The Packer Pundit

FAVRE DECISION LOOMS
QB says he may announce plans by this weekend, maybe early next week
Article Jacked from Chris Havel at GB Post Gazettefrom the GB Press Gazette

TUNICA, Miss. — Brett Favre arrived at his charity golf tournament Thursday looking relaxed, fit and completely at ease with his impending retirement decision.

The Green Bay Packers’ quarterback didn’t hint at his decision, but he said he spoke with General Manager Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy earlier in the week and told them he may have a decision by this weekend or the first part of next week.

"I want to do what’s best, obviously, for me and my family,” he said. “But regardless of what people might think, I don’t want to jeopardize the future of the team. I don’t want to do that. I think that the people that know me, including those in the organization, know that.”

Favre, 36, held his first in-depth interview since he spoke with ESPN’s Chris Mortensen in late January. Here is what Favre had to say on a variety of topics:

Question: Is it possible Favre is stalling in order to force the Packers to cut or trade him?
Answer: “I don’t want to play for anyone else. I never asked Ted Thompson to release me or trade me. I wouldn’t do it. It’s way too important for me to start over somewhere else, even if it’s for a year. I can’t believe people even think that. People who know me know that I’m as loyal as there is.”

Question: Would Favre come back for the $10 million salary? Or perhaps for a chance to eclipse Dan Marino’s NFL record for career touchdown passes? (Marino finished with 420 and Favre currently has 396).
Answer: “Looking at it from my perspective, and coming back, if no one expects us to do good or to compete for the Super Bowl, what do I stand to gain by coming back other than financial gain and possibly breaking a record? “Am I that type of player? Am I that type of person? I say no. I wouldn’t come back for the money or to break records. That’s sort of my dilemma right now. If I felt like we really could compete for the Super Bowl, I would come back. Or am I coming back just to play and to have fun, and in the process maybe we lose. Last year was no fun for the fans or for the players, and nobody wants to go through that again.

Q: Are you worried about the offensive line’s ability to protect you?
A: “It’s a concern in the sense — call me crazy if you want — not that I’m afraid of getting hit, but that I want to win. Of course, I don’t want to get beat up, but we’ve got a new offense going in, so players like (guard) Will Whitticker are starting all over. It’s like he’s a rookie again. He’s got great potential, but it’s going to be different for him. Scott Wells may have to move to center full time. I think he’s a fine player, guard or center, but at some point you ask yourself, ‘Who are you replacing guys with?’ From a coach’s standpoint you have to say the right things, that we’ll be competitive and we’ll win, and I truly believe Mike McCarthy will do a fine job. But really, what have we done to replace the guys that we’ve lost on the line?”

Q: What does Thompson have to do to convince you to return?
A: “I’d hate to think they sign this guy and that guy and we end up 4-12 again. Or they get the so-called players we need, from my end, and then I lay an egg. I wouldn’t expect that to happen but if all the pieces are in place and you don’t win, that’s not good, either. “I definitely don’t want to beat up the guys that we have on our team. The guys that we have are hard workers and determined to win and all that, but I don’t see right now where our offensive line is better.”

Q. If you return will you attend the offseason minicamps?
A. “Oh, I’d come. (McCarthy) sent me a schedule of what he would need for me to do. We’ve talked about it. I’d have to be there for some of the things. I’d hate to come into training camp blindfolded.”

Q. Is there any animosity between you and Thompson?
A. “There is no bitterness. None. I get along with Ted fine. We talk two or three times a week. I have no problem with Ted. It isn’t about the GM or the coach or anything like that.”

Q. Do you feel you are holding the organization hostage?
A. “I’ve talked with (McCarthy) about that and I know he’s getting Aaron Rodgers prepared to play like he’s the starter, and he may be. My decision isn’t affecting how Mike’s preparing for the season, at least to this point.”

Q. What did you mean by the comment, “What are the Packers going to do, cut me?”
A. “It was a joke. That’s all it was. The people around me knew what I meant when I said it. It’s ridiculous to think there’s a deadline because there wasn’t one, and the Packers weren’t going to cut me. The people that were there knew I wasn’t serious.”

Q. Do you feel you can still play at a reasonably high level?
A. “I know I can still play. My confidence has been shot a little bit, there’s no doubt. I had a lot of chances to pull us out of the fire last year and I didn’t do it. My confidence is in question a little bit. Some will understand that. Some won’t. But it’s the truth. I can’t tell you what people are going to say. They can believe what they want. But the people that know me also know that I’m a team player. I have to make a total commitment. It’s not just what (the Packers) are going to do. It’s what I honestly can give to the team. I’ve never (half-assed) anything my entire life. I’m not going to start now. When I put on the uniform I can’t help but be a competitor. It’s in my blood.”

Q. So what’s the single-greatest dilemma?
A. “After so many years and so many games and so many plays, I’ve tried to muster up every bit of energy and fun and it didn’t happen last year or dating back to the year before. Sometimes you can’t muster that. I was hoping it was going to be a fun year (last year). There’s no guarantee this year. “It means something to come back and be there, but to come back and be that dominant player, which I wasn’t last year. I never blamed it on other guys before and I won’t do it now. I don’t want it to be like, at one time he was good. He should’ve retired. He stuck around one year too long. That wouldn’t be fair to anyone.”