I can't figure this Brett Favre guy out.

He's as confusing as the pronunciation of his last name.

For at least three years now we've gone through the Favre song and dance: "I will retire. Well, maybe I won't retire." Many times, though, all we got from the gunslinger was simple silence.

For a dude so decisive on the football field, so willing to throw caution (and the football) to the wind, it's perplexing that he can't make a simple decision and go with it.

On Friday, Favre officially asked for his release from the Green Bay Packers, a team with which he spent every meaningful season of his career. He wants to leave a place where he is considered royalty.

For what?

Because he feels jilted. Because he always knew he still wanted to play, but didn't want to do it in GreenBay.

Way back in the winter when Favre announced his retirement, it was dubious to me at best. I knew deep down he wouldn't stick to that stance. I knew he was going to play this season.

I just figured it would be with the Pack. The fact that he wants to play, but play somewhere else, speaks to Favre's mindset.

He doesn't believe the Packers really want him back. He doesn't believe the Green Bay management wants to do enough to ensure him one last blaze of glory.

Aw, Brett. We feel for ya, buddy. But, as the Rolling Stones once sang, "You can't always get what you want."

Of course, there may be other reason why Favre wants to come back. How should we know what's rattling around in that brain of his?

Here's some other possible reasons why Brett wants to play again:

• His tractor broke.

• He still has persistent heartburn lasting two or more days per week and Prilosec OTC doesn't pay nearly as well as he thought.

• John Madden, at a loss in coming up with another player to have a man-crush on, begged him to come back.

• He wants to pad his all-time NFL interception record.

It appears he will come back. But, Brett, you won't be released. Green Bay isn't crazy enough to do that.

If the Pack did cut Favre loose, never mind the public relations backlash that would cause — people will be using their cheese heads as lethal weapons — he could end up in Chicago or Minnesota and play against the Pack twice.

That would not go over well.

Favre's only chance to play elsewhere this season is if the Packers trade him. The odds of Green Bay getting a deal it likes for an aging quarterback who may or may not retire after every pre- or post-game meal is slim.

The only guy nuts enough to make a deal like that is Jon Gruden in Tampa Bay.

If Favre plays this season, it will be as a member of the Packers.

The truth is, the Packers still need Favre and Favre needs the Pack to want him. He should go back. If you try sometime, you just might find, Brett, you get what you need.