Favre will be around for one movre year

[Wolfpack]

Linky dinky (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2421947)

Is there much rejoicing?

[Joe]

Linky dinky (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2421947)

Is there much rejoicing?

there is rejoicing from opposing CBs

[PackerFanatic]

I am excited, I always love watching the guy play.

[PackerFanatic]

Think maybe TT will actually start doing something instead of sitting on his ass?

Wishful thinking...

[kingfc22]

Not sure if I would be excited if I was a Packer fan. He is clearly not at the top of his game anymore and all this will do is set Rodgers or whoever will take his spot back another year.

[Craptacular]

Even though it probably will be another painful year, it will be nice to see him play a little more.

[Craptacular]

Not sure if I would be excited if I was a Packer fan. He is clearly not at the top of his game anymore and all this will do is set Rodgers or whoever will take his spot back another year.

Aaron Rodgers would be killed playing behind the line they have left. Two good tackles, and nothing in the middle. I don't think it will hurt Rodgers too much to spend one more year with a clipboard.

[PackerFanatic]

I agree with craptacular...Rodgers isn't ready now and granted this doesn't make him more ready next year, I would rather have Favre back there than Rodgers. If the front office would try and help the team and make them competive now (instead of "the five year plan and planning for the future"), they may have a chance.

[Fonzie]

I'm glad I'll get to see him play another year.

[SFL Cat]

I'm glad I'll get to see him play another year.

Here's hoping he has a decent year so he can retire from the league on a high note.

[Franklinnoble]

Nice to see Favre decided to go ahead and pad his stats after all...

[ISiddiqui]

Here's hoping he has a decent year so he can retire from the league on a high note.

Ditto.

[GoSeahawks]

After last season I can't imagine any fan wanting Favre behind center again. I don't care how well liked he is in that region.

[Greyroofoo]

Maybe Favre will be a mentor? That's probably what's best for the team but I think we'll see him throwing lobs into triple coverage again.

[tabucko]

I am glad the media circus is finally going to be over in regards to the retirement talk. I am happy that he is coming back, and even more happy that the Pack probably won't use the #5 pick on a QB now (if one was available).

[stevew]

John Madden is licking his chops since he'll get one more year to verbally fellatiate Favre.

Although I'm not sure Madden has a job next year since i haven't been following that closely to the announcer shift.

[kingfc22]

Aaron Rodgers would be killed playing behind the line they have left. Two good tackles, and nothing in the middle. I don't think it will hurt Rodgers too much to spend one more year with a clipboard.

Good point. I think the Packers need a plan in place just in case they are out of it around week 12 or 13. Will they put Rodgers in then to get 4-5 weeks of experience or will they let Favre ride out the farewell tour?

[stevew]

My guess is that Favre will play every last down that he can this season, and the Pack will be about 6-10. He'll cost Rodgers a year of experience, and will keep Green Bay out of the top 3 of the draft. Packers management will fire their GM, and they'll draft a QB in the first next year.

[Kodos]

Nice to see Favre decided to go ahead and pad his stats after all...

I can't think of many guys who seem to care about stats less than Favre. Maybe Tom Brady.

[Eaglesfan27]

I can't think of many guys who seem to care about stats less than Favre. Maybe Tom Brady.


Agreed. I'm glad to see him back again, if he can recapture his old joy of playing.

[Franklinnoble]

How, exactly, are you so sure that he doesn't care about his stats?

He's coming back to play on a Packers team that has been pathetic going on three years now. He has no professional goals to achieve; nothing to prove. He's not that desperate to win, or he would have demanded a trade or outright release. He's established himself as a hall of famer.

So, what's his motivation, then? Money? Love of the game? Ego?

I don't pretend to have any knowledge of the guy on a personal level. I'm just guessing that at this point, there aren't many other reasons for him to return.

[Kodos]

Now Emmitt Smith was a stats hound...

[stevew]

How, exactly, are you so sure that he doesn't care about his stats?

He's coming back to play on a Packers team that has been pathetic going on three years now. He has no professional goals to achieve; nothing to prove. He's not that desperate to win, or he would have demanded a trade or outright release. He's established himself as a hall of famer.

So, what's his motivation, then? Money? Love of the game? Ego?

I don't pretend to have any knowledge of the guy on a personal level. I'm just guessing that at this point, there aren't many other reasons for him to return.

