Michael Ventre

Somewhere in a corporate boardroom, or perhaps over bone-in ribeyes and martinis in some secluded red-leather booth, or maybe even in a steam bath, a plot was hatched to keep a candidate in control. But these were not seasoned politicos intent on maintaining a grip on power and wealth at the highest levels of government and industry. Instead, they were an informal network of cronies and kin putting the word out about their man with stealthy precision and ingenious sincerity.

Vote for Brett Favre.

I don’t mean vote for him for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Candidates for that august institution have to wait five years after retirement before becoming eligible, and at this rate we won’t be sure he’ll be on a ballot until probably around 2028.

No, I refer to voting because what Favre and his supporters are up to is basically a grass-roots, word-of-mouth political campaign, which will culminate in some formal announcement only when the waters have been tested by surrogates.

Politicians do this all the time. But perhaps because they’re so adept at masking their bloodlust, it doesn’t seem so objectionable. If Barack Obama or John McCain want to get a message out, but don’t want to be excoriated for it, they let their minions do it and take the heat as the candidates themselves remain forthright while maintaining the illusion of fair play.

Favre is doing this, only his opponents seem to be anyone who isn’t craving his return to the NFL. They are, in no particular order, the Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers, some of his teammates, some of his fans, many in the media and perhaps even some family members who have chosen not to stump for him.

When Favre announced his retirement back in early March, I said he was making a mistake, that he would get the urge to play again right about now. I just didn’t think he’d go all Karl Rove on us. He seems to be doing everything except forming a group called the Swift Boat Veterans for Better Quarterback Play.

I would say this is beneath him, but maybe not. Maybe this is the real Favre. The guy in the Wrangler jeans playing touch football with a bunch of buddies is the slick Madison Avenue result of staying on message: Favre is just a regular guy. But perhaps behind that image is a Machiavellian mind that wants what it wants, and will do whatever it takes to get it.

Packers trade Favre to Jets Opinion: Favre bigger than Jeter, A-Rod in NYC Curran: Brett in Big Apple? Let fun begin! Ask the Expert: Is Favre too old at age 38? Opinion: History tells us this just won't fly Favre to make big splash  |  No, he won't Timeline of events leading up to trade Vote: How will Jets fare with Favre? Vote: Jets or Packers to go further in 08? Fantasy impact: Don't expect big numbers Opinion: Packers' actions are pure insanity   Slide show: A record-breaking career

Officially, Favre has indicated that reports of a comeback are “all rumors.” He sent a text message to a Mississippi newspaper stating as much. Meanwhile, his brother was quoted as saying the chances of Favre returning are 50-50, and his mother played the violin by lamenting how the Packers don’t seem to want her boy back, failing to note the club still has vertigo from enduring all of Favre’s career flip-flops.

He has reportedly been seen working out near his Mississippi home and is said to have had discussions with Packers coach Mike McCarthy recently about coming back.

If Favre truly wanted to put the kibosh on all this, he would call a news conference and reiterate his desire to retire. Instead, he sent a tepid text to one small paper in Mississippi. If Favre wanted to end speculation for good, he would tell family members not to do any more interviews, and he’d take up yoga instead of throwing footballs around.

But that’s not Favre. He seems to be crafting his talking points carefully, then getting others to say them. He hasn’t stepped up in the pocket and delivered. He’s handing off instead.

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