NFL - Are you ready for some Football - Draft and Off Season

[-Jrabbit]

Originally posted by Lord Avalon
So earlier today Favre faxed in his reinstatement papers. If Goodell lets him back in, will the Packers lock him out?

Nope. He's signed and rostered, so once the league takes him off the reserve/retired list (which they will), Green Bay is required to let him into the facility (barring health/legal issues).

Anything can be negotiated, but I'm pretty certain that's the rule.

[Lord Avalon]

Well, wasn't McNair under contract when the Titans banned him?

[snoopy369]

Yes, and that was a big deal I think they claimed health reasons.

[ramseya]

I really don't get the Chicago Bears. They had a pitiful offense last year so they get rid of Berrian and Muhammad and replace them with Brandon Lloyd, Marty Booker, and Devin Hester... That really has to be the second worst reciever corps in the league, behind the Dolphins' Gin, Hagan, and Camarillo. It makes no sense to me. Did they forget that they drafted Hester as a corner instead of a WR (which he played in college) because the man can't run routes or catch? Now, he's their #1 receiver! crazy. The Bears had a single season above the mediocrity they've had through all of recent memory, now they're back to sucking.

[Grandpa Troll]

I do feel for my friends in midwest, however, hath no one contacted our own beloved Rock County Gladiator?


(chant) Donegeal..... Donegeal.... Donegeal....

[SlowwHand]

Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy traveled to Mississippi to meet with quarterback Brett Favre and his agent James “Bus” Cook on Wednesday, in an apparent attempt to talk Favre out of reporting to camp later this week.

His offer? Favre can have $20 million not to play this year, according to a report.

And if that doesn't work, the Packers are reportedly thinking about doing exactly what they don't want — sending him to a division rival.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Green Bay officials are considering a trade with the Minnesota Vikings or the Chicago Bears, if the offer not to play fails.

This comes on the heels of Packers general manager Ted Thompson declaring on Monday that Favre would not be traded to another NFC North team. The Packers would much prefer a trade with the Tampa Bay Bucs or the New York Jets.

Meanwhile, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell took no action on Favre’s request for reinstatement Wednesday — giving the sides more time to work out a resolution.

“The commissioner is taking no action today,” league officials said in a statement issued by NFL spokesman Greg Aiello. “He wants to give both the Packers and Brett an appropriate amount of time to make decisions, including decisions impacting the team’s roster and salary cap. When Brett is reinstated by the commissioner, we will announce it.”

Cook told reporters outside his office in Hattiesburg, Miss., that Favre, who has been throwing to players at a nearby high school to stay in shape, could be in Green Bay on Friday.

“He would love to go back in Green Bay,” Cook said, in comments broadcast by ESPNEWS. “I mean, that’s why he started working out. But right now, it looks like he’ll be the quarterback at Oak Grove High School.”

Murphy, who took over as the team’s president and CEO in January, issued a statement upon returning to Green Bay.

“I was in Hattiesburg today and had a nice visit with Brett Favre,” Murphy said. “We discussed a number of topics not related to football, including Brett’s long-term relationship with the Packers. I consider our conversation to be confidential and am going to be respectful of Brett and his family and keep the details private.

“Ted (Thompson, Green Bay’s general manager) and Mike (McCarthy, the coach) are going to continue to work on the football side of this issue. They have my full support.”

The sidelines at Packers practice Wednesday night were buzzing with a question: Did the Packers offer to pay Favre to stay retired?

WTMJ television in Milwaukee reported the team offered Favre several million dollars to stay retired, and the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported on its Web site that the team offered Favre “a substantial salary” to stay away. Both reports cited sources close to Favre.

Murphy was not available to reporters Wednesday night. McCarthy spoke after the night practice, but hadn’t talked to Murphy.

“I don’t have any information, I’m just going to be up front with you,” McCarthy said. “I haven’t talked to Mark Murphy. They just told me about the story that’s out there. Sorry, don’t have anything for you. Wish I did.”

