http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2408991
Packers delay Favre's roster bonus deadline again
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
Though it is no surprise, Packers quarterback Brett Favre will have more time to decide his future.
Favre and the Packers agreed to push back the April 15 trigger date for his $3 million roster bonus in September, according to his agent, Bus Cook. The due date for Brett Favre's $3 million roster bonus -- originally scheduled last month -- has been moved to July 27, The Associated Press reported.
This marks the fourth time the date has been delayed.
Favre remains undecided about his future. Cook says he can't read which way Favre is leaning.
On Saturday, Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy was a guest on The Huddle on ESPN Radio and addressed the Favre situation.
When asked if Favre was holding the Packers hostage, McCarthy replied: "I don't think so. In any situation, you can only go by direct communication. Me and [Packers general manager] Ted Thompson have had constant communication with Brett through this process, and I've always felt like he was going to play.
"Our conversations have been positive, we've addressed the issues he had concerns with, and I could be wrong but I've always felt from the time I talked to him in Mississippi that he's going to come back."
Since the team ended its season with a 4-12 record, Favre has repeatedly said he has not decided whether to return for a 15th season with the Packers. He gave the same message at his charity golf tournament in Mississippi last weekend.
Favre has questioned whether the team has been improved significantly and would be better next season.
"I guess, ultimately, it comes down to just whether or not you want to play and run the risk of being 4-12 again," Favre said last weekend.
Thompson said Thursday that the bonus due date -- which already had been moved back three times, most recently to Saturday -- was a non-issue.
"There really is no deadline," he said.
Favre would have to be on the Packers' roster on the due date to qualify for the bonus.
Thompson and McCarthy said previously that they'd like a decision from Favre as soon as possible but have not criticized him for taking so long to make up his mind.
"He's been honest throughout the whole process, and Ted and I both are comfortable," McCarthy said Thursday.
On Saturday, McCarthy repeated those same sentiments.
"To play this game you have to be all in, and nobody shows that in his play more than Brett Favre," McCarthy said. "I think we're all in agreement that if he comes back then he's definitely all in. If he needs a little more time to decide whether he's going to make that mental commitment then I think he's more than earned that."
Favre has led the Packers to six division crowns, restoring success to one of the NFL's most famous franchises. The Packers won the 1997 Super Bowl in New Orleans, a 35-21 victory over New England, returning the Lombardi Trophy to Green Bay for the first time in 29 years.
Last year, he threw a career-high 29 interceptions and failed to throw for more than 20 touchdowns for only the second time since 1993, and the Packers finished 4-12 for their first losing season since he joined the team in 1992.
April 8th
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