Favre Controversy Nothing More Than a Power Struggle

The great thing about professional sports is you know who is in charge. In the NFL, the hierarchy starts with the general manager. Below him is the head coach, followed by the assistant coaches and finally the players. Even though many players might make more money, there is no question who the boss is.

That is, of course, unless you're the Green Bay Packers.

When I watch the countless interviews and analysis relating to Brett Favre's retirement and recent decision to come back, I gain a new appreciation to how much of an internal power struggle the team might have been having over the past couple years. And, after watching and reading about Favre's interview on Fox News last night, I'm gaining an understanding as to why the team may not want their Hall of Fame quarterback back.

During his interview, Favre commented that he retired too soon because he felt pressured by the team to make a decision and, when he decided he wanted to come back, he didn't feel welcomed. This, in itself, probably isn't news. You could tell during his press conference he knew he was going to have second thoughts and, with training camp just a couple weeks away, it shouldn't be surprising they are reluctant to bring him back after moving on with Aaron Rodgers and using two draft picks on quarterbacks to develop.

The thing that really got me in the interview (which, I don't remember him saying but has been reported by several media sources) is his conversation about how the team wouldn't listen to him when he wanted receiver Randy Moss or he wanted them to re-sign offensive linemen Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle. He also commented he was upset the team didn't interview his long-time friend Steve Mariucci for head coach when Mike Sherman was fired following the 2005 season and, while it wasn't the reason for his retirement, it created a rift between him and general manager Ted Thompson. When I read that, it hit me....Brett Favre thinks he's in charge.