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Favre denies wanting trade from Packers

KILN, Miss. -- Brett Favre will be in a Green Bay uniform this season and if things work out right, he plans to retire at some time in the future from an organization that he helped reclaim its glory with a 1996 Super Bowl title.

KILN, Miss. -- Brett Favre will be in a Green Bay uniform this season and if things work out right, he plans to retire at some time in the future from an organization that he helped reclaim its glory with a 1996 Super Bowl title.

Amid Internet reports that he wanted a trade before the recent NFL Draft, Favre called the Biloxi Sun Herald Monday and said he never made any statement concerning a trade.

The trade talk came after Favre voiced his displeasure of Randy Moss being traded to New England after the Packers failed to secure a deal with Oakland.

Then, the Packers used their first draft pick on Tennessee defensive tackle Justin Harrell.

"I did not say that, or anything else about a trade," Favre said.

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"Someone took something and made what they wanted to make out of it. If I wanted a trade, I would have forced the issue and got out. But it was never an issue.

"I am not going anywhere or playing for any other team. I am a Packer and want to retire as a Packer. Playing for anyone else but the Packers would not be right. The organization is first class and has been great to my family and me."

Favre spoke with Packers coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson early Monday after listening to news reports on Sunday. He admits it was a tough day when the reports surfaced.

"They understand that I am frustrated," he said. "They know I am loyal to the organization and I want to win. As far a trade, those (talks) did not happen. I am loyal to Green Bay. Mike and Ted both know that."

Favre had another issue he wanted to clear up concerning this weekend's mandatory mini camp. Although his current plans don't include the mini-camp, he has no hard feelings toward the organization about the potential Moss deal.

"They were going to have me sit out any way," he said. "To be honest, we have (daughter) Brittany graduating in two weeks. Instead of going up there and not doing anything, I will be better off being at home because of graduation parties and banquets.

"I am frustrated. But being frustrated and not going are not related."

As far as his frustration, Favre points out the team also lost running back Ahman Green, who signed a free agent contract with the Houston Texans.

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"No offense to the players on the team, but we need help," he said.

"Make no mistake, losing Ahman Green, who rushed for a 1,000 yards in six or seven straight years, is hard to replace. I'm sure the young guys will be fine, but it's hard to replace numbers like that. Somebody will have to step up.

"I said last year this was the most talented team I've played on, and I still think that way."

To make his case for experience, Favre pointed to the 1996 Super Bowl team that beat New England in New Orleans.

The championship team included free agents like Reggie White, Frank Winters, Keith Jackson and Andre Rison.

That's the quick fix Favre hoped for with Moss considering the Packers defense was solid during the last half of the 2006 season.

"People don't realize when we were at our peak and real good, the additions set us apart. We get Andre after Robert Brooks blows a knee out and he catches one of the biggest catches of my career (in the Super Bowl). He was a real good short-term fix.

"Ted and I have always gotten along. The last thing I will say is I know how to run a team. I've really never spoken my mind about certain things. The only time I did was with Javon (Walker). I still believe in my heart that you can't tear up a contract after one good year. If you did, every player would want a new contract. Like then, I felt I needed to speak my mind on Randy.

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"But that's all over and you can't kick a dead horse. I want to see what this team can do. I truly feel like we can be pretty good. If that means winning 10 games, time will tell."

-- Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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