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Favre, Packers At An Impasse

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By CHRIS JENKINS

The Associated Press

Published: August 6, 2008

GREEN BAY, Wis. - The bond between Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers appears to be broken beyond repair.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday evening that after approximately six hours of what he called "brutally honest" conversations with Favre over the past two days, the three-time MVP just isn't in the right mind-set to be part of the team.

Even with the chance to win his starting job back potentially on the table, McCarthy said Favre couldn't seem to get past emotional wounds that were opened as tensions mounted in recent weeks.

"The football team's moving forward," McCarthy said. "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."

A trade could be coming next, with Tampa Bay re-emerging as a potential destination after seemingly being eliminated from consideration in recent weeks.

Packers officials have believed throughout the past month that Favre's preference is to play for the Minnesota Vikings, but Favre could reconsider a trade to Tampa Bay - or elsewhere - if Green Bay holds firm in its commitment not to trade him to a division rival.

McCarthy wouldn't address trade talks, but did say a quick resolution to the situation is important to the rest of his players.

"Absolutely," McCarthy said. "The players, they want it resolved. Even talk to Brett about it - he feels bad about it. It's time for them to talk about somebody else."

Favre left Lambeau Field just before Packers practice Tuesday afternoon, taking a right turn out of the stadium's back gate and heading away from the field where the rest of his teammates were assembling for drills.

"We're at a stalemate," Favre told ESPN Tuesday morning. "Mike and I both agreed last night that me being out there is a distraction and will continue to be a distraction. We all know the reason I'm here is because the commissioner reinstated me so we have a lot of things to figure out. It's simple and complicated, both at the same time."

McCarthy said Favre was excused from practice Tuesday, adding that he wouldn't have practiced with the team anyway because of an abdominal strain found during his physical examination Monday. McCarthy did not say whether Favre would be fined if he stayed away from camp starting today.

Favre told ESPN he doesn't have a problem with competing with Rodgers for the starting job, and can "truly understand" why McCarthy would make Rodgers the starter. But Favre also said a competition "probably isn't going to work" and that "the problem is that there's been a lot of damage done and I can't forget it."

McCarthy said Favre was "very convincing" in their conversations about his desire to play. But McCarthy still seemed to have reservations about Favre's commitment to preparation.

Would Favre continue to stay at Lambeau late at night to study film, a major factor in his success last season?

"That was a very good question for him," McCarthy said. "He's in a tough spot right now." McCarthy also didn't seem convinced that Favre was thinking clearly about his future.

"He has a lot going through his head, and I think he's emotional," McCarthy said. "And just talking to him, he's in a tough spot."

So, of course, are McCarthy and Thompson. Correctly or not, they might end up being seen by fans as the men who drove Favre out of Green Bay.

"That's not a good feeling, but I don't view it that way," McCarthy said. "I can only trust the truth. I've been part of a lot of conversations, and I don't feel that's the case."

Rodgers, meanwhile, stuck to his mantra of not worrying about things he can't control.

"I just know we were out at practice today, and he wasn't there, and I'm the starter," Rodgers said. "So that's where we're going right now."

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