Me thinks there's more to the story behind closed doors.
ALLEN CLAIMS THERE WERE NO NEGOTIATIONS FOR FAVRE
Posted by Mike Florio on August 7, 2008, 12:30 p.m. UTC
In his first comments regarding the reported efforts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to trade for quarterback Brett Favre, G.M. Bruce Allen paints a picture that suggests the discussions between the Bucs and Packers didnt get very far at all.
There were no negotiations, Allen said, via Pewter Report. There was never any substance or talk about what it would take for [the Packers] to trade him. All of that was speculation. In the beginning, I think it was clear that it was a bad situation in Green Bay and they had to deal with it in any way they could.
Allen also said that there were no conversations about compensation, and that no trade offer was ever made.
In all, Allen paints a picture that doesnt make much sense. He doesnt deny that coach Jon Gruden talked to Favre, but Allen claims that 18 teams had permission to speak with him. Allen also characterized the public statements of Bus Cook and/or Favre linking Favre to the Bucs were only the result of Favres desire to play for the Bucs.
Pressed on why the team didnt simply say unequivocally that Garcia would be the starter for the 2008 season, Allen pointed to comments over the last year or two years of coach Jon Gruden.
But Allen overlooked comments from Gruden of only a day ago, which strongly hinted that something was up.
Said Gruden on Wednesday, when asked about Favre: We are a good football team and were trying to become a great one. Well do anything we can to get better, and if that involves looking at other players by George, thats our job. Thats our responsibility. . . . Theres been a lot of speculation. I could go on and on and on. Thats part of the medias job to create conversation and report the facts that they have. Out of respect to everybody, Im not the most informed source at this point time. Ive got a lot of respect for the situation, therefore Im going to be very reluctant to say much because I dont want to have to repeat myself tomorrow and change my story.
If Allen is telling the truth, it would have been a lot easier for Gruden to say, Were not pursuing Brett Favre. Jeff Garcia is our starting quarterback.
That said, we cant blame Allen for massaging reality. They didnt get Favre, and now they have to move on. Talking about the one that got away wont make that happen any more quickly.
http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/08/07/allen-claims-there-were-no-negotiations-for-favre/