like Brett Favre, and everything will be okay!

1. Favre loved the job. He brought joy to work every day and let it show. He dared to grin on the field and whoop when whooping was called for and get knocked down and pop back up laughing. There was almost always a smile behind the bars of his helmet, even when he was losing.

Editors: When was the last time you worked with unabashed joy, or made the job fun? In today's troubled newsrooms, imagine the transformative power that would have.

Let's go down some of the other lessons, and see who they can help:

4. He didn't make excuses or lay blame - even when he had due cause.

Veterinarians: When you accidentally injected little Scruffles not with a rabies shot, but instead your heroin needle from last night, did you blame it on the fact that the label fell off, or did you dust yourself off and bring in the next pet?

6. He knew how to call an audible. When the script failed, he improvised.

Exotic dancers: When the song you wanted the DJ to play, "I'm A Slave For You," never came through the loudspeaker and was replaced by C.W. McCall's "Convoy," did you make the best of it and let the patrons beckon you over with their make-believe CB radios?

8. He wasn't afraid to be real - on the field or off. When he got addicted to pain pills, he fessed up. When his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, he admitted his fear. When his father died, he cried. When he finally decided to retire, he didn't spout some blather about more time with the family, or pursuing other interests. He just said it like it was: "I'm tired."

Highway Patrolmen: Don't you think you guys should ease up and reveal what kind of person you ... no, there's nothing in the trunk, officer. It always makes that clank sound.

How Brett Favre Could Save Journalism, If Only We Would Pay Attention [Poynter Online]

—-—-—-—-—-—--

Here's a conversation I've been having a lot for the past two months:

Random Guy Who Likes Sports and Knows I'm a Packer Fan: So, you think Favre will be back?

Me: Are you kidding? Of course he'll be back.

Random Guy etc.: You sound pretty sure.

Me: You honestly think there's any way Favre would retire after going 13-3 on a young team? After having one of his best seasons ever? You think he's going to let his last pass ever be an interception?

Random Guy etc.: I guess you're right.

Me: I guarantee it!

Or, hey, maybe not.

The past few years have been a complicated time, emotionally speaking, for anyone who loves Brett Favre, and today is no exception. In no particular order, I'm feeling:

• Relief: Favre went out classy. He won't have to be dragged off the field with a hook, or carried off on a stretcher. He won't end his career with a 30-interception season, or in another uniform.

• Disgust: Did Favre really base his decision on whether Ted Thompson signed Randy Moss? I know he's the best there is and all, but I personally find it hard to root for sociopaths. Crazy, right?

• Dislocation: Six months from now, I will sit down in front of a TV with a beer and watch a quarterback wearing a number other than 4 start a game for the Packers. The last time that happened, I was studying for my bar mitzvah, and it was Crystal Pepsi, not beer.

• Pleasant anticipation: Aaron Rodgers was pretty darn good in that Cowboys game! And, hey, it might be kind of fun to watch a quarterback who can make plays with his feet, and about whom there is a genuine shortage of knowledge rather than a vast lore of recycled anecdotes.

• Sadness. Maybe Green Bay will get another quarterback as great as Favre during my lifetime, but I doubt it. More likely, I will be sitting in front of a TV with my son 15 years from now, completely ruining his enjoyment of the game by explaining to him, in patient detail, how the starting QB whose jersey he saved up his lawn-mowing money to buy is in reality a weak-armed numbnuts unfit to hold Favre's jock. Is this how it feels to be a Bears fan?

We'll have more about this later today, but we would like to note, as many already have, that Favre's final play was, of course, an awful interception that cost his team a chance at the Super Bowl. But the man was gutty. And enormous fun, of course.

And wore a mean pair of cutoff shorts, that's for damned sure.

Oh, and if he changes his mind in the next week, we're not covering it. He wouldn't dare.

Favre Has Decided To Call It A Career [FoxSports]

So, honestly, what in the name of fucking Florio happened today with the Packers.com very brief, yet very public screw-up regarding Brett Favre's retirement? About an hour ago, the Packers PR monkeys fessed up to the whole situation, telling Dennis Dillon at The Sporting News that, "The people who handle our website set up mock pages. It's as simple as that. ... A third party was preparing something in case (Favre's retirement) happened. They've done that the last five years."

Five years? Maybe there's a little bit of embellishment to help minimize the whole situation, but it seems a little suspicious that a not-so-elaborate homepage mock-up of Favre would be sitting around in some publishing cue pending a retirement announcement. And if it has been sitting around that long, you'd think a programmer's elbow grazing the SEND key would've been something they would've fail-safed a while ago. ( Right now, I'm picturing Mark Borchardt from American Movie is the guy mashing all the buttons at Packers.com headquarters.)

The most enjoyable part of the day was watching Pro Football Talk almost eat itself trying to keep up with all the madness. MDS to the rescue, of course.

After wiping the brown stuff off of its face, the Packers did say there will be some sort of press conference next week that'll address the future of Wisconsin's Gunslinging Wet Dream and the appropriate amount of mourning and/or rejoicing will finally be able to commence.

In preparation for that event and to pay my own homage, I was reminded of Reuben Frank/Sal Paolantonio's spot-on summary of Favre's career:

Let's interrupt the deification of Brett Favre for a moment to examine the second half of his career.

Since beating the 49ers in the 1997 NFC Championship Game, Favre has won just three of 10 playoff games. Eli Manning had more playoff wins in a 29-day span this year than Favre has in the last decade.

