Tampa Bay may not be high on Favre's list

Brett Favre is planning to play in 2008 and no longer feels welcome in Green Bay.

But if he is able to gain his release or be traded from the Packers, the Bucs may not be very high on Favre's list of new teams.

Favre has recently told sources close to him that Tampa Bay was 'too hot,' and that he prefers to play and practice in cooler weather. That sounds rather strange from a guy who grew up and spends his summers in Mississippi.

There also is another problem. The Bucs playbook under Jon Gruden may be unrecognizable to him.

Gruden is a disciple of the west coast offense and the principles certainly still apply. But he has evolved his system during 10 NFL seasons and the terminology is voluminous.

Former Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon, who played under Gruden as recently as 2001, was doing a Bucs game for CBS and sat in a couple quarterback meetings. He has commented that the offense was unrecognizable to him.

What would that mean to Favre? Could the Bucs, after spending an off-season refining the offense in the second year with Jeff Garcia under center, adapt the system to Favre? Could the Bucs players adapt that quickly to their new quarterback?

While some teams in the NFL have indicated they have no interest in Favre (the Jets and Ravens, to name a couple), the Bucs have had no comment on the subject. That's not unusual since talking about interest in a player under contract to another team can be considered tampering.

But this is not fantasy football. It's likely there are many discussions about Favre taking place among the Bucs front office and coaching staff. Again, Gruden has said many times how much he admires Favre. Aside from maybe Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, there's probably not another quarterback he respects more.

But the Bucs report to training camp in 10 days. Like the Packers, they have to move forward.

Jeff Garcia will be taking the first snap at Disney's Wide World of Sports. The Packers have said they will not release Favre. It's clear after listening to Favre on Fox News Monday night, he won't return as a backup to Aaron Rodgers.

That means Favre would have to be traded and the Packers have asked him for a list of acceptable teams. An agreement for compensation, in terms of draft picks, etc., would have to be reached with the Packers.

That's a lot of ground that would have to be covered in 10 days. And if the Bucs were inclined to strike a deal for Favre, it's unlikely Jeff Garcia would want to remain as a backup, so he would have to be traded or released.

It's been made clear to Favre they don't want him to be their starting quarterback this year in Green Bay. That said, Favre has not named another team he would like to play for.

But the story is going to remain as hot as a summer day in Tampa Bay.

[photo Getty Images files]

 

 

 

Comments

[Tom]

There's no doubt that Favre is one of the greatest QBs in history. However, he has become the most self absorbed, egomaniac in the NFL. How can you go to battle with a guy (NOW) that can't make up his mind whether he wants to even play anymore?

He's always been such a tough SOB. And now he's looking like a little whiner.

[Adam]

"Wahh... it's too hot in Tampa! Wahh! I want to retire but now I don't! Waaah! No one likes me anymore in Green Bay because I'm a prima donna!" For the toughest guy in the league and the owner of the "consecutive starts by a QB" streak, Favre is the biggest ding-dang BABY the NFL has ever seen.

[bob]

get off the pain pills agian, Tampa is too hot, hey you washed up old hag, the storm play indoors the temp. is controlled.

[bdiddy]

If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen. What a joke. Stay retired fool.

[Groo]

How dare Gruden not speak publicly. This is clearly a slap in the face to Garcia. It is all Gruden's fault for the media linking Favre to the Bucs. Gruden is the devil.

[Tom]

Dude, you're an idiot. Gruden hasn't said anything public about Favre other than that he admires him. He said that long time ago!

The Bucs haven't said anything because that can be construed as tampering.

[baymes]

The guy has a rather obvious point about the hell heat.

[Tomisamoron]

Tom, it's called sarcasm, look it up.

[mike]

"too hot in Tampa" - translation - those guys suck no way would I go there to play

[Don]

I don't blame Brett for not wanting to play for the Bucs. It would be like playing for a High School team. He doesn't want to regress in his career. Besides, if he did come here, cry baby Garcia would be out of a job. I have always been a fan of Favre. He is one of the greatest QB's to ever play the game. And that is coming from a BEARS fan. I hope Brett gets what he wants, he DESERVES it!!!!

[Darryl]

I thought it was hot everywhere in the summer?Unless its a dome team favre is intreasted in!but he shouldnt be to picky where he plays.tampa is a few peices away from the superbowl.

[Mike]

We don't need His ego and Gruden's to colide. It would surly blow up!!
Not a good fit.

[Sweating]

It is too hot......

[Greg]

Farve is a great player, but I lost respect for him after he came back and played the Sunday after his father died. Some might think that shows his strength. I think it shows a lack of priorities.

[Tim]

Brett Favre this, Brett Favre that. I think the majority of football fans(even the cheeseheads) are tired of this wishy washy guy. He is so full of himself from all fanatics that put him on such a high pedestal. He is a great QB but most people are getting tired of his routine. He has the put the Packer organization in a difficult situation the last couple years with his indecisions. Time to move on.

