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The Green Bay Packers will have to wait until Sunday morning to find out if quarterback Aaron Rodgers is fit to play against the Atlanta Falcons. His throwing shoulder is still bothering him. Aaron injured it in a loss to Tampa Bay last week. And it will be during pregame warmups that the final decision will be made. Aaron is officially listed as questionable but did manage to get some throwing in yesterday. If Aaron can’t go, it’s rookie Matt Flynn’s job. Head coach Mike McCarthy thinks the team is ready either way:

“Hopefully [Aaron] will feel good tomorrow. He feels good. His rehab has been positive. The strength is improving. How he responds tomorrow will probably tell the tale. I’m preparing to go either way.”

Keep in mind, Green Bay fans are used to seeing their starting QB play. You know Brett Favre’s story. I won’t insult you by repeating it. But if they have to go to backup Matt Flynn — and nothing against Matt, I’m sure he’s a fine quarterback in the right situation — all I can say is it significantly decreases the Packers chances of winning football games. Matt took the first-team snaps yesterday and if the Packers are thinking long-term, I’m guessing they’ll protect Aaron Rodgers and go with the rookie.

Source: ESPN.com, Photo: Newscom

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Aaron Rodgers a Game Time Decision

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hurt his right shoulder during a 30-21 loss to the Tampa Bay Bucs today. Aaron left the game before the Packers first offensive possession of the fourth quarter and returned seven minutes later with his team down 23-21. The Packers don’t expect to know how serious the injury is until tomorrow (Aaron himself said it might be dislocated or separated) and head coach Mike McCarthy doesn’t have any idea if his all-or-nothing quarterback will be OK for next week’s game:

“I have no idea. It’s too early to tell. He was able to go back in and play the one series, so I think tomorrow morning like a lot of cases will have a lot to do. Pat McKenzie (team physician) has not had a chance to put him through a thorough examination.”

If Aaron Rodgers can’t go next week against Atlanta — or for any other game this season — the Packers are screwed. They put all their hope in Aaron being able to lead them through this entire 2008 season when they opted not to allow Brett Favre back. So if Aaron is injured, the next QB in line is rookie Matt Flynn. The Packers are a team built for the playoffs and beyond right now. But not with a rookie quarterback. They’re hoping tomorrow’s news on Aaron Rodgers is good news. Their season depends on it.

Source: Green Bay Press Gazette

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Aaron Rodgers Injures Shoulder

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Green Bay Packers All-Pro defensive back Al Harris may have ruptured his spleen in last night’s 27-16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He left the game about halfway through the first quarter after a collision with teammate A.J. Hawk. I guess some of his symptoms (like blood in his urine) are pointing to that. The injury could end Al’s season, but he is seeking a second opinion. Earlier today, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said:

“They’re just doing scans. They’re checking for everything I’m sure.”

This doesn’t sound good at all. If the Packers lose one half of their arguably league best shutdown tandem (the other side of the defensive secondary is manned by Charles Woodson), it will be a huge blow to this team. Al has not missed a game during his 10 years in the NFL, having played in 172 straight (160 regular season, plus 12 in the playoffs), which includes starting all 85 games (80 regular season, 5 playoffs) since coming to Green Bay in 2003.

Source: The National Football Post, Packers.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Al Harris May Have Ruptured Spleen

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

After all the mental anguish Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers went through in the Brett Favre “unretirement” saga this past offseason, I’m surprised he’s able to complete a forward pass. All he’s done is start the 2008 season with back-to-back stellar performances, beating two division rivals (the Vikings and Lions) in compiling 506 passing yards, four touchdowns and a top five 117.8 QB rating. Those are — dare I say — Brett Favre-like numbers. But Packers head coach Mike McCarthy notices one glaring difference. Aaron is less likely to throw the ball into a crowd like his gunslinging predecessor:

“He’s making good decisions and he’s being accurate with the football. He hasn’t taken many chances, and that’s all part of good quarterback play.”

