GREEN BAY CALLS BRETT’S BLUFF

(July 14): Green Bay has called Brett Favre's bluff. If Favre wants to un-retire, he will have to remain a member of the Packers with no guarantees, at this point, that he will return as the starting quarterback. A bit vindictive? No doubt. But the right and fair move, nonetheless.

Favre's desire to be given a release with no strings attached is patently unfair to the Packers. Particularly, when it would provide Favre the option of signing with division rivals Minnesota or Chicago, if he so desires.

Or even with Tampa Bay or Carolina, two teams that will face the Packers this season.

And let's not forget that by releasing Favre, the Packers would receive no compensation for his departure.

This is the same Brett Farve, you may recall, who tearfully announced his retirement in March after guiding Green Bay to the NFC championship game.

Favre, who has gone through this Hamlet imitation over the previous two summers, apparently reconsidered his decision. In the process, he's tried to spin his story by saying that he was not 100 percent committed to retirement in March and was forced into making a premature announcement by the club.

But can you blame the Packers? They simply wanted to know how to proceed if Favre was not returning. So they installed the untested Aaron Rodgers as their starter and drafted a pair of quarterbacks as insurance.

Frankly, I don't think Green Bay owes Favre a free release. I do think Favre owes the Green Bay fans an apology for his diva-like behavior.

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