Coach McCarthy says Favre not in the right "mindset" to play for Green Bay.

So - Favre left Green Bay. And the talk this morning is he may be headed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. GB Coach Mike McCarthy held a press conference yesterday and basically the press corps witnessed what a talking asshole looks like.

My thoughts.

I think Mike McCarthy watched the Paul Newman flick "Cool Hand Luke" one too many times as his constant reference to Favre's "mindset" not being right for Green Bay was a theme throughout his blatherings. Forget about the Packer management "mindset" of standing firm in their decision that Aaron Rogers is the future of this team and the starting QB once Brett decided to opt out of retirement.

1) How convenient to suddenly say that he (McCarthy) talked to Brett about an open QB competition, then commented that Brett doesn't have the right mindset to play in Green Bay, thus offering Brett the chance to win the starting QB job - and taking it away it one fell swoop, while laying that decision at Brett's feet. Bravo, Mike. Did former press secretary Ari Fleischer teach you that "spin", Coach?

2) Maybe Favre does harbor resentment toward the Packers, which would account for burned bridges that could never be crossed. Can anyone blame him? When Favre came out of retirement, the Packers did everything they could to keep him retired, saying we'll trade you and not release you. Ted Thompson stated that Brett would be the back up QB and that there would be NO competition for the position. Then they put an exclamation mark on all that by even offered him a $20-25 million bribe to stay retired. And when Brett was put back on the roster, he was NOT allowed to go onto the field during the inter-squad scrimmage game at Family Night and he was NOT allowed in the locker room. So is there really a question that he wasn't wanted there? Wouldn't anyone in Brett's position have hurt feelings after giving 16 years to the Packer organization? For McCarthy to say Brett's "mindset" isn't right to play in Green Bay under these circumstances is the equivalent of beating the shit out of a dog, putting your hand out to the dog expecting it to come to you, but saying, "oh, you won't come to me...then you're not obeying your master and now I'll have to give you up for adoption".

3) And what about the question asked of McCarthy during his press conference yesterday, "Why isn't Brett the QB of this team for 2008?". McCarthy's response, "That's an excellent question. I think you need to ask Brett," - as if suddenly now thrusting all need for an explanation unto Brett. And then when asked, "why is it that you've been saying Aaron Rogers is your man all this time..." and McCarthy said, "I don't agree with your question." McCarthy said he stated Rogers was the starting QB on their 80-man roster and that Favre wasn't on the roster so he wasn't going to discuss hypothetical situation.

That's a lie. What the Packer organization stated all along - while Brett was retired and after he decided to come back - was that (as I stated above in #2) the team moved forward; Rogers was the starting QB; Brett could be a back up, and that there would be no competition for the QB position. McCarthy is simply splitting hairs and spinning the Packers' stance on Roger's so they don't look like the dumbfucks that they look like now. Get that one from Ari as well?

Had the Packers - from the very start - just accepted that Brett wanted back and made him the starting QB, this entire PR nightmare would have been avoided. Brett would be back on the team. No harsh words or planted stories or animosities would have been exchanged that would have affected the mindsets of anyone, and the Packers' world - and Packer fans around the world - would have been in the right place.

Instead, Brett might now play ball in a different uniform, the Packers have a talented team with a starting QB who has never started an NFL game and has been somewhat injury prone, with two rookie back ups who also have never started a game. Packer Nation is divided - including my own family and friends. And I am boycotting the Packers' 2008 season. Thank you. Ted Thompson, Mike McCarthy and Mark Murphy for creating a clusterfuck with your extraordinary management skills that have set this franchise back at least 16 years.

Brett's headed to the Hall of Fame. I look forward to the day when the three of you are inducted into Canton's Hall of Shame.