[boyle]

After watching Favre for years destroy our Bucs, I can't believe I am going to say this, I would take him in a second! I think I'm like Seinfeld because I definatly cheer for the uniform! GO BUCS!

[BG]

It looks like the media hype of Brett Farve is getting to be too much. While a good QB in Jeff Garcia we have now, lets have the media talk more about Farve in Tampa. Why don't we talk about the offseason moves ? Warrick Dunn coming back? What about Atlanta and how their new QB will do ? I just think it's getting old talking about a guy who won one Super Bowl and was addicted to pain killers. His numbers are great, but it's just getting old man...C'mon...Leave the guy be....... It's obvious he doesn't want to play here. So let him be....

[Bryan]

Stick with Carcia, this is his second year in the Gruden system, I think he'll be even better than last year. Good Luck Farve, but your not wanted in Tampa, besides it's too hot.

GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!

[South Pole]

Come play with the expansion South Pole Penguins, it's not too hot here. Our GM is Al Gore, you'll love him and talk about "the frozen tundra..." WE HAVE THAT, TOO.

Seriously, frostbite or sunburn, which would you rather have? Heat stroke or Hypothermia, the choice is yours. :)

[John Sullivan]

Screw Favre. I wish he'd go away forever and take Gruden and Allen with him.

[john]

I have chaged my position on the farve deal.At first I was for bringing him in but now that I think about it garcia will be better in his second year in tampa.Good point Bryan !

[john]

DR what do you think about garcia?

[hammersmith]

Farve was spotted in Tampa last night at Fleming's with Bruce Allen. Apparently he was checking out the heat and humidity of the barbecue sauce. Hmm! something might be in the works.

[J Dubb]

I think some of you need to man up like john just did because until this story many of you were on these boards kissing Farvra's butt about how great it would be to have him while at the same time over looking the obvious flaws to having a pre-madonna QB. Now that he has come out and be-otch slapped TB you wanna act like you never wanted him. Come on now...more people need to man up! This guy is a flake!

[syd finch]

I saw Rick Stroud was the author of this drivel and put it in the fiction section where it belongs.

I like Garcia and think he performed well last yr. He's a solid quarterback. Yes, he's definitely toward the end of his career, but he knows the system well and still has some juice for at least one more year. I'm wondering if the Allen and Gruden know a little more the media doesn't, like his back injury from last yr might be worse than what was reported. People who are referring to Garcia as a whiner have no idea what conversations he's had with the Buc's staff. Gruden and Allen have a history (at least with the Bucs) of making promises to players they don't keep. Regarding Favre, I would definitely take him he were interested in playing for us. He played great last year and it would be fun to see him in a Buc uniform. However, I don't want him if his heart isn't in it.

[Fugilebrity]

Sounds like everyone is getting ahead of themselves. Favre only gets out of his deal with Green Bay if they trade him. Cutting him is not an option the team needs to consider. He is retired, he can unretire and come back to the team and compete. Under this scenario they would keep him and pay him.

If he comes back to Green Bay and just doesn't have it any more, they trade him to a low end AFC team (Miami, Houston, KC, etc., some team will take him) for a 6th round pick and his contract transfers (or is renegotiated by the new team) and he will make that team. If he doesn't like the team he is traded to by the Packers, then he stays out (see: Jake Plummer). His value goes down the next year and so on, because he is approaching 40.

He wants out of his current Packer contract so he can go to contender (but not Green Bay). GB will do everything in its power to have his new team never have a chance to beat them in the NFC playoffs. (see: Chicago, Tampa Bay, Minnesota or Atlanta)

[Steve]

It's too late for Brett go anwhere but Greenbay!

[Winston]

It would be a cold day in he!! when Favre could help the Bucs.

Course, he would probably want to play here, then

[Mark]

I wonder what reliable source said favre thinks its to hot......... until I hear it from favre himself its all rumor......... all rumor....... wasn't that said about his return? now look........

[Al Gore]

Jon Gruden caused global warming, which caused Bretty Farva to not want to come to Tampa.

Gruden needs to be prosecuted by the UN, and Barrack Obama. And I will help from my mansion, and make some more money off of that.

Thanks, vote for me, and appreciate me fellow 'Mericans

[DR]

John, I don't think Favre would help that much here. Tampa will do with Garcia, a more mobile QB who protects the ball better. Favre would make errant passes rather than throw the ball away or take a sack. We all shouldn't forget that Favre is only a few years removed from throwing 29 picks.
To top it all off, all I can say is wow. It's too hot in Tampa? Really? That's a lame excuse if I ever saw one. He should be a man and just say he doesn't want to play for Tampa. That would be expecting a lot for a kid who blames his management for forcing him to retire.