The Packers don’t have a full public practice scheduled for Thursday. Players will lift weights, attend meetings and review plays. They’ll also hear from a guest speaker: former Bush White House press secretary Ari Fleischer.

“And he was booked a long time ago,” McCarthy said, jokingly heading off any questions about the team turning to a public relations expert with damage control experience.

Still, it would be hard to blame Packers staffers if they pulled Fleischer aside for a few pointers.

“We’re going to get our money’s worth,” McCarthy quipped.

Nearly five months after his tearful retirement news conference in March, Favre filed for reinstatement with the NFL on Tuesday. He now is awaiting approval from Goodell.

Once he is reinstated, the Packers will have 24 hours to release him or return him to their active roster. The team has ruled out releasing Favre, fearing he would immediately sign with division rival Minnesota.


The Packers also could trade Favre, although no deal appeared imminent. The Packers hold Favre’s rights until his contract expires after the 2010 season.

Despite the apparent purpose of Murphy’s trip, McCarthy reiterated Wednesday that Favre “absolutely” was still welcome in Packers camp. Team officials have made it clear, both publicly and to Favre, that he would no longer be the starter if he returned to the team.


“I’ve said it, and I’ll just say it again: He was a big part of our history, and he can reinstate, come here and be part of our future,” McCarthy said.

Wide receiver Donald Driver, one of Favre’s few remaining close friends on a roster full of young players, seemed skeptical that Favre’s position with the team would really be much different.

“He’s going to have the same role he’s always had,” Driver said. “He’s always been a leader in this locker room, so I don’t think that’s going to change. Like I said, you guys are worried more about the issue than we are. We know what he’s going to come in and do. He’s always been a leader in the locker room, he’s going to continue being the leader.”

McCarthy acknowledged that the ongoing saga puts Aaron Rodgers in a unique situation, but said Rodgers is handling the situation well. Rodgers has been solid in his first few days of camp, although the Packers’ defense seems to be ahead of the offense in the first week of camp.

Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman, Rodgers’ close friend and the quarterback’s roommate in training camp, said Rodgers is a “tough guy” who will only get tougher under scrutiny.

“He’s a grown man,” Kampman said. “He’s handling it very well. He’s done tremendous. I think he continues to validate he’s got some special stuff inside of him.”

Kampman wasn’t sure if Favre really would show up later this week, but he knew one thing for sure: It’s time for the drama to end.

“I guess the question is not so much, would he be welcome, but will he come back? We don’t know that yet,” Kampman said. “Again, it’s kind of speculative on our part. The day is Friday, so we’ll see what happens when that comes. The big picture is, really, I think both parties want to move forward, both parties want a resolution. This is getting very drawn out, from both sides, and quite frankly I think everyone wants it to be over.”

[Theben]

As much as we could use him, I can't see Favre in a Bears jersey.

[rah]

I'd still take him. At least he can scramble better when the OLINE collapses. His hands are probably bigger than both of our current QBs together.

[Grandpa Troll]

Panthers' Lucas carted off field after fight with WR Smith Story Highlights
Smith kicked out of practice as a result of melee
Fight happened with helmets off and most starters on sidelines
Panthers say they will handle any discipline internally




Steve Smith, right, apologizes to Ken Lucas after the two teammates came to blows during a training camp practice Friday.
AP





SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) -- Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith was sent home from training camp Friday after he punched teammate Ken Lucas during practice, causing the starting cornerback to be carted off the field holding an ice pack to his left eye.

Panthers coach John Fox said Smith and Lucas returned to Charlotte after the fight. The team didn't provide an update on the extent of Lucas' injuries and club officials declined to say if the volatile Smith, the team's top receiver, would be suspended.

"We're going to handle this matter internally," general manager Marty Hurney said.

Smith's agent, Derrick Fox, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

The melee came after both players had taken off their helmets in a break for starters during a special teams drill. It was unclear what provoked the fight. While the two have routinely jawed at each other in practice since Lucas signed with Carolina in 2005, they've never come to blows in view of reporters.

