Brett Favre has been taking a beating, publicly, over the last few days. Some deserved, some not.  His current teammates, on the New York Jets, have relayed their thoughts regarding the sure first ballot hall of famer;
Thomas Jones, the most recent outspoken member of the Jets, spoke on HOT 97 FM in New York for himself and, according to Jones’ own words, his teammates, “At the same time, you can’t turn the ball over and expect to win.  The other day, the 3 interceptions really hurt us.  You don’t like it.  I didn’t like it and I know everybody else on the team don’t like it but all you can do it fight (through it).”
Another Jets player stated, “There was a lot of resentment in the room about him”.
Yet another anonymous Jets player proclaimed, “He never socialized with us, never went to dinner with anyone”, Favre was also described as being “distant”.
Kerry Rhodes, right after the season ended talked about the possibility of a Favre return to the Jets, “If he’s dedicated and he wants to come back and this and do it the right way…. And be here when we’re here in training camp and the minicamps and working out with us…. Then I’m with it.  But don’t come back if it’s going to be half-hearted or he doesn’t want to put the time in with us.”
Another Jet declared, “Eric (Mangini) wasn’t the reason we didn’t make the playoffs”, insinuating that Favre was the reason the Jets will be watching the NFL post-season this weekend rather than playing.

What was merely “Brett being Brett” in Green Bay is looked at as a lack of leadership and a disconnect for being a true teammate in New York.  In Green Bay, Brett sat in Red Batty’s (equipment manager) office and away from his teammates in the same way he secluded himself from his Jets comrades. Brett never went to dinner, in the waning years, with any of his Packers teammates, Brett doesn’t make it a point to buy his linemen watches or presents for their performance.  Brett didn’t go out of his way to be any kind of a teammate in the lockerroom.  In fairness, there were the rare instances where he’d pick up a phone and call guys like Koren Robinson or someone who was in a certain type of personal crisis to show them his support.  But, in the day to day workings of an NFL team, Brett was never the leader he was made out to be.  Brett’s the ultimate competitor, and that’s what has made him great, but he’s not the ultimate TEAM player.  There’s a difference.

Now, let me say this, I truly believe it’s wrong for his teammates to call Brett out in the media like this.  Even though I am a part of the dreaded media, I believe that there are some things that should remain behind closed doors.  I understand frustration and the heat of the moment but it’s been days since the Jets have faltered away their season and these comments are coming fast and furious now.  It seems after one Jet opened the crevice, the rest have taken the opportunity to air their grievances as well.  These are the same whispers that I’ve describe, in a less abrasive manner, to you over the last 10 months.

When so many of you tried to convince me that Brett’s presence and leadership would have made a difference in this season, these are the things that I’ve been trying to tell you.  While Brett leads by example, it’s when his example isn’t positive that it doesn’t matter and can actually be a detriment.  He’s not the lockerroom wizard that you believe the plaque should read on the mythic pedestal he’s been placed upon here in the state of Wisconsin.  He’s a great quarterback and a sure first ballot hall of famer but he’s got an ugly side that, for years and for whatever reason, many seemed to ignore.

This doesn’t excuse the saga that we all were put through last year but it certainly sheds a light on just one of the reasons that Ted Thompson wanted to jettison the aging and unsure QB.

If you take the comments from the Jets players on their face, it certainly explains a lot;   Brett’s indecision regarding retirement, the need for the saga and spotlight, the rambling Greta Van Susteren interview, Mike McCarthy’s insistence that Brett wasn’t fully “on board” with the playing for the Packers and “all in”.

I know this won’t squelch the “Favre excuse makers” but I’m sure it makes them think twice regarding their staunch position regarding #4.