[Tim in Seattle]

I have no problems with Favre not willing to play here. We're good at QB and believe that Garcia can lead to great things in 08. I wish Favre the best and hope he does play again. In the meantime, I do welcome this drama to Green Bay. Any distractions for the Packers can only help Tampa Bay. GO BUCS!

[meeee]

Brett Favre is one of the only players in the NFL that seems to behave like a human being, a real man. I am a life long diehard Bucs girl, but lets recognize him as one of the greats. He plays clean and with a childlike enthusiasm. He is as good a role model as there can be, if you look to athletes as role models. Anyone who thinks he has a ego problem should really take a look at the other players around the league. He just plays with heart, and thats rare and obviously confusing to many fans out there. Favre cant hold a candle to the biggest egomaniac of all time (Marino.)
I wish Favre the best in his decisions ahead.

[Tony M.]

He might just be matching Gruden's penchant for misinformation. This statement means nothing.

Other than it really is blanking hot in Tampa Bay. Don't act surprised.

Brett Favre will take his best opportunity to win. Who wouldn't in Favre's situation? That situation could still be Tampa.

[mike]

Seeing Favre in Pewter and red would be like seeing Sapp in Green and gold. Just can't picture it.

[BG]

Wouldn't it be funny to see a comedy skit with T.O. and Brett Farvra crying together,,, Whaaa thats my team mate, Whaaa Tampa is too hot, give me some more Vicodin.......

[DR]

Favre not showing interest in Tampa is actually really good news. Signing Favre would be like signing Ryan Leaf, TB is not going to get anywhere with a "has been." Instead, Tampa should focus in on this scenario: Simms is traded to the Cowboys and get at least 2 years of guidance under Garrett. Then, he comes back to Tampa to be the starter. Those two years under the smartest coordinator the NFL has ever seen would make Simms not only a great success, but Tampa would become instantly better. If Gruden has any sense (which we all know he doesn't) he would make this deal happen. Otherwise he will go down in history as another TB coach to amount to nothing (along with McKay, Dungy, and all the others).

[bucal]

the bucs dont need another preastoric quarterback,garcia has a lot of heart,leadership,and knows the offense.let him go to the bears ,maybe don will return to da beas website

[BG]

We can't keep changing QB's every 5 seconds to let another QB adapt to the system and we struggle. It's a nuturing process like your kids. You can't just wake up one morning and know Jon Grudens System. Everyone can't jump into his mind and know whats going on. I do miss Tony Dungy alot.... However, we have Jon Gruden, who worked at here as a tike back in the day, he like tampa, he's lived here. This is who we have. Let me ask you this ? Who is a better fit ? Coaches get emotional, look at Torts. Now he is out the door.Gruden need to relax a little. The pressure is always on everyone. If we want to win, we need extra time. have sleep overs, I don't care. Whatever it takes to get the job done.

[Phil Y]

Yo Brett, have you never heard it's just business. Every other play understands and lives by it. Why should the Pack give him his release and get nothing in return rather than shop for the best deal in a trade? He's a future hall of famer and been the face of the Packers for nearly two decades and now he's giving them a black eye. Thanks for the memories...

[john]

AL GORE if your not going to comment on football topics dont comment at all.And whats up with useing such a stupid name is your real name that bad son?

Seriously, who keeps using my name to post comments? Man you guys are crybabies. It was actually pretty funny though.

[your mom]

now now boys, play nice!

[Al Gore]

Hey john, you tryin to shine that Cowpuke fans azz does not impress me, and don't ry to police my internet. I made it, I will use it as I please. Now come shine my nobel prize medal, while DR's mom shines my shoes, and DR plays with her Romo, and Pacman dolls.

[DR]

Don't fret over whoever that loser is john. Obviously it's a person who posts and gets ignored because they are, well, i'll be nice, less intelligent than others. At least they're trying to bring humor after failing at talking football. I'll give them a little bit of credit for that.

[Arun]

Go ahead Bruce, trade for Farve - if he doesn't want to come here and play, how much of his signing bonus can we get from him to put towards our future cap?

I'll take Farve's reasoning over Garcia's belly aching any day!

[Jim]

Not a good fit, don't want him, don't need him. Not about to happen anyway for all the reasons listed in other posts here.

[Pete]

Hey J. Dubb...is a pre-madonna qb one that was born before her?

[J Dubb]

Actually its a album written by madonna...LOL! And no Farve has no chance with her because I hear she likes em young!!!

[James]

So he'd rather go somewhere cooler and lose?At first I thought this was easy.Simms for Favre.Now I'm not so sure.It seems now he'd be much more trouble than he's worth.

[Justin PollockSki]

DON'T PUT WORDS IN MY MOUTH DAMMIT!