Exactamundo.

[Butter]

Although I'm not sure Madden has a job next year since i haven't been following that closely to the announcer shift.

Yeah, ABC traded him to NBC for the rights to a 90-year-old animated bunny and some useless Olympic highlights. And I'm not kidding.

[stevew]

Yeah, ABC traded him to NBC for the rights to a 90-year-old animated bunny and some useless Olympic highlights. And I'm not kidding.


I thought that was Al Michaels.

[Butter]

I thought it was both of them.

[rkmsuf]

I can't imagine the Packers really wanted him back. This does zero for the team.

[Anthony]

he's earned it. if he wants one more year he should get one more year.

[Fonzie]

He's coming back to play on a Packers team that has been pathetic going on three years now.

Define pathetic.

2005: 4-12 (with 8 losses by 7 pts or less; 5 by 3 or less)
2004: 10-6 (division champs)
2003: 10-6 (division champs)

Favre may well think they've got a decent shot if they can avoid the epidemic of injuries they suffered last year, despite TT sitting on his hands during free agency. I wouldn't agree with that take, but he could certainly make that argument.

Or maybe he just wants to go out differently, with at least a chance to win a few more games. And now that he's declared his intentions to retire, he could get a proper send-off from the fans.

My point: there are lots of reasons for his return that don't involve stat-padding. And as Kodos said above, I can't recall seeing a player who cared less about his stats than Favre. He seems to genuinely love playing the game, and there just aren't enough players like that in any sport. For that reason alone I'd say that the longer he plays, the better.

[Coffee Warlord]

And the Bears defense just began salivating.

[flere-imsaho]

there is rejoicing from opposing CBs

True. NFC North secondaries (aside from Green Bay's) just got a little happier.

[Ryche]

He's coming back to play on a Packers team that has been pathetic going on three years now.

Actually last year was the first they had missed the playoffs in a long time. Not they had done much in the playoffs the last three years, but pathetic is more fitting Arizona or Detroit.

Doesn't matter to me if he is coming back. I don't see Green Bay doing better than 8-8 (which is probably much better than how they would do without him) But if he still wants to play, he's still better than a lot of starting QBs in the league.

[flere-imsaho]

In an abject display of self-promotion, here's a re-run of the relevant strips from last year's NFL in Pictures:

http://kamilewicz.org/albums/Week-15/14_G.gif

http://kamilewicz.org/albums/Week-8/7_G.gif

http://kamilewicz.org/albums/Week-8/8_G.gif

http://kamilewicz.org/albums/Week-4/23_G.gif

http://kamilewicz.org/albums/Week-5/1_G.gif

http://kamilewicz.org/albums/Week-5/2_G.gif

http://kamilewicz.org/albums/Week-5/3_G.gif

http://kamilewicz.org/albums/Week-5/4_G.gif

http://kamilewicz.org/albums/Week-5/5_G.gif

http://kamilewicz.org/albums/Week-5/6_G.gif

http://kamilewicz.org/albums/week-2/7_G.gif

[JeeberD]

Now Emmitt Smith was a stats hound...

Funny, coming from a Marino guy.

[Franklinnoble]

Define pathetic.

2005: 4-12 (with 8 losses by 7 pts or less; 5 by 3 or less)
2004: 10-6 (division champs)
2003: 10-6 (division champs)

Favre may well think they've got a decent shot if they can avoid the epidemic of injuries they suffered last year, despite TT sitting on his hands during free agency. I wouldn't agree with that take, but he could certainly make that argument.

Or maybe he just wants to go out differently, with at least a chance to win a few more games. And now that he's declared his intentions to retire, he could get a proper send-off from the fans.

My point: there are lots of reasons for his return that don't involve stat-padding. And as Kodos said above, I can't recall seeing a player who cared less about his stats than Favre. He seems to genuinely love playing the game, and there just aren't enough players like that in any sport. For that reason alone I'd say that the longer he plays, the better.

In 2003 and 2004, they made the playoffs simply because SOMEONE from the division had to go. You can't honestly tell me they were real contenders at any point in that run.

Favre's statistics for the last few years haven't been any better than the likes of Aaron Brooks - he's just hanging around because he's got the jewelry. It's his perogative - and I don't really have an issue with it. But it's not helping the Packers rebuild, and they're not going back to the Super Bowl anytime soon.

