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Published - Monday, August 04, 2008

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Packers president Murphy says team will welcome Favre back


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GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Brett Favre is back. It remains to be seen whether he'll still be the leader of the Pack.

The Green Bay Packers reluctantly embraced Favre's forced return to the football field Sunday, after failing to come to a financial agreement that would manage to make Favre happy while staying retired.
And while it's not yet clear what role Favre will play once he reports to Packers camp Monday, Aaron Rodgers says he's ready for a potential competition with Favre after serving as his backup for three seasons.

``I'm a competitor. I'm going to compete,'' Rodgers said after a scrimmage Sunday night. ``This isn't going to be easy. It's going to be a dogfight. And I know if they do open it up to competition, not a lot of people give me a chance, but I believe in myself and I'm going to be the best I can be and let coach decide from there.''

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said he hasn't decided what direction his quarterback situation will take. Given Favre's track record of waffling on his football future, McCarthy first wants to talk to Favre on Monday before he makes any decision on opening the job up to competition.

``There have been no promises,'' McCarthy said. ``Once again, there has been indecision throughout Brett's path back here to Green Bay. It's important for us to sit down and communicate.''

The NFL announced Sunday that Favre will be reinstated and added to the Packers' active roster on Monday. Commissioner Roger Goodell had held off on granting Favre's request for reinstatement for nearly a week, hoping Favre and the team could resolve their standoff.

``Although we built this year around the assumption that Brett meant what he said about retiring, Brett is coming back,'' said team president and CEO Mark Murphy. ``We will welcome him back and turn this situation to our advantage.''

A private plane carrying Favre, wife Deanna and agent James ``Bus'' Cook arrived in Green Bay shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday night. Favre exited the plane and waved to a crowd of a few hundred fans gathered at the airport — in a severe lightning storm, no less — before driving off in an SUV.

The reinstatement will become effective at noon Monday, when Favre will be added to the Packers' active roster. By reinstating Favre, Goodell is following through on a recent promise to force action.

``I'm happy,'' veteran receiver Donald Driver said. ``I'm excited. It's good to have him back in the house.''

Earlier this week, the team offered Favre a long-term, multimillion-dollar marketing agreement that likely would have kept him retired. But Favre's decision to report to camp makes such an agreement far less likely.

A trade remains a possibility. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on its Web site late Sunday night that the Packers have had preliminary contact with the Vikings on a potential trade for Favre.

``Frankly, Brett's change of mind put us in a very difficult spot,'' Murphy said in a statement released by the team. ``We now will revise many actions and assumptions about our long-term future, all predicated on Brett's decision last March to retire.

``As a result of his decision, we invested considerably in a new and different future without Brett and we were obviously moving in that direction. That's why this wasn't easy. Having crossed the Rubicon once when Brett decided to retire, it's very difficult to reorient our plans and cross it again in the opposite direction — but we'll put this to our advantage.''

Could reorienting their plans include a competition between Favre and Aaron Rodgers for the starting job? Team officials have maintained that if Favre returned to the Packers, it would be in some role other than as the starter — a job that belonged to Rodgers.

In his statement, Murphy said only that coach Mike McCarthy would ``talk to the team and the quarterbacks about the plan moving forward, and after he has done that we will share it publicly.''

Rodgers had a rough night in the Packers' annual ``Family Night'' scrimmage at Lambeau Field on Sunday night, as a few boos were mixed in with enthusiastic cheers from the crowd of 56,600 when he was introduced.

``Yeah, I take it personally,'' Rodgers said of the fan reaction. ``But like I said, it's not the first time and it won't be the last time.''

Rodgers hit his first pass of the night to Donald Driver, and drew a pass interference penalty on a deep pass to Driver on the next play. He then missed on his next six attempts, including several balls that seemed to bounce off receivers' hands.

After he threw another three incompletions to begin a simulated two-minute drill, Rodgers appeared to be heating up until he threw an interception in the end zone to safety Aaron Rouse.

McCarthy said Rodgers was ``solid,'' and the offense struggled as a unit.

The Packers do not have another scheduled public practice until Tuesday afternoon. Favre's arrival in training camp could cause a major disruption to the team, although may not begin practicing with the rest of the team right away.