[tony]

actually this is great news just to hear brett farve say he doesnt want to play because its to hot we dont need you anyways farvette oh im sorry did i spell your name wrong you big baby.
listin this is a slap in the face to jeff garcia who has to sit back and hear this going on a possible new QB which would mean him leaving tampa bay all hes asked fior is a new contact to play his last seasons here in tampa the guy won over the fans repect and tampa and its not like he wants to leave he deserves a new contract forget farvette lets move on with Garcia,McCown,and Johnson if they do for some reason sign farve you can bet he'll throw his last pass in the nfc championship as an interception that will cost us our chance at a superbowl and then you've got dayshavoo all over again accept in tampa!!

[JD]

It's amazing how desperate you are to slam Gruden that you would stoop to calling Brett Favre a "has been." He only threw for over 4000 yards and 28 TDs last season and could have won the MVP.

Of course you'll all pile right back on the bandwagon if Favre does show up and play well. Pathetic.

[JD]

Sorry, I meant the responders to this story, not Stroud. Although "pathetic" would still apply.

[George Leslie Hicks]

Look at the QB's that have played for Tampa. Brad Johnson came thru and won a Super Bowl. I think that Tampa 1st of all is to get rid of Chris Simms first. Then Get the money to future Hall of fame Garcia !! Maybe. Then let see about Favre at that time. Tampa MUST GET RID OF SIMMS 1st.

[Tony M.]

Brett Favre would look great in Pewter and Red.

Shoot, Brett Favre would look great in a throwback creamsicle.

We have the cap space. Make it happen. Buc interest and star power would be sky high.

Do it.

[BrAiNiAc AmOnG mEnTaL mIdGeTs]

what don't you nimrods understand?
is it enough for you to just show up to a stadium in a red shirt and call yourself a fan if you don't have a clue what's going on?

despite its overall lack of success, Gruden's offense is ridiculously complex --- so much so that even REDA$$ Rich Gannon doesn't recognize it

do you HONESTLY think that a hayseed, grip it & rip it style gun-slinger is smart enough to not only call this offense but also run it like it's 2nd nature? that's what it's going to take for this team to win a super bowl ... and if he can't, why waste your time on a guy that might not truly "get it" until he's 40!

[Kurt]

You realize that just to call yourself a "Brainiac amongst mental midgets" that you are admitting you are stupid and gay. Just thought you'd like to know for future posts...besides, your inability to realize that any good offensive coordinator changes the look of his offense so that the league doesn't get a bead on it, is just plain your inability to realize. Duhhhh!

[Tony M.]

Hey "Brainiac":

If you have to tell people you're intelligent... you're not.

Deal with it.

[Tony M.]

Hey "Brainiac":

If you have to tell people you're intelligent... you're not.

Deal with it.

[Tony M.]

Hey "Brainiac":

If you have to tell people you're intelligent... you're not.

Deal with it.

[DR]

You guys make every excuse possible for Gruden and his weak offense. Too complex? Well, maybe he should simplify his consistently low ranked offense, 18th ranked last year. I didn't see any complexity in the screen pass called on 3rd and 12. If you have a RB who can't pick up an offense, Bennett, you may want him to take an IQ test.

[Kurt's JV Football Coach]

Huddle up fellas! There's a reason why Kurt didn't amount to more than a towel boy over here at the HS ... not just because he's unathletic but he is the dumbest kid I've ever had come through this program.
Hell, he doesn't even realize that Gruden aint changin' his offense for anyone.
Back to the locker room Kurt ... still got jockstraps for you to sort & clean.

[Purveyor of the Obvious]

Tony M.:
Please refrain from criticizing anyone's intelligence on this blog until you've properly mastered the art of creating single posts.

[JoeBuc]

I have seen several shows on tv over the years about Favre and his different coaches. I have never heard him even mention Gruden. I don't think he thinks much of our coach. Its been well documented how Favre liked Big show, Marty and Steve. I don't know if we need Favre but I do know he's a better quarterback then we've ever had here before.That doesn't mean he'd workout as a Buc. Alot of hate'n go'n on here !

[Tony M.]

Hey "Brainiac" and "Purveyor of the Obvious":

If you have to tell people you're intelligent... you're not.

Deal with it.

[Tony M.]

Hey "Brainiac" and "Purveyor of the Obvious":

If you have to tell people you're intelligent... you're not.

Deal with it.

[Tony M.]

Hey "Brainiac" and "Purveyor of the Obvious":

If you have to tell people you're intelligent... you're not.

Deal with it.

[Tony M.]

I'm kind of disappointed.

Last time all I had to do was hit the back button and twice and my post replicated each time.

This time I had to put in some cut and paste effort to be rude.

[Ron Burgandy]

Too hot?? Hmmm, that reminds me of a time.... Brett, let me give you a piece of advice - stay away from milk in the heat. It's a bad choice.