But now that there are the “rumors” that he could once again come out of retirement, here I am once again talking about him. You have to admit one thing, the guy is never boring. Not in the way he plays and not in the hype that follows him.

In case you haven’t heard, Favre asked for a release from the Jets way back in February when he retired. It was finally granted late Tuesday night after the Jets had finally secured a quarterback. The Jets couldn’t have kept Favre because they couldn’t afford him under the salary cap this year. A release was the only option.

Now the “rumor” is that he could go to Minnesota, something he wanted to do last year when the Packers decided to play hard ball. But who is more stubborn? Packers GM Ted Thompson or Favre? Rumors have swirled that the two have butted heads from the beginning, with Thompson wanting Favre gone so he could bring his new favorite Aaron Rodgers on the scene. Last year, Thompson finally made that happen. To make darn good and sure that Favre couldn’t play against Green Bay (and perhaps because Thompson wanted to stick it to Favre a bit more) he put a clause into his trade agreement that if the Jets traded Favre to any NFC North team, they would give Green Bay three first round draft picks.

So you know the Jets weren’t doing that!

However, Favre retired. (I know… again.) And asked for his release. The Jets, now secure with a new quarterback, granted it. That leaves Favre a free agent should he want to return to football. (I can hear Ted Thompson gnashing his teeth as I write this.)

Favre, for his part, said, “At this time, I am retired and have no intention of returning to football.”

Those three words (”at this time”) are what has everyone reeling.

For my part, I think Favre very much could come back to the league. After all, he’s the same age as my favorite Kurt Warner, who just got re-signed with the Cardinals. Since the Vikings are missing a great quarterback at the moment, it might make sense for him to go there.

Will Packer fans be pissed? If they are anything like me, they will be reminded of a very ugly part of their history, where a GM and a player couldn’t treat each other with respect. It won’t diminish the player’s records, but it does bring back a whole set of issues that have nothing to do with the spirit of the game.

All last year we were reminded about “the Favre saga” every single game. Packers Coach Mike McCarthy even went so far as to compare Rodgers physical stats to Favre. Like…. who cares? Can everyone just shut up and play?

I was looking forward to a season where Rodgers would stop trying to jaw about being a great quarterback and just show us he is. I was looking forward to announcers to calling the game that played before them, and not one that happened a few years before with another quarterback. I was looking forward to people realistically looking at the Packers, and not “what they were” or “what they could be.”

But now? I am filled with a combination of fascination and dread at the thought of having “the Favre controversy” brought back to the NFC North once again. One thing is for sure, I’m never saying “the Favre saga” is done ever again!

Image: Bauer-Griffin

Post from: EveryJoe

Packer Fans and the Favre Saga

But now the Jets will need Mangini to help them get Jay Cutler. Cutler is currently with the Broncos and it appears they won’t give him a new contract. So the Jets want him, since… oh… they booted out Chad Peninnington so they could bring on Brett Favre… who retired and now they have no one.

Unless Favre unretires, that is!

(I’m slapping my mouth shut as I said it….)

Anywho, back to the Jets. In order to trade for Cutler, the Jets need to give the Broncos someone, and they don’t have anyone. So they are enlisting the help of Mangini, who is now with the Browns and happens to have two quarterbacks lying around that he doesn’t really want to keep.

What does Mangini (and the Browns) get out of this deal? Some premium draft picks. And the Browns desperately need those.

So there you go, burnt bridges or no, looks like all these coaches have learned to play nice with one another.

Post from: EveryJoe

Jets Need Mangini for Cutler Trade

New York Jet Shaun Ellis apparently decided to get in on the snowball throwing fun by returning the favor. As fans were throwing balls onto the field, he lobbed a huge chunk of snow (and probably, ice) right into a fan’s face.

Check it out:

Well… you know how football players are. They don’t know their own strength. LOL!

Post from: EveryJoe

Jets Fan Gets a Chunk of Ice in His Face

 A video of obnoxious New York Jets fans at “Gate D” who harrass women and basically make the team red in the face. (Huh, that makes for on- and off-field embarrassment for Coach Belicheck best bud, Eric Mangini).

A helping of calorie-free Schadenfreude is just what we need the day before Thanksgiving! (Sorry, Jets fans. You know how it is).

Check out the video and accompanying news coverage (2m, 23s) in this article. And then give thanks that this is the Jets and not anyone else.

Post from: EveryJoe

Pats Fans REALLY Thankful for This Video