Buzz: So Which Is It? Months? Weeks?
Apparently on the Sunday NBC pre-game, Peter King reported that the Jets are giving Favre “months” to make a decision on whether or not he will come back.
h. The Jets, as I said Sunday on NBC, are going to give Brett Favre lots of time to breathe. As in months. Favre and GM Mike Tannenbaum talked the other day for the first time since Dec. 29, and Tannenbaum said he was in no rush for Favre to make a decision on his future.
i. Doesn’t matter. I don’t believe Favre will play again
First off, terrible use of outline form. Second, Favre wasn’t going to play last year. Third, who is King’s source? I’ll imagine that it’s Favre himself although the writing makes one believe that Tannenbaum told Peter King this directly.
With this floated for God and the world, the Jets PR team updated the beatwriters ostensibly to amend King’s statements.
A Jets spokesman refuted the report, saying the team hopes to have an indication from Favre by the time the NFL combine begins Feb. 18. That would be consistent with what general manager Mike Tannenbaum said Jan. 21, when coach Rex Ryan was introduced. Speaking on WFAN that afternoon, Tannenbaum said he wanted some “initial feedback” from Favre by the time the combine starts in Indianapolis. It lasts until Feb. 24.
“I want to get a feel for the situation by Indianapolis, just from a standpoint of strategic planning at that position,” Tannenbaum said that day.
Remember this picture from City Hall last summer? When I read the above, the only thing I think about is that picture. It’s like the Jets are just hanging on his every word.
So Favre says months via King, Tannenbaum via the PR staff says weeks … but which is it?
It’s clear that the communication between the sides is not good. Tannenbaum doesn’t have a good reputation when it comes to telling the truth to the press (a la Pete Kendall and Chris Baker) when it comes to player negotiations. Meanwhile, Favre is dinged for his weepy retirement that didn’t stick and ruffling his management’s feathers for years in Green Bay. Why should I believe the two parties can come to an agreement on this season before free agency if they can’t even communicate the difference between “weeks” and “months?”
I understand solely needing an “indication” by the time the Combine comes around, but for this team to not have this matter put to bed by the time free agency starts is a crime against us, the fans. Rex Ryan needs to be able to upgrade some positions on defense, and with Favre in the picture, there’s no chance of the team having any wiggle room to sign even a single player at the start of free agency.
Favre threw 22 interceptions last season, has a bad wing and from a cap savings perspective, there’s no one on the roster that’s a more efficient cap sacrifice. This decision needs to be made, not in months, not in weeks … not in days … in HOURS.
another example of just how inept woody and tannenbaum are. do they have a plan to follow if he does retire? i bet they don’t.
I really don’t understand the Jets position. If the front office truly doesn’t know what Favre’s next move is going to be, not pushing him for a decision seems to be a terrible mistake given the Jets’ cap situation.
I feel like a cheesehead in more ways than one.
We aren’t Packers fans, we owe no allegiance to this idiot.
Why would we even want him back, give one good reason.
Something to keep in mind. Peter King parrots the Favre camp on everything. He did it last year too. Everything that came out through Peter King put Favre in the best light and make the Packers look terrible.
Having months may be something that Favre wants, or Favre said to the Jets, and Peter King, knowing this, could easily reported the story as the Jets management is giving him as much time as he wants.
It’s not like King isn’t ridiculously biased to Favre.
“Tannenbaum doesn’t have a good reputation when it comes to telling the truth to the press (a la Pete Kendall and Chris Baker) when it comes to player negotiations.” Bassett
I don’t understand the basis for this statement. Kendall as much as admitted he lied about the promise thing. Baker was a FA and could have left. He also has a contract.
Tanny may be cold, not share information, and cheap, but this seems like a media creation to me, the same media who look for whiners to get their information and then report it as fact.
Again, I am not saying Tanny is a good GM, understands value (except in the 4th round) or will bring us a championship.
I am not even saying the media have not created this lie about Tanny. But this statement implies credence to the fact that Tanny lies to the press. Please cite specific statements that Tanny has made that were belied by evidence. I don’t remember a one!
