Packers need to move on Favre

By Jeff Christian

Published: July 30, 2008

The Brett Favre saga has got to end. Enough is enough.
As for the Green Bay Packers, they seem to be talking out of both sides of their mouth.
Head coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday after learning Favre had faxed his reinstatement papers that Favre would be welcomed to camp and that the Packers would sit with him and talk with him before making it public what was said in the meeting.
Tuesday night, president of football operations for the Packers, Mark Murphy, traveled to Mississippi to meet with Favre and his agent James “Bus” Cook on Wednesday, in what was reported as an attempt to keep Favre from attending camp. The meeting took place at Cook’s office in Hattiesburg.
So which is it? Do the Packers want him in Green Bay, or not.
They don’t. So do something with him.
Wednesday morning, McCarthy told the Associated Press, “I really don’t have any thoughts as far as Mark Murphy going to Mississippi. That’s something you’re going to have to ask Mark about. I’m not involved in the specifics of it. I really have no information for you.”
Once Favre is reinstated, the Packers have 24 hours to either add him to the roster, or release him. The Packers could also trade him. Green Bay has said, however, it would not give Favre his release for fear he would jump to division rival Minnesota.
But if traded, where would the Packers send him? Tampa Bay, the New York Jets and the Baltimore Ravens seem the likely teams. However, for some reason or another, the Ravens have said they are not interested in Favre.
Well, Kyle Boller has done such a great job in Baltimore, why would the Ravens want a future Hall of Fame quarterback over one that can seem to get out of his own way?
Let’s compare the two, last year Favre completed 356 out of 535 passes, Boller completed 168 out of 275. Favre covered 4,155 yards with his completions, while Boller covered 1,743.
Favre had 28 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions, while Boller had nine touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. Favre was sacked 15 times, Boller 24.
Yeah, sticking with Boller is a wise decision Baltimore. Is Peter Angelos running this team as well?
As for Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers have Jeff Garcia as their starter and has said that if Favre is brought to Tampa, the Bucs need to trade him. If traded to the Jets, well, why would Brett want to go to the Jets?
If released, Minnesota would give Favre the world to sign with them, as would the Chicago Bears – something the Packers do not want to happen, on either front.
So it’s time for the Packers to put up or shut up.
Either welcome Favre back into camp and let him compete for the starting job with Aaron Rodgers, trade him or release him. But get it over with and move. That is what the Packers have said, that they have moved on.
So let Favre move on as well.
But in the meantime, don’t be surprised to see Favre in camp by Friday, if he is not traded by then.
REDSKINS NATION has a lot to look forward to this weekend.
The new edition of the Washington Redskins will play the Indianapolis Colts in Sunday night’s Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
Also this weekend, former Redskins Art Monk and Darrell Green will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Well, at least the induction will be enjoyable for the Redskins faithful. As for the game, well, it could be a preview of a very long season.

Jeff Christian is the assistant sports editor for the Potomac News/Manassas Journal Messenger. He can be reached at .