Our Long National Nightmare Is Over, Brett Favre Is A Jet

Wednesday, August 06, 2008


Or should I rather say has just begun (muhahaha!). At 10:45 pm last night, Brett Favre was officially traded to the New York Jets and is allegedly prepared to report to camp as soon as he can. The winner in the battle royale for who would break the story first appears to be Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, but in the end I think we're all losers in this crazy roller coaster ride....

The Brett Favre era in Green Bay is now officially over. But Favre's legendary career is not.

The month-long saga has finally come to an end, with the Packers trading their future Hall-of-Fame quarterback to the New York Jets.

The exact compensation was not immediately known, but it is believed to be a single draft pick that increases in value depending upon how the Jets perform during the 2008 season.

As a result of this, the Jets will likely release a quarterback. Signs have been pointing to Chad Pennington as the likely culprit because the team will need to free up cap room to fit Favre's contract under the salary cap.
To be completely honest with everyone, I've had this post ready to go for three days. Of course all the Jets mentions were Bucs mentions, but other than that everything has stayed the same. I knew Glazer was going to get to the story first, and I put together a cute little look back. Shall we?
_____________________

Best Quotes:

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work."- Brett Favre

"I do believe if the Packaneers and Buccaneers can get together on compensation, uh then it's reasonable in light of the circumstances"- Chris Mortensen

"This has been going on for over a decade. Going into '96, the Super Bowl that he won. He talked about it prior to that game that if he won that Super Bowl he may in fact retire. And since that time it's been twelve years now that we've talking about whether or not Brett's going to retire."- Troy Aikman

"ESPN's Michael Smith has confirmed that Brett Favre has been traded to the Jets."- Stuart Scott (Well good for him)

"I’m a football coach. I know (talking to the media) is part of my job description, and I don’t mind doing it, but I have no desire to stand out there and answer all the political questions. I’m going to tell the truth, and that’s that. I’m not going to be politically correct. I’m sick of it."- Packers Coach Mike McCarthy

"We are a good football team. We’re trying to become a great one. We’ll do anything we can to get better. And if that involves looking at other players, by George that’s our job. That’s our responsibility."- Bucs Coach John Gruden

“Once you’re on another team, you’re on another team. I think for the most part the locker room would have liked to see him back here. But like I say, once you’re on another team...”- Packers CB Charles Woodson

“The train has left the station, whatever analogy you want. He needs to jump on the train and let’s go. Or, if we can’t get past things that have happened, I have to keep the train moving.”- Packers Coach Mike McCarthy

“Yeah, dead man walking.”- Jeff Garcia

"We're talking to Tampa and the Jets. I don't think anything has changed. We'll see what happens."- Brett Favre

Timeline:

-March 6: Favre's tearful press conference.

-Week of March 24: During the coaching staff's spring break, Packers offensive line coach James Campen, whose in-laws live in New Orleans, goes up to visit Favre in Mississippi on March 26. On the 27th, Campen tells McCarthy Favre is having second thoughts and McCarthy should call him.

-March 29: Favre calls McCarthy to deliver a message: Thanks, but no thanks.

-April 24: On the 24th, McCarthy explains the team's decision to place Favre on the reserve/retired list.

-May 6:
With the NFL draft out of the way, Thompson visits Favre in Mississippi and has lunch on his back porch. Thompson says they have a "good conversation," but don't spend too much time talking about the idea that he might be having second thoughts.

-June 7: During a staff retreat in Kohler, Wis., Campen says he's worried about Favre. McCarthy tells Campen to go to Mississippi - not as an official team intermediary, but as Favre's friend.

-June 16-20: Acting on Campen's advice, McCarthy calls Favre. They play phone tag for a few days but eventually connect. "You and Ted need to have a plan if I do come back," Favre says, according to McCarthy. "Either give me my helmet or give me my release."

-July 4: Favre sends a text message to Thompson, who responds by saying he is traveling and asks if they can talk Monday. Cook begins texting Thompson, and a conference call is arranged.

-July 8: A conference call is scheduled involving Favre, Cook, Thompson, McCarthy and Russ Ball, the team's VP of football administration/player finance, to discuss Favre's request for a release.

-July 27: Packer players report to camp, without Favre, as the quarterback agrees to let Thompson try to work out a trade solution in hopes of keeping Favre from coming to Green Bay.

-July 29: Favre finally faxes his official request for reinstatement to the league.

