FanHouse MarkMurphy

If you're wondering how hard the battle lines are going to be drawn in the coming CBA negotiations between the NFL and its players, union, look no further than this spin-heavy news item. The Green Bay Packers released financial information that shows a $20.1 million profit for the fiscal year that ended March 31, and Packers CEO Mark Murphy used the occasion to cry poverty.

Players union head DeMaurice Smith has called on NFL owners to release audited financial statements to support their claim that they're struggling financially. The owners have so far refused, but the Packers, as a publicly owned franchise, are the one franchise that has no choice in the matter. Their financial information shows an increase in total revenue from $241 million to $247.9 million.

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Now that the drama between Brett Favre and the Packers is over, let's take one last reflective look at the past few months, the unprecedented enormity of it all, and how we arrived at this place.

Done?

Good, now: let it go. The past is the past. It's time to look to the future. Everybody will be keeping tabs on the goings-on in Green Bay and East Rutherford this year, whether out of allegiance, curiosity, or thirst for waging your dollars on the uncontrollable actions of others.

Bodog's got a whole new set of action if there's no limit to your gambling pursuits. Some highlights:

• Over/Under, Favre's touchdowns: 25.5
• Over/Under, Favre's interceptions: 15.5
• Over/Under, Jets wins: 8 (-155)
• Over/Under, Packers wins: 8 (-135)
• Odds that Mike McCarthy, Ted Thompson, or Mark Murphy will lose their jobs before the 2009 season: 3/2 (one of them), 9/4 (two of them), 5/1 (three of them), 6/5 (none of them)

Keep in mind, this stuff isn't determined with probability in mind, only what will draw the most bettors. That being said, I'm taking under, over, under, push, and banking on all three of those guys keeping their jobs. Degenerate gamblers, weigh in!

Despite going to Notre Dame, Jerome Bettis seems like a smart fellow. Which is why it's sorta interesting to hear his thoughts on the most recent development in the STORY THAT REFUSES TO DIE: BRETT FAVRE AND HIS QUEST TO RUIN AARON RODGERS' LIFE.

So, last we heard, Favre had faxed his "I'M BACK!!!" papers to NFL headquarters, and Packers president Mark Murphy flew to Mississippi to beg Favre not to report to training camp. (As an aside: no way this is a distraction to the team's hopes of returning to the playoffs.)

And now, Bettis, appearing on Dan Patrick's radio show, offers his two cents on what the Packers brain trust should be doing.