Not that Brett’s sometimes careless nature on the football field was any reason for the Packers to say “enough already.” You know that story. And enough already. But for all the concern around Packer Nation on how this quarterback transition would fare, so far so good. Aaron has been everything the Green Bay faithful could’ve hoped for.

Source: Packers.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Aaron Rodgers is Not Brett Favre?

Finally, the other guys. After two weeks of going against teammates in training camp, all NFL clubs will be able to see a real, live opponent this weekend. It’s the first full weekend of NFL preseason football, bookended by nationally televised games tonight and Monday night.

Tonight – New Orleans at Arizona (ESPN, 8 p.m.) New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, who has completed the most passes for the most yards in the NFL over the past two years, thinks there is always room for improvement — by himself and his team. He wants to get back to the playoffs. Arizona’s Matt Leinart returns from a broken collarbone suffered last October. He has spent camp perfecting head coach Ken Whisenhunt’s offense, a process that was interrupted last season.

Monday – Cincinnati at Green Bay (ESPN, 8 p.m.) For Green Bay, it will be the first outing as starting quarterback for Aaron Rodgers, the club’s first-round draft choice of 2005. Head coach Mike McCarthy will give Aaron plenty of playing time this summer, starting him in all four preseason games. The Bengals want to get things back to where they were in 2005, when they went 11-5 and won the AFC North. They think they are on the way with a No. 10 finish in total offense last season and a No. 7 in passing. Cincinnati has added to quarterback Carson Palmer’s top-flight receiving corps headed by Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh and will use the preseason to work-in the newcomers. The Bengals signed tight end Ben Utecht from Indianapolis to strengthen their passing game down the middle, and rookie wideouts Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson have been strong in camp and will see plenty of action starting Monday.

Other Games to Check Out This Weekend

Tonight: N.Y. Giants at Detroit, Baltimore at New England, N.Y. Jets at Cleveland, Kansas City at Chicago; Friday: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, Seattle at Minnesota, San Francisco at Oakland; Saturday: Buffalo at Washington, Tampa Bay at Miami, Atlanta at Jacksonville, Indianapolis at Carolina, Denver at Houston, St. Louis at Tennessee, Dallas at San Diego.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

First Full Preseason Weekend Kicks Off

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Since Brett Favre’s reinstatement into the National Football League Sunday, it seems the Green Bay Packers are now going back on their comments of an open competition at quarterback between Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. So, Brett feels his release or trade from the team is the only solution at this point. The Packers were cornered into announcing that Brett would be back with the team for a 17th season and they seemed to be welcoming him to work his way back into the starting lineup, but after a five-and-a-half hour meeting yesterday between Brett and head coach Mike McCarthy, Brett felt the two sides were at an impasse:

“Mike and I both agreed last night that me being out there is a distraction and will continue to be a distraction. We all know the reason I’m here is because the commissioner reinstated me so we have a lot of things to figure out. It’s simple and complicated, both at the same time. Mike told me, hey, we’re a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition. I don’t have a problem with competing — you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he’s been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that’s not good for this team. I’ll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn’t going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike’s shoes, I’d see it basically the same way he sees it, I’m sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he’d see it my way. I think we both agree on that. They want to know if I’m committed but I want to know if they’re 100 percent committed. The problem is that there’s been a lot of damage done and I can’t forget it. Stuff has been said, stories planted, that just aren’t true. Can I get over all that? I doubt it.”

Brett left the Packers facility today without practicing and, along with his wife, is scheduled to meet with GM Ted Thompson later today to discuss the options. At this point, if Brett can’t be the starting quarterback for the Packers (and it appears he cannot), he wants to play for the Minnesota Vikings or Chicago Bears. But the Packers have not allowed him to talk to the Vikings or Bears. Hence, the stalemate. One side is going to have to give, though. Either the Packers are going to let Brett go to an NFC North rival or Brett is going to have to open up the list of teams he’s willing to play for. I echo Brett’s comments: “I don’t know where it’s headed. We’ll see.”

