Welcome to Saturday Scorecard, coming to you today from the center of the sports universe...

It seems that way, doesn't it?

Every time you turn on ESPN, the talking heads are pontificating about Wisconsin. It's either Brett Favre's uncertain future, CC Sabathia's new address, Corey Hart's all-star berth and beer shower or the Bucks' new forward...

What is traditionally a sleepy time in the sports world has turned into non-stop media feeding frenzy.

It's our duty to contribute to the madness, so here are the notes:

Setting the scene: The Favre fiasco took an ugly turn Friday. While ESPN's Chris Mortensen broke the story and Foxsports.com's Jay Glazer provided juicy details while local editors and news directors scrambled to follow the news and kicked themselves for not dispatching reporters to Hattiesburg, Miss., (where Favre is working out) and Lake Tahoe (where Aaron Rodgers is playing golf).

Here is what has been reported in various places:

In early March, the Packers need an answer from Favre: will you or won't you be back?

Favre retired.

A few weeks later, Favre began to regret the decision and told the Packers he wanted to come back. General manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy were open to the idea. They chartered a plane for a face-to-face meeting in Mississippi that was supposed to seal the deal. Two days before that meeting, Favre flip-flopped again, canceling the meeting and his comeback.

The Packers went ahead, crafted an off-season plan around Aaron Rodgers, and drafted quarterbacks Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn.

A few weeks ago, Favre changed his mind again...

Management got mad, because they had traveled too far down the post-Favre road to turn around. Given how he played last season and all he has done for the franchise, Favre was miffed that they didn't immediately welcome him back.

After an awkward series of leaked stories on both sides and a final conference call Tuesday, Favre had agent Bus Cook draft a letter asking for his release and leaked it to Mortensen. The Packers, it appear, won't give Favre his release. They'd rather welcome him back -- as Rodgers' backup -- or bring him back so they can trade him to another team, which would serve the dual purpose of giving them some compensation and prevent him from going where he wants to go (like Minnesota or Chicago).

Through all the manipulative machinations, most fans don't know whom to root for. Favre's retirement was a crushing blow, but most fans had recovered and put faith in Rodgers. The idea of Favre playing for another team remains almost unthinkable, but it might end up happening unless something radical happens.

Radical solution: Through the ups and downs of the past few weeks, Packers fans have asked each other "Which quarteback gives us the best chance to win: Favre or Rodgers?"

There may be a more important question: Which quarterback has the higher trade value?

Favre, 38, is going to play one or two more years at a very high salary. Rodgers, 24, who is rested and ready after several years as a backup, could play another 10 to 15 years if he can stay healthy.

Since the Packers probably could get more players / draft picks for Rodgers than Favre, we suggest the following three-step course of action.

1. Mend fences with Favre. Welcome him back to Green Bay, but only if he agrees to play two more seasons.

2. Trade Rodgers to the highest bidder.

3. Groom Brohm to be the quarterback of the future. Let him study film, run the second team and take pre-season snaps until he's ready.

It's a radical idea. It probably won't happen. But, it's an interesting option.

Bad timing: The local pro sports teams try not "step on" each other's announcements. The Bucks were trumped twice in the past week. They introduced Richard Jefferson on the same day the Brewers got Sabathia. Then, they flew Andrew Bogut in from Australia to announce his $60 million contract extension on the same day that the Favre story went into hyperdrive.

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6 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by bozack33 on July 14, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (report)

THe only problem with your plan for Rodgers is how many Quaterbacks really play for 10-15 years. I think we've been spoiled by having the same guy since 1992. The odds of Rodgers being the Packers QB longer than 5 years is very slim. Nothing against him, its just that the #'s game in the NFL. There are not too many Mannings or Favre's in this league when it comes to longevity.

Posted by Dusty_Bottoms on July 14, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. (report)

Great plan, Drew. And yes, it will probably never happen. But it might, TT is all about what's best for the team after all. And to respond to mrjohn's post Championships may (and do) matter, but theyre not necessarily an accurate barometer of the skills of a QB. One (championship) for 16 (seasons) is still a better championship record than Fouts, Marino, Moon, Esiason, Tarkenton, Everett or Jim Kelly had, never mind Don Majkowski, Lynn Dickey, Randy Wright, Blair Kiel, Jerry Tagge, David Whitehurst or any number of former Packer QBs. Nothing against Starr, of course, he was one of the all-time greats, but he had the advantage of playing under Lombardi, and in a different era (with less than half as many teams in the league), so it's difficult to compare. I'm not saying Favre should be welcomed back with open arms, mind you, but I don't think you can argue with his legacy. A lot more than just the QB goes into winning a championship.

Posted by mrjohn on July 13, 2008 at 1:55 a.m. (report)

We focus on his records - consecutive games played, touchdown passes, etc - yet it all comes down to one thing: CHAMPIONSHIPS. Brett has given us 1 Super Bowl in his 15 years of service. He was part of the losing Super Bowl XXXII team. He lost the game for us against the Giants last season. Yet we still embrace him. Give me Bart Starr any day over Brett. Why?? Because he took us all the way. It's been over 10 years since the Pack won the bowl.. I think Brett's had his chance to show us he can win another Super Bowl.

Posted by yinger73 on July 12, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (report)

I like Drew's idea for the Packers. In fact it makes so much sense it's never going to happen.

Posted by Sofine57 on July 12, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (report)

I absolutely love this plan. I want Favre back because he will be the best player on the field. The Packers do not owe Aaron Rodgers anything and quite frankly I think Brohm IS the QB of the future for the Pack! Get Favre back and lets win some games!!!