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NY Giants Fans "The Catch Hat" Help Support Cystic Fibrosis

"The Catch Hat" is endorsed by NY Giant # 85 David Tyree. After making this remarkable catch we wanted a way to share it with our fans. www.thecatchhat. com TheGreen Bay Packers have the Cheese Head NOW The New York / New Jersey Giants have "The Catch Hat."

Favre's gone for good, but Packers fans shouldn't panic

Now that Brett Favre is a New York Jet and Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson is the most scrutinized executive in the NFL, let's get one thing straight: The Packers will be fine. You can talk all you want about how much better the Packers would've been with Favre. You can point out the mistakes Thompson made in handling the longest-running soap opera in recent league history. What you can't do, however, is make a case for the Packers falling apart now that old No. 4 is working in the Big Apple. That one just doesn't fly. For those people who want to point to all the things Favre has accomplished in his glorious 17-year career, I will steer you to some of the feats Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy have pulled off in their brief tenure in Green Bay. They put the league's youngest team on the field last season and watched it win 13 games and an NFC North title. [+] EnlargeJonathan Daniel/Getty Images Coach Mike McCarthy (pictured) and GM Ted Thompson have built a solid foundation in Green Bay. They've rid themselves of aging, expensive veterans and filled their roster with young playmakers, 40 of whom Thompson acquired since becoming general manager in 2005. And for those who pay attention to the bottom line, the Packers are still $30 million under the cap. Those are the kinds of facts that don't get mentioned in the media or by fans because they're not as sexy as the fate of a miffed 38-year-old quarterback who's headed for the Hall of Fame. But trust me, they matter far more than most people realize. Those facts mean that Thompson and McCarthy have been quite proficient at their jobs since showing up in Green Bay. They also mean that skeptical Packers fans should be excited about a team that clearly has been built to last. In fact, all the Favre supporters who castigated Thompson over the past month need to finally realize how much Favre contributed to this controversy in the first place. Favre was the one who chose to retire back in March. He's also the one who said he wanted to return to the Packers a few weeks later, only to tell them he didn't want to come back after all. While I'm on the subject, he's also the same guy who kept this controversy stewing for so long because he wanted to get his way and manipulate the public into believing he was still a star worth loving. If this past month should've told us anything about Favre, it's that we now understand why Thompson and McCarthy got fed up with the guy in the first place. Favre simply couldn't commit to their plan, either because he didn't feel loved enough or because Thompson wasn't willing to sign Randy Moss, hire Steve Mariucci and kiss Favre's ring all in the same motion. If you want more proof of how maddening it had to be to deal with Favre, just consider how he handled that reported 10-year, $20 million offer the Packers gave him to stay retired. Last week he supposedly was considering it, then a couple of days ago he was criticizing Green Bay for trying to buy him off. I'm not making this stuff up, folks. These are actual facts that can be checked simply by clicking on Google. They're also an indication of how confused and conflicted Favre had been this entire offseason. For those who don't know, NFL teams can't afford to deal with the confused and conflicted. They need players who are on the same page from day one, and that belief is exactly what fueled the stubbornness of Thompson and McCarthy. They had a plan in place, and they believed in it. They also gave Favre a chance to be part of that plan. But Favre apparently couldn't accept working with a general manager he didn't like and a team that was ready to move on without him. That's fine. He gets to play football again -- with a mediocre team that is about to get kicked around the AFC for another season -- and the Packers get to move forward with a squad that should make another run at the Super Bowl. And please don't tell me how much pressure is on Aaron Rodgers, Favre's successor. If anything, he should have more confidence now that Favre has been shuttled out of town because Rodgers is the best quarterback on the current roster. I'd also give Thompson credit for his ability to find talent. He has built a nice supporting cast for Rodgers because he's been able to pluck playmakers off the free-agent market and out of the draft. In case you forgot, running back Ryan Grant was mired at the bottom of the New York Giants' depth chart before Thompson traded for him and set him loose on opposing defenses. These are the kind of accomplishments Packers fans -- along with anybody else who has followed this story -- need to focus on now. There was going to come a day when Favre's career ended in Green Bay, and it just so happened that such a day came twice in the same year. But the game of football doesn't stop moving forward for anybody. Not even for a man with

Is the Favre coming to NY going to be to big of a deal?

meet the mayor? whats next key to the city?