Favre retired in March but has been having second thoughts. Team officials have insisted in recent weeks that they are moving on with Rodgers, though, causing tensions to rise between Favre and the team.

Team officials publicly have ruled out releasing Favre, fearing he would immediately sign with division rival Minnesota.

McCarthy has said the Packers had a plan in place should Favre report to camp. He first would have to pass a physical exam and a conditioning test, then may be limited to individual drills.

Rodgers remains the starter — for now, anyway.

``If we played a game tomorrow, Aaron Rodgers would be the starting quarterback,'' McCarthy said. ``I'm not going to change any direction that we've gone with this football team based on the information I have here today. That's part of our conversation tomorrow, and we have all the confidence in the world in Aaron.''
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packerbacker wrote on Aug 11, 2008 10:21 AM:

" LIES AND LIES AND MORE LIES! The 3 stooges traded Brett for 1 lousey draft pick that is NOT like Murphy says' Welcoming him back and turning this situation to our advantage' HOGWASH! TT and MM NEVER wanted BRETT back and the NY JETS are recipients of $100,000,000+ bonus in revenue ALL AT THE PACKERS LONG TERM EXPENSE! "

wiseup wrote on Aug 9, 2008 10:43 PM:

" This is ALL BS souted by Packers management! The TRUTH has since come out! Brett was not welcomed back no matter what this article says! "

PackAttack2020 wrote on Aug 4, 2008 3:46 PM:

" "quay" - good to hear, because there are plenty of those outside of sports. Sports are a blessing to those that make the most of them in their lives: stress release, scholarships for education, life lessons, etc... I have to tell you, I see the Favre situation differently: Brett has his faults and is not completely free of blame, but I see Ted Thompson just lathering at the situation he has the advantage in here. I played ball with a guy that LOVED baseball...went to Winona State on a baseball scholarship...had scouts looking at him, but when it came to getting his degree and working or getting his degree and playing baseball, he chose to work because the POLITICS of PAID athletics had killed some of his love of the game...it was sad to hear...I see some of that with Favre. "

Im Still Jackson wrote on Aug 4, 2008 1:57 PM:

" Its not what's said but what's left unsaid and its not what you do but how you do it!
You have to read between the lines listen to all the information and take it for what it is and make your own conclusions after sifting through that information asking questions and analyzing it.
Its called being a "FREE THINKER"

QUOTE:("but we'll put this to our advantage).''
AS a team in strength? As management? Financially as an orginization? "

packer backer wrote on Aug 4, 2008 12:46 PM:

" You got that right free-speech. I can hear it now, the Packers will lose to the Vikes on Monday Night Football, and I can hear the excuses already. "Well we were not fully prepared because of the Farve situation." Or some dribble like it. There are more players than Brett Farve on ANY team. Get the media circus done and get to work, no matter where he goes! "

free_speech wrote on Aug 4, 2008 12:35 PM:

" Awesome isn't it! "

packer backer wrote on Aug 4, 2008 12:30 PM:

" What I want to know is Brett welcomed back? Is the QB position open for competition? Or is there a deal with the Vikings? Enough already, put a green and gold on him or trade him. Look at the posts on here. A ton of emotion just on this blog alone. Just think what type of roller coaster Green Bay's training camp is in. If Thompson wants him, there done. If he wants to trade, then trade. Way to much distraction in that camp! "

free_speech wrote on Aug 4, 2008 12:16 PM:

" They should trade him to Washington and rename the team "The Washington Wafflers". "

quay wrote on Aug 4, 2008 12:16 PM:

" Actually PA, My oldest is quite blessed physically, way ahead of the curve for his age.
I'm not sure it will stay that way but for now I'm teaching him not to be a selfish, entitled
pr*@k. "

girl66 wrote on Aug 4, 2008 12:15 PM:

" Let him play ball!!!! As the starting QB!!! He has done a lot for the packers and I believe they made him rush his decision. He wants to play, so-be-it!! Let him play in Green Bay. I would hate to have to become a Viking fan if he is traded. "

PackAttack2020 wrote on Aug 4, 2008 12:01 PM:

" "down2512" - the post that you are referring to has been removed, and it was made under my name without my permission. I have requested a new password and yet the lax trib has yet to respond...evidently they find it easier to simply remove the unauthorized posts. MY FULL SUPPORT TO FAVRE and THE PACK!!!! "

