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 two 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.”
Packers coach Mike McCarthy would not discuss the nature of the talks between Murphy and the Favre camp after practice Wednesday morning.
“I really don’t have any thoughts as far as Mark Murphy going to Mississippi,” McCarthy said. “That’s something you’re going to have to ask Mark about. I’m not involved in the specifics of it. I really have no information for you.”
The Green Bay Press-Gazette reported on its Web site Tuesday night that Murphy flew to Mississippi in hopes of talking Favre out of reporting to camp, a situation with the potential to cause a major distraction to a team that committed to moving on after Favre retired in March. Murphy declined comment to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter at the Green Bay airport before his flight left Tuesday night.
It was not clear whether Murphy would speak to reporters after he returned from Mississippi.
Nearly five months after his tearful retirement news conference in March, Favre filed for reinstatement with the NFL on Tuesday. He is awaiting approval from Goodell.
Once he is reinstated, the Packers will have 24 hours to decide whether to release him or return him to their active roster. The team has ruled out releasing Favre, fearing he would immediately sign with division rival Minnesota.
The Packers also could trade Favre, although no deal appeared imminent. The Packers hold Favre’s rights until his contract expires after the 2010 season.
Despite the apparent nature of Murphy’s trip, McCarthy reiterated Wednesday that Favre “absolutely” was still welcome in Packers camp. Team officials have made it clear, both publicly and to Favre, that he would no longer be the starter if he returned to the team.
“I’ve said it, and I’ll just say it again: He was a big part of our history, and he can reinstate, come here and be part of our future,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy acknowledged that the ongoing Favre saga puts Aaron Rodgers in a unique situation, but said Rodgers is handling the situation well. Rodgers has been solid in his first few days of camp, although the Packers’ defense seems to be ahead of the offense in the first week of camp.
Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman, a close friend of Rodgers and the quarterback’s roommate in training camp, said Rodgers is a “tough guy” who will only get tougher under scrutiny.
“He’s a grown man,” Kampman said. “He’s handling it very well. He’s done tremendous. I think he continues to validate he’s got some special stuff inside of him.”
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