GREEN BAY, Wis. — The bond between quarterback Brett Favre and the Packers appears to be broken beyond repair.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday night that after approximately six hours of what he called “brutally honest” conversations with Favre over the past two days, the three-time MVP just isn’t in the right mind-set to be part of the team.
Even with the chance to win his starting job back potentially on the table, McCarthy said Favre couldn’t seem to get past emotional wounds that were opened as tensions mounted in recent weeks.
“The football team’s moving forward,” McCarthy said. “The train has left the station, whatever analogy you want. He needs to jump on the train and let’s go. Or, if we can’t get past things that have happened, I have to keep the train moving.”
McCarthy said he and Favre made plans to speak later Tuesday evening, but McCarthy didn’t seem to allow for the possibility that anything significant would change.
A trade could be coming next, with Tampa Bay re-emerging as a potential destination after seemingly being eliminated from consideration recently.
The Green Bay Press-Gazette reported Favre was willing to play for the Buccaneers.
Favre told ESPN he doesn’t have a problem with competing with Aaron Rodgers for the starting job, and can “truly understand” why McCarthy would make Rodgers the starter. But Favre also said a competition “probably isn’t going to work” and that “the problem is that there’s been a lot of damage done and I can’t forget it.”
Code of conduct unveiled
NEW YORK — The NFL implemented a new code of fan conduct, warning that spectators who misbehave will be ejected from stadiums and barred from coming back.
It includes bans on:
• Behavior that is unruly, disruptive or illegal.
• Drunkenness and signs of alcohol impairment that result in irresponsible behavior.
• Foul or abusive language or obscene gestures.
• Interference with the progress of the game, including throwing objects onto the field.
• Failing to follow instructions of stadium personnel.
• Verbal or physical harassment of fans from the opposing team.
The league also left teams the option of adding additional provisions to the code based on local circumstances.
Footnotes.
Browns safety Gary Baxter, who tore both patellar tendons on the same play in a 2006 game against the Broncos, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery.
Coach Romeo Crennel gave no timetable on a return date for Baxter, who has played in just eight games since signing with the Browns in 2005.
Meanwhile, Joshua Cribbs said his agent, Denver-based Peter Schaffer, has asked the Browns to restructure the six-year contract extension he signed during the 2006 season. Cribbs, considered the AFC’s top return man, has five years remaining on the deal.
• Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller, battling second-year pro Troy Smith and rookie Joe Flacco, was named the starter for Thursday night’s preseason game at New England.
• Kyle Orton will start at quarterback for the Bears in Thursday’s preseason game against the Chiefs.
• Lingering symptoms from a concussion have forced rookie linebacker Robert James to be shut down for the season by the Falcons.
• The agent for Plaxico Burress had talks with the Giants about getting a new contract for the star wide receiver, who has three years left on a contract that will pay him $3.25 million this season.
• Linebacker Keith Rivers, a first-round draft pick from Southern California, ended his contract holdout with the Bengals.
The Associated Press