Source: ESPN.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Brett Favre Wants Out of Green Bay

Brett Favre finally filed paperwork for reinstatement into the National Football League today. He faxed a letter to the league office around 5 p.m. EST. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell did not immediately act on the request (hey, normal business hours are 9-5), but he’s likely to approve Brett’s reinstatement tomorrow. The Packers would then have 24 hours to do something with Brett — a.) add him to the 80-man roster, b.) trade him or c.) release him. That’s an easy one. They’ll add him to the 80-man roster initially. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said Brett would have to pass a physical and go through a conditioning test before he could practice, so expect to see Brett as — ahem — Aaron Rodgers’ backup beginning Friday. After practice today, Coach McCarthy said:

“There’s no ill feelings toward Brett Favre, and he will be welcomed back in our locker room. I’m not going to sit here and tell you it’s not a distraction. But it’s only a distraction if we let it be a distraction.”

After all that’s happened in this “unretirement” saga, it’s hard to believe Brett will be a Green Bay Packer again. There just seems to be too much bad blood between Brett and management. At the same time, it would be even more unusual to see him in another uniform. It’s anyone’s guess where this thing is headed. I really believe it will be a day-to-day fiasco. There are so many questions that will need answering, but ultimately … Will Brett Favre, the NFL career leader in touchdown passes and a three-time most valuable player, really be a $12 million/year backup quarterback after starting the previous 253 games for Green Bay? Wrap your brain around that one.

Source: The New York Times

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Brett Favre Applies for NFL Reinstatement

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

At today’s season-opening presser, Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy reiterated that Aaron Rodgers is the team’s starting quarterback. Brett Favre is supposed to report to camp tomorrow. But that doesn’t mean he will. If he does, he’ll be the second string QB until he’s traded.

Source: Packers.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Packers Committed to Aaron Rodgers

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

Brett Favre returned to Lambeau Field today to honor former center Frank Winters’ induction into the Green Bay Packers’ Hall of Fame today. I wonder how uncomfortable that was for Brett? And Ted Thompson? And Mike McCarthy? And others? Brett declined to answer any questions about his “unretirement” out of respect for the event and the individuals being honored. I wonder what the coming weeks will bring in regards to Brett’s possible return to the game?

I think former Packers defensive back LeRoy Butler made a very sensible statement. He feels Brett wavered in his retirement plans and should return to the team and compete for a starting spot just like any other player. And may the best man win the role of starting quarterback. I agree. Brett did go back on his retirement announcement. Ok, so he was rightfully pressured into making a decision back in March and at the time he felt burned out and not ready to go through the rigors of another season. But time healed that. Nevertheless, Brett is not bigger than the Packers (contrary to what some believe) and if he wants to return to the game, I think he should do so in an open competition (which he’ll win) with a restructured contract.

Source: ESPN.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Brett Favre Returns to Lambeau Field

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Here’s the transcript of the second half of Brett Favre’s interview with Greta Van Susteren of Fox News today. (Click here to read the first half.) I don’t know why Greta refers to the Minnesota Vikings as the Minneapolis Vikings.

Greta Van Susteren: Let me ask you something. Right now are the Packers paying you any money?

Brett Favre: No.

GVS: So you are, quote, retired?

BF: Yes.

GVS: What you want, since they don’t want you back, at least they’ve sent that message to you, they say they’ve moved on, you want to be released to pursue anything you want?

BF: To play for whoever, you know?

GVS: And they want to, quote, trade you…

BF: Maybe.

GVS: Maybe trade you or put you on the bench. If they trade you, they can basically hide you on a team that they know the Packers won’t compete with or doesn’t have a Super Bowl chance.

BF: I would say that’s exactly right. And they haven’t even talked about a trade. It’s been, ‘We will welcome Brett back. He’ll have to understand he’ll be a backup.’

