Brett Favre Clears the Air

It has been a tumultuous week for Brett Favre. He publicly complained about the Packers front office. He deflected reports that his agent had asked the team for a trade. And he considered skipping this weekend’s mandatory minicamp. I just watched Brett’s press conference after yesterday’s practice and he addressed all those issues, but was first quick to dispel the trade rumors that had been mysteriously circulating:

“I do want to clear up this trade issue. Non-issue as I call it. Never was a trade ever mentioned or requested. I just don’t know where it came from. It’s just not true. Frustrated at this point last week, yeah? But I’m here and ready to move forward.”

He also put to rest the idea that he did not have confidence in his teammates:

“Not once did I say anything about the guys I play with. And I know that has been brought up, and I want proof that I said something about the guys I play with. Never did I say that. I’m not going to stand up in front of them. I’ve seen a lot of the guys in passing, and I mean, we’re fine. I don’t know what they say when they go home. But you show me where I said anything about the guys I play with. I want you to show me.”

And as far as participating in this week’s minicamp, he apologized for not having a better story to help grab headlines:

“I don’t think anyone can question my leadership and determination to win, and that hasn’t changed I know at times people want to do that. And had I not shown up, it becomes even a bigger issue. To be really honest with you, I just didn’t want to come. I’d like to tell you something different. Something to sell papers and have people watch your TV programs, but (my reasons) are kind of boring to be honest with you. Especially knowing they’re going to limit what I do. And understandably so. Sometimes I just don’t want to be here to stand around, but I know that’s important. I’m gonna try to do some things this weekend. I wish I could give you more.”

Brett Favre and the Packers will survive, although they won’t be as strong as they would have been had they acted more aggressive in free agency. I understand Brett’s frustration at his team not making a harder push to get Randy Moss, a playmaker that he desired to have on his side. It’s got to be difficult for him to watch as the New England Patriots load up their team for Tom Brady in his prime while the Packers do pretty much nothing as Brett enters what will most likely be his final NFL season. I would be frustrated, too. I think we’d all like to make up stories that typify behavior after these kinds of incidents, but the truth of the matter is that Brett Favre is a Packer, the Packers will be a pretty good football team that might make the playoffs, and the New England Patriots will win the Super Bowl.