"When that happens on the field usually guys have helmets on," quarterback Jake Delhomme said. "But this happened on the sidelines, so it probably wasn't a good idea."

When attention turned from the field to the fight, several players and Fox rushed to the scene. Fox tried to separate the two, but it took linebacker Jon Beason to pull Smith off Lucas.

Lucas walked to a tent, holding his head while accompanied by a trainer. Smith was then escorted there by receiver Muhsin Muhammad to talk to Lucas.

"Steve was probably a little remorseful for what happened," Muhammad said. "He was trying to apologize, so I was walking with him just to be there."

After being treated for several minutes, Lucas walked to a nearby cart and was taken to the locker room.

Smith spent several minutes talking to kicker John Kasay on an adjacent field before he was escorted to the locker room by Hurney as practice continued.

"Anytime something like that happens you're obviously disappointed," Fox said. "It's part of football and you deal with it."

The coach had an extended talk with the team after the workout. Delhomme said Fox warned the players not to retaliate against Smith.

"I don't anticipate this having any lingering effect on this team," Delhomme said. "We were talked to and things were squashed. That's it. That's the way it is. It happened. There will be no retaliation by anybody on anything. When you look at the schedule we don't play the Panthers this year. So we need to be smart when we're out there."

A three-time Pro Bowl pick, Smith has had trouble controlling his temper. He was suspended for a game in 2002 after punching teammate Anthony Bright during a film session. Smith received counseling for anger management, and a lawsuit filed by Bright was eventually settled out of court.

Despite a history of poorly timed penalties following angry outbursts, Smith signed a contract extension last year through the 2012 season that makes him one of the NFL's highest-paid receivers.

A possible suspension to Carolina's top playmaker cast a shadow over the team Friday afternoon.

"Obviously everybody is going to be waiting to see what the repercussions are from this event," Muhammad said. "I'm just praying that we rally together as a team, because obviously there's going to be some adversity here. The focus is not where it needs to be right now.

"I'm hoping we can all come together as a team, as a family, and are able to put this behind us."

Just what is needed, a great receiver, really contributing to the team chemistry

[SlowwHand]

Panthers suspend star receiver Smith for two games

Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers have suspended receiver Steve Smith two games for his involvement in a training camp fight with cornerback Ken Lucas.

Smith will participate in preseason games and be allowed to practice with the team beginning Monday. He is a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

Lucas left the practice field at Wofford College on Friday with ice over his left eye.

Coach John Fox said Lucas has a broken nose.

Lucas did not practice Saturday at Fan Fest and is listed as day-to-day.

Neither player was at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Wow... that'll have some impact.

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui


Wow... that'll have some impact.

Imran, will this be 2 preseason or regular?


Either way, as another who has some warm blood curdling just below surface, he does need to get control over his emotions

Gramps

[Imran Siddiqui]

It sounds regular. It says he'll participant in preseason games.

[flash9286]

Imran, will this be 2 preseason or regular?


Either way, as another who has some warm blood curdling just below surface, he does need to get control over his emotions

Gramps

They sent him to anger management classes after the Anthony Bright altercation, I guess the classes didn't help much.

[SlowwHand]

It's not really punishment if they suspended him for 2 preseason games.

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
It's not really punishment if they suspended him for 2 preseason games.

Yup...this way its the military style punishment, the whole team is effected, Steve is a very important part of its offense


But he still needs to be punished, I wonder if he thinks he helped the team with his latest stunt?

Originally posted by flash9286


They sent him to anger management classes after the Anthony Bright altercation, I guess the classes didn't help much.