CJ wrote on Aug 4, 2008 11:44 AM:

" Come back Brett the Cowboys are waiting for your late game heroics.......oops I mean interceptions on Sept. 21st "

scooterj wrote on Aug 4, 2008 11:32 AM:

" .....Favre wants back and he still has plenty left in the tank - evidence by his great season last year. Go ahead and open up the starting QB spot - and may the best man win. And after Favre wins that spot - go ahead and groom Brohm into being the next starting QB. I'm not going to feel sorry for Rodgers - there's a lot of worse jobs out there than holding a clipboard for tens of millions of dollars. "

scooterj wrote on Aug 4, 2008 11:32 AM:

" I love how people assume Rodgers is going to be good. He looked like crap at the scrimmage. He's looked like crap the last 4 practices. He's played significant time in 2 games in his career - one game he got hurt and missed the rest of the season, the other game he did well - go hurt in practice a couple days later and missed a few more weeks. You people have no clue if Rodgers will be good or not - so stop pretending. Where as Favre was second to only Tom Brady in the MVP voting....... "

down2512 wrote on Aug 4, 2008 11:28 AM:

" UGH! Native and packattack2020! your comments offend. Then I'm still Jackson tells that the business office has contacted the Vikings! Can the news get any worse here? I heard it stated by Murphy also "we intend to turn this to our advantage". That just makes me even more certain Thompson Mc Carthy and Murphy were running Farve out of Green Bay! that's just wrong from any view. Man I hope the Viking thing is a lie. That would just turn me as bitter on Farve as I've become with the Packers' front offices-after all there are AFC teams that would welcome his talent in a heartbeat. "

Leonidas wrote on Aug 4, 2008 10:56 AM:

" They had to lease the extra big jet yesterday just to hold his ego! What a sad, sad world we live in. "

SP0506 wrote on Aug 4, 2008 10:28 AM:

" I am a big packer fan and I think Brett is one of the very best QBs but how many more years is Brett going to retire and then not retire? Really, are you retired or not? I just dont care for the "retirement games". "

Eddie wrote on Aug 4, 2008 10:25 AM:

" This is the bad part about Hero-worship: people can't think straight, as their worship of their Hero clouds everything. Favre-worshippers can only think in terms of the "Legend" - what Favre did in the 90's, all the amazing plays he's done, the Streak, etc. These fanatics are unable to see Favre as an ordinary player or even an ordinary man. He is like a god to them. As a result, they are unable to see the Big Picture when it comes to the Packers and their future. All they can see is BRETT FAVRE BRETT FAVRE BRETT FAVRE BRETT FAVRE BRETT FAVRE BRETT FAVRE......... "

slinger1919 wrote on Aug 4, 2008 10:22 AM:

" Hey Jackson,

Football is a business and yes money could be a motive. In sports unfortunately it's not all about the talent because finances do play a very large part... "

Im Still Jackson wrote on Aug 4, 2008 10:13 AM:

" Remember what I said before about the financial issues here and there not because of Favre he dont care he just wants to play. This whole mess has been orchestrated by Thompson and my moneys on he forced retirement and then after all was said and done he renigged on the package through loop hole jargon.
QUOTE:("but we'll put this to our advantage).''
SportCenter just announced that Greenbay management contacted the Vikings GM and said Favre was available although no details are available about compensation. They are gonna trade him for a profit! Just wait and see. "

slinger1919 wrote on Aug 4, 2008 10:07 AM:

" I agree with you Garvi,

Some Packer fans will be wanting Elway, Marino, Young, or Montanna instead of Rogers yet. Some people don't like change and live in the past... "

slinger1919 wrote on Aug 4, 2008 10:05 AM:

" I know some of you people think Farve is so great and maybe true but there is also the other side of the ball which determines the out come of a game!!! "

Garvi wrote on Aug 4, 2008 10:04 AM:

" Enough with the 3 time mvp junk that was 1995,96 and 97. eleven years ago, I could see it being a point if it was in this decade.That was before he had grey hair. "

slinger1919 wrote on Aug 4, 2008 10:03 AM:

