Favre...!?!

Happy Fourth of July! I hope that for all my American readers, it is a great day of celebration and remembrance of how wonderful our country is, and how blessed we are to be citizens of such a magnificent land. To all my non-American readers, enjoy the day and spend it with people you love.

So, this week has been an interesting one for us Cheeseheads, as many of you might have heard, Favre sounds like he is maybe contemplating NOT retiring. He hasn't said anything definitive, but second hand text sources have us thinking that he is toying with the idea.

Here is the thing, while Favre made the big retirement speech on March 4, 2008, he never filled out the official paperwork, and so he remains listed as an active player for the NFL, but he is listed on GB's roster as inactive (so that his salary doesn't count against the cap).

According to his mother and brother, he has been working out and is feeling great. Now, all fans know that Favre has another couple of years left, and he is NOT a has been. The question is not one of is he up to the physical aspect. It is one of mental readiness. Is Favre up to handling the emotional and mental toll that a season of football takes on a living legend?

Of course, I would love to see him come back for another season or two. We just had such a good season. Yes, his last pass was an interception, but he had so many wonderful passes before that, so I'm not too worried about his last pass. I would love to see him come back and see the Packers win and bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Titletown. Watching Favre play is a treat, because he just enjoys being out on the field. His love of the sport is so obvious.

We have all heard the stories of toll it takes emotionally to play at such a high level of ball, and not only play but to be the team leader. It is a tough job, and it is week in and week out, a lot goes into preparing for the 60 minutes of play on Sunday. The Packers have a great schedule though, lots of MNF appearances, which would be great!

So, I don't know what I want. I want to see Favre do what is best for his family. He spends a lot of time away from family during the season, and his first priority should be them. He has given so much to football already. Yet, watching him play reminds me why I love football. It is F-U-N! As a fan I would love to have another Favre season, so I'd be a happy camper if he returned.

Yet, if he does come back, the retirement controversy will begin again in 2009. And really the only thing he can do to go out on top is to win the Super Bowl and that is NOT an easy task, even for such a talented team. If he comes back, I want to see the Packers win it all. Because if they don't, he will be trashed, and he is so good that he doesn't deserve that treatment. A QB is the leader of the team, and takes on the responsibility, but he is not the only player. It is up to all the offensive, defensive and special teams players to produce a winning season.

So who knows what Favre is thinking, because he has admittedly called all this speculation "just rumors". The press is releasing everything with no comments from Favre or his wife. It must be weird to turn on the tv and find out that you are pondering a return to professional sports.

There is another question to ponder... just because Favre comes back, doesn't mean that the GM has to put him on as the starting QB. Favre could be released from his contract (he has 3 more yrs left on it) to play for another team! Which team would that be? I don't any of us really want to see Favre in anything but the Green and Gold. It would just be weird. He has been with the Pack for 16 seasons. To think of Favre playing his home games elsewhere is odd. But it could happen. I don't think it will though. The GM doesn't want to go down in the history books as the guy who let go of a legend.

Either way it goes Favre will always be on the NFL's great players and the Packers will always be my favorite team. I just want a decision to be made, and know that all the Packers association hopes for the same. Only time will tell!!!