Former Detroit Lions coach Steve Mariucci says Brett Favre has earned the right to take his time deciding whether he wants to retire. Mariucci was Favre's position coach when Mariucci was with Green Bay from 1992-'95. On the NFL Network a few days ago, Mariucci was asked about Favre's intentions to play or retire. "He hasn't missed that many practices, for that matter, in the last 14 years," Mariucci said. "He has given so much to that city. I think he deserves to be able to take his time and decipher what he and his family, Deanna and the girls, want to do. I think if he chooses to play again, he's going to carry that team on his back like he has done over the years. He loves doing that. He's such a competitor. He loves that city so much. "Doing without (Favre) won't be easy. If he chooses not to play, it will be relatively soon because he cares about that organization and their ability to be able to make some plans without him."