PACKERS EXTEND DEADLINE

[Guest irishrick]

Packers extend Favre's roster bonus deadline

Packers GM Ted Thompson said Friday that Saturday's deadline for a $3 million roster bonus for Brett Favre, delayed twice before, has been pushed back again as the Packers quarterback needs more time to decide if he will return for the 2006 season.

 

The deadline has been extended to April 15, and it could be pushed back yet again. The bonus deadline was originally extended by a week to March 20 and then to April 1.

 

In his most recent comments about his football future, Favre made one thing clear: If he does return, he told a newspaper in his native Mississippi there is "no doubt" it will be his last season.

 

"I don't know if I will play this year or not," Favre told the Biloxi (Miss.) Sun Herald. "Even [wife] Deanna is ready for my decision. If I do play this year, it will be my last.

 

"There's no doubt about that."

 

Thompson, who has remained in contact with Favre during the offseason, said he hasn't heard anything that would indicate a decision is imminent.

 

"We've talked to Brett and Deanna, and I've said all along that they'll decide when they decide,'' Thompson said.

 

Favre said he wants to play again but will return only if the Packers can assemble a winning team.

 

"Last season, expectations were high and it was a bad situation," Favre told the Sun Herald of the team's 4-12 season, his only losing one in Green Bay. "If we can't compete at a high level, I can walk away and my legacy will speak for itself."

 

Thompson said Favre's unclear future isn't having a negative effect on the team's preparations for next season. But the sooner Favre decides, the better.

 

"It's OK now," Thompson said. "I think everybody would like to know. I think Brett would like to know."

 

Under terms of his contract, Favre would become an unrestricted free agent if the Packers do not pay the bonus. But throughout the process, both sides had an understanding that the payment deadline would be pushed back if Favre needed more time to decide on his future.

 

ESPN.com senior NFL writer John Clayton and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[Guest Domer]

I love this.

 

I have never seen a player hold an entire organization hostage the way butt favor is holding the Packers.

 

It's affecting their approach to free agency... I have to assume that it's going to affect ther approach to the draft as well. And they will continue to endure it because it is the "golden boy" who can do no wrong.

 

I think over the last 2 years Favre has done more to harm his club than any other quarterback in the league.

 

It's hilarious.