Brett Farve wants to play in 2008. The question is, with who? The Packers have been speaking to various teams in the league, exploring Farve’s worth in a possible trade. Most of the teams are in the AFC but some NFC teams have been contacted. Even though they are feeling out their former star QB’s worth, the Packers might not necessarily trade him.

I know its hard to believe that Green Bay could part with their legendary quarterback but a trade would actually make sense. The Packers have a good QB in Aaron Rodgers and drafted that position in this years draft. Keeping Farve in the line up as a starter would make those assets worthless. They could benefit from trading Farve for other lacking positions and possibly 2009 draft picks.

Farve, when/if he returns, is willing to go to any team that makes a deal with Green Bay; that is if his team does in fact trade him. That aspect will influence any would be deals but Farve does desire to play for Green Bay in 2008. Although he has yet to announce his comeback, he has already been told he would be coming back as a backup to Rodgers. Farve would only need to send a letter to the NFL and the Packers asking to be reinstated and he would be able to play in 2008. When or if he does that we don’t know but I’m hoping he does. I’d like to see him play for another team and spread the talent around.

It looks as if NFL Commish Roger Goodell is keeping a close eye with the ongoing saga between the Packers and QB Brett Favre. AP is reporting that Goodell has spoken to the Packers management several times about the drama, and has even encouraged Pack GM Ted Thompson to talk to teams around the league about Favre and a possible trade. That story broke yesterday that the Packers have called several teams about the interest in a deal for Favre.

Favre has still yet to put out a letter of reinstatement, and it is not known as to when that is going to happen. For now, Green Bay is set on going to camp with the plan still in place that Aaron Rodgers is going to be the teams starting QB. One team that has been popping up more and more as a possible destination for Favre is Tampa Bay. The AP report says that Tampa Bay, where this seasons Super Bowl will be played, is “perhaps the most likely destination” for the former MVP.

The St.Petersburg Times ran a story that Bucs GM Bruce Allen asked unhappy QB Chris Simms about Favre last week. “He asked if I felt Brett would be able to come back and be good here if he didn?t have a lot of reps in training camp,” Simms said, according to the paper. “I said I thought he would but there would have to be some compromise with coach (Jon) Gruden. He’ll just want the play called and to drop back and throw it in there. But it’s something we talked about.” The Bucs have down played their desire to land a marquee name like Favre, and for now will stick with Pro Bowl QB from last season Jeff Garcia.

Can you imagine being the man to trade Brett Favre?  That’s exactly what may happen if NFL Network’s Adam Schefter is correct in his front page story on NFL.com today that states the Packers have begun talking to teams about what they would offer for Favre.  The story says that the Pack is basically trying to get feelers as to what they would be offered for Favre’s services, their franchise QB that is now saying he wants to come back after retiring in early March.

Schefter says that the Pack has called more than one AFC team, and at least one NFC team.  The first thing that will be thrown out there is what team(s) the Pack called, and how was the interest level from other teams.  AFC teams that were talked about from day one included the Chiefs and Jets, while the Vikings were a team that many thought Favre would have interest from in the NFC, you can bet the Pack will by no means move Farve to their biggest NFC North rival.

The other issue clearly is what is Favre worth.  I would say no team in the league at this point is willing to give up a first-round pick, but is he worth a second rounder?  I would say “yes,” but that is up to the team willing to do a deal for a player that is going to bring along the distractions of a lifetime, plus a team is going to have to be structured around Favre, and change their entire game plan to play to his strength, like it or not.

So the drama continues, look for a lot more on this, as the Packers continue to try and wait this out.  Mind you Brett has yet to even officially send the letter to the Pack and the league to be reinstated.  Once he does that, it’s game on, and look for the Pack to keep seeking the best deal out there, and one that Favre would agree to.

Top 5 Reasons Favre Should Stay Retired

5. He cried during his retirement speech. There is NO crying in football. You quit…you cry…you stay home.

4. Diminished arm strength. How many times did we see Jennings and Jones have to come back or stop for a deep ball?

3. Sunday, December 23, 2007. Trip to Chicago gets windy and cold, and there is a look in Favre’s eyes and an expression on his face that reads “it’s too cold and I don’t want to be here”. The first time I’ve ever seen it on Favre during a game.

2. At some point the games must end. 17 years is a long time. Not nearly as long as the last couple when the Favre nation wasn’t sure if he’d come back for another year or not. Time for the games to stop, you made a choice, back it up.

