Packers G.M. Ted Thompson might have been feeling neglected while he watched on Monday night Part One of the Brett Favre interview. After all, it was coach Mike McCarthy and not Thompson who was mentioned most often by Brett, primarily with respect to the perceived effort to force him to decide whether to retire in March and then with respect to the attempt to persuade him not to press for a chance to return with another team in June.
But Thompson gets his share of attention, in Part Two.
According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Favre slams Thompson in the segment that will air Tuesday night on Fox News, and Favre points to three incidents that caused him to not trust Thompson.
First was Favre’s desire that the team add receiver Randy Moss in 2007. We reported, numerous times, that Favre was actively lobbying the team to acquire Moss after two failed seasons with the Raiders. There was also a rumor that the team’s failure to try to land the star receiver, who revived his career in a big way with the Patriots last season, prompted Favre to make noise about leaving the team. Though it’s still unclear whether the latter proposition is accurate, it’s now obvious that Favre wanted Moss — and that Favre didn’t appreciate Thompson’s decision not to be honest about that fact with the public.
“I worked my butt off . . . to try to get them to sign Randy Moss,” Favre told Fox News.
Second, Favre says he tried to get Thompson to re-sign guards Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle, both of whom left via free agency.
Third, Favre pushed hard for Thompson to consider hiring former 49ers and Lions coach Steve Mariucci, but Thompson rebuffed Brett, hiring Mike McCarthy instead.
“[N]one of those had anything to do with me retiring once again,” Favre says, “but, you know, it’s hard for me to trust, you know, this guy when I — either I’m told one thing and everyone else is told another, or he’s telling the public one thing and telling me another. And so — and that’s part of the reason for the [request for a] release.”
So Favre didn’t retire from the Packers because of mistrust for Thompson, but now Favre wants out in part because he doesn’t trust Thompson.
But, Brett, didn’t you say you want out because the Packers told you that they don’t want you to play?
More importantly, Brett, when did you become the quarterback/General Manager of the Packers?
Maybe we finally understand why Favre kept quiet for so long on this topic. Now that he’s opening his mouth, he’s sounding like an idiot.
Regarding this apparent effort to smear Thompson by dredging up outdated and irrelevant pisses and/or moans, Favre needs to realize that he hasn’t always been truthful, either. On July 2, for example, he said that the talk of his desire to return is “rumor” and that there’s “[n]o reason for it.”
So before Brett says “you know, it’s hard for me to trust, you know, this guy when I — either I’m told one thing and everyone else is told another, or he’s telling the public one thing and telling me another,” Favre should ask “this guy” in the mirror whether he has been doing the very same thing.
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July 15th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
At what point will everyone accept that Favre isn’t a great guy, but rather an egomaniacal arrogant a** of the highest order. The fact that he won’t even acknowledge the tenious position he has put the Packers in as a result of his actions both this offseason and last demonstrates that he doesn’t care as much about the franchise as he does about Brett Favre. I hope the Packers trade him to Oakland to play out his days for an also ran. Consider this, Packers fans, before you organize another rally for the guy who doesn’t care about you or your team:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSr-IIPlrWU
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Rating: 2.35 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
July 15th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
If only Thompson had known that they had 3 really good recievers on the roster already who’s combined salary is less than Randy Moss. Oh Brett Farve might have made it to the play offs last year!!!
Letting the guards go I remember being a pretty dumb move at the time, but that was years ago, and Farve sucked serious balls even with them protecting him at that time (Farve is not an every year probowler, he is amazing in spurts, not consistantly.) Farve has always been a diva, way too many people calling him a god when he had serious problems in his life. That is not going to be good for anyone.
By this point the damage is done. I would love to see Farve come back and be booed at Lambeau; I think we would get to see him cry again, and then I would laugh.
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Rating: 2.35 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
July 15th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Packer Fan and getting to the point of used to be a huge Brett Favre Fan says, so we sign Moss for one year and then he is playing for the Patriots this year anyway, we keep 2 Olineman at crazy salaries, of which one is cut from the team that signed them and the other is out of the league. Finally, we bring in Mooch to coach the team instead of McCarthy and where are we? 6-10 with Brett and Mooch both crying about it and Brett is coming back for another meaningless year or he retired last year and we are not worrying about if he was coming back.
Additionally, Thompson is not going to tell the whole truth to the public Brett, duh. How do you think it work? Thompson says, Brett, we will see what we can do about getting Moss. Thompson says to the public, we are going to offer Oakland a 5th round pick in this years draft for Moss and hopefully we get him. Get real, you simply can’t tell the media and the public the whole truth when you are dealing with player transactions or they fall apart.
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Rating: 3.65 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
July 15th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Wait a minute guys. You know that if they had Randy Moss and Steve Mariucci, and kept Rivera and Wahle and sabotaged their salary cap in the process, they would have gone 13-3 and been the #1 seed in the NFC.