I am saying I expect more of things written by you on this blog.
harlan
It’s very easy to understand the situation. The owner, television, Tannenbaum and the media still see LOT$ and LOT$ of $$$$$ pasted on his face. They are willing to sacrifice their integrity and suffer embarrassment by giving giving this guy time to miss OTA’s and summer camp. What else?
I wont cite any specific examples, but I have a relative who used to work for the jets. Based on things I have hear, I honestly doubt Tannenbaum would tell you the truth about his birthday if you asked him.
Harlan:
The last conmment I believe was made by Kendall’s agent the Tannebaum would revisit Kendalls contract if he had a good year. Never read where Kendall ” as much as admitted he lied.”
Also, why would Baker want to move his family if he felt underpaid and every new guy was making twice as much as you and contibuted less to the team?
On January 8, this was what was reported.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/01082009/sports/jets/favre_will_wait_month__at_least_149253.htm
In essence, it says that Tannenbaum told Favre to not even think about football for a month, and then he’d give him a call and they’d talk. Inferences can be drawn to support the stories of both sides, but keep in mind, Favre is the only one quoted.
Mole: That’s interesting. If that’s true, then Favre would expect a call in the next week or so, which is what he said in the article.
On the conversation of 1st round QB vs late round:
Did you see Big Ben in the pocket? The movement. The arm strength. The subtle arm stuff like pump fakes and look away throws. The throws under durest. The accuracy. Amazing!!! He’s grown up so well.
You see Kurt Warner under pressure? All sacks and fumbles.
The bottom line is: Have the minor operation to correct the arm, rehab it, show up for ALL preseason training sessions, and take us to the Super Bowl! OR – - – Retire NOW, so that we can build the best team possible.
Anything else is just selfish and will hurt the team.
I got the plan right here: Favre retires, Jets trade Coles and a draft pick to Philly for Donovan McNabb. Jets win superbowl. Everybody wins. Think about it. McNabb has never had a running game or competent WR corpse. Just imagine him in this offense with TJ, Leon, Cotch and Keller. Woody, get on the phone and make it happen. Peace.
Yea, just what the team needs Jeff, another retread QB to put in a couple of sloppy last years, sap the salary cap, and maintain the Jets status quo of almost making the playoffs.
The Jets don’t have a passing game now. McNabb has a better receiving core in Philly. And the Eagles, unlike the Jets, are willing to bring in more than 1 effective RB. And I bet they do this off season. Would you want to leave behind DeSean Jackson to inherit Jericho Cotchery?
Bad idea all around.
The Jets should draft a #1 QB if he falls or take Josh Freeman in round 2. Otherwise I’m willing to see if they can make something happens with Clemens or Ratliff.
There’s nobody out there I’d trade for and no FA’s worth signing. So I think we’ve gotta go the development route.
jeff “MCNABB has never had a running game” so then what do you call brian westbrook.plus he did have t.o and they did go to the superbowl and lost on a last second field goal.SO REMIND ME WHAT IS YOUR POINT
hey jeff, what do you consider westbrooke and TO. i would think the goal for QB is someone young, so that they dont have to deal with this position year after year.
but, please can this guy just go back to misssissippi.
Skip,
He won’t have the surgery until he decides if he’ll play, which will conveniently allow him to miss OTAs while he “rehabs”.
Jadden and John,
Interesting you guys bring up T.O. Because McNabb is a great QB, but his best statistical year was when he had T.O., a big, fast, downfield receiver that could erase throwing mistakes and draw double teams from other players. If the Jets can get that kind of guy again, they would be the toast of the league.
I got an idea, lets make the decision for him by cutting him or forcing him to take a pay cut. How psyched would you all be if Woodenbaum grew a pair and put that out there ?
I’m not sure I see the downside, Erik Ainge could have managed 2 TDs and 9 Picks down the stretch AND we save $13M against the cap.
Am I missing something?