1. Sunday, January 20, 2008. There is the look again; it’s all over his face. He looks cold and old and there is no joy. No heart. The thrill is gone, the joy is gone. The Favre we know is gone.

Top 5 Reasons Favre Should Return to the Packers

5. 13-3. The Bears had their number and an injury hurt their chances vs. the cowboys, but a tie for best record in the league should warrant another year.

4. The Receiving Core. Never in his 17 year career has he had a better set of receivers than last year. The chemistry is there and it only got better as the season went on.

3. 275. 442. 61,655. 160. 3. 1. Those would be starts, TDs, Yards, Wins, MVPs and the big SUPER BOWL WIN. It took 30 years for a 3rd super bowl win and it’s a risk to think it won’t take that long again.

2. 16 years of everything he had. Through rain, snow, broken bones, cancer, family deaths and just about everything else that could happen to a guy, he was there for his team. One of the best of all time, respect alone for everything he’s done for the Packers should have Management honoring his request to play again. Hey, they let Jordan back and look what happened.

1. He’s BRETT FAVRE! One of the top 5 quarterbacks of all time, we all deserve one more year!

Sunday fans of Brett Favre showed up at Lambeau Field to support their favorite QB, and BringBackBrettFavre.com is the site that put the rally for Favre together. In this edition of Gridiron Gabbin, site editor Matt Loede talks with that sites co-founder, Adam Rolfson. The pair talk about the site, the rally, and what’s next for the site. Click below to hear this latest Gridiron Gabbin with Matt and Adam Rolfson of BringBackBrettFavre.com

 

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It remains to be seen how serious the tampering charge that is being brought against the Vikings by the Packers really ends up being, but today the Vikings officially declined comment on the matter. Team spokesman Bob Hagan issued a simple two-sentence statement stating that the Vikings “are not commenting on the issue. These types of matters are handled by the league.”

The charge is being brought against the Vikings due to the fact that the Packers are claiming that Vikings offensive coordinator and former Packers QB coach Darrell Bevell had talks with Brett Favre that would go against league rules. Favre and Bevell are friends, but now that Brett has expressed his desire to return, the whole situation has become quite the mess.

The Vikings have been the supposed front-runner from the word “go” if Favre gets what he wants, and that is his release. The Pack have stated that is not going to happen, and that Favre can come back and compete for the starting job, despite the fact they want to give that slot to Aaron Rodgers. Vikings coach Brad Childress called the whole situation “a soap opera” (no kidding) and that Tarvaris Jackson is still the teams QB. Stay tuned.

The Packers have accused the Minnesota Vikings of tampering with Brett Favre. FoxSports.com reports that the Packers have filed tampering charges accusing the Vikings of inappropriate communications with Favre. The charges were reportedly filed because of conversations Favre had during this offseason with Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.

Bevell was Favre’s quarterback coach with the Packers from 2003. If an NFL investigation finds the Vikings guilty of tampering, they could lose a draft pick. Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, now says Favre is going to hold off on petitioning the NFL for removal from the retired list. ESPN.Com reports that Bus now says he and Favre are going to wait and let Green Bay decide what they’re going to do.

During an interview with FOX News on “On the Record with Greta Van Susteren,” retired Packers QB Brett Favre called out the Packers for saying things differently to the public than have said to him. “Don’t make up a lot of stuff or give half of the truth,” Favre said about comments that have come from the Packers. “It’s ridiculous, it really is.”

Favre said he has not filed any official retirement paperwork with the league. Favre said he gave the team a true answer early in the year when he said he was not 100 percent committed to playing football. “I won’t play unless I’m 100 percent committed,” Favre said. He said he wanted to wait until training camp to make a decision, but the team needed an answer from him early in the year.

“I was told playing in Green Bay was not an option,” Favre said after approaching them about a return. “I’m not making it up.” He said they then told him the team cannot see him playing with another team, either. He said the team has told him they are trying to protect his legacy but he scoffed at the idea of his legacy being protected by having him serve as a backup. “It’s unfortunate it has come to this,” Favre said.

The 38-year-old Favre officially announced his retirement during an emotional press conference March 6th. He left the game as the NFL’s all-time leader in touchdown passes, passing yards, completions, consecutive starts among quarterbacks and victories as a starting QB. Over his 17 NFL seasons, Favre amassed 61,655 yards, 442 touchdowns, 288 interceptions and 160 wins as a starting signal-caller.