Wow...a lot can change in 24 hours, can't it?  I seem to remember very recently thinking all was right with the world again.  Gas prices had come down some, football was on tv when I turned it on and Brett Favre was walking around Green Bay.  Even my friend's little boy tried to console his crying and upset toddler sister by saying, "Cheer up, Brett Favre is back in Green Bay" - I just love that child for thinking that way - it cheered me up.  That abruptly came to a screeching halt yesterday as practice started and #4 was strangely still missing.  Then Coach McCarthy took the podium and stated the inevitable and the obvious...Brett wasn't going to play for Green Bay.  It almost made this Pastor's wife want to say a curse word...ALMOST!

I just can't get over the roller coaster of emotions and events that have gone on over the past few weeks and months in this situation.  I realize that a player shouldn't be bigger than the team, but he's been beloved by the fans and the city...which owns the team...and he led us back to success that we hadn't seen in years - it makes it hard to stop something like that from happening.  I believe that it took a big man to admit that he would be a disruption to come back and play for the team that he loves so much.  He's torn inside...he loves the team for which he's played 16 years and he loves the fans there and he loves playing the game, but there isn't much love lost for Ted Thompson who has obviously gotten his way.

It breaks my heart that Packers management has decided to treat their very own this way, but I will still support the team.  I was born a Packer fan and that's not something that you just throw away, but over the past 16 years I've become a Favre fan as well.  

So I guess I'm now going to have to adopt another team...a different Bay it looks like - the WRONG one, but another bay nonetheless.  I guess I'll have not-so-matching #4 jersies pretty soon because I will still support him as one of the best NFL QB's to play the game...and proud of the fact that the majority of that career and success was with my team...the Green Bay Packers.  I saw my first Packer game with him at the helm...and then my first Packer game at Lambeau with him as the starter.  Thanks 4 the memories, Brett!  I'm now prepared that it's going to be a long season for us and good ol' Ted "stubborn ego" Thomson.  I hope you have a great season and show them why you wanted to come back and how you can still play.  Think about us as we suffer through what we were used to before you came.  And we'll think about you as we watch you get used to a team that has cheerleaders on the sidelines and a big pirate ship in the end zone.  Ahoy matey!

Ok, apparently some of you have been anxiously awaiting my opinion (for some unknown reason) on the ongoing Favre saga. I've spoken to many of you about it, but haven't specifically done a blog entry on it because it's very difficult for me to have an objective opinion regarding the subject and I also keep waiting for another strand to unravel. It seems that there are new comments or developments (if you can call them that) every day...as evidenced by my plentiful Google alerts!

Before he held the press conference I was wanting him to come back one more year. I hated that he went out on an interception in OT that lost the NFC championship for them. I also felt like with his competitive spirit that he wouldn't want to go out that way either and that he had gotten so close to the SuperBowl again that he could taste it so he would make another run. After he held the press conference in March, I truly felt he would be a man of his word and stay retired. As soon as the reports started flying about him wanting to come back and play I passed it off at first and said that I felt like he was sincere when he said that he was retiring. I realize now that I'm probably the only one that actually thought that...no one else believed that he was truly hanging it up. So here it is: everyone makes mistakes and I stand corrected...no biggie...I can own up to it.

A few days and weeks after those first reports, then I started hearing that the Packers weren't welcoming him back with open arms - I realized then that there had to be some truth to all of this and was officially in a frenzy. Now Favre has broken his silence and spoke fairly candidly about the situation "on the record" the past two nights (insert chuckle here that ESPN didn't get the interview first). I have tried to be objective after seeing the interview with Greta, and I can't think of any motivation for him to lie. I totally believe him when he says that he was pressured to make a decision early and that's the way that he felt at that time...and that most veteran QB's would say the same thing in March when asked to make a choice.

I think that he should have stayed retired, personally (**shocking gasp**). I know that's hard to believe coming from me, but after the public retirement announcement then he should stick to it - that's the way my parents raised me! My opinion after the fact that he didn't stay retired though? I believe that after 16 years with an organization, 3 time MVP with that organization, leading to a SuperBowl win for that organization and all of the HUGE income just from merchandising alone for them that he has earned the right to come back. At the worst, he has earned the right to at least compete for his starting position back. Goodness, there have been a couple of times in the past that he has lowered his income on his contract just to help out with the salary cap! That doesn't sound like a diva to me!