-July 30:
Reports leak that Packers president Mark Murphy flies to Mississippi to extend a lucrative olive branch: $20 million over 10 years for Favre to stay retired and remain with the Packer organization in a marketing capacity.

-July 31: Trade talks become serious with the New York Jets. Favre apparently decides he doesn’t want to play for that team, and reportedly considers the marketing offer.

-August 3: Favre flies to Green Bay at the same time the Packers are having their Family Night scrimmage. He’s greeted at the airport by cheering fans.

-August 4: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstates Favre, and the Packers add him to the 80-man roster. McCarthy is scheduled to meet with Favre, then address the team, then address the media. However, his meeting with Favre extends to roughly 4 hours — Thompson also meets with Favre — and the team meeting and media conference are canceled. Goodell also rules the Vikings didn't tamper with Favre.

-August 5: Favre and McCarthy meet again at Lambeau Field. Then, Favre, Thompson, Murphy and others meet at Favre’s home in Ashwaubenon. McCarthy indicates Favre’s mindset isn’t right for him to rejoin the team, but says he plans to speak to Favre again in the evening.

-August 6: Favre is traded to the New York Jets.

Media Winner: Jay Glazer of Fox Sports

Jay had both the trade story today and the overnight report that Favre and the Packers were at a standstill after all night meetings. I don't know how he does it, but the guy can't be sleeping more than 4 hours a night.

Media Loser: ESPN

They're not necessarily a loser in all of this, but they threw everything at this and got scooped once again. I don't entirely blame them for their over-the-top coverage, but you could tell that they wanted to break the story live on a "Sports Center Special" for the last two days. Glazer also reported the story about an hour before ESPN did, and Sal Pal was still on Sports Center talking about the Bucs deal as FOX's story went live. It seems like they've been scrambling all night and ESPN.com still doesn't have a full story up as of midnight. They sure did try though and I feel bad for Wendy Nix after being stuck in Green Bay for what seems like three months.

Also, their hole plan for Brett Favre's jersey retirement ceremony before the opening Monday nighter is trashed and they have to go back to the drawing board. At least they have a new angle now.
__________________________

In the end I think the process gave ESPN a good look at how draining the 24-hour news cycle can be and they have to now be more prepared than ever to go live with Sports Center next week. The bottom line though is that a majority of Country honestly cared about the outcome (I don't care what you all say) and all of the outlets searching for more and new information is a great thing. Say it loud and say it proud New York....

Brett Favre is the quarterback for your New York J-E-T-S, JETS! JETS! JETS!

Packers trade Favre to Jets (FOX Sports)
Packers detail timeline of Favre's decisions (FOX Sports)
Favre timeline: It's been a strange 5 months (Packer News)

(Photo via FOX's Alex Marvez)

25 Comments:

WHYY?!?! I DONT WANT TO BE A GB FAN IN NYC ANYMORE!! HES GOING TO BE EVERYWHERE!! THE NEXT YEAR WILL BE JUST LIKE WATCHING ESPN!!

and how about this now? I am 24 ( and this should really get its own post on the site under " The Sports Gods Hates Marc from NYC " ).. i have now seen Darryl and Doc as Yankees, Brian Leetch as a Bruin, Patrick Ewing as a Sonic, and now Favre a Jet. My Favortie 4 teams ( Mets, Knicks, Pack, NYR ) have know all dealt or let go future or potential HOF's since i have been a fan.

HELP ME AA!!!

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 1:06:00 AM  

How quick and how many games will CBS switch to 4pm?
How many times will NBC switch Monday night games?
This will have a HUGE fallout during the season if Favre can win.

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 1:09:00 AM  

As a jets fan, I would like to say I was worried about the chemistry with brett favre at first, but I've been swayed. The jets main concern into this season has been the Quarterback. They shored up the offensive line, they have a nice core of receivers, two decent running backs, good TE's and a young and fast defensive. Nothing spectacular, but could be a very solid playoff team.

Plus, Favre clearly enjoys the spotlight, so he'll get plenty of attention in New York. He also gets to take on Tom Brady twice. So I must say I am looking forward to this coming season.

The GM said...
Aug 7, 2008, 1:18:00 AM  

I didn't care. I'm glad it's finally over. Of course, ESPN will now go back to Yankees-Red Sox coverage ad nauseum.

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 1:39:00 AM  

no one will have more fun going 4-12 in 2009, no one.

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 1:48:00 AM  

er...2008

/I BLEW IT!

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 1:49:00 AM  

AA,

you definitely to be around in the afternoon to listen to Mike and the Mad Dog tomorrow.

