There's no denying 2008 was a disappointing year for the Green Bay Packers. From the NFC Championship game home loss to the New York Giants, to Brett Favre's retirement, to the Favre return fiasco that resulted in his jettison to New York, to this season's 6-10 record, there hasn't been a lot of recent joy in Titletown.
But Packer fans can rejoice that 2009 is beginning without what has become an aggravating winter ritual in Green Bay - wondering whether Favre will return or retire. That's the New York Jets' problem now.
For seemingly the last half of Favre's tenure with the Packers, the questions would begin as soon as the seasons ended. Was this the end for Brett Favre? Would he retire? Favre rarely did anything to quell the drama. Instead, he'd heighten it with remarks about being emotionally drained and physically tired. Maybe I will retire, we'll see, Favre would say. And then he'd let the Packers and their fans stew for weeks, sometimes months, before returning.
When he did finally retire last winter, he put Packers fans through an emotional wringer, first with his tearful goodbye, then with speculation he might return even after the team had moved forward with Aaron Rodgers, and finally when he forced the club into an unwinnable position to reverse course and bring him back or trade him.
You know the results by now. Favre was traded. Rodgers played well, but the Packers didn't. Favre played OK, and the Jets were better. But they didn't make the playoffs, and their coach was fired for it.
And now Favre has resumed the postseason retirement tapdance. He's not likely to have the same adoring, patient crowd in New York. Already, teammates are ripping Favre for his performance, for being distant, for being a prima dona.
That's one game that won't be missed in Wisconsin.
But Packer fans can rejoice that 2009 is beginning without what has become an aggravating winter ritual in Green Bay - wondering whether Favre will return or retire. That's the New York Jets' problem now.
For seemingly the last half of Favre's tenure with the Packers, the questions would begin as soon as the seasons ended. Was this the end for Brett Favre? Would he retire? Favre rarely did anything to quell the drama. Instead, he'd heighten it with remarks about being emotionally drained and physically tired. Maybe I will retire, we'll see, Favre would say. And then he'd let the Packers and their fans stew for weeks, sometimes months, before returning.
When he did finally retire last winter, he put Packers fans through an emotional wringer, first with his tearful goodbye, then with speculation he might return even after the team had moved forward with Aaron Rodgers, and finally when he forced the club into an unwinnable position to reverse course and bring him back or trade him.
You know the results by now. Favre was traded. Rodgers played well, but the Packers didn't. Favre played OK, and the Jets were better. But they didn't make the playoffs, and their coach was fired for it.
And now Favre has resumed the postseason retirement tapdance. He's not likely to have the same adoring, patient crowd in New York. Already, teammates are ripping Favre for his performance, for being distant, for being a prima dona.
That's one game that won't be missed in Wisconsin.
