Report: Favre wanted trade after draft
By CHRIS JENKINS, AP Sports Writer
Sun May 13, 4:31 PM
MILWAUKEE - The Green Bay Packers left Brett Favre fuming when they didn't pull off a trade for wide receiver Randy Moss during the NFL draft.
But was the three-time MVP angry enough to ask his way out of Green Bay?
Amid public grousing from Favre about the state of his team over the weekend, a report on the Fox Sports Web site, citing anonymous sources, said Favre's agent called Packers general manager Ted Thompson to request a trade a few days after last month's draft.
According to the report, Packers coach Mike McCarthy later called the quarterback and was able to calm his anger, getting Favre to admit that he didn't really want to play elsewhere.
In a statement posted on the Packers' Web site, Thompson said he would not address the specifics of the report but understood the frustration Favre vented in interviews over the weekend.
``I think it's natural for a player to be frustrated from time to time - that's simply being human,'' Thompson said. ``Everyone knows that Brett Favre is all about winning. As an organization, we share that commitment. And we want to win now.''
Other Packers officials and Favre's agent, James ``Bus'' Cook, did not return telephone messages from The Associated Press on Sunday.
The Packers' mandatory minicamp begins Friday, and it was not clear whether Favre, who had surgery to remove bone spurs from his left ankle in late February, would attend. McCarthy said during the team's rookie orientation last weekend that he expected Favre to be present, even if he wasn't able to practice while he continues to recover from the surgery.
Favre didn't mention anything about wanting a trade in interviews he conducted during his annual charity golf tournament in Tunica, Miss. on Saturday. But Favre did make it clear that he believed the Packers passed on a chance to make ``a steal'' of a deal for Moss, who instead was traded from Oakland to New England April 29.
``He was going to wipe his contract clean and sign for $3 million guaranteed, plus a fourth-round draft pick. That would have been a steal,'' Favre told the Biloxi (Miss.) Sun-Herald. ``But we were not willing to guarantee part of that $3 million. I even had (Cook) call up there and tell them I would give up part of my salary to guarantee that part of the money. Apparently that wasn't enough either.''
Favre, who has flirted with retirement during the past several offseasons, told the team in February that he would return for his 17th NFL season.
But he now wonders whether the Packers want to move on without him as part of a long-term rebuilding movement, a sentiment he has hinted at in the past. Thompson and McCarthy have consistently said that they want Favre to keep playing.
Favre said he has faith in the team's desire to win, but wonders whether the Packers won't become a contender again until after he retires. Green Bay improved from 4-12 in 2005 to 8-8 last season, but hasn't made any major additions through free agency.
``I don't know if I've lost faith, and I think everyone in the organization wants to win,'' Favre told the paper. ``I just don't know if it includes me. If it's going to be five years from now, I'm not going to be here. This is 17 years for me and I want to win.''
Thompson said he is optimistic about the team's chances to win right away. The Packers have locked up several of their own key defensive players to long-term deals this offseason, including cornerback Al Harris, linebacker Nick Barnett and defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins.
``We feel like we've had a great offseason program - our guys are getting bigger and stronger - and we'll improve from within,'' Thompson said. ``We're also excited about the players we've added through the draft and what those players will bring to our team.''
