Favre salutes his old center, and gets some fan love, too

Brett Favre presented his old center, Frank Winters, for induction into the Packers Hall of Fame at last night's banquet, held in the Lambeau Field Atrium. As a result of the Packers laying down some ground rules for the media -- which, amazingly, seem to have been respected -- and Brett focusing on Winters and the two other inductees, Gilbert Brown and Al Treml, things went off seemingly without a hitch.

According to one report, "When Favre and Winters entered the Lambeau Field Atrium, they were met with the loudest and lengthiest of cheers from the packed, sold-out crowd. Not a single jeer or boo was heard."

It's still unclear, though, whether there was any chit-chat between Brett and Ted Thompson despite their sitting only two tables away from one another.

Brett also received the 2007 MillerCoors (new merger for those not keeping up on the beer biz) MVP award for setting NFL records in touchdowns, passing yards, completions and attempts. Reports say "he received even more cheers and then an enthusiastic standing ovation."

Another report stated that "Favre made a point of embracing the Packers’ storied past. 'That’s the thing with Green Bay, it’s a special place,' said Favre. 'There’s a lot of tradition. You think of the Packers, you think of all these great names. To be a part of that … is a special thing.' From a public relations standpoint, Favre was on his game. He even wore a sport coat for the occasion, so you knew this was no ordinary night."

Brett in a sport coat, sans tie, but still...you have to wonder whether his feelings will change if there's no resolution to the standoff. It seems clear, though, for now, that Brett is able to separate his feelings for the Packers and the fans from his feelings for GM Ted Thompson. So if nothing else, we can hold on to that. For now.

You can read a couple accounts of last night's event -- including an intersting comment from Gilbert Brown -- here and here.

Favre lands in Green Bay

Brett Favre's private jet indeed landed at Austin Straubel Field in Green Bay this afternoon at about 3:30. From there, it was off to Lambeau to talk to the media. No, not about...well, you know. It was to say a few words to the media about the fellow he's going to be presenting at tonight's Packers Hall of Fame induction banquet, Frank Winters.

So, how did all this -- and words from the other presenters -- work out? See for yourself in almost a minute-by-minute report here.

Favre expected to present Winters tonight

As previously mentioned here, and plenty of other places, ol' #4 is supposed to be in Green Bay to present his former center, Frank Winters, for induction into the Packers Hall of Fame tonight. (Can you say "awkward"?) All indications are that he's still set to do so, with wife, Deanna, also expected to attend. Other inductees are Gilbert Brown and Al Treml.

Presenters also typically meet with the media the afternoon prior to the evening's induction banquet. Will Brett show up for that part of the weekend? Just in case he does, the Packers have already made it clear to the media who might attend (do you think there might be just a few extra reporters there?) that Favre will talk only about what he will say about Winters.

Let's see how that works out, shall we?

Tony Dungy's view
If you want to hear what one of the more articulate members of the NFL coaching fraternity has to say about the Favre-Packers situation, Indianapolis head coach Tony Dungy made a few comments on a Chicago sports station yesterday. Interesting take on things from a former player and one of the more thought-full coaches in the league. Go here to check to check it out.

PackerFansUnited.com Favre poll results
The poll that we've been running for the last 10 days or so has now closed. Approximately 61% of those responding indicated that they felt the Packers should take Brett back and make him the starter; 23% percent said the Packers should try to talk him into staying retired; and 15% said to trade him to a team outside the division (rounding means the total does not equal 100%). Interesting that it seems like a lot of the media pundits in the last few days seem to be moving to the notion that if Brett asks for reinstatement the Packers will trade him. While still acknowledging the argument of how Brett has earned the right to decide where he wants to go, it's also obvious the Packers still own his rights and would not let him depart without getting something in return for him. That's business. Which is the part of the equation the players always bring up in asserting their supposed rights. What's a fair argument on their side is also then a fair argument on the part of management: it's a business. It's just sad -- as Tony Dungy said (see above) -- that Brett decided to play this out in public. That changes everything...and not for the better.

Will Winters be left in the cold by Brett?

