Ted Thompson miscalculated

General Manager Ted Thompson of the Green Bay Packers has really dug himself a hole. A hole that right now appears to be a mile deep and dropping fast.

When Brett Favre started talking and thinking and talking and thinking about UN-retiring, Thompson gambled that he would stay retired, making it clear that the time had moved past the Favre era and was now entering the Rodgers era; albeit, an era that is unproven and inexperienced. Thompson figured that by refusing to give Favre his outright release and playing the "We are protecting your image by keeping you on the sidelines" intimidation, it would force Favre to stay put; at home, in Mississippi drinking cold tall ones.

What he did not expect was for the future hall of famer to call him out, which is exactly what Favre did on the Greta Van Susteren show on Fox News. Favre came very close to calling Thompson a outright liar. What a mess we have in Green Bay.

Let us step back to the end of last season for a moment, Favre was going to take his yearly sabbatical and weigh his options, all the while he wanted and needed the team to let him know if he was still wanted in Title Town USA; Thompson really did not want him and made sure Favre knew it by limiting his contact with him. A player of Favre's stature deserves to hear from the GM and Thompson considered it beneath him to ask Favre to stay, frankly he was counting on Favre retiring so he could move with Rodgers, his personal pick.

Favre retired, in a tearful farewell he was all nicey to Thompson, McCarthy and the Packers, all the while po'd to no end for getting what he considered to be the boot. After a few months, Favre toyed with the idea of returning and in early July decided he definitely wanted to play. Problem now is Thompson gambled on telling Favre to stay away, he would ruin his image if he attempted to return. Miscalculation.

Favre informed the team that he either wanted his helmet or his release. Keep in mind, he was not demanding a release, just that if you are not going to use me then let me go where I can be of use. Thompson refused.

So, here we are today. Favre can force Thompson's hand by petitioning the Commissioner for reinstatement, a formality, and show up at training camp. Talk about a bold move!

I would not put it past Favre to do exactly that, force the Packers to put him on the roster or trade him.

Either way, the public relations disaster on this is immeasurable for the team and Thompson is walking around with egg on his face. A complete miscalculation that has come back home to roost on Thompson's shoulder......now the fun begins!