Packers president goes to Mississippi to meet Favre
CBSSports.com wire reports
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy traveled to Mississippi to meet with quarterback Brett Favre and his agent James "Bus" Cook on Wednesday, in an apparent attempt to talk Favre out of reporting to camp later this week.
Meanwhile, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell took no action on Favre's request for reinstatement Wednesday -- giving the sides more time to work out a resolution.
"The commissioner is taking no action today," league officials said in a statement issued by NFL spokesman Greg Aiello. "He wants to give both the Packers and Brett an appropriate amount of time to make decisions, including decisions impacting the team's roster and salary cap. When Brett is reinstated by the commissioner, we will announce it."
Cook told reporters outside his office in Hattiesburg, Miss., that Favre, who has been throwing to players at a nearby high school to stay in shape, could be in Green Bay on Friday.
"He would love to go back in Green Bay," Cook said, in comments broadcast by ESPNEWS. "I mean, that's why he started working out. But right now, it looks like he'll be the quarterback at Oak Grove High School."
Murphy, who took over as the team's president and CEO in January, issued a statement upon returning to Green Bay.
"I was in Hattiesburg today and had a nice visit with Brett Favre," Murphy said. "We discussed a number of topics not related to football, including Brett's long-term relationship with the Packers. I consider our conversation to be confidential and am going to be respectful of Brett and his family and keep the details private.
"Ted (Thompson, Green Bay's general manager) and Mike (McCarthy, the coach) are going to continue to work on the football side of this issue. They have my full support."
The sidelines at Packers practice Wednesday night were buzzing with a question: Did the Packers offer to pay Favre to stay retired?
WTMJ television in Milwaukee reported the team offered Favre several million dollars to stay retired, and the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported on its website that the team offered Favre "a substantial salary" to stay away. Both reports cited sources close to Favre.
Murphy was not available to reporters Wednesday night. McCarthy spoke after the night practice, but hadn't talked to Murphy.
"I don't have any information, I'm just going to be up front with you," McCarthy said. "I haven't talked to Mark Murphy. They just told me about the story that's out there. Sorry, don't have anything for you. Wish I did."
The Packers don't have a full public practice scheduled for Thursday. Players will lift weights, attend meetings and review plays. They'll also hear from a guest speaker: former Bush White House press secretary Ari Fleischer.
