Brats & Beer

“There might be a different role”

It might represent the smallest market in the NFL, but the Green Bay Packers are acting like a savvy, big-city franchise in meeting the Brett Favre issue head on in the press. Ted Thompson yesterday talked to not only the Associated Press but also gave a series of interviews to the state and local media to get the organization’s side of the story out there. He might seem kind of slow on the draw, but TT obviously knows how to play this PR game.

In the course of these interviews, TT made the point that if Favre returned to the active roster he wouldn’t necessarily be the starter, but he wouldn’t say for sure what his position would be. “The scenery has changed … There might be a different role.” I guess that means there could be a competition between Favre and Aaron Rodgers for the starting spot, or maybe he’d have to compete with Brian Brohm for the backup role. (And Matt Flynn says, “Dang! I’ll never play now.”)

Mrs. BratsNBeerGuy, though, came up with an interesting idea last night: Why not make Brett the Packers mascot? I’m not suggesting here that Favre dress up in a foam-rubber suit or anything, he could just be himself in jeans and a t-shirt representing the team and getting the crowd excited. He could lead the team out of the tunnel before each game, roam the sidelines and rally the fans, make public appearances with the players.

It seems like it would be a win-win for everyone. TT could avoid the PR disaster of having to trade No. 4 to another team, and Brett would still be an important and active member of the Packers organization. It’d be like he was still on the team only he wouldn’t be on the field, except in between quarters when he’d entertain the crowd by rifling passes at lucky fans. (Catch one with your fingers intact and you win a free jersey!)