Everyone wins in Favre deal ... except Favre
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Talk about symbolism.
Eleven hours later, Favre was hopping another jet to join the New York Jets and begin his career anew.
FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer broke one of the biggest trade stories in NFL history. The Packers sent their future Hall of Fame quarterback late Wednesday to New York for a conditional fourth-round pick that could end up as high as a first-rounder depending on how well the Jets' season turns out.
It's a deal that has sent both franchises soaring high.
Even though the New York Giants won Super Bowl XLII, the Jets should no longer be considered second fiddle to their cross-town rival. The Jets already had made significant improvements this offseason thanks to a nine-digit spending spree that netted such standouts as guard Alan Faneca, outside linebacker Calvin Pace and nose tackle Kris Jenkins.
But such acquisitions didn't guarantee New York could make a run at the New England Patriots for AFC East supremacy. Favre does.
As for the Packers, this was the best possible scenario once the franchise decided it wanted to permanently cut ties with Favre after a tumultuous offseason. Green Bay desperately wanted to avoid trading Favre within the conference because of the possibility that, even at age 38, he may still be capable of performing at the same high level as last season. Now, the only way Green Bay can face Favre in 2008 is if both teams reach Super Bowl XLIII.
Fittingly, that championship game will be held in Tampa — home of the squad that flubbed its opportunity to land Favre by making Green Bay too low an offer.
Favre signed off on the Jets trade even though the Buccaneers seemed a much better fit both personally — he's Mississippi country, not a Broadway baby — and professionally. The defending NFC South champion, Tampa Bay is flush with salary cap space and uses a West Coast-style offense that Favre could have quickly learned. Plus, playing for the Bucs would have finally given Favre the chance to escape the frigid Wisconsin winters.
Green Bay officially turned a cold shoulder to Favre after his extensive meetings Monday and Tuesday with head coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy told his players Tuesday night that Favre wasn't coming back, helping to diffuse what right tackle Mark Tauscher described as a "tense atmosphere."
"The players want resolution," McCarthy said Wednesday morning. "To come out here every day and talk about somebody that is not here and then shows up, it's gone on too long."
The pro-Favre faction that disrupted Tuesday's practice were noticeably absent during both of Wednesday's sessions. So was the skittish play of Favre's replacement.
Aaron Rodgers had performed poorly since Favre returned to Green Bay on Sunday following his NFL reinstatement from retirement. But Rodgers was outstanding during evening drills and was once again enjoying himself, pumping his fist in celebration after connecting on the first of three deep passes to wide receiver James Jones.
Packers fans still praying for a last-minute Favre reconciliation had their hopes dashed Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. local time when his entourage boarded an airplane for Hattiesburg, Miss. This "event" was covered by one local television station with so much gusto that the only things missing were O.J. Simpson and a white Bronco.
Unfortunately, camera angles didn't show how far Favre's tail was tucked between his legs.
Why did Favre bother coming up here? If the purpose was to force his unconditional release or regain his starting position, Favre should have been prepared to use any means necessary. Refuse to speak with other teams about a trade. Do whatever McCarthy asked and take your chances on the field.
With the way Rodgers had recently performed, Favre could have been back in the starting lineup before long. Even had Favre struggled, he still had leverage. The Packers would have needed to eventually decide whether to keep Favre on the regular-season roster — guaranteeing a $12 million base salary as well as an ongoing distraction that would undermine Rodgers' chances of success.
Yes, such an approach would tarnish Favre's Packers legacy. But those tactics would have been no uglier than some deployed by both sides in this five-month drama.
Favre softened his stance toward a trade Monday night and agreed to speak with the Jets and Bucs following a lengthy sit-down conversation with McCarthy. It should be noted that the talk took place mano a mano without Favre having his ear filled with rhetoric from those around him.
Maybe that's why it was so productive. And maybe it wouldn't have come to this had McCarthy and Favre aired their grievances earlier rather than letting them fester.
"We both wish maybe things could have been said a different way, handled differently," McCarthy said.
The Jets, though, aren't complaining.
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