When at first you dont suceed, try,try again

[Grandpa Troll]

Hog Wild: Redskins highlight induction ceremony at Hall of Fame Story Highlights
Darrell Green, Art Monk, and Emmitt Thomas were among those inducted
Fred Dean, Andre Tippett and Gary Zimmerman were also enshrined
Thomas and Green are the 18th and 19th cornerbacks to reach the Hall




Former Redskins defensive back Darrell Green was emotional in his speech Saturday.
AP




CANTON, Ohio (AP) -- The Hall of Fame induction ceremony turned Hog wild Saturday.

Darrell Green and Art Monk walked across the stage waving their arms and urged thousands of Washington Redskins fans to give them one more salute. Emmitt Thomas, the former Chiefs player and Redskins coach, simply waved back.

And they applauded the three other inductees without Washington ties -- Fred Dean, Andre Tippett and Gary Zimmerman -- because they understood they would have been a good fit with the Redskins' blue-collar players.

Most didn't shed a tear.

Green, as usual, was the exception.

"Deacon Jones said I was gonna cry. You bet I'm gonna cry," he said after his son, Jared, introduced him. "You bet you're life I'm gonna cry. You bet your life I will. That's my boy, that's my boy right there."

Clearly, this was Washington's showcase.

From the red-and-yellow clad crowd to the pig's snouts to the responses whenever the Dallas Cowboys were mentioned, the ceremony looked more like a team Hall of Fame induction than a league-wide enshrinement.

Fans cheered louder each time Thomas mentioned a Redskins player or coach. They chanted "Dar-rell, Dar-rell."

Yes, it had everything but the band playing "Hail To The Redskins."

It was such a partisan crowd that Green's son even joked 95 percent of it was from Washington.

But the inductions were also marked by poignancy.

Dean, Tippett and Zimmerman all chose team owners as their introductory speakers. Green, Monk and Thomas each gave the honor to their sons. None was more moving than that by Derek Thomas, who suggested his dad finally let everyone know how good he was before breaking down as he tried to announce his dad's name.

"My dad always used to give me and my sister advice. Like most kids, we didn't always follow that advice," he said. "A piece of advice he gave me once was never make athletes your heroes because they make mistakes, too. I guess I didn't follow that advice very well. I'd like to introduce you to my hero, my mentor, my father, Emmitt Thomas."

Green recounted a story in which his two best childhood friends died before he started in the NFL, and then asked for a special recognition to two late teammates -- Kevin Mitchell and Sean Taylor.

Thomas spoke of the hardship of growing up after his mother died when he was 8, and as a tribute to his grandfather asked the Hall of Fame to let him enter with the name Emmitt Earl Fyles Dean.

"My late grandfather is still my hero. I remember those long, hot summer nights sitting on the porch listening to a game or a fight," he said. "He taught me about honor, commitment, love, religion and respect."

Then there were the comedy routines.

In the middle of Dean's deliberate, emphatic speech that had the tone of a church sermon, he told the crowd he forgot his glasses and couldn't read his speech. Another Hall of Famer responded quickly by handing them to Dean.

"I think that's gonna work, dog," Dean said, drawing laughter.

Zimmerman talked about going from Minnesota to Denver, and learning about The Curse.

"It happens when you're protecting someone like John (Elway) and what happens is the night before the game you get little or no sleep," he said. "Because if you didn't do your job, you'll forever be known as the guy who lost our franchise. ... I would also like to thank John, it was worth every sleepless night."

Others reflected on how they learned the game and what helped them aspire to Hall of Fame careers.

Tippett, a fearsome pass rusher in the mold of Lawrence Taylor, talked about how he and his teammates at Iowa would pretend they played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their black-and-gold uniforms. Tippett's choice was Dennis Winston.

"In my youth, I watched every game I could. I studied all the great players -- Lambert, Ham, Bobby Bell and many others," he said. "Some kids play cops and robbers. I emulated you."

I watched half of it and a true walk down memory lane.

Art Monk was honored with like a 4 minute ovation

[-Jrabbit]

I caught some of it on radio. The speeches are often pretty good stuff.

Art Monk finally getting in -- priceless.

