JAG’s Sports Blog

The NFL’s 2006 draft will be held at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall on April 29-30 and a burning question is still lingering for Green Bay. When will Brett Favre make a decision on his future with the team? To date, Favre seems to be waiting to decide if he truly wants to come back or not, but how exactly does that help Green Bay right now or after the draft. The team needs to have a plan on what direction to go and Favre not making a decision yet will make this a tough decision on the teams part in terms of what direction they decide on.

The most obvious problem Favre not making a decision causes is at the quarterback position. Aaron Rodgers is the heir apparent at that position, but it can’t have helped the team any when they didn’t give him any playing time even after such a terrible season and no chance at a playoff spot. The longer Favre waits to decide his future, the more quality back-up quarterbacks like Aaron Brooks (to Oakland), Patrick Ramsey (NY Jets), Jon Kitna and Josh McCown (Detroit). There are clearly a crop of quarterbacks due to be drafted at the end of the month, but what team really wants to pick up the scraps when they already have an inexperienced quarterback ready to take over for a legend.

Favre was rather flip in saying “what are they going to do, cut me” if he doesn’t decide by the original deadline given to him? It seems Favre is trying to wait until he gets an idea of what the Packers are going to do to improve the team. I can understand this thinking, but what does it do for Green Bay if he decides they haven’t done anything to improve and he decides to retire? This leaves the team with a decision to rebuild completely or go out and get the best quarterback available and have a battle between Rodgers and new quarterback. They lost several lineman to include center Mike Flanagan, so what direction do they even go to improve their team this year?

Will Favre go out in 2006 like he did in 2005 forcing the ball into coverage trying to make something happen? The defense was shaky last year, so what help will they get in the draft to shore up the part of the team. I can’t help but look at this team and wonder if for the first time in many years, we look at the Green Bay Packers and wonder what in the world are they doing. Brett Favre isn’t helping this process any if he insists on not giving a commitment one way or the other on his status for the 2006 season since it was reported him saying if he does come back to the team, it will be his last year for certain.

Throw in the fact that the Packers have a new coach, which means Favre will need to learn and get accustomed to a new system and this delayed decision seems a bit cruel to the team. I think where I have the biggest problem is Favre not being afraid to criticize his teammates like Javon Walker for holding out for a better contract at the expense of the team. What exactly does not committing to your future on the team do to help them prepare for the season or the future seasons?

Brett Favre may be a legend in Green Bay Packers history and one of the greatest players in NFL history, but he’s an example of when players get near the end of their career, how their dedication can waver a bit. Money should not be a huge issue anymore, but he does have a $3 million dollar roster bonus on the line and as stated earlier, that deadline has passed and been extended again. Is that $3 million dollars that could be spent on other players that can help the team.

Can Brett Favre still help Green Bay and is he helping them right now? If it’s that difficult to decide whether you want to come back or not again, it’s probably time to step off and let your legacy speak for itself and the team to move on in whatever direction they deem fit, but don’t feel like the team owes you anything. Football is a business and life will continue in Green Bay and the NFL after Brett Favre takes his life to its next level.