Favre Puts "Murph" in a Tough Spot

It sure looks like the Brett Favre situation is going to end in an unhappy conclusion in Green Bay. And you have to emphathize with new Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy (right).
In his first year on the job, Murphy is probably going to be put in the position of releasing the Packers greatest all-time player.
Favre has been dropping hints for months about returning to the NFL. Understandably, the Packers took him at his word back in March, when he tearfully and finally announced his retirement. They've spent the last four months getting Aaron Rodgers physically and mentally ready to be the starting QB on a bona fide playoff team.
Now, weeks before training camp, Favre has let it be known that he wants to return. To top that, he's asked the Packers for his release.
Mark Murphy, a Clarence native and a member of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, is now forced to either scuttle the plans for Rodgers and the upcoming season to accomodate Favre, or cut the future Hall of Famer. Not much to choose from there.
If he brings Favre back, he sets the team up for another bitterly disappointing playoff finish, like last year's ill-advised Favre interception in overtime against the Giants. And, he risks alienating Rodgers permanently.
If he sends Favre packing, he could possible witness him playing QB for the Vikings or the Bears, divisional rivals that are desperately in need of a QB.
Favre should have made certain he was finished with football, before he made his retirement announcement in March. If he had waited, the Packers would certainly have brought him back to play this year.
What do you think of Favre's future? And what would you do if you were Mark Murphy and the Packers?

My NHL Free Agency Thoughts

Here's my NHL free agency thoughts about the Sabres and some of their former players.

First: I'll start with a couple of the guys the Sabres let go. Dmitri Kalinin-- Good Luck New York! You can't be mad the Sabres didn't get anything in return for him, and I am sure they tried at the deadline when they knew they weren't going to be offering him a deal this summer. Kalinin's play was so hit or miss with the Sabres. If he wasn't injured, which it seemed he always was... then confidence was a major issue for him. It was time for him to leave Buffalo, and even if he plays well in the Big Apple... remember he had plenty of chances to do that here but never did and likely never would have.

Next: Brian Campbell-- I said at the trade deadline that I could not see him staying on the west coast for a couple of reasons. I think they play a much more physical game than Campbell is used to and will do well in; also it always appeared that he was very close to his family and it seemed important that he remains relatively close to them.

So 7.1 million a season, that's great for him! Really though, not only is it NOT in the ballpark of what the Sabres could and would pay... Campbell is not worth that much money a season! It is a true sign that the NHL lockout did nothing to help a struggling league from escalating salaries. What will a top end defenseman go for next season? 9 million maybe? It's out of hand! None the less, Chicago is a good fit for Campbell and I can see him doing well there.

Finally the Sabres: I like the move of Patrick Lalime as Ryan Miller's back-up. I think he can push Miller to be better than he was last season. My problem: Why did the Sabres ever let Ty Conklin go? Not only did we watch him go on a run with the Penguins last season, now we'll have to watch him compete with Chris Osgood for the starting role in Detriot. Wouldn't you like to know who decided he wasn't a good fit in Buffalo?

I didn't have a problem with the team trading away Steve Bernier. They did have an excess of forwards and it seemed logical that they dump a forward to get a defenseman. Although Bernier was only with the Sabres for a short time, after his first game it looked like "Big Bear" went into hibernation. He might be a couple of years away from where the Sabres needed him to be.

Craig Rivet--- I think he's a good pick-up! With his age, leadership and the amount of minutes he can log, I think he will be a good addition and he comes with the right price tag. I'd think he could be a good partner for Jaroslav Spacek as they could be the teams #1 pairing.

Teppo Numminen, and Nolan Pratt--- I lump these two guys together because I don't think the addition of 1 defenseman is enough. If healthy, Teppo would be a good compliment to Nathan Paetsch as the teams 3rd defensive pairing. Nolan Pratt I mention because I would rather see him on the ice that Andrej Sekera. I don't know what it is, but I am not ready to see Sekera play full time for the Sabres.

The Sabres biggest problem the last 2 seasons was defenseman. So while the trade for Rivet was good, it doesn't seem to be enough. Ryan Miller will look alot better with 6 solid defenseman in front of him. And I would bet before he signs any kind of extension, he will be watching the Sabres moves closely.

Finally: the resigning of Ryan Miller and Jason Pominville! I am like the rest of the fans out there, hoping Darcy Regier can lock them up before the season starts. But if you really look at the situation both of these players are in... why should they sign? They are 1 season away from testing the market, and that doesn't mean they still couldn't sign with the Sabres. It just means, they can see what their real value is, and try to hold the Sabres to paying them at that price tag. It could take the Sabres overspending to keep Miller in town. Miller holds all the cards, as the Sabres don't have another option at this point.