[st.cronin]

I'll say the same thing I said last year: No way is this his last year. Brett Favre will play until he is physically unable to.

[dixieflatline]

My guess is that Favre will play every last down that he can this season, and the Pack will be about 6-10. He'll cost Rodgers a year of experience, and will keep Green Bay out of the top 3 of the draft. Packers management will fire their GM, and they'll draft a QB in the first next year.

If this is indeed what happens then I think packer fans should thank Farve one last time. I really don't think Ted Tompson is any good and sacking him but getting a worse draft pick seems like a fair trade.

[JS19]

I'm not much of a football historian, but I thought I heard he is only 24 TD passes away from Marino's all time record??? That right there could be reason enough for him.

[Fonzie]

In 2003 and 2004, they made the playoffs simply because SOMEONE from the division had to go. You can't honestly tell me they were real contenders at any point in that run.

Yes I can. The 2003 squad was quite good.

[Axxon]

In 2003 and 2004, they made the playoffs simply because SOMEONE from the division had to go. You can't honestly tell me they were real contenders at any point in that run.

Favre's statistics for the last few years haven't been any better than the likes of Aaron Brooks - he's just hanging around because he's got the jewelry. It's his perogative - and I don't really have an issue with it. But it's not helping the Packers rebuild, and they're not going back to the Super Bowl anytime soon.

Your point wasn't that they weren't real contenders it was that they were pathetic and a two year record of 20-12 in today's NFL does NOT define pathetic. Period.

[Franklinnoble]

Whatever. Let's watch him play this season, and then argue whether or not he's hung on for too long.

[rkmsuf]

Whatever. Let's watch him play this season, and then argue whether or not he's hung on for too long.

And don't even try and teach him a new system.

[ISiddiqui]

Well, he'll probably do better than Rodgers could hope to do. I'm saying 8-8 year. Favre looks decent.

[rkmsuf]

Well, he'll probably do better than Rodgers could hope to do. I'm saying 8-8 year. Favre looks decent.

how could he possibly look decent. 29 interceptions, coming off his worst season ever and wishy washy about wanting to play.

[ISiddiqui]

how could he possibly look decent. 29 interceptions, coming off his worst season ever and wishy washy about wanting to play.

I wasn't aware that last season is the same thing as this season :D

[rkmsuf]

I wasn't aware that last season is the same thing as this season :D

It's all signals Jerry, signals.

You are allowed to say he looks good after week 1 with 3 TDs and no interceptions.

[ISiddiqui]

What... I can't make a prediction anymore?

[rkmsuf]

What... I can't make a prediction anymore?

Irritating response to your statement:

Saying "he looks good" is not a prediction.

[PackerFanatic]

As Sean Sailsbury said on ESPN, without Favre, Green Bay was a 3 win team at best. With him, they could get 6 - 8 wins, unless TT does something miraciously in the offseason.

[rkmsuf]

Er, GB was a 4 win team last season. Yeah maybe they win 6 or 7 this year and then they can win 3 the following year.

[Axxon]

Whatever. Let's watch him play this season, and then argue whether or not he's hung on for too long.

Of course, that is an entirely different issue and one that I wasn't questioning. Are you backing off the claim that 20-12 is pathetic or are you trying to still claim it by changing the subject to something else? I'm confused.

[st.cronin]

Since quarterbacks, like shooting guards, left fielders, and goalies, are largely paid based on their statistics (including win-loss%), it would be pretty amazing if Brett Favre was completely unconcerned with stats.

[Franklinnoble]

Of course, that is an entirely different issue and one that I wasn't questioning. Are you backing off the claim that 20-12 is pathetic or are you trying to still claim it by changing the subject to something else? I'm confused.

You're confused over the fact that I'm calling your Packers pathetic?

You should hear me talk about the Cowboys sometime. ;)

[lungs]

Numerous suicides, some speculate hundreds, have been averted in Wisconsin today.

[Kodos]

And the Bears defense just began salivating.

This is the same Bears team that Favre has absolutely owned over the course of his career?

[Kodos]

Funny, coming from a Marino guy.

Marino stayed around to try for a ring.

Smith stayed around to beat Payton's record. Too bad Sanders didn't stick around to kick Smith's ass, because everyone knows he would own the records if he stuck around.