[Grandpa Troll]

Favre to be reinstated, report to Packers Monday







GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Brett Favre will be reinstated and added to the Green Bay Packers' active roster Monday.

The NFL announced the move Sunday. Commissioner Roger Goodell had held off on granting Favre's request for reinstatement for nearly a week. He hoped Favre and the team could resolve their standoff. By reinstating Favre, Goodell is following through on a recent promise to force action.

The reinstatement will become effective at noon on Monday.

Now what?

He plays, start or competes with Aaron Rogers?

Decisions,decisions,decisions......

[-Jrabbit]

Nope. No way do they keep him for the regular season. The Packers drafted TWO rookie QBs (notably Brian Brohm of Louisville in the 2nd round) to prepare for the post-Favre era. They have already moved on. Here are the possible scenarios:

1. Favre accepts $20-25 million over 10 years to stay off the field. It makes the most sense, but Brett seems to really want to play.

2. Favre comes to camp and the Packers work feverishly to trade him out of the division, preferably out of the NFC. Green Bay has been demanding a 1st rounder, and that just won't happen. They realistically won't get more than a 4th or 5th rounder for him, or perhaps a player. I consider this the most likely scenario.

3. If all that fails, Green Bay will go through camp with him, then cut him loose at the last possible moment. This would mean Favre could sign anywhere, but he would lose several weeks prep time in learning the system and terminology of his new team, thus making him less of a threat to come back and haunt Green Bay.

It's a fun sideshow to watch.

[Grandpa Troll]

Indeed, a sideshow, on both sides

I have utmost respect for Farve, but he was THE man and announced retirement.

Green Bay must now move on.

Farve decides no I changed my mind

So both have a part and parcel to this sideshow

I have allways enjoyed your wisdom -Jrabbit!

Now, what exactly does Farve want?

If it was to start, he should have made this decision much earlier, but he has that option(maybe not here), just as Green Bay does...............have the option of showing that the dog wags the tail, not the other way around

[SlowwHand]

Favre, as a player in Green Bay, is history. It's not even an option.

[Lord Avalon]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

GB tried to move on, but they didn't count on Favre unretiring. So even though they've said Rogers is the starter, how can you not put Favre in competition for the job? If he's the best QB on your roster, don't you play him? And as long as he's the best, let him play out his career as a Packer? Yeah, maybe Rogers gets pissed and goes elsewhere, but he's not yet a GB icon and future Hall of Famer.

[reismark]

At this point, even at the EPIC level with which Ted Thompson has botched the handling of this situation, I don't think he's actually stupid enough to go through with trading Favre, especially now that ESPN sources are claiming that McCarthy's going to open the QB position up. As I and my fellow Bucs fans know, putting your faith in a guy who's never started a game in this league as your starter and an unproven rookie as your backup is tantamount to suicide, and should hang over any negative that Favre returning to Green Bay as an active player might bring.

At this point, I'm expecting that Favre will be the starter for the Packers against Minnesota in that opening Monday-nighter.

[SlowwHand]

If he's the starter, Green Bay deserves the years afterwards that they'll get. Brett's being a jackass. It's a damned shame.

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
If he's the starter, Green Bay deserves the years afterwards that they'll get. Brett's being a jackass. It's a damned shame.

Well, I feel in so many words the same way, and have no problem Green Bay responding in kind

As for the arguement what Farve has done over the years, he should have made the decision earlier, much earlier

[Grandpa Troll]

On ESPN it was just reported Coach McCarthy will announce a quarterback competition, officially, wont be announced until tommorrow evening.


And life goes on.......

[snoopy369]

Anybody else thinking of drafting Mike Hart after the last three carries (in the HoF game vs WAS)? 3 consecutive extremely nice looking 10+ carries...

[-Jrabbit]

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports that Brandon Marshall has been suspended three games for violations of the Personal Conduct Policy, but could have it reduced to two by agreeing to undergo counseling.

[SlowwHand]

Not as bad as it could have been.