" Hey free-speech,

Great stats and I they all look good but I will have to disagree with you on one thing...The Packers would'nt of won another super bowl if Farve would'nt thrown that interception. The Packers probably would've scored more points than the Giants did in the super bowl...but the Patriots probably would've scored 30-50 points against us and I don't think we would've beat them (Patriots) in a shoot out but it would've made good tv. There is NO WAY the Packer defense would've done to Tom Brady what the Giants did!!! "

free_speech wrote on Aug 4, 2008 9:48 AM:

" Never mind that Rodgers, Favre's heir, never has started an NFL game and has thrown only 59 career passes. Never mind Favre is coming off a sweet season in which he threw for 4,155 yards and 28 touchdowns, completed 66.5 percent of his passes and had a 95.7 passer rating. Never mind that he has won three MVP awards and maybe wins another Super Bowl if he doesn't throw a frozen overtime interception in the NFC title game. Never mind the 160 career victories, 442 touchdown passes and 61,655 yards. Play Aaron Rodgers morons. "

slinger1919 wrote on Aug 4, 2008 9:42 AM:

" I still thing the Vikings put more pressure on a QB. It may not show it statistically but with the hurries, knockdowns, etc. I think overall they do a better job rushing the QB. Do you think the Packers could've done to Tom Brady what the Giants did...I think not!!! I don't care how good your QB is overall it comes down to the defense and pass rush. Brady looked like a high school QB in the super bowl thanks to the Giants pass rush. I do think the Packers were better offensively than the Giants but the best team went on to the super bowl because of their defense! The Giants can't score a ton of points but they don't have to because of their DEFENSE. "

Im Still Jackson wrote on Aug 4, 2008 9:36 AM:

" Senior advocate
Maybe OBAMA should pic Favre for his running mate!Thai is all a distraction and obviously its a distraction with the biggest team in football and the most observed one and all during an election year. COINCIDENCE or SPIN DOCTORING? There will be more distractions you can count on it. The headlines will not only be Blue and RED but Green and Yellow too.
Pay attention to your future people! "

elocs wrote on Aug 4, 2008 9:34 AM:

" Whatever happens, things will never be the same with Favre and the Packers again. He may have been an angel to many Packer fans, but for many others his halo is tarnished. If Favre claims to retire again, who will believe him? Or will he continue to play until his skills degenerate to the point where he does wind up sitting on the bench? The day will come when Packer fans will have to face the reality that Favre will not play forever. "

GOD_HIMSELF wrote on Aug 4, 2008 9:31 AM:

" they should give favre and a first round pick to the queens just to get rid of him. "

Senior Advocate wrote on Aug 4, 2008 9:19 AM:

" Great drama. Following this sure beats following the political campaign farce. People get so worked up over this. Get a life. It's only a game to the public. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show you emotionally imature whinners. Your lives will not change one little bit irregardless of who is the Packers quarterback. You have rooted for years for the Packers or the Vikings or the many other teams around no matter who the quarerback or the coach were. The world did come to an end if it did not play out according you your wishes. "

Eddie wrote on Aug 4, 2008 9:16 AM:

" The Vikings do NOT have a better defense than the Packers. They signed Jared Allen, but one man does not make a pass rush. Their secondary is still mediocre at best. On offense, one man (Berrian) does not make a receiving corps. They have no stud tight end. Their quarterback is inexperienced. The Vikings can run the ball, and they can stop the run, but that is ALL that they can do. They have no chance of reaching the Super Bowl anytime soon. "

GOD_HIMSELF wrote on Aug 4, 2008 9:11 AM:

" slinger, "they definitely have a better defense mainly because of their pass rush abilities". really? the queens finished the season with 38 sacks last year, the packers had 36, not a big difference. the viqueens big bad d-line everyone likes to talk about had 26.5 sacks, the packers d-line had 30.5. you tell me who's better.
free-speech, bernard berrian wouldn't make the packers roster at wide reciever. "

PackAttack2020 wrote on Aug 4, 2008 9:10 AM:

" "quay" - I hope you also teach them to deal with the fact that sometimes others ARE actually better at something than they are, and that is just a part of life: but even with that you show up to support your team and to play your role. Rodgers' role is as a back-up, and with Favre in camp, that will become evident soon. Showing up and "putting in your time" are necessary to develop skills and reliability, but they don't alone earn you the starting spot. GO PACK GO... "

free_speech wrote on Aug 4, 2008 8:56 AM:

