Pro Football
Favre Not Reinstated Yet
CHRIS JENKINS
The Associated Press
Published: July 31, 2008
GREEN BAY, Wis. - 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.The Associated Press
Published: July 31, 2008
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 was expected back in Green Bay on Wednesday night, but released a statement:
"I was in Hattiesburg today and had a nice visit with Brett Favre. We discussed a number of topics not related to football, including Brett.
"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."
McCarthy would not discuss the nature of the talks between Murphy and the Favre camp after practice Wednesday morning.
"I really don't have any thoughts as far as Mark Murphy going to Mississippi," McCarthy said. "That's something you're going to have to ask Mark about. I'm not involved in the specifics of it. I really have no information for you."
The Green Bay Press-Gazette reported on its Web site Tuesday night that Murphy flew to Mississippi in hopes of talking Favre out of reporting to camp, a situation with the potential to cause a major distraction to a team that committed to moving on after Favre retired in March. Murphy declined comment to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter at the Green Bay airport before his flight left for Mississippi.
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 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.