Packers Make A Terrible Move
By PackerAaron
Sending Mark Murphy down to Mississippi is just about the dumbest thing the Packers have done during the whole Brett Favre saga.
Having earlier stated that he would not report to camp just to 'stick it to them' - that is now exactly what Favre is doing. What the Packers should do, and I recognize this would be incredibly difficult, is follow through on their stated position that Rodgers will remain the starter and Favre the back up. $12 million for a back up? When you're $20+ million under the cap, why not? His salary isn't gauranteed until the first regular season game. At that point any number of teams could decide they need an upgrade at quarterback and the Packers could negotiate from a position of strength. Sure, Favre could continue to act like a spoiled child and refuse a trade to a team he doesn't deem worthy. In that case, here's your ball cap and a clipboard, Mr. Favre. Oh, by the way, Aaron needs some Gatorade, could you get him some?
But this pilgrimage of Murphy's is a clear sign of desperation. It says that the Packers know that once Favre reports, the pressure both from the media and the fans will be shockingly intense for Favre to play. And it would seem Thompson and McCarthy are frightened beyond all measure of that scenario, which is unfortunate. They needn't be, as I will be in attendence this Sunday evening for Family Night, wearing a Rodgers jersey I plan on purchasing at the Pro Shop.
UPDATE: Murphy's flight landed 9 hours ago. WHAT'S TAKING SO LONG???? ;)
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Comments (9)
Alex Tallitsch
July 30, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I hear to door slowly opening. Inch by inch, squeak by squeak.
July 30, 2008 at 12:46 pm
I don't know, it depends what Murhpy is going down to say. I also wonder if possibly Harlan might have been on that flight since there is probably a trust/respect factor there that there would not be with Murphy/TT.
Murphy may simply being going down to tell Farve, "Look, you can come in, but your the backup, it doesn't matter what happens, as long as Rodgers is able to step on the field he's the starter, and point two, we are not going to release you, period end of discussion. So either your going to have to give us some teams you would consider going to in trade OR your going to be our 12 million $$$ backup."
We'll see how it goes down but my guess would be that if Farve insists on reporting that is going to be the overall message.
July 30, 2008 at 12:53 pm
>>>But this pilgramige of Murphy’s is a clear sign of desperation.
No it's not. It's the sign of an organization being proactive on behalf of it's future.
>>>It says that the Packers know that once Favre reports, the pressure both from the media and the fans will be shockingly intense for Favre to play.
That is true. Hence, the trip.
>>>And it would seem Thompson and McCarthy are frightened beyond all measure of that scenario, which is unfortunate.
Once again, they have nothing to be frightened about. Seems to me they are the one's acting like adults here, trying to convince a spoiled child to grow up.
Football's a business (gee, haven't we heard that before), and anything that TT and MM do to plan and project a better future for the Packer organization is their job. Clear and simple.
July 30, 2008 at 01:02 pm
As this draws out, am I the only one that's getting angry enough to actually <i>want</i> to see Favre in purple chucking picks off his back foot?
PackerAaron
July 30, 2008 at 01:17 pm
3000 - I've been thinking that all morning. And Kramer - What on Earth could Murphy possibly say that hasn't been said already? You're right, the Packers have no reason to be scared. Let him report and be the backup. There's absolutely zero reason for Murphy to go to Mississippi.
July 30, 2008 at 02:00 pm
It could be something of an ego stroking move. A lot of this situation seems to stem from Favre not feeling appreciated enough. So now the Packers show that they are trying to keep talking to him, that they think he's important enough to send the President of the team to talk with him. It also shows Goodell that they aren't the ones making the mess.
Also, Murphy doesn't have the history with Favre that TT and MM have. Whereas Favre seems to want to screw TT and MM he probably doesn't have those same feelings with Murphy and as a result might be more willing to listen to what Murphy has to say.
July 30, 2008 at 02:38 pm
I agree with the last poster. As a lawyer and a career AD Murphy undoubtedly has far, far better people skills than Thompson, a career scout. Though I like what he's done generally, TT's lack of communication skills are part of the reason the team is in this mess. So it makes sense for Murphy to be the facilitator, both to salve Favre's ego and communicate properly.
That said, I really hope that Murphy is not going down there to talk him into staying put, but rather to convince him to cooperate with a trade. The report from Silverstein and Bedard in today's MJS indicated that Favre is refusing to talk with potential trade partners. A release can and should not happen, and Brett needs to start playing along or get ready to hold a clipboard.
PackerAaron
July 30, 2008 at 02:44 pm
No amount of lawyer-speak from Murphy is going to convince Favre to play ball. He wants his release to get to the Vikings. He's been trying to get there since April. Murphy's trip does little more than delay the inevitable - Favre will come up to Green Bay and make life hell for McCarthy and Thompson. The $64,000 question is: How long will they be able to put up with it before they cut him? That's why no team is willing to give up more than a low round pick. They know Favre and the Packers are playing chicken, and everyone's betting the Packers will blink because there's "no way they pay him $12 million to be a backup", which, as I've written, is ridiculous. They have more than enough cap space. You want to come back? Fine. We own your rights for three years and it will be great to have a vet behind our first time starter. Cheers.
July 30, 2008 at 03:21 pm
I agree with you that making him be back-up is the best option right now. He won't accept a trade and no way should you release him. And I don't know if his ego could take being a back-up for long.