Favre ponders retiring, again



The quarterback has started to wonder aloud whether he will return to play next season.
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Brett Favre remains supremely confident in his right arm. He isn't beaten up too badly for a 15-year veteran, and he says he still loves football.
So why, then, is there a chance that the Green Bay Packers' game against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night might be Favre's finale at Lambeau Field?
"People say, 'It still looks like you're having fun,"' Favre said. "The games themselves are fun and winning is fun."
Meetings not the same
But the meetings and practices aren't as fun, especially when they don't produce as many victories as they used to. Now, once again, Favre must figure out whether it's all worth it.
Like snowmobiling and ice fishing, Favre's flirtation with retirement is becoming an annual rite of winter in Wisconsin. About this time for the past few years, Favre has started to wonder aloud whether he will return to play next season. And every time, he talks himself into coming back.
Will this year be any different?
Favre said he hasn't decided anything about next season, but also hasn't put too much thought into making what could be his final appearance at Lambeau.
"It very well could be, but I haven't made that decision yet," Favre said. "I think I've treated every game that I've ever played here like it was the last. So play as hard as you can and soak it all in, like I've always done."
Favre, who passed Dan Marino to become the NFL's all-time leader in completions in a 17-9 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday, generally has played more conservatively under first-year coach Mike McCarthy. He has thrown just 17 touchdowns, but has only 15 interceptions.
Not satisfied
Favre made the Pro Bowl as an alternate. And at 6-8, the Packers still have slight playoff hopes. But Favre isn't satisfied with the way he played.
"You throw 30-plus touchdowns a year, you kind of get used to doing that," Favre said. "Then all of a sudden, you struggle to throw a touchdown pass and you start wondering, is it me? Is it the system? Is it the guys around you? And I've always pointed more at myself."
But Favre said leaving the game that beats the alternative: Hanging on too long.
Favre dragged his feet well into late April before finally deciding to return this season. And while Favre jokes about the drawn-out nature of his decision, he knows the team wants to know sooner.
"I love this game. I really do," Favre said. "But there's factors that go into it, and I have to sort through that quickly, in fairness to my family, myself and to this team."
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