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Could Goodell Help Favre Become a Buc?

By CHRIS JENKINS

posted: 29 DAYS 3 HOURS AGO

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filed under: NFL

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MILWAUKEE (July 23) - NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is monitoring the ongoing rift between the Green Bay Packers and Brett Favre. A person with direct knowledge of Goodell's interest said the commissioner has spoken with Packers management several times recently as tensions mounted between the three-time MVP and his team.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.

ESPN.com first reported Goodell's interest in the Favre predicament, indicating that Goodell encouraged Packers general manager Ted Thompson to survey teams around the league to try to find a trade partner in hopes of resolving it quickly.

With the Packers committed to moving forward with Aaron Rodgers as their starter and Favre apparently still intent on reversing his decision to retire in March -- although there have been no reports that Favre has formally petitioned Goodell for reinstatement -- the best outcome for both parties could be a trade.

And Tampa Bay is emerging as perhaps the most likely destination for Favre, although it is unclear whether Favre would be willing to play for the Buccaneers.

NFL.com reported Tuesday that the Packers had spoken to several teams to gauge their interest in a trade for Favre. Tampa Bay officials have publicly downplayed interest in trading for Favre, but Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms told the St. Petersburg Times that Bucs general manager Bruce Allen asked him about Favre last week.

"He asked if I felt Brett would be able to come back and be good here if he didn't have a lot of reps in training camp," Simms said, according to the paper. "I said I thought he would but there would have to be some compromise with coach (Jon) Gruden. He'll just want the play called and to drop back and throw it in there. But it's something we talked about."

Gruden was a Packers assistant coach from 1992-94 and runs a version of the West Coast offense Favre would be familiar with.

The Packers play the Buccaneers Sept. 28 in Tampa.

Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said he "can't imagine" seeing Favre anywhere other than Green Bay, but isn't surprised that he wants to play again.

"He loves football, and I think he kind of made the decision when the season was over," Urlacher said. "He was tired, he probably was worn down, like he said and he made a decision that he didn't want to stick with. But he's Brett Favre, he can do whatever he wants. I don't know what's going to happen, but I would like to see him playing somewhere next year."

But Urlacher said Chicago wasn't a likely destination for Favre.

"For us? I don't think that's a possibility," Urlacher said. "If they do trade him, I don't think it's going to be in our division, No. 1. Maybe not even in our conference."

Favre made an appearance at Lambeau Field on Saturday to present former teammate Frank Winters for induction to the Packers' Hall of Fame, but declined to discuss his rift with the team. Favre accepted a team MVP award that night, calling himself "an old, gray-haired quarterback showing I can still do it."

Favre retired in early March, but recently has been having second thoughts about playing in 2008. But the latest, and most intense, episode in several offseasons' worth of Favre's flip-flopping on his future in football was met with lukewarm enthusiasm by the Packers, who spent the offseason planning to move forward with Rodgers.

Favre asked to be released from his contract, a request the team has no plans to grant. The next step for Favre could be to petition Goodell for reinstatement, a move that would force the Packers to release him or place him on their active roster. He also could be traded.

The Packers also have filed tampering charges against the Minnesota Vikings, suspecting that interest from the Vikings is the main reason Favre has changed his mind about playing in 2008.

Favre's rights belong to the Packers until his current contract expires after the 2010 season.

In an interview with Fox News last week, Favre criticized Thompson for being untruthful with him. Packers officials have gone out of their way not to criticize Favre, instead laying out a specific timeline of their dealings with him in the offseason in hopes that fans will understand why the team decided to move forward without No. 4.

The most significant episode in their timeline came in late March, when Favre led the Packers to believe he was going to unretire and they were prepared to welcome him back _ only to change his mind once again and stay retired.

AP Sports Writer Rick Gano contributed to this report from Bourbonnais, Ill.

Latest NFL Photos

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 15: PGA player Annika Sorenstam and NFL player Eli Manning arrive at the 2008 ESPYs Giant Event hosted by Giants quarterback Eli Manning and held at the J Bar and Lounge on July 15, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 15: NFL player Eli Manning and wife Abby McGrew arrive at the 2008 ESPYs Giant Event hosted by Giants quarterback Eli Manning and held at the J Bar and Lounge on July 15, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

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SANTA MONICA, CA - JULY 15: Actor Brody Jenner (L), actress Kim Kardashian (C) and NFL football player Reggie Bush (R) attend DIRECTV's Championship Gaming Series kick off party for the world final series at Barker Hanger on July 15, 2008 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/DIRECTV via Getty Images)

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A seat place card for NFL football player Michael Strahan is seen during rehearsals for the 16th annual ESPY awards in Los Angeles on Tuesday, July 15, 2008. The ESPY awards will be taped on July 16, and will air on July 20. (AP Photo/ Matt Sayles)

Chuck Perock, of Sussex, Wis., shows his support to bring back Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre at a rally outside Wisconsin State Fair Park, Monday, July 14, 2008, in Milwaukee. Favre is asking to be released from the NFL football team from which he retired in March. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Charles Mollenkamp, 17, of Brookfield, Wis., shows his support to bring back Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, at a rally outside Wisconsin State Fair Park on Monday, July 14, 2008, in Milwaukee. Favre is asking to be released from the NFL football team from which he retired in March. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (C) visits the marker honoring former NFL player and Army Ranger Pat Tillman at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Tillman near Spera, Afghanistan July 11, 2008. Tillman was killed on April 22, 2004 in a "friendly fire" incident while serving with the 2nd Army Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Goodell is joined by New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora (L) and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Picture taken July 11, 2008. MANDATORY CREDIT REUTERS/USO Photo by Dave Gatley/Handout (AFGHANISTAN). FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. NO ARCHIVES.

