The American Spectator

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Packer Problems

8.1.08 @ 12:01AM

TROUBLE IN GREEN BAY
Re: Ryan Young's Decisions, Decisions:

Brett Favre's retirement is starting to remind me of Bill Clinton's retirement: How can we miss you if you won't go away?
-- Robert Nowall
Cape Coral, Florida

Fans can have it both ways, and as a Cowboys fan I can attest to that. In professional sports, fans usually "root for the laundry," because the players change so often, especially in football. But for me as a Cowboys fan I have seen two all time great players leave Dallas to play elsewhere, and I have cheered them on even as I cheered my team.

I remember when Tony Dorsett was let go by Dallas and ended up playing for the Denver Broncos, and it killed me that "TD" had to go. But I understood that it was best for the team to let him go and start looking towards the future, because TD's best days were behind him. It didn't profit the team anything to hold onto him "for old time's sake" when he wasn't able to produce any longer.

And I remember when Emmitt Smith left the 'Boys for Arizona; that one really hurt! This was the all time leading rusher in NFL history we're talking about, and he was going to Arizona? But again, I stuck with my team and their decision because I could see that Emmitt could no longer get the job done on a consistent basis.

In both cases, I was hoping that the players would still have good years in their new homes, because I had grown so fond of them when they played for my Cowboys. But I could also not fault the Cowboys for parting ways with the players, because the Star is bigger than any individual player, and the players involved knew it.

And that is the difference in those situations and this one with the Packers and Favre; Favre has apparently decided that he is bigger than the organization. He has had them dancing to his tune for the last 3 years with his Hamlet act regarding his future, and after he retires he wants to come back... and basically demands that he be reinstated as the starter! This from a guy who in March told the world that he no longer had the desire to play football, and who after his hinting that he wanted to return then told the Packers that he was not interested in a return after all. He has called his GM a liar, has destroyed any trust between himself and the organization, and has done everything to create a media depiction if himself as victim.

That's why, if I were a Green Bay fan it world be very hard for me to root for Favre in Green Bay or elsewhere. With his antics and constant public criticism of the team's management, he is reinforcing the notion that he is bigger than the entire Packers organization and that it should bend to his will. That is the attitude of a spoiled child, not an attitude you want as the leader of your football team.
-- Eric Edwards
(Cowboys Fan for Life)
Walnut Cove, North Carolina

I'm obviously a Packer fan living here in Green Bay. If I wasn't, I'd probably have some serious problems in the workforce.

The Packers went though his shenanigans last year when he could not make up his mind if he wanted to play.

Favre should be traded especially to a cold weather team that does not have a dome. I don't seem him being too successful with a new team, new playbook, new offensive line, and new receivers. The two cold weather games last year resulted in a terrible performance for Favre. And if Favre has to put the weight of the game on his shoulders, the interceptions just pile up.

He's a great quarterback and he'll always get his share of completed passes. But when he's been in the same playbook for 18 years, can he really adjust?
-- Dennis Campbell
Green Bay, Wisconsin

I have a question. If Favre comes back to a backup status will this stop his consecutive streak?

If so, this seems to give Packer management the whip hand.
-- Oldguy

GRAVY TRAIN
Re: George Neumayr's Boarding the Tomnibus:

Letter to the Editor

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