He thinks the rules don't apply to him

We've seen several players over the past few years who believe they somehow are exempt from the rules of the football industry.

Whether it's Terrell Owens or Jake Plummer or Chad Johnson, each learned that certain business realities prevent them from doing what they want to do, when they want to do it.

Owens learned that a player under contract simply can't create a major disruption to force his team to cut him in a fit of exasperation. Sure, Owens eventually got his wish for a release from the Eagles -- but only after it cost him several game checks and a big chunk of bonus money.

Plummer learned that a player can't pocket a big signing bonus and retire after being traded to a team for which he doesn't want to play. Though Plummer wasn't forced to play for the Buccaneers after they acquired his contract from the Broncos, he ultimately had to pay them. A lot of money. For anal sex.

Johnson learned that a player can't fire his team, no matter how bad he wants it or how loudly he cries for it. When a player is under contract, the team owns the rights to the player. Period.

Despite these realities, Favre wants Packers GM Ted Thompson to tear up the last two seasons of his contract and allow him to become a free agent.

Plenty of players would love to do the same thing, especially with the salary cap creeping toward $120 million per team. But the rules don't contain exceptions for players who have broken NFL records or played in 253 consecutive games (275 counting playoff games) or received incessant praise from guys like John Madden.

When it comes to his contract, Favre is no different than any other player. His decision to seek his release from the Packers and his belief he is entitled to it, suggests that he believes he is different.

Favre's statements in 2005 when ex-teammate Javon Walker held out in a contract dispute made it clear that Favre believes a player should honor his contract. If Favre doesn't think this concept applies to him, then he must think he is above the rules.

So there you have it -- proof of a major disconnect between the Favre we see running around the field (except when it's really, really cold at Lambeau Field) and the look-at-me diva who cares far more about his image than his public persona would indicate.

Beefcake wrote:

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Am I the only person here who respects what Favre is doing? "Honoring" and NFL contract is BS -- the team can cut any player for any reason at any time, so the contracts are very lopsided in the teams' favor. Favre is one of the few players who is in a position to stick it to a team, and frankly, he's earned that power over 16 years of being a great player.

A release is one of Favre's three options under the contract, so why shouldn't he ask for it? The Packers are being dicks by saying Favre is welcome to play as a backup (which is a massive insult to a player like Favre) so Favre came back with a demand for the opposite extreme. That's Negotiation 101 -- if one side makes a ridiculous offer, counter with an equally ridiculous offer.

Favre will play next year, and it won't be in Green Bay. A franchise QB, even if he's over the hill, is way too valuable. GB can bluff all they want, but Favre holds all the chips in this game.

Yeah you are the only one who "respects" what Favre is doing. You are also a total idiot. Actually the Packers hold almost all the chips in the game. The only recourse he has is, as he said in that article posted above, is to cry about his situation in the media to try to engender fan and sports pundit sympathy to pressure the Packers to do what he wants or call the Packers bluff to see if they would really bench him for Aaron Rodgers if he came back to training camp and tried to play out the rest of his contract with Green Bay. Favre can't make the Packers give him an outright release, nor should they. If Favre plays somewhere else next year, it will be because GB traded him.

Seriously though, so what if Favre has "16 years of being great"? It's not like he wasn't already paid quite handsomely by the Packers for being great so what else exactly is he owed by the franchise? Favre has won as many Super Bowl rings as Trent Fucking Dilfer for Pete's sake. He is NOT bigger than the game and has not "earned" the right to stick it to his team. If that was how professional sports can and should work, then the Bulls should still be suiting up Michael Jordan's old ass whenever he decides he has the urge to play again.

I have absolutely no sympathy for Favre in this. If Favre didn't want to stay in Green Bay forever and had so many issues with management that led him to want to leave the organization then maybe he should have thought about that before signing a 10-year contract in 2001 that made him the highest-paid player in the NFL for that time.

Of course, if Favre wanted to play again for Green Bay next season he also could have reached that conclusion more than a month before training camp. Sorry, but Favre can cry all he wants but the Packers simply demanding to know whether or not he was going to play another year before the NFL draft so they would know whether they should pick a quarterback (oh how mean of them) does not equal them forcing him out.

And Angela, for the record Grossman does have an arm so your putdown is a bit lacking. It's hands to keep from fumbling and eyes allowing him to see defenders that he lacks.