The whole idea that Favre has “months” to decide is insane. Maybe folks don’t like Tanny, but I’ve never heard fans say he’s as nutty as Matt Millen! Right after the season, Tanny and Woody fired Mangini, so to believe that Tanny and Woody gave Favre “months” to decide means that they decided to hamstring their new coach with this decision that could last beyond the draft. I believe that a new HC has the right to choose his QB. If Rex want to give Favre “months” because he’s comfortable with his other choices (Ratliff, KC and Ainge), then no problem. But, I find that hard to believe. Rex has to start making decisions about who his QB will be NOW. It affects the draft, free agent signings (because of the cap implications, among other things) and the entire offensive philosophy of the team. King/Favre would love “months” but I just don’t think Tanny and Woody would handcuff their coach like that. Ultimately, PSL money depends on the product on the field and to have the best product, Rex has to know who his QB is going to be pretty damn soon. So, both from a football and financial perspective, Favre has to decide now.
I just don’t get the Freeman in the 2nd round?? I would if the Jets did not already do that. There is no reason to me for the lack of respect Clemens gets from The Jets and Jet fans (Not all of course) He showed promise (WHICH is what you want from a YOUNG quarterback!!!) and he did it behind a weak Offensive line Mangold was the only one to play well that year! Moore was OK…. D’Brick was average that year! He deserves and absolute chance to win the job and prove his 2nd round pick status , Last year Mangini did not treat him fairly and continued in my opinion to mess with his confidence, which is EVERYTHING to a quarterback! Whew….that felt good :)
Sack, great point.
I’d just like to point out that you are illuminating yet another bad decision by our esteemed, untouchable GM. No way the Steelers or the Giants allow something like this to go on with the QB for months. Are you kidding me? Months?
Igs,
If I were McNabb I would trade Jackson, Curtis and LJ Smith for Coles, Cotch and Keller in a nanosecond!!
Okay, maybe it’s just me, but everything you’ve said is based on your own conjecture that King is Favre’s mouthpiece. Until you have something more concrete than educated guesses you really shouldn’t be commenting at all.
I don’t believe it either, unless they told Favre they would only bring him back with a reduction in salary, that reduced amount being equivalent to their expected cost of replacing him. That would enable Rex to plan ahead because then the cap position would effectively be the same either way.
So, maybe he isn’t just mulling over “should I come back?” but “should I come back for less money?” Maybe they even said he would have to attend the offseason workouts too.
matt
why, because of their illustrious reception #s? Or their huge playoff record?
maybe because their so intimidating to defenses?
You better beleive that when DeSean Jackson comes to town, people are thinking about him. And he was a rookie this year. Imagine in 4 years and some meat on his bones?
Desean Jackson is pretty good. His hands are questionable but his speed is a threat for sure. Other than that though, the Eagles have no one. All garbage. Curtis? Baskett? Avant? no TEs? No thanks!
It’s not like we’re talking Fitzgerald or Holmes here… it’s just Desean Jackson. Who’s to say he won’t get worse when people focus on him? Who says he’ll get bigger, and if he does, maybe he gets slower?
No thanks, I am happy with my WR core and I think McNabb would be happy. Not that it matters, it’s a ridiculous idea anyways lol.
I’m not saying that it’s a great wr core. But it got them to NFC championship. Ours got us nowhere.
And yes, they are partly to blame.
There’s just not a threat there. I wouldn’t double cover any of our receivers. I wouldn’t lose sleep over any of these guys.
Jackson already is a game breaker. Rarely have I seen that much poise to go with confidence in a young WR, not to mention all the nuances it takes to transfer over to the NFL and be successful. The Eagles made a good pick, especially at the spot.
I need the Jets to be better at picking up these kind of players. That can contribute right away.
I’m Favre’s biggest fan, but we went through this for four years and it played a major role in Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy’s decision to let Favre go; and to go with Aaron Rodgers.
A business can’t allow itself to be held hostage by indecisive employees if it needs to make time-sensitive decisions.