" They have Bernard Berrian at WR. "

slinger1919 wrote on Aug 4, 2008 8:55 AM:

" I hate to admit it but IF Farve went to the Vikings they would have a better chance to go the the big one than Green Bay even if Farve stayed in Green Bay. The vikings definitely have a better defense mainly because of their pass rush abilities. They have two great running backs in Adrian Pererson and Chester Taylor. They are lacking at the QB postion and WR. If anothers teams' defense stops one offensive weapon then the other will have a field day! "

free_speech wrote on Aug 4, 2008 8:42 AM:

" I heard Favre is moving the team to Mississippi now that he's in charge. "

quay wrote on Aug 4, 2008 8:24 AM:

" I hope the Pack relearns one of the first leasons in sports this season and one I teach my kids. There is no "I" in team. Here's to a 3 and 13 season. "

slinger1919 wrote on Aug 4, 2008 8:21 AM:

" I thought Brohm looked the best at the QB position...even though the defense blitzed Brohm and Flynn on all most every play and they did not apply much pressure to Rogers at all. "

Eddie wrote on Aug 4, 2008 8:21 AM:

" I don't know what some of you so-called Packer fans will do after Brett Favre retires for good. It might be best for you to just stop following the Packers, as NO quarterback will be good enough for you. This may come as a shock to you, but Favre will retire for good one day, and you'll have to get over it. Ted Thompson did what any good GM would do; he drafted a QB to replace Favre after he retires. Now that the retirement time is near, you Favre-worshippers can't handle it. I feel sorry for you all..... "

LAX wrote on Aug 4, 2008 8:19 AM:

" Hey Native -- how have the Vi-Queens been doing the last several years? How many quarterbacks have they had? Answers: Not well, and too many! So shut up! Until you guys win a Super Bowl you have no right to comment on anything relative to the Packers. "

kbg23 wrote on Aug 4, 2008 8:11 AM:

" It's just a PR ploy by the Packers to keep everyone happy. They may say they will open up the starting job, but Rodgers is Thompson's golden boy now. As for Favre, I say sit their and earn your 12 million dollar paycheck. Rodgers will be booed off the field by week 2. "

Native wrote on Aug 4, 2008 7:46 AM:

" Finally the Pucker fans see Butt Fart as the rest of the NFL fans have seen him for years. He's a selfish Diva, he will never give up the limelight. And Viking fans don't want him due to his childish behavior. But the Pucker fans and Organization has developed him into the selfish man child that he is now deal with him. "

free_speech wrote on Aug 4, 2008 7:20 AM:

" Word is Brett left the jet running on the tarmack and didn't bother to unpack. It's a short flight to Minneapolis! "

Eddie wrote on Aug 4, 2008 7:15 AM:

" I'm not sure that I'll be so eager to watch Packer games this year. It's not because my love and support for the Packers has diminished, it's because I am so SICK AND TIRED of this shameful drama between Favre and the Packer Front Office. We all know how ESPN and FOX will be covering this thing - like a pack of hyenas. I want to watch Packer football, and not some petty soap opera that's going to be shoved in my face every Sunday/Monday. "

PackAttack2O20 wrote on Aug 4, 2008 7:11 AM:

" I have to admit all the attenton Brett is getting is exactly what he wants. He has the biggest ego in sports history and is a huge attention seeker. He can't survive without it. That being said, I love him anyway. Hugs and kisses Brett! "

TypicalPackerFan wrote on Aug 4, 2008 7:02 AM:

" Take that Thompson and McCarthy! Now you know who's running this team. This is Brett's team, he calls the shots around here! "

NAVY VET wrote on Aug 4, 2008 6:30 AM:

" An open competition for the starting QB job is the only fair way out of this situation. Both sides have egos that are too big. After watching the Packers Family Night last night, Rodgers is definitely NOT the future. Brohm and Flynn looked MUCH sharper than Rodgers. May the best man win! "

GOD_HIMSELF wrote on Aug 4, 2008 5:51 AM:

" "welcome back brett, now have a seat over there on the bench". "

PackAttack2020 wrote on Aug 4, 2008 4:47 AM:

" AWESOME...GO GRETT GO...GO PACK GO!! "


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