Favre no closer to Green Bay

In unmistakable ways yesterday, the Green Bay Packers sent the message at their shareholders meeting that Brett Favre is loved but the team is ready to start the 2008 season without him. As 9,375 shareholders filed into sunny Lambeau Field for the annual ritual, they were greeted by video highlights from the team's 13-3 season a year ago, with the voiceover intoning solemnly, "One of the greatest players will be missed, but not forgotten." Later, clips from Favre's tearful March 6 retirement news conference were replayed. Inside the Atrium, a huge banner with a picture of Favre, his arms aloft in triumph, hung from the ceiling. It said: "Thanks 4 the Memories. 1992-2007." In his remarks to the faithful and to reporters afterward, Mark Murphy, the team's president, got right to the point. "Brett has meant so much to the... [read full story]