My bottom line thoughts on the matter is that Ted Thompson (Packers GM) gets paid to put the absolute best team on the field...that team is better with Favre right now rather than Rodgers. I realize that he put them in a bad position by deciding to come back, but Ted Thompson was already walking a thin line with the Packer Nation and he certainly hasn't made that any better with how he has handled this situation. That is obvious by the rallies that are being held now outside the offices with Packer fans screaming for Favre's starting position back. Never underestimate the power of two things: the city owns the team and the majority of the owners want their beloved QB back.

Am I conflicted as a fan? It depends on which fan you're asking...I'm first a Packer fan. I was asked yesterday if Favre went to another team and came out on Lambeau Field in another jersey who I would pull for; I didn't hesitate to answer "the Packers". I was born with cheese on my head thanks to my dad being from Milwaukee...my allegiance will never change in the NFL.

Although, the Favre fan of me IS conflicted because he can't seem to make up his mind, but I love to watch him play and his style of playing. So the thought of him coming back does make a part of me ecstatic! I would hate to see him go out on a stretcher though...the thought of that is somewhat foreign because of how durable he has been, but the reality is that it can't last forever. Those are the reasons why I'm conflicted as a Favre fan.

At the end of the day, no matter what happens, I will always support my Packers. I may not agree with everything that goes on in their offices, but I have a short term memory as soon as the green and gold take the field...no matter who is in those uniforms. I would obviously feel more confident if Favre was still in #4 taking that field! Lambeau is a special place that is hard to describe in words, but it was special during the tough years in the 80's and will still be special in the 21st century when the Favre era is only a memory. Either way - Go Pack Go!

Everyone knows by now (or can tell from reading any of my blog entries to date) that I'm a passionate Packer Backer...if you still haven't figured it out then my screen name should be a clue.  My late father was from Milwaukee originally and transplanted here in sweet home Alabama many years ago.  I was born to a cheesehead so I was born to be one, but I digress.

As a passionate fan (and red head to boot) I can sometimes be opinionated and talk some smack (insert gasp of shock and awe here).  I have to say that I have questioned many a decision made by Ted Thompson.  I have to say that I even was skeptical of the McCarthy hire somewhat.  Well, I stand corrected on all counts (or actually, sit at this time...it's more comfortable to type that way).  I don't know if I'd call ol' TT a genius yet because some of it might just be a case of things panning out better than expected, but I have to tip my hat.

The Packers started out scary yesterday to say the least.  I was questioning putting Grant back in the game after 2 fumbles that resulted in spotting Seattle 14 points, but again I tip my hat to the coaching staff and Favre also for "coaching him up" and getting him to shake it off enough to make that type of comeback.  He was like a man possessed after that...he truly came back out determined to make up for the mistakes and make up for them he did - in a monumental way!

And who else but Favre could have done what he did with that underhanded dump off pass to Donald Lee?  He did that instead of falling down and getting sacked in the snow at 38 years old and I don't think he was even looking up at the time!

The Giants are the only thing standing in the way of my Pack making it to the big one again!  I never thought at the beginning of the year that we would be sitting here at this point.  I'm amazed and excited and freaked out all at the same time!  It worries me when everyone says that we've got an automatic win because we're at home at the Frozen Tundra with Favre instead of in Dallas.  The Giants are a good team or else they wouldn't be playing for the NFC Championship!  That being said, I believe that we will win because there is a fire and look in the eyes in the Packers like I haven't seen in years, but I hardly think that it can be considered "automatic".  It will be hard fought, but I certainly don't expect to see any "gimme" sacks for Strahan.

The NFL football community is drooling over the possibility (probability according to most) of Brady vs. Favre...the future vs. the "old guy" future hall of famer.  This also gets me nervous, but I know that Favre doesn't pay attention to most of his own press to the point that it becomes a distraction.  I remember at the beginning of the season the sports media practically making fun of Favre for saying in a press conference that this is one of the most talented teams that he has played with in recent years.  I guess he's getting the last laugh.

This is a focused and tenacious Packer team.  If the expected SuperBowl matchup happens, then watch out, Patriots.  You might be unbeaten, but you are NOT unbeatable.  Most people won't predict the Pack to come out victorious, but that's just the way we like it.  My 2007-08 Packers have proven everyone wrong (including some of us fans that are realists) since the beginning of the year so in the words of Deanna Favre herself, "don't bet against me".  GO PACK GO!!!!!