Cross-posted at TheWisconsinSportsBar.
The NFL has confirmed an NFL Network report that it received a request from Brett Favre for reinstatement. Once Commissioner Roger Goodell approves the request, the Packers will have but 24 hours to reinstate him, complete a trade, or give him his outright release. Unless Goodell dwaddles, which I cannot discount, I expect that approval to happen tomorrow, with the reinstate/trade/release clock running out on Thursday.
The problem with the trade third is nobody outside the NFC North, where Ted Thompson desperately doesn’t want to see Favre end up, is willing to give up a third-rounder plus a defensive tackle for a diva whose current contract is for $12 million this year, $13 million next year and $14 million in 2010. This is despite reports of Goodell’s involvement in trade talks.
If the trade talks continue to sputter, I expect Thompson to “reinstate” Favre and promptly find a way to keep him off the active roster and out of training camp in order to preserve his lifelong dream of being the guy who retired Favre. That is likely to result in a grievance.
Barring the miracle trade, this one’s going to get even uglier.
Revisions/extensions (4:44 pm 7/30/2008) – The Green Bay Press-Gazette has a couple of more developments:
– Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy met with both Favre and agent James “Bus” Cook today, and during a short break, Cook said things “were going well”.
– The NFL announced that it would not take action on Favre’s reinstatement letter today to allow the team and Favre more time for the two sides to work out a solution.
Leave it to Wile E. Thompson to replace Sal Bando in the annals of villainy in sports in Wisconsin. Runner-up are those horses’ asses on the Packer blogs at JSOnline who apparently hate Favre worse than the Viqueens.
Organizations win championships not players. After all, Jerry Krause and the Bulls did fine once they fired Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson, and those bums that got in the way.
You do not rebuild at 13-3 and one game away from the Superbowl. Ted Thompson must be a liberal. There is no other explanation.
Give # 4 what he wants.
eric aka the Tygrrrr Express
The Favre situation may result in a new retirement clause for top end contracts. If I were an owner, I would insist that the signing bonus covers the compensation for the year following post-retirement reinstatement. It’s not right that Favre can renege on his word AND collect $12 million. I’m not sure any team will take on his contract on that pay scale. Is some kind of A-Rod salary sharing deal in the offing?