Packers speak

Mark Murphy, Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy are to address the media about the Brett Favre trade beginning at noon. We'll have running updates here once it begins.

11:57 a.m.
The podium is draped in black. The room looks almost identical to how it did when Thompson and McCarthy met with the media on March 4 to announce Favre's retirement. There is significantly less media here this time, though. The auditorium is no more than half full.

12:01 p.m.
We're officially starting late. Unlike McCarthy's media conference on Monday and Thompson's on Wednesday, though, this one should take place eventually.

12:03 p.m.
Five-minute warning.

12:09 p.m.
So much for that 5-minute warning ...

12:11 p.m.
Here's the 2-minute warning ...

12:11 p.m.
They've taken the stage -- McCarthy in a black shirt, Thompson in a tan pullover, Murphy in a dark suit with a green tie. Murphy starts with introductory comments: "This is really a bittersweet time for the organization. I think we're all sad to see Brett Favre's career as a Packer end, but we are glad that this matter has come to closure in a manner that's good for the team and good for Brett." Also thanks Favre for contributions to state and league. Says do want to have a long-term relationship with Favre. Murphy stresses he, Thompson and McCarthy have been in "complete agreement" throughout the process. Thompson has been "a true professional" and has "no ego." He thinks Thompson's handling of the situation was "masterful" in concert with Russ Ball and John Schneider. McCarthy has been "solid like a rock" through the process, and his honest conversations with Favre helped achieve closure. Murphy acknowledges fans are split on this. "We will come through this process, a very difficult process, as a stornger, more unified organization."

12:14 p.m.
First question is for Thompson, on whether he's comfortable with being the man who traded Favre: "No. I don't think anyone would be comfortable with that." Says in many ways this is sad, but all parties thought this was the best solution.

12:15 p.m.
Thompson says when trade papers came, he almost wanted someone else to sign it.

12:16 p.m.
Thompson on whether he could have done anything differently: Always go back and do thorough study on how things went. In this case, doesn't have all the answers. Will go back and do study. "My first blush guess is probably, communications breakdowns, when one group of people are in Wisconsin and another group of people are down in Mississippi, you think everyone understands where everyone is" but sometimes communication starts going through media, and that leads to breakdowns. Says it's his responsibility.

12:19 p.m.
Thompson on why changing course in June or July would have been prohibitively different: "You make certain commitments, that this is what you're going to do. ... I do think you make commitments and you say, 'OK, we're going to try to do this.' ..." It was McCarthy's role to find out how this could work going forward, and in the end, everyone felt "the only solution going forward would be to, quote unquote, part ways."

12:20 p.m.
Thompson get same feeling from Favre as did through Favre's remarks in media? No, never has when spoken directly. "I think there was some feelings there that he felt like were hard to let go, that somewhere during the course of the past little bit, that maybe he perceived (something)." Thompson says he could have moved past things, even if Favre couldn't. Different for a player.

12:21 p.m.
Why couldn't prcess with Favre speaking with McCarthy been done sooner? Thompson says there was communication, but when sit face-to-face, that's better. Being reinstated was the committment, so then had to talk it out. Why not done sooner, when asked for his release? Thompson said had conversations, but there was always underlying thing about how to get past the impasse.

12:22 p.m.
Compensation in trade/poison pills? Wouldn't speak on terms of trade.

12:23 p.m.
When finalizing deal, concerned about Favre saying no? No. Sat on couch in Ball's office all day on Wednesday. Most of conversations were between Favre's people and the teams interested. Would get periodic updates. When team said comfortable doing it, Packers were, too.

12:24 p.m.
On process: On Monday night, had extensive conversations between Thompson and McCarthy, appeared trade was way to go. On Tuesday, met with Brett, Deanna and Bus Cook at Favre's house. In hourlong conversation, each side presented case why couldn't get away from impasse. At that point, understood that needed to look at trade options. That's when interactions began between teams and Favre's people. Talks continued all day Wednesday. Had no idea how would go during day. Sat and waited. Were informed at about 10 p.m. that it was done.

12:25 p.m.
Who communicates with other teams? John Schneider led, but Thompson had some conversations, too. Teams let Packers know how things were going with Favre's people.

12:26 p.m.
Why not send Favre to Tampa if that's where wanted to go? Only will speak to Jets. Very aggressive, active. Did great job of selling selves. Felt like that was best thing for the Packers and for Favre.

12:27 p.m.
Afraid that better Favre does, worse Packers look? No, Thompson says. "I want to see him have the time of his life, and I'm wishing him well, that he does well."

12:28 p.m.
Differences rooted in prior 2 or 3 years? Thompson: "No, I don't think so. ... He retired, then after awhile, we go through the draft, we've sort of committed ... then, things started changing. I don't think there was any particular time where differences arose. ... The farthre you get along, the more complicated it gets." Would have been awkward situation.