[duckman]

Smith stayed around to beat Payton's record. Too bad Sanders didn't stick around to kick Smith's ass, because everyone knows he would own the records if he stuck around.

And your point? Smith had won 3 rings and was more than a servicable back. Why shouldn't he go for Payton's record? He earned it by being a productive player even late in his career. He won team awards, so he have more of a right to go for personal records than someone who just hung around not getting his team a trophy.

And if you don't think that Marino stick around to pad his numbers, then you are diluting yourself. He's a great quarterback and wanted to be remembered for at least doing something remarkable because it wasn't winning championships.

[Axxon]

You're confused over the fact that I'm calling your Packers pathetic?

You should hear me talk about the Cowboys sometime. ;)

We'll you're very confused if you consider me a Packer fan. I am a died in the wool, only one team in the whole world fan and that's a fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I've been exremely clear about that on the boards. :)

I'm also a fan of owning up to what I said but I can see that this is not a virtue in the Noble household. ;)

[Coffee Warlord]

This is the same Bears team that Favre has absolutely owned over the course of his career?

Pretty much except last year, when the defense just mauled the dude repeatedly. You know they are loving the fact they are gonna get 1 more season of demolishing him, after so many years of him burning the Bears.

[Franklinnoble]

We'll you're very confused if you consider me a Packer fan. I am a died in the wool, only one team in the whole world fan and that's a fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I've been exremely clear about that on the boards. :)

I'm also a fan of owning up to what I said but I can see that this is not a virtue in the Noble household. ;)

When did I not own up to it?

I say the Packers have been pathetic for three years. I don't care if they went 10-6 in '03 and '04... that's 10-6 in the worst division in football...

[Axxon]

When did I not own up to it?

I say the Packers have been pathetic for three years. I don't care if they went 10-6 in '03 and '04... that's 10-6 in the worst division in football...

That's all I wanted to hear Frankie. :)

In the age of NFL Parity you feel 20-12 over a two year period when you play less than half of your games against your own division is pathetic.

This speaks volumes for credibility IMHO.

[st.cronin]

A 10-6 record is the same winning percentage as a baseball team winning 100 games.

[Kodos]

And your point? Smith had won 3 rings and was more than a servicable back. Why shouldn't he go for Payton's record? He earned it by being a productive player even late in his career. He won team awards, so he have more of a right to go for personal records than someone who just hung around not getting his team a trophy.

And if you don't think that Marino stick around to pad his numbers, then you are diluting yourself. He's a great quarterback and wanted to be remembered for at least doing something remarkable because it wasn't winning championships.

If you don't realize that football is a team sport--and one man, no matter how good he might be, can't win a championship by himself--then there is no point in arguing with you. If you think Marino wouldn't have won championships in Troy Aikman's place, you're insane. Marino never had even an above-average running back to take the pressure off of him. And by the time he had a good (but not great) defense, his skills had eroded and his ability to sidestep the rush was gone thanks to the ruptured Achilles. If he'd been on the 90s Cowboys or the 80s 49er teams, he would have multiple championships under his belt, and all the idiots wouldn't have that to hold over his head.

Emmitt Smith was a fine running back. One of the best. But not THE BEST by any stretch of the imagination. He avoided injuries, and that allowed him to get enough reps to get the rushing record. But he can't hold Payton's or Brown's or Sanders' jocks.

Edit: And I might delude myself, but I would never dilute myself. That'd be silly.

[Franklinnoble]

A 10-6 record is the same winning percentage as a baseball team winning 100 games.

That's like saying a 65% completion rating is the same as batting .650. It's not even apples and oranges... we're talking apples and Snickers bars. Totally unrelated.

[Franklinnoble]

If you don't realize that football is a team sport--and one man, no matter how good he might be, can't win a championship by himself--then there is no point in arguing with you. If you think Marino wouldn't have won championships in Troy Aikman's place, you're insane. Marino never had even an above-average running back to take the pressure off of him. And by the time he had a good (but not great) defense, his skills had eroded and his ability to sidestep the rush was gone. If he'd been on the 90s Cowboys or the 80s 49er teams, he would have multiple championships under his belt, and all the idiots wouldn't have that to hold over his head.

Emmitt Smith was a fine running back. One of the best. But not THE BEST by any stretch of the imagination. He avoided injuries, and that allowed him to get enough reps to get the rushing record. But he can't hold Payton's or Brown's or Sanders' jocks.

