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by Jen_Lada from FOX 6 Milwaukee

Last Post 3 days, 20 hours Ago


Putting the 'compete' in competitor
Jul 14, 2008 | 6:41 PM
Category: Sports
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I have held off on weighing in on the Favre fiasco sensing there are many, many, many details of this situation we (the media/the public) haven't been made privy to. And though pulled in several directions over the last few days, I'm still convinced we aren't hearing the full story. In actuality, we may never hear that without the two sides sitting in the same room on the record but Monday night we'll hear Favre's side and he'll surely try to explain his stance. But even as more information and details are divulged, there is one aspect I simply can not wrap my brain around.

I am competitive. And as far as I can tell (wink, wink) so is Mr. Favre. By the very definition of the term, competitors... want to compete. They thrive on toeing the line and breaking a sweat and pushing themselves to the brink of exhaustion to achieve greatness. But they can not exist in a vacuum. They want to face foes, look 'em in the eyes and smirk because their opponents have no idea who they're up against. True competitors need, desire and appreciate challenges from other competitors. Because winning without competition isn't really achieving anything.

So why, as a competitive person, is Brett not embracing the challenge of not being HANDED the starting position? Does the aging gunslinger deserve to start given his years of service to the organization? I don't know - I don't really believe in entitlement of any kind. But I do believe you reap what you sow. And with all the so-called wavering that Number 4 supposedly did, I can certainly understand the Packers desire to move forward with other options.

But now that he has stated he wants to play again and the team has said he can come back, albeit in a back-up role, I would think this can only play out exactly as Favre hopes. Maybe not immediately... but surely eventually. Don't hold the clipboard Brett. Out-hustle, out-throw, out-scramble, out-think, and flat out out-play your quarterback competition. Go out there every day of Training Camp and make those coaches give you the ball and put you under center! The goal of any franchise and the athletes representing the franchise will always be to win. And I would think they would surely gravitate towards the QB who gives them the best opportunity to win based on the performances they see on a daily basis.

Some of these practices are even open to the public. You don't think if hundreds of spectators (fans and media alike) see Brett out-working the heir apparent, there will be some pressure on the brass to explain their reluctance? You don't think Favre's very presence will force Aaron Rodgers to man up pretty quick? A team with two quarterbacks constantly trying to out-last and out-perform the other is in a much better position than one squad with one complacent starter any day!

Why Brett Favre - one of the greatest and most storied competitors of all time - isn't interested in embracing that challenge is beyond me. Perhaps he will address that when he answers questions from Appleton native Greta Van Susteren Monday night. But if you shy away from that type of challenge, why in the world should you be the guy leading the team Sundays from September to February (God willing)? 

 

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Centauri65 read my blog
Jul 14, 2008 | 7:32 PM

I agree that there are things going on that no one will know about for years. Favre is really tainting his legend by doing this. The big problem I have with it is that Thompson was willing to let Favre come back - and at least twice Favre changed his mind. Now suddenly he is "not comfortable"? Something else has to be going on.
F0x6Fan read my blog view my photos
Jul 14, 2008 | 10:32 PM

Amen Jen Amen
Katbird read my blog view my photos
Jul 15, 2008 | 12:21 AM

I agree with you, Jen.
I think they should compete for the position.
Aaron should start and if he isn't up to par Brett comes in.
The fans would be hard to control, but Green Bay would please everyone that way. It would keep the crowds and even make publicity.
Brett should take the challenge.
I don't think he would have a problem winning.
Katbird read my blog view my photos
Jul 15, 2008 | 9:30 AM

Centauri...what's going on is Brett only wants the starting position. Even I agree that isn't fair to Aaron. I was hoping things would be patched up and Brett could come back as a coach.
Imagine Brett Favre as QB coach or Offensive Assistant? That would be great. Being the back-up QB would be a great challenge, as Jen said.
I just worry about fan reaction to Brett sitting on the bench. As soon as Aaron would make one mistake the fans would be chanting for Brett. Either way it's not pleasant for Aaron.
Maybe it is best he go elsewhere. It would hurt for a bit, but we'd see if Brett is just desperate to play still or if he's really good enough to play elsewhere with a new team and new coaches.
Centauri65 read my blog
Jul 15, 2008 | 9:40 AM

No Katbird. There is something else going on. There has to be. Brett twice told Ted Thompson he wanted to come back. Twice Thompson started to set something up only to have Brett change his mind and say no. Now suddenly he is the victim here? Either Brett does not want to play for the Packers and this was his way of getting out of contract or he just cannot make up his mind.

