PACKERwatch

Just hours before the beginning of the Green Bay Packers minicamp, Brett Favre held a press conference in which he addressed the “non-issue” of a trade, claiming that “never was trade mentioned, requested.  I just don’t know where it came from.  It’s just not true.”  So Favre has now personally and publicly denied that a trade request ever occurred, and he’s at minicamp ready to get to know the new rookies.  That will have Packers fans breathing a huge sigh of relief.

According to an anonymous source, Brett Favre will be attending the Green Bay Packers minicamp to familiarize himself with the new faces on the team.  No official announcement has been made, and it’s become clear lately that anonymous sources aren’t always reliable, but if this story is true, it’s a big step in mending the strained relationship between Favre and the Packers.

Favre had previously stated that he would not attend.

Favre has already expressed his discontent over how the Packers front offuce is running things this offseason, and rumor had it that he had requested a trade  but Favre denied this.  The Packers/Favre dilemma isn’t over yet, however, as things could get icy over Brett Favre’s refusal to attend the mandatory team minicamp.  Recovering from an ankle surgery, Favre has said publicly that he will not attend.  However, team spokesperson Jeff Blumb said that, according to McCarthy, “the camp is mandatory.”  The Packers have yet to formally permit Favre to stay.

 To be fair, the injured Favre would have to sit out the entire camp, so it does seem pointless to require him to attend.  In addition, Favre is preparing for his daughter’s graduation in two weeks.  Favre said, “To be honest, we have (daughter) Brittany graduating in two weeks. Instead of going up there and not doing anything, I will be better off being at home because of graduation parties and banquets.”

I say, let him stay home.  He’s not going to be doing anything worthwhile at the camp, and there’s no use in further upsetting the team’s best hope at success.

Brett Favre is a competitor, and he wants to win.  That’s why he was very angry after the Packers failed to trade for big-time receiver Randy Moss.  Favre says that he even offered to take a pay cut to pay for Moss’ $3 million salary, but the Packers front office still didn’t get the deal done.

 Then, a rumor exploded that Favre had requested a trade.  Citing an unnamed source, Fox Sports reported that Favre’s agent James “Bus” Cook had requested his player be traded.  While Favre had acknowledged his discontent over the Packers inability to close the Moss deal, he never publicly asked to be traded.  Perhaps a trade request truly was made, but whatever the case, Favre has reassured distraught Packers fans that he will not be seeking a trade, saying, “I never wanted to be traded and I don’t want to be traded.  I want to finish my career as a Packer.”

Brett Favre’s agent has not made any comment about the situation.

Like Randy Moss, Keyshawn Johnson is a talented receiver that has seen better days and is on the down side of his career.  Also like Moss, Keyshawn Johnson is not the most humble guy, is very outspoken, and has the potential to hurt teams with his selfishness (though he’s not as bad as Moss or Terrel Owens in these things).  Another similarity between Moss and Johnson?  The Green Bay Packers have expressed interest in him.

That’s right.   Green Bay is among six teams that has expressed serious interest in signing the receiver, who was recently cut by the Panthers after they drafted USC’s standout WR, Dwayne Jarret (the other teams looking at signing Johnson are the New York Jets, the New York Giants, the Seattle Seahawks, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Tennessee Titans).  Johnson, who was the No. 3 guy in a talented Carolina receiving corps, will reportedly expect $1-2 million a year.  This is a hefty price tag for an older receiver who was just cut by another team.  Besides, the Packers already have a veteran receiver, Donald Driver, and a promising group of young receivers that includes Greg Jennings and the newly drafted David Clowney.  If the Pack does decide to sign Johnson, it shouldn’t be for any more than 2 years, so that Johnson could give a temporary boost to the Packers passing attack while the younger players mature.  This doesn’t bother me nearly as much as the whole Randy Moss thing did, but the Packers should still be cautious while evaluating whether Keyshawn Johnson will be a good fit for the team.