Edit: And I might delude myself, but I would never dilute myself. That'd be silly.

The alien speaks the truth.

[st.cronin]

That's like saying a 65% completion rating is the same as batting .650. It's not even apples and oranges... we're talking apples and Snickers bars. Totally unrelated.

lol ... of course it's comparable.

Wins and losses are all the same, as are winning percentages - it's not the perfect comparison, since baseball teams don't often win 130 games, whereas there have been many 13-3 teams in the nfl, but whatever. The Patriots are better than the Redskins, so I win.

[Franklinnoble]

That's all I wanted to hear Frankie. :)

In the age of NFL Parity you feel 20-12 over a two year period when you play less than half of your games against your own division is pathetic.

This speaks volumes for credibility IMHO.

Like it or not, the division you play in makes a big difference. Winning in the NFC Central, or even the NFC West, isn't the same as winning in the AFC West, for example.

I think Mike Sherman is a crap coach, and I think the Packers have been a shell of themselves since Holmgren left.

[JeeberD]

Haven't I heard stories about how Marino didn't want a dominant (or even merely good) RB on his team?

I can't remember where I heard that, but it wasn't that long ago...

[Franklinnoble]

lol ... of course it's comparable.

Wins and losses are all the same, as are winning percentages - it's not the perfect comparison, since baseball teams don't often win 130 games, whereas there have been many 13-3 teams in the nfl, but whatever. The Patriots are better than the Redskins, so I win.

Bullshit.

Last year, only one team in baseball won 100 games.

Last year, 14 teams in the NFL won 10 or more games.

Winning 100 games in baseball puts you in the league's elite, and I doubt there's ever been a 100 game winner that didn't make the playoffs.

Winning 10 games in the NFL is pedestrian, and doesn't guarantee anything. Ask Kansas City.

[Kodos]

Haven't I heard stories about how Marino didn't want a dominant (or even merely good) RB on his team?

I can't remember where I heard that, but it wasn't that long ago...

I think it can be argued that he would still want to pass more than run with a great back in the backfield, but if you think he would've turned away a Terrell Davis after he saw what it did for Elway, I'd say you're drunk.

He certainly agreed to pass less in the Jimmy Johnson era. Unfortunately, Johnson never found even an average back. Neither did Shula. Shula has said he'd have been a fool not to let Marino pass. When you have a QB who can do the things Marino could while passing, you let him pass. And if you have a back who is an actual threat to pair with his passing, all the better.

[st.cronin]

Bullshit.

Last year, only one team in baseball won 100 games.

Last year, 14 teams in the NFL won 10 or more games.

Winning 100 games in baseball puts you in the league's elite, and I doubt there's ever been a 100 game winner that didn't make the playoffs.

Winning 10 games in the NFL is pedestrian, and doesn't guarantee anything. Ask Kansas City.

1993 SF Giants

[Franklinnoble]

Yeah, yeah... and the 1985 Denver Broncos missed the playoffs despite going 11-5. It happens. The point is, 10 wins in the NFL is not like 100 wins in baseball.

[duckman]

Edit: And I might delude myself, but I would never dilute myself. That'd be silly.

Oops! Thanks for pointing that out for me. Damn Okie education. ;)

[Craptacular]

How, exactly, are you so sure that he doesn't care about his stats?

He's coming back to play on a Packers team that has been pathetic going on three years now. He has no professional goals to achieve; nothing to prove. He's not that desperate to win, or he would have demanded a trade or outright release. He's established himself as a hall of famer.

So, what's his motivation, then? Money? Love of the game? Ego?

I don't pretend to have any knowledge of the guy on a personal level. I'm just guessing that at this point, there aren't many other reasons for him to return.

Perhaps because he has had more fun playing the game than any player in the history of the NFL?

[Franklinnoble]

Perhaps because he has had more fun playing the game than any player in the history of the NFL?

Oh, come on... :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[rkmsuf]

Haven't I heard stories about how Marino didn't want a dominant (or even merely good) RB on his team?

I can't remember where I heard that, but it wasn't that long ago...

I've been saying that for years. Guy was/is an egomaniac and a horrid team guy.

[JeeberD]

If Smurfie says it's true than it must be so.

[rkmsuf]

If Smurfie says it's true than it must be so.

OJ did it.