In either case he is doing the Packers a disservice. They moved on - they cannot wait for him to decide if and when he wants to come back. Each year he did this and now he is doing it again. He was "tired". Ok halfway through the season he gets tired again. Then what?

I saw the interview and the "oh poor me" attitude. I have no more respect for Brett. Sorry but Brett needs to stay retired. He needs to know when to go out on top. I want a quarterback who I know is decisive and will give his all. By Brett's own admission that may not happen if he comes back. And if did come back - what happens next year? We go through this again?

Remove the green and gold colored glasses. Sorry Brett - the world does not revolve around you anymore.
Katbird read my blog view my photos
Jul 15, 2008 | 11:10 AM

Centauri...he wants to be starting QB and Ted didn't offer that. That's it. Period. I agree, now that this is all coming out, that Brett seems to not understand the "we are moving on" feelings of the team and isn't handling not being able to play as the starting QB. I don't think anything else is "going on" except Brett is having a hard time dealing with being retired. I don't think it's an ego issue as much as it's what Brett is used to. He's having a hard time dealing with his aging and it's that time of year. The only reason it's more public is because he is who he is. Reggie White went to Carolina after retiring from Green Bay. Where was the hoopla then?
Favre either accepts the back up QB position or the Packers take advantage of a trade and send him elsewhere.
Katbird read my blog view my photos
Jul 15, 2008 | 11:38 AM

This is from a Fox6 article from Jan. 25th, 2008.

Favre has taken weeks and even months to make up his mind on retirement in recent offseasons. Harlan said Packers general manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy have told Favre they would prefer a quick answer on his future this time around.

"I think Ted and Mike would like a decision sooner rather than later, just because it helps them to start their planning," Harlan said. "And I think they both have told him that. A couple years ago when he was really going through the long thinking period, they both took a trip down to Hattiesburg (Miss.) to talk to him. It doesn't bother me, but I think it does from their team-planning. They'd like a decision sooner than later."

Harlan, 71, becomes the Packers' chairman emeritus when new president and CEO Mark Murphy takes over on Monday. Harlan plans to be around to cheer Favre on next season, perhaps in his usual game day seat next to Thompson.

"I'll be a great fan," Harlan said. "I've asked Ted if I can still sit with him at the home games. We'll see. Right now he tells me I can't. We'll see what he tells me in September."
Katbird read my blog view my photos
Jul 15, 2008 | 11:42 AM

This is how soon they started pressuring Brett.
Now, let's say your job started pressuring you right after the season (job) ended and had been pressuring you for years. Brett has had to listen to those questions for a long time. Ever since the 4-12 season. The team would ask him, the media would ask him, everyone was asking him. I am sure that made him feel unwanted. He had to prove himself all over again because of his age and a bad season.
Did he feel pressure to retire? You bet.
Did he make a bad choice? I thought so. He had one of his best seasons last year.
If he wants to play elsewhere, let him.
It's his life and he isn't turning his back on us. He's just "moving on".

Harlan...I don't think you're getting that seat.
Looks like the whole organization is moving on.
Centauri65 read my blog
Jul 15, 2008 | 12:32 PM

Pressure? Favre has held the Packers hostage every year while he waffled about what to do. TWICE this year he changed his mind and said he wanted to come back AND the Packers agreed. BOTH times Favre yet again changed his mind.