One of the many intriguing subplots of this whole Favre-will-he-won't-he mess is this coming Saturday night's Packers Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Certainly, Brett will have his own induction one day, not only in the Packers Hall of Fame but the NFL's as well, of course. But this weekend's ceremony will see the induction of Al Treml, the Packers' video director from 1967 to 2001, Gilbert Brown, "The Gravedigger" ('nuff said), and Frank Winters, center extraordinaire for 11 years with the Pack. Bart Starr is presenting Treml, Santana Dotson is presenting Gilbert, and -- get ready for it! -- Brett Favre is presenting Frank Winters. Or at least was scheduled to present Frank Winters. As of the time of this blog post, there's no report one way or the other whether Brett will in fact show up to present his old center for induction.

It is a sad note to what should be a real moment in the sun for these inductees that the spotlight will likely not be on them as it should be this weekend, but will instead be on Brett and his drama. If Brett shows up, the story will be about him. If Brett doesn't show up, the story will be about him.

Treml, Gilbert and Winters deserve their honors and they deserve the focus to be on them. Let's hope that the Favre situation somehow moves to a resolution this week so that the new Packers Hall of Famers get their due.

For more on the Packers Hall of Fame Induction, click here.

Jolly Busted
Overlooked for the most part this last week was the news that defensive lineman Johnny Jolly was busted in Houston July 8 on felony charges of possessing at least 200 grams of codeine. According to the Houston Chronicle report, Jolly is scheduled to appear in court on July 22.

Jolly was lost for most of last season with a rotator cuff injury and was being counted on this season to take up some of the slack in the loss of Corey Williams to the Browns. Now? Maybe not. According to reports, he could be suspended by the NFL just for the arrest alone. Not good.

The Packers released this statement on the matter: "The Packers are aware of the report involving Johnny Jolly. This is a legal matter and we still are in the process of gathering information. We have no further comment at this time."

You can read the Houston Chronicle story here.

You know it's slow when...

Zzzzzz...Zzzzzz...Zzzzzz...

That's pretty much been the sound around Packerland these days. Not much going on. As is evidenced when a couple of the stories reporters are writing these days have to do with Herbert "Whisper" Goodman (remember him?) and the defunct NFL-Europe. Really. That's been about it. Oh, there was also former Packers center Frank Winters talking about Favre's retirement. And then there was an announcement about the Packers Hall of Fame banquet. So...I know you're on the edge of your seat...without further ado...

Whisper
If you are starved for news that is even remotely tied to the Packers, then you'll be glad to know that a former Packers RB -- the one with arguably the best nickname ever -- is now setting his sights on becoming a world mixed martial arts (MMA) champion. Herbert "Whisper" Goodman is a rising star in the MMA world. He has an 8-3 record and, if you want to see him in action and happen to be near Milwaukee, you can see him headline tonight (Sat. May 17) at State Fair Park in a MMA event called Gladiators Fighting 52 "Thunderdome." Or, you can just read about ol' Whisper here.

NFL-Europe
As to the demise of NFL-Europe -- which for the last 15 years gave us hardcore football fans a fix in Spring and early Summer -- and its impact upon Packers' scouting and player personnel programs, you can read more here.

"Bag-a-Donuts"
Former Packers center Frank Winters was interviewed on 620WTMJ radio recently about Favre's retirement, etc. Worth a listen. And, by the way, Winters' "Bag-a-Donuts" nickname isn't bad either is it? That was a fave of John Madden, too.

Favre & Starr at Packers Hall of Fame banquet
Speaking of Frankie Winters, he's going to be inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame along with Gilbert "The Gravedigger" Brown -- man, there's another great nickname! -- and video director Al Treml, who regrettably has no nickname...as far as we know. Winters' snap partner, Brett Favre, will do the honors of presenting him for induction. Bart Starr will be presenting Al Treml. Santana Dotson will do the honors for Gilbert. Another Packers Hall of Famer (that's the Packers Hall of Fame not the NFL, to be clear), center, and now radio game analyst Larry "The Rock" McCarren will emcee the event, which will be held July 19 at the Lambeau Field Atrium. By the way, if you were planning on getting tix...nope. Already sold out.

In addition to the induction of Winters, Brown, and Treml, this year's FAN honoree, Richard 'Ike' Eisenhauer, will also be recognized.

Geez, is there anyone that doesn't have a nickname?