Yes, Favre won a Super Bowl 11 years ago. Good for him. But while his career arc has spiraled downward, the sickening fawning over him has only grown worse.

Favre has thrown two of the worst playoff interceptions in NFL history - Brian Dawkins in overtime against the Eagles in the 4thand-26 game in 2003 and last month against the Giants. He's the only quarterback in NFL history to throw overtime interceptions in two different playoff games.

Since 2002, Favre is 2-3 in home playoff games, losing to Michael Vick, Daunte Culpepper and Eli Manning. The Packers have lost as many home playoff games under Favre in the last six years as they lost from 1921 through 2001. In his last nine playoff games, Favre has thrown 16 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

Yet the football hype machine still stubbornly paints Favre as this hallowed icon of Americana, a symbol of all that is right with sports, a Wild West gun-slinging good ol' boy. There's Brett on the farm! There's Brett with his family! There's Brett on the cover of Sports Illustrated! There's Brett throwing another overtime interception!

Favre was the best in the game once upon a time. Those days are gone. Even if nobody wants to admit it.

Stay tuned...

Packers: Favre retirement page a mistake [Sporting News]
Favre-tastic lunacy at The Rumor Mill [PFT]
Favre Could Maybe, Possibly Be Retiring Again [Chris Mottram's House of Fire! (or The Sporting Blog)]
Books By Snazzy-Dressing Italian Men and Men Named Reuben [Amazon]

Our favorite is the one in the middle, who surely was taunting her friends all games about their wimpiness at wearing mittens. Real fans go gloveless!

And they probably all feel pretty stupid today. Until, of course they sign that deal with Maxim.

• Giants Know The Way To Glendale: 23-20 In OT. Third time's a charm, huh? Favre played like anything but a legend against a beleaguered secondary, and the result is that another Manning will take a snap for the second straight Super Bowl. Some night for Lawrence "Hey FOX, don't call me Larry — if you bother to interview me" Tynes, huh? (Back-to-back texts after the Giants kicked shanked the potential game-winner in regulation: "Is he fired yet?" followed by "He should never set foot in NYC again, for his own safety.") [The Big Lead]

• Time To Eat It. I'm gonna be sick. Not figuratively. I'm really gonna hurl. Favre was decent, but he was outplayed by Manning. Yeah, wake up and smell the limburger, cheeseheads. Manning's throws were where they were supposed to be more often. If it wasn't for Driver resurrecting several drives with circus catches up the middle (and of course the 90 yard play where he somehow managed to outrun 3 guys who were all faster than him), the Packers might have been shut out. [My Official Green Bay Packers Blog]

• Our Long National Nightmare Is Over. Honestly, did you want to listen to two weeks of "Favre vs. Brady?" Now, in lieu of that, we'll get talk about what could be a very intriguing Super Bowl, the Patriots on the cusp of immortality, and numerous reruns of the regular season finale that these two teams gave us, which was easily the best non-Vikings game I watched this football season. [Daily Norseman]

• Keepin' It In The Family: Eli Manning In A Super Bowl. What's funny is most Giants fans wanted Eli Manning traded just 4 weeks ago. [Stampede Blue]

• Congrats To The Giants Fans Who Believed. I just finished watching a huge group of Giants fans close down Brett Favre's steakhouse in the heart of Green Bay, just a few blocks from Lambeau Field. I'd imagine that must have felt pretty good. That's where I was in the wee hours of this frigid Wisconsin morning, with two-thirds of Team Daily News. The famous restaurant owned by Favre was absolutely overrun by fans wearing blue — including several with cheese head hats — painted Giants colors of course (I guess that would be blue-cheese?). [New York Daily News]

• The Road Warriors. (Posted Jan. 19) The Giants can walk into Lambeau and walk out as the NFC Champions, and I believe they will. I could be wrong but tomorrow, at the end of the 4th quarter, the scoreboard in frigid Wisconsin will read: NYG 24, GB 20. [G-Men Headquarters]

• Super Giants Win In Overtime. How sweet ... After a week of hearing Favre-love from all corners, including how the best game would be the legendary Favre trying to shoot down the unbeaten Patriots, it was a mistake by the legendary quarterback that ultimately doomed the Packers. [Big Blue View]

• Cheap Shots #94. Boston vs. New York. Again. Jesus Tapdancing Christ. [Signal To Noise]

Despite the Favre exhaustion of the last few years, the casual, non-partisan fan had to be rooting for Favre yesterday, if just to add even a wee bit more spice to the Super Bowl. The goodwill Favre built up throughout his career returned in 2007, and even those of us who love to make fun of those who worship The Gunslinger Mentality warmed up to him. And then he comes out in overtime yesterday and throws a pass every bit of ill-advised, and even more disastrous, as his famous lame duck in the loss to the Eagles four years ago.

Favre may retire, finally, and he may not; we hope, at the very least, he doesn't take as long to let us know this time. But let us not forget: He has one Super Bowl, lost one, and now cost his team a trip to two others in four years. We know, we know: It's Favre. But one quarterback in Wisconsin yesterday decided to take the game in his own hands, and the other just safely managed the game and stayed out of trouble. Guess which one's going to the Super Bowl?

Another Playoff Run Ends On A Bad Favre Throw [PackersNews]

(UPDATE: Lest we forget, by the way, Coming To America called this.)