John Nehmer
Milwaukee, WI
FernandoQ,
We will be having lots of debates about who the QB should be, but Clemens was not good in 2007. In fact, he was the worst starting QB in the NFL. Now, everyone likes to cut him a break because the OL was in shambles, but he looked awful in every phase of the game. Plus, he’s not the tallest guy out there and he’s facing a real challenge from Ratliff, who I heard Kerry Rhodes praise as being a great prospect with all the tools. Also, Clemens just could not beat out Chad, even with Chad’s shortcomings. I think Mangini wanted Clemens to beat out Chad (the Jets traded up in the 2nd round to draft Clemens in ‘06), but that just didn’t happen. So, I think the Jets under the Mangini regime gave Clemens plenty of opportunities that he did not take advantage of. It’s time to give Ratliff an opportunity to show that what he did in last year’s pre-season and in running the scout team during the year (which Rhodes praised) could be replicated in a real NFL game.
Also, I want the Jets to get a real franchise QB that they develop. Chad was real close, but injuries did him in. Maybe Ratliff is the guy, but if Rex doesn’t think so, then the Jets have to seriously consider drafting a QB. I disagree with lgs, Josh Freeman will be a first-rounder. He’ll light up the Combine, like Flacco did. When it looked like Bradford and Tebow were also coming out, I thought Freeman would last until the 2nd or 3rd rounds. Not now, I agree with Kiper that he’ll be a first rounder. Last night, we saw what a mobile, 6-5 QB can do. Freeman is taller, faster and, IMO, has a stronger arm and quicker release than Big Ben. Big Ben was more accurate in college, so he was a better prospect, but Freeman’s upside potential is huge. Since this team will be run first, there’s no reason to believe that a rookie couldn’t be productive with the Jets, especially one that can roll to his left and flick a 60+ yarder on a frozen rope.
Wow. I never realized just how stupid this all looked before. It has a whole different perspective from the outside looking in.
Truth is, Brett wants to play in MN. In order to do that he needs to get cut. Holding the jet’s hostage until they can’t take it anymore is right in line with his plan…..don’t expect to hear a peep until April 1st.
Hey Jet’s fans….good luck with that.
Randy
Green Bay, WI
Mark …
If you don’t understand the historical intricacies of peter king’s ballwashing of Favre, not sure what to tell you …
Here’s two of the MILLIONS of articles you can find in the blogosphere about Peter King’s love affair with Brett Favre.
http://kissingsuzykolber.uproxx.com/2008/12/peter-king-loves-men-who-work-the-land.html
http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/08/04/peter-king-so-obsessed-with-brett-favre-he-writes-about-favre-in/
is there any way to get rid of both king and mr wrangler jeans??
I am not sure of Favre’s contract details but, I don’t think he is doing the right thing. He did the wrong thing last year, causing lots of problems with Green Bay and coming to our team way too late. He is pulling the same routine, this year. A strong front office would never put up with this.
If the Jets have the ability to cut him without experiencing a cap hit — I would let him go to the happy hunting grounds.
After all the money that he has made off this game and, after the poor performance that he gave Jet fans last year — He should be making this easy for management. Instead, he continues to be a problem for all concerned. The sooner he is gone, the quicker we can concentrate on getting to SB 44.
IF RATTY,KC,AND ANGINE DON’T WORK OUT HOW ABOUT SEEING IF WE CHOULD GET GRAHAM HARRELL IN THE DRAFT.WHY NOT,HE PLAYED PRETTY GOOD UNTIL THAT SOONERS GAME.HE HAS A STRONG ARM,GOOD TALENT,AND ACCURATE WITH THE BALL.PLUS HE MIGHT BE A SLEEPER IN THE DRAFT
Look, Rex is no push over and Tannenbaum no dummy. They know what they want to do and it probably involves not taking on Farvre beans and his 13M cap hit. They are planning accordingly but giving him the space to hang himself or cut himself loose. They dont need to announce this but you can but they are planning on life without him, We’re the ones who want him to announce, not them.
Harrell looked pathetic in the Senior Bowl. Absolutely Sad. Sure, it’s one game and it’s not his system and yap yap. He was up against no blitz and his throws were totally off. Even White looked like Peyton Manning out there.
Alright Igs I’ll give you we don’t have a game breaker and I definitely think you’re right about DeSean although he needs to mature and keep on the track.