This might bring Francesa back from vacation early (even if he did work Tuesday from giants' camp).

odessasteps said...
Aug 7, 2008, 2:04:00 AM  

Thank god that's over.

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 2:18:00 AM  

Media Winner #2: Bob Mantz and Bleacher Report:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/45038-favre-trade-to-jets-confirms-bleacher-report-had-it-first

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 5:44:00 AM  

You're over-estimating the number of people that gave two shits about this whole saga.

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 6:03:00 AM  

This might be a good example of how ESPN's use of all the reporters on shows like the SportsCenter specials is leaving less time for them to do all the groundwork that Glazer seems to be doing. I say this, though, without knowing how often Glazer was on Fox Sports Net.

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 8:12:00 AM  

I have never been so glad to not own a television.

That filth is better left to ooze into a sewer than be allowed to enter my abode.

That idiot was offered 20 mil to sit on his ass but turned it down?

Jeesh.

E Buzz said...
Aug 7, 2008, 8:22:00 AM  

you don't own a tv -- yet your on a blog that talks about announcers on tv?
do you listen to sports on radio?
i find your statement about "no tv" very hard to believe.

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 8:38:00 AM  

This just makes ESPN and NFL Network fools. When Jay Glazer breaks a story, it is usually dead on. During the whole saga, I decided to ignore everyone else and just trusted Glazer.

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 8:47:00 AM  

couldn't put a '4' on the jersey, you should be ashamed.

-dan

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 9:16:00 AM  

"I don't know how Jay Glazer does it...."

Easy. He has Packers GM Ted Thompson's ear. If you can't see that by now, you're not doing your job.

Thompson talks to Favre, the first person he talks to is Jay Glazer. Thompson makes a deal, the first person he talks to is Jay Glazer.

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 9:18:00 AM  

oh yeah - i'm sure other people saw this last night, it sure pissed the hell out of me. 45 minutes after glazer broke the story, espnnews had 'michael smith confirms brett favre traded to jets' on the crawl.

thanks for clearning that up for us...freaking a-holes.

-dan

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 9:21:00 AM  

It's got to be killing Mort & Co. that Jay Glazer is breaking all the big news these days.

In Glazer, Fox has one of the most underrated assets in all football media.

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 9:24:00 AM  

Did Mort really say "Packaneers"? He's brilliant.

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 9:43:00 AM  

"i find your statement about "no tv" very hard to believe."

You know what the internet is right? Are you that feminist who can't stand Erin Andrews and her killer chest and ass being criticized?

Glazer got this scoop through his MMA training.

E Buzz said...
Aug 7, 2008, 10:37:00 AM  

Gruden says "by George"? What is this, colonial times?

Jay Glazer is without a doubt the best journalist in all of sports right now.

Favre can rot in Hell...Jersey is close enough.

GMoney said...
Aug 7, 2008, 10:45:00 AM  

The only thing that bugs me more than the ubiquitous Farvaro coverage is whoever is linking these Bleacher Report stories here. They're worse than the Danica Spoof video people.

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 11:11:00 AM  

Oh praise the Lord! It's over! I'm so tired of the fake stories being confirmed at ESPN. How many times did they "claim" that "this" was going to happen or "that" was going to happen and the next day something else happened. I also laugh at some of these journalists they have on there. I doubt they really talked to Favre, McCarthy, Thompson, Murphy, or Bus Cook as much as they really did. They probably asked a question that had a one word answer and filled in the holes. It's kind of like the sideline reporting interviews you get during the games. We all know the answers and the questions that go along with that.

Brett did a great job in Green Bay, he'll be missed, but I think as long as Rodgers doesn't totally suck it up, the Packers will have a good year. Favre will probably struggle at first, as expected, but I think he'll be fine in New York. That's all if he even plays. Who knows?!? The legacy isn't ruined as Gene Wojo-dickwad reports on ESPN.com. Yeah Thompson and Favre aren't really the best of friends, but the day Favre really ends his career, the Pack will have him in Green Bay ready to retire that number.

Maybe I should start my own open blog instead of having it on Myspace, haha.

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 1:53:00 PM  

It will be so odd watching Brett Favre in another uniform.

I'm sure Joe Buck is somewhere saying, "Touchdown New York!"

Anonymous said...
Aug 7, 2008, 7:46:00 PM  

If Brett Favre had no arms and no legs, he'd still be the best torso in football.

The GM said...
Aug 8, 2008, 2:26:00 AM  

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