HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) -Brett the Jet? Make it happen, some New York fans insist.
With rumors swirling about Brett Favre and the Jets emerging as potential trade partners with Green Bay for the three-time MVP quarterback, fans let the team know how they felt at training camp Saturday.
"Get Brett!" yelled a boisterous Dre Kearney, 37, of Passaic, N.J.
Forget Chad Pennington, Kellen Clemens or any of the other quarterbacks the Jets have on their roster. Kearney and his buddy, Sean Gaddy, 39, also of Passaic, came to camp armed with a huge two-sided sign that clearly expressed their desire to see Favre in green and white.
"Chad We Love You. But We Need BRETT FAVRE. Jets Get Him" was plastered on one side, while a plea to owner Woody Johnson was on the other: "Woody Cut The Check. Make It Happen. Favre 4."
The sign - along with the two men's loud and sometimes obnoxious chants - caused some chuckles in the stands at Hofstra, but the Jets weren't laughing. After a few minutes, Kearney was asked by security to put the sign away.
"It's OK," Kearney said. "It was no disrespect to Chad. I love the guy, but we want Favre. They told me to take the signs out and that was no problem. As long as I got my point across."
He sure did, and Pennington fans weren't happy as several others in the sun-drenched crowd chanted for Favre.
"I want none of it," said Jimmy Cordero, 22, of Newark, N.J. "Favre doesn't fit our system. In the offseason, they built the team for a running game, so Favre doesn't fit this offense."
Cordero was wearing a green No. 10 Pennington jersey with a white T-shirt underneath that read "Team Chad" and included a photo of his favorite quarterback throwing a pass.
"I believe in him," Cordero said. "He was playing on two torn (ankle) ligaments last year and now he's healthy and playing behind a good offensive line. We don't need another quarterback."
Pennington still has plenty of support among Jets fans, with a number of his jerseys spotted in the stands and some yelling, "We love you, Chad!"
Speculation on a potential new home for Favre has centered on Tampa Bay, but the Jets also are reportedly in the mix. Favre, who retired after last season but now wants to play again, has said he wants to report for Packers camp. He needs to petition the NFL for reinstatement and get commissioner Roger Goodell's approval before he can practice.
Packers players were scheduled to move into their dorm rooms Saturday, and their first team meeting is scheduled for Sunday morning. Their first practice is Monday morning.
The Jets have been consistently tightlipped regarding the talks about Favre, saying any discussions with other teams are "an internal matter."
When asked if there was anything new he could report Saturday, coach Eric Mangini said simply: "Umm, no."