Reuters

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - JULY 12: Referee Allan Huggins is hit with a can of beer as he stops the fight after former NFL player Via Sikahema knocked down former Major League Baseball player Jose Canseco in the first round during their celebrity boxing match on July 12, 2008 at Bernie Robbins Stadium in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

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ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - JULY 12: Former NFL player Via Sikahema performs the Haka in celebration of his knockdown of Major League Baseball player Jose Canseco during their celebrity boxing match on July 12, 2008 at Bernie Robbins Stadium in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

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Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2008-07-02 16:24:31

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58 comments

rwalb33785 02:56:50 PM Jul 25 2008

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Many NFL teams have great receivers. Remember, Brett doesn't play well in hot weather. Brett plays exceptionally well in cold weather. This is why the Vikings will more than likely not pick him up. Maybe the Bears, ma;ybe the Jets. In the long run. as I've said before....ENOUGH ALREADY. HE SAID HE RETIRED. RETIRE ALREADY. He has a beautiful wife and a boat load of money...DO SOMETHING GOOD WITH IT!!! IF you need ideas, email me. Di

hplc2218 11:48:37 AM Jul 25 2008

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it is the packers who havnt handled it right, they are the ones who dont want him, they should just release him

hplc2218 09:28:24 AM Jul 25 2008

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BRET COULD THROW 30 TD;S THIS SEASON ON TAMP BAY,... THEY GOT GRET RECIEVERS

davdol6 08:43:29 AM Jul 25 2008

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Everyone goes thru the stages of life--- If Brett does go to another team he might find it a complete mistake - he'll no longer be the mini-god as he was in GB--and he'll most likely miss his first start due to an injury- he could end up messed up after it. Let it go and adjust.

joelj10038 06:23:57 AM Jul 25 2008

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Here is an Idea. The Packers are run by a Board of Directors and the GM. Any other corporation is ultimately responsible to their shareholders (The packers are owned by local shareholders and, other than that, have NO owner)! Clearly, we Packer fans and shareholders rely on the GM (and ultimately the Board of Directors) for day-to-day decisions. The Favre situation is, however, clearly an extrodinary situation and, I believe, is something which should be put up to the shareholders for a vote. This gets management off the hook AND gives the shareholders and fans what they want.

hplc2218 11:39:36 PM Jul 24 2008

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go9ddel should b e imvolved becsause tgis involvrs the entire nfl and money revenue of the leauge

gluinc 10:01:09 PM Jul 24 2008

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In the end Brett will never see another snap again, His Ironman Heart for a town of couch football fans who have realy no knowledge, will be chanting WE WANT BRETT WE WANT BRETT, when they are 2-6 and Rogers goes dowm, and Braumm goes in and they fight for a 6-10 record. THen BRETT MAYBE THEY WILL REMEMBER a ONCE IN A life time football player. Cheese for brains the whole organization.

gluinc 09:55:53 PM Jul 24 2008

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After considering this for weeks, the whole thing is just sad, why? for starters Green Bay was one play away from the SB, secondly the team as a whole lost the game although sadly Brett seriously blew the play with wide open receivers to the left and center of the field. Brett looked whipped in extreme conditions, I saw it in his eyes.However the conditions as I said were extreme, He played well the week before in blizzard like conditions, but the key was the temp wasn't as cold.I believe when this is all done Brett Favre will never see a snap again. He wanted to play for the Pack with out doubt first, The Vikes, strickly for redemption and motive, I am ok with that. It will never happen, There is no market for him to old, 1-2 years, and mentally big if, to risky. He could have given GB one more year for one last shot for a second Ring. He is not going to hot Florida, Tampa, Minnisota would have made it work (redemption factor, motivator). To move start all over seperated from

mdbones69 09:26:56 PM Jul 24 2008

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Favre dug his own hole with the flip-flopping. The Packers had to have a committment or move on... and they did with Rodgers when Brett decided to stay retired.I've lost a lot of respect for Favre after the way he handled this and for what he said in his interview with Greta. At this point, the Packers can trade him to anyone as long as it's not to a rival NFC North team.

joetherocker541 09:16:01 PM Jul 24 2008

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TO mchform.BRETT FAVRE IS NO Punk fella.addiction FAVRE is Clean there boy.grow up.maby your the punk.ya fool.get real are get bent.Favre a Punk.he's an ironman,a gentlemen.what are you.a no buddy.FAVRE 4 EVER.

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