I think Cotchery could be better next year when he’s healthy (he played hurt all year, don’t buy the Mangini lies). Keller could develop into a threat too.
I suggest looking at Clemens against the Ravens on YouTube when he came in for Chad. He looked pretty good. Also made Cotch look like God. If it wasnt for Justin McDropsalot, he coulda won that game. Don’t think that Rexy’s forgotten that one…
SackDance99,
Thanks , while I fundamentally disagree with the notion of Clemens being a bust (Not putting words in your mouth) I appreciate you taking the time to respond!! Thanks again and your comments are with extreme merit and intelligence which is appreciated as well!
As far as freeman goes, If the jets can get value for a clemens … or even trading down to acquire more…for my own taste that is..then maybe
Ratliff looked great but I hope to see him against 1st and 2nd teams more in the preseason before I judge him but he does have the tools. E. Ainge I think is a solid 3rd QB not something of little importance in football, but obviously replaceable.
FernandoQ, I don’t think that Clemens was a bust. He was taken late in the 2nd round and in all of NFL history, only a few late 2nd rounders have ever been good QBs. I just don’t think he should’ve been drafted by the Jets. In 2006, the Jets went “QB-Lite” and passed over Leinart or Cutler to take Brick and then addressed QB in the 2nd round. My draft philsophy is that either you take a top QB prospect or take a QB in the 4th round or later. There really is no difference between the second round and a QB drafted on day 2 (the Pats’ recent success with Brady and Cassell is an example).
As for on the field performance, we’ll agree to disagree. But, to believe that Clemens will be a good NFL QB means that you have to ignore or, at least, explain away his horrible statistical performance in 8 starts. Here’s a link to the 2007 stats…a 60.9 QB Rating just doesn’t give me any hope that he’ll turn into Drew Brees:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/statistics?stat=pass&season=2&year=2007
give me a break! stay or go?!
Just another example of Peter King never reporting anything good about the JETS – unless he is giving Favre credit for something
SackDance99,
Drew Bress no, but a better version on Dilfer/Kitna Type yes and if you put a good defense behind that and a run first offense I think he could work. Anyway its been a pleasure take care..
I agree with those who feel that Tannenbaum and Ryan are not crazy enough to let Favre hold them hostage for more than the next few weeks. Either Favre agrees to move on (to where I don’t care) or he gets cut and they Jets get the cap relief they need. Any other scenario is insane. As for the QB, if they think Freeman is a franchise QB and they have the chance to draft him, then fine. Clemens’ biggest negative to me is his height. He played quite well against three of the best D’s in 07 (Ravens, Steelers & Redskins) down the stretch in pressure situations. I’ll throw out the rest of the garbage with that O-line that year. He deserves another opportunity.
Good luck New York ….. we tried to warn you! ………. I’ve always been a huge Favre fan but I’m also very relieved that we now have a young future pro Bowl QB (Aaron Rodgers) and we don’t have to play that stupid “will or won’t he” game anymore …. It’s so sad to see Brett do this to himself and his legacy …. He could have gone out on top
Hey Kyle, we don’t like baby pants in packerland either.
His retirement game was old 3 years ago. Sure theres alot of moron cheeseheads who have no life that still like Favre, but most of your normal Packer Backers were glad when he finally left and look what hes doing again. What a complete idiot. Hes your idiot now NY.
Wow, how easily jets fans look a gift horse in the mouth….you don’t seem to understand what Packer fans know, Brett Favre gave us 16 winning seasons out of his 17 in Green Bay….do you really think the failure at the end of the season was Favres alone? How about the Jets defense that couldn’t stop anyone..receivers dropping balls? Thomas Jones doing NOTHING..and the offensive line that couldn’t pass block and let Favre get knocked around. Favre can play, but not alone…
Favre is an easy scapegoat for a lousy team….what did the defense do in the Patriots game, when Favre lead them to a come from behind victory? Or the Titans game…those are two games you wouldn’t have won without him…period. Sure Favre threw interceptions..and alot of them but Kellen Clemens or Pennington wouldn’t have faired better, and history will support that…I don’t care if the “new” offensive line is better..it still couldn’t protect him. I’m sick of hearing all the whining about his retirement “watch”, who cares…this guy decides to unretire and people make him out to be a bad guy..lol…did Favre shoot himself? Kill some dogs? Beat his wife? no he decided to unretire lol..you people are idiots, put something into perspective and see the BS for what it is….crap.
