OPINION

By Mike Florio

updated 10:45 a.m. ET July 15, 2008

Brett Favre comes off as the consummate good ol' boy. With a face that rarely sees a razor, a scalp that never will see a drop of Grecian Formula and a wardrobe that consists primarily (if not exclusively) of T-shirts, ballcaps and flip-flops, Favre seems like the guy who just rolled out of bed.

It's always the same routine, regardless of whether Favre is showing up for practice, a press conference or an audience with the Pope.

But it now appears that this image is the product of calculation, not carelessness, and that Favre is far more obsessed about how he is perceived than his public persona would suggest. Here's the evidence:

1. Where's Favre?
Since word broke two weeks ago of Favre's "itch" to play football again, Favre has been, for the most part, quiet. Nevertheless, his message was delivered.

Via well-placed media leaks, an agent who isn't bashful about exercising his jawbone and family members with, presumably, inside access to the official Favre talking points, we've heard plenty.

So why haven't we seen Favre?

Though his silence was broken in a Fox News Channel interview Monday night, Favre was speaking only because his efforts to pull strings from above have been unsuccessful.

Really, if Favre truly is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get type of guy, why didn't he simply leave a long voice message for ESPN's Chris Mortensen explaining the basis for his desire to be released, just as he did when word broke of his retirement in March?

2. The denials
When asked point blank July 2 about a report that Favre had called Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy and expressed an interest in playing football again, Favre said "it's all rumor" and that there's "no reason for it."

In April, Favre dismissed rumors that his agent was talking to other teams about trade interest, even though the Packers' version of a timeline indicates that Favre was seriously pondering a return in late March.

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

"That's the last thing I'm thinking about," Favre told SI.com's Peter King at that time.

This is where Favre's engineered image works against him. For the guy we see on Sundays in the fall, nuances or semantics or strategic justifications for being less than honest don't fit. Instead, in the eyes of Favre the football player, there's the truth and there's not the truth.

Favre the football player would size up this situation by saying the guy who said "it's all rumor" and there's "no reason for it" and "that's the last thing I'm thinking about" is a liar.

3. The continuous waffling
Favre launched the cottage industry regarding his playing status in 2002, when he mused about retirement to King. Since, the question of whether Favre would quit has become a fixture of the NFL offseason. (And, for those of us who strive to find things to talk about in the slow times of summer, we are grateful.)

Most players, however, keep thoughts regarding the end of their careers private and simply walk away when the right time comes. Though plenty of guys don't get the chance to leave the game on their own terms, those who do rarely spend years talking about it before doing it -- and even fewer come back before they miss a preseason game.

So, either Favre is a brooding Shakespearean figure tormented by his own inability to make a decision or he just likes to be the center of attention.

After years of careful consideration, I choose the latter.

4. He thinks the rules don't apply to him
We've seen several players over the past few years who believe they somehow are exempt from the rules of the football industry.

Video   NFL QBs discuss Favre rumors July 11: Tony Romo, Carson Palmer and John Elway share their thoughts on rumors of Brett Favre returning to the NFL in 2008. NBC Sports

Whether it's Terrell Owens or Jake Plummer or Chad Johnson, each learned that certain business realities prevent them from doing what they want to do, when they want to do it.

Owens learned that a player under contract simply can't create a major disruption to force his team to cut him in a fit of exasperation. Sure, Owens eventually got his wish for a release from the Eagles -- but only after it cost him several game checks and a big chunk of bonus money.

Plummer learned that a player can't pocket a big signing bonus and retire after being traded to a team for which he doesn't want to play. Though Plummer wasn't forced to play for the Buccaneers after they acquired his contract from the Broncos, he ultimately had to pay them. A lot of money.

Johnson learned that a player can't fire his team, no matter how bad he wants it or how loudly he cries for it. When a player is under contract, the team owns the rights to the player. Period.

Despite these realities, Favre wants Packers GM Ted Thompson to tear up the last two seasons of his contract and allow him to become a free agent.

Slide show Fabulous Favre Top moments from quarterback’s record-breaking career.

Plenty of players would love to do the same thing, especially with the salary cap creeping toward $120 million per team. But the rules don't contain exceptions for players who have broken NFL records or played in 253 consecutive games (275 counting playoff games) or received incessant praise from guys like John Madden.

When it comes to his contract, Favre is no different than any other player. His decision to seek his release from the Packers and his belief he is entitled to it, suggests that he believes he is different.

Favre's statements in 2005 when ex-teammate Javon Walker held out in a contract dispute made it clear that Favre believes a player should honor his contract. If Favre doesn't think this concept applies to him, then he must think he is above the rules.

So there you have it -- proof of a major disconnect between the Favre we see running around the field (except when it's really, really cold at Lambeau Field) and the look-at-me diva who cares far more about his image than his public persona would indicate.

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