Favre Likely to Play in '05

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Sun Feb 06, 2005 7:13 pm

Driver's assessment could be wrong

ESPN.com news services

Don't believe everything Donald Driver says about Brett Favre.

The quarterback, who has not told the Green Bay Packers whether he will play in 2005, was amused by the receiver's prediction that he would retire, sources close to Favre told ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

Favre's decision is expected by the end of the month, and he's likely to return for a 15th season, Mortensen reported..

Former Packers general manager Ron Wolf, who brought Favre to the Packers via a trade with the Atlanta Falcons, said the odds are in favor of Favre returning to play.

Driver said in an interview on Sirius NFL Radio on Tuesday that he believes Favre will decide to retire, rather than return for another NFL season.

"I don't think so," Driver said on "The Opening Drive" show with Dan Reeves and Chris Moore, which airs on the satellite pay radio service. "Everyone has been asking me that question. He's a real close friend of mine and we've been talking back and forth, and I think he's pretty much going to hang 'em up. I always told him, if you're coming back just because of that playoff game, don't show up. But if you're going to come back to try and win another Super Bowl, we'd love to have you."

The playoff game Driver was referring to was the Packers' 31-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 9, ending Green Bay's playoff run this season.

Driver thinks Favre has already made his decision -- though Favre has yet to announce one publicly -- and that the Packers' request to know his intentions before the NFL draft in late April tipped the scales toward his leaving.

"I think he was trying to wait until the draft, and I think coach [Mike] Sherman wanted to know right before free agency because there are a couple of quarterback free agents that they want to look at if Brett decided not to come back," Driver said in the interview. "I think they forced him to make a decision. When you force one of the greatest quarterbacks in the NFL to make a decision, he's pretty much going to let you know that he maybe is just hanging 'em up."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1985725

Clinton Portis · Post by **Clinton Portis** » Sun Feb 06, 2005 7:20 pm

I think Brett wants one more Superbowl. I say they need to work on their Defense before he can furfill that.

General Failure · Post by **General Failure** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 1:03 am

And getting a QB that can play might help them.

skinsfan1 · Post by **skinsfan1** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 6:06 pm

Published - Mar 010 2005 03:21PM CST || AP
Brett Favre is returning to the Green Bay Packers for the 2005 season, The Associated Press has learned. Coach Mike Sherman told The AP on Thursday that he had a two-hour conversation with his quarterback on Wednesday night. Favre informed him his wife is doing well in her cancer treatment, so he's planning to play at least one more season, maybe more if his own health holds up.

"It came down to his wife and she's doing well in her recovery," Sherman said. "She wants him to play. He said he's looking forward to playing _ hopefully without any off-the-field situations and 'enjoying the journey.'"

The three-time MVP said after the Packers' playoff loss to Minnesota in January that he wanted to reflect before committing to playing a 15th NFL season following a year of personal tumult.

His wife, Deanna, was diagnosed with breast cancer in October, a week after the death of her 24-year-old brother in an ATV accident on the quarterback's property in Mississippi.

And Favre was still dealing with the stunning news of Reggie White's death on the day after Christmas, which came about a year after the death of Favre's father, Irv, from a heart attack.

"After the season, he just needed to think about some things," Sherman said. "Any man would have to contemplate his future when his wife is fighting cancer. It's not like he had to work to make money. He didn't want to be a part-time husband and a part-time football player. It came down to his wife. If she's not healthy, it's obviously a different ballgame. But now she's doing good. She wants him to play."

It never was a question of diminished ability because even at 35, Favre is still on top of his game.

He topped 4,000 yards passing last season and recorded his eighth 30-touchdown season, twice as many as any other quarterback in NFL history, and the Packers set franchise records for total offense and net passing yards in 2004.

Looks like it's official.

Hogfather · Post by **Hogfather** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 8:25 pm

Good to hear, the guy is a true warrior! Not to mention a pretty good QB too:)

redskincity · Post by **redskincity** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 9:49 pm

This is one QB I dont want to see retire.

He is definitely an NFL icon.

redskindave · Post by **redskindave** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 9:41 am

I hope he plays this season, I enjoy watching Favre play HTTR

Primetime42 · Post by **Primetime42** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 3:00 pm

Wow. And here people were thinking Redskin fans only drank their own Kool-Aid :shock:

General Failure · Post by **General Failure** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 3:05 pm

Oh, you can't possibly have anything bad to say about King Favre. It's not his fault he throws 4 interceptions a game, he's got family trouble.

Primetime42 · Post by **Primetime42** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 3:18 pm

General Failure wrote:Oh, you can't possibly have anything bad to say about King Favre. It's not his fault he throws 4 interceptions a game, he's got family trouble.

Or he's just having fun when he throws a forward pass past the line of scrimmage.

Clinton Portis · Post by **Clinton Portis** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 5:14 pm

People always are like

"What's up with the INT's this year Favre"

But if you look at his stats he's almost never thrown less than 10 ints in a season.

And another thing.

Isnt it funny how its spelt "Favre" but pronounced Farve?

General Failure · Post by **General Failure** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 5:17 pm

Which just goes to prove that he's always been great! He can cost his team games by throwing the ball away a dozen times, but he still has fun! He's the greatest, we should all polish his rocks because he's so great.
[/Madden]

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 5:23 pm

Don't forget the guy who wrote the scouting report for Concrete Field last year. He really like Brett Favre of the Green Bay Favres.

General Failure · Post by **General Failure** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 5:26 pm

I have no idea what you're talking about

Also, I don't know who that sexy bastich is that does those articles.

ejay183 · Post by **ejay183** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 5:30 pm

Brett Favre is a future Hall of Famer wiltout a doubt. I know he is throwing alot more INTs, but he still throws TDs.

General Failure · Post by **General Failure** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 5:32 pm

Against the mighty defenses of the Vikings, Bears, and Lions.

Clinton Portis · Post by **Clinton Portis** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 7:18 pm

General Failure wrote:Against the mighty defenses of the Vikings, Bears, and Lions.

Primetime42 · Post by **Primetime42** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 7:30 pm

I thought you guys called 'em the Farvas.

I'm guessing that's a Super Troopers reference?

Hooligan · Post by **Hooligan** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 6:15 am

Say "Car Ram-Rod"