GVS: Why not do that? If you look at it, Aaron Rodgers, I hope he’s a healthy man, but he hasn’t started a game. You’ve started the last 275, I think that’s the number. And he’s been injured twice.

BF: The one thing in this, I do feel bad for Aaron a little bit. I think he’ll do a fine job, to be totally honest with you. I do. He has been injured. The two injuries are not his fault. Couldn’t control them. I know this has been tough on him. I think he’ll do a fine job. And this has nothing to do with him, this whole deal. If they want to make me a backup … The thing is, they’ve been preaching about, ‘We want to protect Brett’s legacy’ … and we both know what that’s about. How does that protect my legacy if I’m a backup? Brett, we welcome you back, we’ll pay you $12 million but you’ve got to hold the clipboard and ball cap. That’s probably better for them as opposed to letting me go somewhere and me coming back. Then, their legacy, the management, could be in jeopardy. Let me worry about that. You don’t worry about my legacy. It’s a bunch of bull. That’s all it is.

GVS: To think ahead, if the Packers did release you, and let’s say a team picks you up that really needs a quarterback. Chicago, Baltimore or even Minneapolis. And I think the thought of that first Monday night game, I think the Packers play Minneapolis. Don’t they play the Vikings?

BF: Yes, yes.

GVS: That’s also the day they’re supposed to retire the Green Bay ‘4.’ To have you run out in a purple uniform will make the fans crazy.

BF: I’ve never envisioned that. I’ve heard all the talk like everyone else. It’s hard not to. But that’s always been our biggest rivalry, obviously with the Bears. Did I ever think of that? No. Did I ever think it would happen? Absolutely not. In my getting a release, obviously it gives you an option. I don’t know if other teams would make a play for me. … It may not work out. We won’t know unless we’re released. And how am I supposed to trust that they’re working on a trade after the things that have been told to me in the past? Teams may have called and said, ‘Hey, we’re interested.’ Well, you know, I mean, they may never tell us. The longer this goes on, the less likely that I am to play with someone because of the time factor.

GVS: Training camp starts, right around the corner. The 27th of July?

BF: For Green Bay. Other teams are probably reporting earlier.

GVS: Let me get this straight. You’re now 100 percent certain you want to play football?

BF: Where is a different question, yes.

GVS: 100 percent?

BF: Right. And I very well may not play, Greta.

GVS: But that’s your desire?

BF: Well, the circumstance…

GVS: And you’re physically ready to do this?

BF: I think so, yeah. I think I’m ready.

GVS: And Deanna is on board, your wife?

BF: Yeah.

GVS: Have the Packers told you you could come back and sit on the bench?

BF: That’s what I’m hearing, yes. Yeah.

GVS: Is that unacceptable to you?

BF: I think so. I’ve had a lot of people say, and you’ve mentioned that, go back and hold them to it. Well, I don’t see it that way. It’s tempting because everyone is saying, ‘Call their bluff,’ or whatever. I think it’s going to be a circus in itself already, whether I go there or whatever. And I like my teammates. I had a lot of fun with them. I have talked to numerous guys throughout this whole ordeal. I wish them the best. I really do. I hold nothing against those guys. We had a lot of fun together. It was an amazing year last year. I don’t want to make it any worse than it is. I mean, I’ve always been a Packer and always will be a Packer. Will I play somewhere else? Remains to be seen. But I don’t want to go back there just to stick it to them.

GVS: When you had that announcement in March, you got very emotional. Is this emotional for you?