Oh wait - they DID go 13 and 3, largely because of Mike McCarthy’s coaching and Ted Thompson’s managing.
STFU Favre. All he’s doing at this point is actively reducing the trade value that the Packers can get for him, out of spite. That’s neat and all, but it also serves to reduce the pool of teams willing to throw their current QBs under the bus (Tampa Bay, Carolina, etc.) in order to chase after one year of glory and maybe an extra Sunday night game or two.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
July 15th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
I’m with JackFactor on this one! Send in the damn letter to Goodall or shut the f- up!
Jeez… Moss? Rivera/Wahle?
I’m Panthers and Wahle hardly did much for us. Jeez
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
July 15th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Ding, ding, ding. I hate to say, I told you so, but i told you so. Brett doesn’t want to play for Ted Thompson anymore and hasn’t for aa long time because he actually treated him like any other employee in GB instead of the god like incarnation he’d morphed into, especially under Mike sherman. All of the reasons he says he doesn’t trust Thompson look pretty absurd as thompson avoided adding a known cancer (Moss), avoided hiring a flameout coach (Mariucci) from Detroit of all places, and let 2 guards go that didn’t exactly light the world on fire with their new teams.
Seems like he’s been doing his job better than Brett has with GB reaching the NFC championship mostly on the back of all those young players Favre wasn’t on board with. Favre is basically taking a stance with the comments about Thompson that what he wanted was more important than what the team actually did to get better. Favre is showing his true colors on this one.
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Rating: 1.35 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
July 15th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Ted Thompson is the one that needs to make a decision now. He has the power and has always have the power. His job is to run the team and if Brett was telling the truth last night, it sounds like they don’t want Favre to play since he waffled in March for the Packers or anyone.
1. Do you want Favre - yes or no
2. Do you want to win now - yes or no
If a-Rod is the best chance to win the Super Bowl - then he is the starter - otherwise what has changed in Favre’s game since he was the starter last season?
Thompson should deal with this by flying to Mississippi and dealing with the problem. His job is to manage the team and he is letting this situation get out of contro.
The Moss situation - Thompson made a comment at the Stockholders meeting that they only get high character guys (as we didn’t want Moss) and then he came out later and said he tried to get Moss. This was the same time waiting for Robinson to get off of the suspension list at WR for driving over 100 mph drunk avoiding police.
Also in the past 5 days - we’ve gone from
1. We have moved on
2. We won’t release him
3. He’ll be the backup
4. He may not be just the backukp
Sounds like the Packers ala Thompson are flip-floppy as Favre is. You make the team decisions Thomspon - make one and deal with this one way or the other.
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Rating: 3.15 / 5 with 6 rating(s)
July 15th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
It’s a good point that TT did offer Favre a longer contract, but that being said, Favre gave TT his word that he was retiring, and TT proceded forward as if that was the case. They now have three young QBs - two of which are pretty highly thought of. And now someone has to lose a job because Favre is a flake?
Favre is holding the franchise - and his teammates, who he continues to diss with backhanded comments - hostage to his whims.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
July 15th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
The worst part of this situation is the Packer fans. The Packer fans loved Brett Favre unconditionally thru thick and thin. No matter how big of a bone head play he would make or a great play. Packer fans stood by him.
Now he wants to go play for the Vikings. Loyalty never seems to go both ways.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
July 15th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Brett jumped the shark when he said, “What are they going to do? cut me.” - circa like 2005-2006
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Rating: 2.35 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
July 15th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Most of these posts are right on. Every off-season for the last 3-4 years, there has been drama surrounding the “is he or isn’t he coming back?” garbage. Each year, the Pack has had to put their plans on hold while they wait for the matinee idol Mr. Favre to make a decision, sometimes even having to go through the draft without this information. This gets old after a year or two for both the Pack and football fans like us.
FINALLY, he says he’s retired for good and the team loves it because they can move ahead once and for all. Then, out of nowhere, he decides he wants to play again. What does he expect? He expects the Pack to bow to his wishes. Problem is, Brett has a contract, so he’s stuck. But it’s the Packers who are truly stuck, because of something that isn’t their fault. Lay off the GM, Brett. You’re the cause of all this. The Packers owe you nothing - except for what you agreed to contractually.
I almost never agree with Steven A. Smith, but I couldn’t have voiced a better take on the whole situation myself. If you haven’t heard it yet, do a Google search for it and you’ll agree - it was exactly what all sane sports fans are thinking but can’t put into words.
Brett, I used to like your grit, toughness and determination. Now you are only ruining your legacy, because it’s the most recent things that people will remember you for - and even John Madden can’t fix that.
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Rating: 3.65 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
July 15th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
There is not a GM in the NFL who did not blow it by not offering the Raiders a 3rd rounder for Moss since the Pats got him for a 4th and he set the record for TDs. No one blew it more than the Raiders though.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
July 15th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE
After being shafted by the Packers and being forced into retirement, Brett is doing what he needs to do in order for the Packers to release him- he is alienating the GM and coach. If Brett asks to be reinstated, there is NO WAY the packers can keep him on the bench as a backup. Brett Favre as a backup is a huge distraction to begin with. Now that he has publicly critisized the GM and coach, Favre will get what he wants- his release.