You really have to look at this objectively. Take off the I Heart Brett shirt and take a good objective look. I know you like Favre but he is not a saint and certainly not the victim in this. All he does is keep waffling back and forth.
Katbird read my blog view my photos
Jul 15, 2008 | 1:08 PM

Both times he said he wanted to come back they said only as a back-up, so Brett said no.
Now he wants to play elsewhere.
I do love Brett. He plays with true love of the game and a lion's heart.
Where ever he plays I will watch.
I'll also watch the Packers because I love Donald Driver, Al Harris and other players. Will I cheer Aaron? You bet....I just hope he gives me reason to. Will I cheer for Aaron if he's playing Brett? I'm not so sure about that.
No one said Brett is a saint. I just understand not wanting to quit. He was pressured. Imagine if all you heard for years was the question, "are you retiring?"? You would feel as if that's what people want. He listened to everyone calling him old at the start of last season and then he heard those same people praise him after the season was over. Oh, wait...there was that last interception and then, suddenly, the people who were saying he was playing better decided they didn't like him afterall. Who's more fickle? The fans or Brett?
JAGuse read my blog
Jul 15, 2008 | 4:52 PM

Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen
and Amen!!!!
Katbird read my blog view my photos
Jul 15, 2008 | 6:09 PM

I am sick to death of bandwagon fans.
I have supported the Packers since I was born and my father was a huge fan. Brett gave this team life again and as soon as he had a bad streak, BAM!, he's old, he sucks, he's over-rated. Last year was one of his best and until that last interception everyone loved him again.
Fans like that make me sick.
They are the ones that lack sportsmanship.
Centauri65 read my blog
Jul 15, 2008 | 8:16 PM

Fans with blind faith are the ones who annoy me. Disagree with them and suddenly you are not a true fan.
hatesnews read my blog
Jul 15, 2008 | 10:24 PM

Man your blog is WAY to long,,short an sweet
Brett is the king and with out him the pack is just plain no GOOD !!!!!And if what i said is not true ,, than way dont they just let him go?
bECAUSE HE WILL BEAT THEM WHIT ANY TEAM HE IS ON, HE'S JUST THAT GOOD.
THANK YOU
hatesnews read my blog
Jul 15, 2008 | 10:27 PM

WITH,BECAUSE, SORRY NEED TO FIX THAT B-4 SOME KNOW IT ALL GET'S ON ME FOR MY SPELLING.
hatesnews read my blog
Jul 15, 2008 | 10:30 PM

KATBIRD,,HOW DO YOU KNOW IF SOMEONE'S A BANDWANGON FAN, I THINK YOU ARE !! SO NOW WHAT?
Farmingisfun read my blog
Jul 16, 2008 | 9:22 PM

Katbird...do you even read your blogs before you hit Done? You complain about bandwagon fans, and you claim you will follow Brett.

Good for you to follow Brett, but that truly makes you a bandwagon fan, something you don't approve of.

By the way, Brett had on of is worst years of his career

62.2 passer rating in the last 5 games
threw the game losing interception in the championship game... A lame duck throw..


Ted Thompson is on the right track, 39 year old quarterbacks whom throw lame duck passes in Championship games DO NOT get you to the superbowl...

Centauri65 has it right!!

I say this:

TEAM SPORT... 53 players

Individual sport: 1 player (i.e. Golf, ARchery etc.)

Maybe Brett should try golf??

hmmm

What a circus... I have lost MUCH respect for Brett and his waffeling...
TonyAdina read my blog
Jul 17, 2008 | 11:19 AM

LAY OFF KAT!!!!! not EVEN COOL!!!
TonyAdina read my blog
Jul 17, 2008 | 11:20 AM

OPPS...NOT YOU KAT!!! The "other's"
wapmarg01
Jul 17, 2008 | 12:28 PM

Brett has played the "I'm going to retire, oh no I'm not going to retire" for the past three years playing on the nerves of all Packer fans. He doesn't care about you or the Packers so why doesn't he just quit or go somewhere else and play his retirement game with another team willing to put up with his wishy-washy ways.
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Jen_Lada

I'm the newest face in the FOX 6 sports department... and I love tapping out little sports blogs to inform, entertain and encourage conversation. I'll be on the desk this fall for the High School Blitz (Fridays @ 10:20pm), the Saturday sportscasts (6, 9 & 10) and joining the veterans every Sunday for the Fox Six Blitz! Most other days, you can find me bouncing around Milwaukee's sport scenes working on feature reporting. Got an opinion? We've got the perfect place to share them! Blog away! You know we will!

Member Since: 8/24/2006


 

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