12:29 p.m.
Had direction were going, why better for this team a month ago/five weeks ago that better not to have Favre here? Murphy says difficult situation from start, been at impasse for a while. Didn't really think would show up, and Favre's people didn't think Packers wanted him. Pressure point was reinstatement and him showing up. McCarthy's honest conversation and agreemenet between them brought closure.

12:30 p.m.
Murphy's plan? Didn't really have one for how it played out. Always wanted to take high road. "He's an iconic player who has meant so much to this organization." Wanted to treat fairly, respectfully, but have to act in long-term best interests of organization.

12:31 p.m.
Try everything to keep Favre from coming? Ultimately, Favre's decision, Murphy said. Then, was football decision. On marketing deal: Murphy says was something discussed before Murphy got to Green Bay. After retired, started talks with him about long-term relationship. Would be a business deal. As time went on, changed mind, it was off the table. Murphy went to Hattiesburg as team president, in difficult spot for both sides, and wanted to meet with him face-to-face and try to talk about positive resolution for both sides. More talked about, idea of marketing deal made sense as maybe a way to resolve -- but was only if didn't want to play.

12:33 p.m.
Why decide not in Packers' best interest to have Favre back? McCarthy: "It was not a matter of changing course. ... I think Brett's view of what reinstatement meant was different of what my view of reinstatement meant." Never thought he'd really play this year, lot in head, different mindset. Was waiting for reinstatement. "He was welcme to get on the train, but we never really got to that spot." Wouldn't let hypothetical enter locker room. Thought it was important to "protect" the team. Has been in lot of communication throughout summer and of late with Favre.

12:35 p.m.
Marketing situation a bribe, no trust in Ted -- all made difficult to trust Favre? McCarthy: Thinks very evident lot of things said -- but were they or won't they said. Not going to try to referee. Thinks important to speak face-to-face. Was looking for Favre to say he was ready to play for Packers, but it did not get to that point. Understands and appreciates what Favre done for franchise, enjoyed coaching, sure will watch when plays this season, but wasn't going to expose team to it until actually reinstated.

12:37 p.m.
Say on June 20 want to play for Packers? McCarthy said agreed with Favre both sides could have communicated better. Agreed to disagree. "Frankly, our last conversation was about both of us just taking the high road. It was a bad situation created" for both sides. No ill feelings toward Favre. Wish best in New York.

12:38 p.m.
How part ways, and take time to mend when does retire? McCarthy: Favre is a Green Bay Packer and wants to come back here. Talked about working in training camp after retires so can be part of it. Didn't want to do this to teammates anymore.

12:40 p.m.
Ability come into question -- and if not, why not put him on field? McCarthy: Never got to that point. "It was a never matter of whether Brett Favre can play. ... I'm very in tune to waht his level of play is." Wasn't a factor. McCarthy just never convinced Favre would play. Now, "he wants to play. He should play."

12:41 p.m.
Murphy said wasn't either side's fault, but relationship got to point where couldn't go forward.

12:42 p.m.
If told Favre could start, he would be QB, right? McCarthy says no, disagrees. Never got to that spot.

12:43 p.m.
What was plan if Favre did practice? Engaged in conversation, but isn't happening, so team doesn't need to hear about it. "Frankly, it's irrelevant now." Protecting football team.

12:44 p.m.
Thompson, McCarthy and Murphy talked about spot, decided Favre could compete for position. However, could not get past that.

12:44 p.m.
McCarthy: Players understand plan, abreast of everything that's going on. "It's a situation that will not occur."

12:45 p.m.
Thompson on Rodgers and fan perception: "This is a high-risk business. This is the National Football League. We understand that." All kinds of risks in league, life, but make decisions based on what feels is best for team.

12:46 p.m.
Questions from players and coaches to Favre ... McCarthy: Doesn't want to speak for players, but was pretty much same as what everyone wanted -- whether committed to Packers, what did reinstatement mean. "We were never able to go forward."

12:47 p.m.
Players agree with decision? McCarthy: Players are about playing football. Thinks they'd be fine with that.

12:48 p.m.
Organization wait longer on things like jersey retirement in future? Murphy: Obviously, jersey retirement not Sept. 8 -- will do in future. Will happen when know he's truly done. In future, would wait longer with other players.

12:49 p.m.
As man who traded Favre, what can all three do to avoid this being legacy? Thompson: Job is to win games, represent community, etc. "That's all you can do, is try to do your job and do it well." Murphy: "The focus is on the field."

12:50 p.m.
When Murphy went to Hattiesburg, why not see as trap? PR mistake? Murphy: "We have taken pride in this whole situation of being honest and fair and dealing with them openly. I went down there trying to help" both sides out of situation. Thought they were sincere in that being an option. As looks back, would do things differently.

And we're done. Lot to sift through. Check back later for more updates.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com