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Rating: 3.4 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
July 15th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
You guys are right. Favre’s integrity is a bunch of crap. He needs to look in the mirror.
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July 15th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
“Maybe we finally understand why Favre kept quiet for so long on this topic. Now that he’s opening his mouth, he’s sounding like an idiot.”
Really Mike ??? Favre wants the team to go out and get Pro Bowl players to make the team better (AND is willing to give up some of his own salary in the process) and that makes Favre look like an idiot ?? Oh, Ok. Perhaps it’s better that the Packers are now like $35 million BELOW THE CAP, instead of signing any Pro Bowl Free Agents at positions of need such as Pro Bowl Guard Alan Faneca this year. One of Packer GM Ted Thompson’s first moves was to get rid of Pro Bowl caliber Guards Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle. The situation at Guard for GB is still, 3 years later, muddled at best.
Funny how when Tom Brady or Peyton Manning tell management to go out and get great players for their teams, no one bitches about it.
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Rating: 2.35 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
July 15th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
First of all. All of you who aren’t Packer fans should zip it. Then, all of you who haven’t followed the whole timeline closely need to zip it. Ted Thompson is a huge waste of space. The reason the Pack even made the playoffs last year were due to Brett and a few lucky draft picks. He’s always been a liar who sits on his hands. He just happened to have a little luck with a draft pick or two. That could happen to anyone.
Florio likes to steer an article towards his own opinion. If you actually listened to it, you’d see his point and the big picture. Brett was lied to and is only guilty of changing his mind. Stuff your Brett slamming articles and remember what this guy has done for this team and the game of football. All you Packer fans who are now hating on Brett because of this doorknobs article….shame on you.
Bring back Ron Wolf
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
July 15th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
He was right. They should have signed Moss. That was a huge mistake by Thompson. Rivera just got hurt anyway. Favre should know his role though.
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Rating: 4 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
July 15th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
And to the benefit of the NFC…the implosion of Favre and the Packers. Keep it up!
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July 15th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I can’t believe people are bashing Favre right now! I find this unbelieveable! I have been a Packer fan since I started watching football(Pre-Favre). The reason I fell in love with the Packers was because of the history of the organization and the class and level in which they held themselves…they were always a cut above the rest…and now..what I’m seeing is the same shenanigans you see with corporate America…You have a new, ego driven, GM in T.T. who is trying to control the team and create whatever his vision may be. The problem for him was that he couldn’t fully control the team because there was still one piece of the puzzle with more power and fan support than him in the organization…Favre. He could never fully run the team with Favre there. So when Favre decided to retire…I’m sure T.T. did a little dance for joy and moved forward with his plan for complete control.
Now Favre has a change of heart and they turn him down…the one guy who brought the team back to the top of the heap and they say no!!! The guy who had one of his best seasons last year and brought them to the NFC Championship. They are treating him with such a lack of respect that it makes me sick! No class! I am a die-hard Packer fan, but I’m gonna find it really hard to watch them this year if they don’t do the right thing in this situation and either allow him to play for them or release him and allow him to play somewhere else…they owe him that.
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Rating: 4 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
July 15th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Must confess to really enjoying the agony of both sides - never a big Favre or Packer fan so it is fun - now if he ends up with the Ravens I will be much less happy - Steeler fan
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July 15th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Florio, you’re completely wrong with your last assertion. There’s a big difference between being truthful within the organization vs. truthful to the “real” media.
If you can’t see that, you’re too busy being bent out of shape.
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Rating: 3.65 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
July 15th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Thompson’s job is to run the team and deal with personal issues. He is doing a crappy job with it right now. He thought the ‘problem’ will go away on it’s own. It hasn’t and not dealing with the drama each season is biting him in the ass.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
July 15th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
This makes me wish for some Adam Jones stories.
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July 15th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Being a huge Packers fan, I always treasured each game I attended that BF was the quarterback. I enjoyed watching him as a player immensely.
I am frustrated with BOTH sides at this point. Favre, I am sick and tired of hearing from your family, family friends and other “sources”. Packers, is there a way out where BF can save face?
Randy Moss? Brett through over 4000 yards last year, RM would not have made a difference, in fact, one could argue because we did not have just one target we are a much better team to spread the passing yards around.
Stick to what you know Brett! Way to go TT
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
July 15th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
@ lancelowlife4
Why should non-Pack fans zip it? We don’t want that idiot on our team either.
Besides, I believe I see more anti-Favre posts than pro-Favre posts from Packers fans. Believe me, I live close enough to Wisconsin to smell it, and apparently cheeseheads know bullsh!t when they smell it, too - or at least when they’ve been wading in it for 16 years.
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Rating: 2.35 / 5 with 3 rating(s)