It really funny to hear people talke about GB went throught this for four years. If I remember right it all started four years ago when Deanna mentioned they were selling their condo and the media right away started asking if he was retiring. All they were doing was selling condo and buying a house. So every year it was the same questions. Brett never started all this retirement stuff….the media did and 4 years ago he tired to tell them he wasn’t retiring but every news conference they’d ask the same question. Look at Warner..couldn’t even get past the SB and they were asking if he was going to retire because his contract is up. While we’re at it…maybe the media should ask every player with over 10 years experience if they plan on retiring…..I bet there is alot of them that take a few months to decide but media never knows. So get off Brett’s back he’ll decide in a few weeks. I’d like to see him for one more year with full minicamps etc and a second year in the offense.
good luck J-E-T-S fans, this was a yearly ritual with Favre we really got sick of, Soon you’ll start getting some quotes from the family, his brother Scott about how Brett really wants to play, but just isn’t fealing the love and commitment he expected from management, given his ICONIC status and pending HOF induction. You haven’t seen the tip of the iceburg yet, just wait. Favre is a drama queen that doesn’t care about anyone but himself.
Let’s see, 4-12 without Brett, 9-7 with Brett who had to learn a new offense with no chance to have a full training camp and who played the last half of the season with a torn right shoulder tendon. Maybe one more year would be a good thing if the shoulder is healed and he wants to play?
Let’s see, 1 -15 without Chad, 11-5 and a division champion with Chad who had to learn a new offense with no chance to have a full training camp and played the way a professional plays in the second half of the season.
Maybe the Jet’s could trade Brett for Chad?
Nah….The jet’s would have to throw in a draft pick or two to make it right…. : )
Come on guys, you still don’t get it! It’s all about the money…Woody will go with Brett if he perceives that he will make a bundle of $. So, in essence Brett will have all the time he needs regardless of combine, free agency, blah, blah….Brett loves the spotlight – period. Not to mention that management doesn’t have a back up plan if he decides to retire. Woody wants the $$$$, he doesn’t give a rat’s %$#@ about a championship (just lip service). So, slowly very slowly step back from all those stupid bull%$# sport shows and enjoy going ice fishing, or bowling or even go and enjoy a movie. Come on…we Jet fans deserve it! Turn back the television in August and you will see Brett in a Jets uniform (unless he actually has positively retired). Enough said.
I’ve read all of the lambasting of Favre, how he is a primadona…his coaches don’t like him..he isn’t a good teammate…then I read articles from the ACTUAL people and surprisingly it is just the opposite. Apparently the best “dirt” these sports writers can get on Favre is his “retirement” watch…wow, with a league full of thugs and lowlifes people should be thankful for the example Favre has set during his career, or perhaps you would prefer a Michael Vick or Plexico Buress role model. When Vick was in Alanta everything they wrote about him was golden, even though everyone knew he was a thug with money they just loved the guy…its sickening. Jets fans couldn’t wait to get rid of Pennington…but all of a sudden they are now talking about him as if he was the great leader they let slip away..fickle fans…Pennington had 8 seasons and he did zip…he is an average QB at best….Favre can get to the postseason consistently, but he only had 1 season and not even a full one at that. Take a look at his stats and you will see what he can do, he isn’t too old, they said that before the 2007 season when he was the only other MVP vote….I think his injury had a bit to do with his slump in the fourth quarter of the season, but let me ask you this, could Pennington have thrown for 6 touchdowns against the NFC Champion Cardinals? I highly doubt it…
Lets see here….Chad Pennington 101 TD 62 INT…..over 8 seasons….Brett Favre 464 TD 310 INT….so when Pennington is 64 years old he should be within 60 TD’s of Favre….with 404 TDS and 248 ints..based on past performance…