BF: Very emotional. The way I play the game, the way I live my life, is very emotional. And I’m sorry. I’ve got friends that pick on me all the time about crying, not only during that press conference but last year after a Chicago Bears game. ‘Hey, Favre is crying again.’ And it is a little bit embarrassing to me at times. But that’s the only way I know to be. It’s real. It’s genuine. Every game I’ve ever played, regardless of if it was preseason or Super Bowl, meant the same to me. And I laid it all on the line, and I hope people can appreciate it, because I do. And if I don’t play again, it’s not the end of the world, because I look back and have no regrets. There are some games that I wish I would have won, but I played every game the same way. And so what you see is what you get. I don’t know what else to tell you. Yeah, I was emotional. ‘He was believable.’ I heard that. ‘Favre was believable.’ Well, it was real. I didn’t think I’d play again and still may not. I was giving an honest answer at that time. They didn’t make me give that answer. They asked if they could have that answer before free agency and the draft. And I did.

GVS: Have you spoke to Aaron Rodgers at all?

BF: No.

GVS: Were you friendly with him?

BF: We got along fine. He’s 14 years younger than me. I know he made some comments here lately. But when I was his age I made some crazy comments, too, so I can’t hold that against him. It seems to me that some things were released I think the same day that the Sports Illustrated article was coming out. They’re going to probably say that they didn’t release any of this info or get the pot stirring. But if they did it was pretty smart, because it deflected a lot of the comments that he supposedly made.

GVS: About the fans having to basically get over you?

BF: Yeah. And I’m sure he’s tired of answering questions about Brett Favre.

GVS: It must be hard on him.

BF: It’s got to be hard on him. My only advice to him, and I never gave him advice really, would be that the only way to shut that up, we all know, is to go out and play and play well. And that’s not to say that they would forget what I’ve done. But go out and prove it on the field. That’s all I would say. I’m not sitting here bashing Aaron Rodgers. I think he’ll do a fine job, and I think his comments are not a surprise. Not only from him, but I might have said the same thing.

GVS: I know you haven’t made any decisions, but is going back to Green Bay an option and being the backup quarterback at this point?

BF: Going back and being a backup quarterback? No.

GVS: What about competing for starting quarterback?

BF: Why?

GVS: I’m just asking.

BF: That’s what I would ask them: ‘Why?’ ‘Well, Brett, you retired. You know what I mean?’

GVS: Allowing them to trade you so that they get something in return?

BF: It’s hard to imagine. But if I’m going to play, I mean obviously I would have to agree to whoever it is. And I’m sure they’re not going to do it with a big rival or a competitor or whatever. But that may be our only option. I don’t know what else to do.

GVS: If they release you, which is now your first choice if you can’t be the starting quarterback, if they release you, that at least enables you to make your own decisions.

BF: Why not ask for it? That’s what Bus [Cook] and I, we talked about it. Why not ask for it? Do we think we’ll get it? But that gives you freedom to sign with anyone. But I’m still under contract, and as far as I know, you can’t talk to anyone and they can’t talk to you. They have to go through the Packers via the trade scenario. ‘Hey, we understand that Brett possibly could be traded.’ How do we know that he hasn’t talked to someone? I guess he yesterday said that no one has inquired. That may very well be true. But then again, how do we know it’s not?

GVS: What do you make of the rallies? There are a couple rallies scheduled to bring Brett Favre back, some of your fans.

BF: Once again, Green Bay is a special place. Wisconsin is a special place. I truly appreciate not only these rallies, but the way they … you know, I’ve been booed a couple of times in that stadium, deservedly so. I didn’t always play well. I had my ups and downs. But through it all, most people can say, ‘You know, I appreciate the way he played, the way he handled himself. I wasn’t perfect. Never will be. But I’ve always shot it straight and honest and played the game that way. I think those people, now, I think they’ll hear this side of the story. They can believe what they want. But for the most part, the people that are rallying and know me, think they know me, would say, ‘You know, now this makes more sense. That’s kind of what we thought.’ I’m not here to convince people. I’m here to tell the truth. And I hope the fans know it’s not about them. Obviously it’s not. Because I can’t go anywhere else and get what I’ve got in Green Bay. Never will. No one can. And I was fortunate through those years to appreciate it, witness it, feel it. There’s nothing like it.

Source: Fox News, Photo: Newscom

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Brett Favre Fox News Interview Part 2