Memo to Jets fans: Don't expect ultimate payoff with Favre

Barring a miracle voting push for Raiders great Ken Stabler, Brett Favre will be the next quarterback selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame four years after he officially retires. That would make him the 24th modern-era quarterback to go into the Hall. The trade to the New York Jets won't tarnish his Packers legacy. Favre's a first-ballot Hall of Famer, end of story. The potentially sad part of the Favre story is the odds are against his leaving the league on a high note, considering that all-time greats like Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath and Warren Moon all failed to duplicate previous success after switching teams late in their careers. The best-case scenario for Favre is going out like Joe Montana, a tenacious leader who added more credibility to the Kansas City Chiefs but didn't leave with a Super Bowl ring. [+] EnlargeAl Pereira/Getty Images Brett Favre's move to the Jets is similar to the path taken by Hall of Famer Joe Montana in the 1990s. First of all, it's rare for a Hall of Fame quarterback to finish on another team. John Elway, Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, Troy Aikman, Steve Young, Roger Staubach, Dan Fouts, Terry Bradshaw, Bob Griese, Bart Starr and Len Dawson all retired with the teams that made them famous, having reasonably clean endings to their great careers. Naturally, like Favre, it was hard for them to surrender to age. But the move to a new team for a quarterback in his late 30s is like a banker trying to open a new shop with devalued currency. Last week, I spent a few days at Chiefs training camp. While Favre was batting Packers management, I reminisced about the two years Montana played for Kansas City. The circumstances had an eerie similarity to the Favre situation. Heading into the 1993 season, the 49ers were ready to make the permanent move to Young at quarterback. Montana was 37 and had missed 15 games the previous season because of a bursa sac problem in his elbow. Young was 32 and coming off two seasons in which he was the league's top-rated quarterback. 49ers management wanted Montana to compete against Young, but Montana sensed the outcome. He sensed the 49ers were willing to move on. Like Favre, Montana didn't want to enter a competition he could lose. Hall of Fame quarterbacks are used to winning. The Arizona Cardinals and Chiefs were the two teams bidding the hardest for Montana. He ended up going to the Chiefs for a first-round pick and safety David Whitmore. Unlike the Jets, who are trying to bounce back after a horrible 2007 season, the Chiefs were a perennial playoff team usually frustrated by first-round playoff losses. Quizzing many of the Chiefs' front-office holdovers from the Montana trade, no one had any regrets about the experience. In his two seasons with the Chiefs, Montana fought injuries and missed games. His stats were modest. The Chiefs' points per game went down slightly with Montana as their quarterback. Change Of Scenery Brett Favre isn't the first prominent quarterback to change teams late in his career. Here are some others. ZOOM gallery What validated the trade for GM Carl Peterson and the Chiefs was how Montana put together a little of the old magic in the 1993 playoffs. Montana beat the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Oilers in tight games before losing to the Bills and Jim Kelly in the AFC title game. The next year, the Chiefs made the playoffs as a wild-card team at 9-7 and lost in the first round to the Dolphins and Dan Marino. That's the problem facing Favre with the Jets. Keeping Favre in Green Bay, with the same system in which he has played for 16 years, could have translated into a division title and a possible trip to the NFC Championship Game with home-field advantage for the Packers. But an aging Hall of Fame quarterback who moves to a new home this late usually translates into a wild-card spot and an uphill battle in the playoffs. Of course, if Aaron Rodgers is only able to take the Packers into the wild-card round and allows the Vikings to take command of the NFC North, Packers brass will be severely criticized for not keeping Favre. Schedule and quarterback play are the keys to success in modern-day football. Continuity in offense is also important. That's why Favre's move to the AFC should come with limited expectations. With the Chiefs, Montana had to go up against Marino, Kelly, Elway and an aging Moon in Houston. Favre has to fend for himself on a new AFC team going against Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers and Carson Palmer, and Favre has to do it in a division that is dominated by the Patriots. A Hall of Fame quarterback can be the wild card that turns a good franchise into a dynasty. Favre did that in Green Bay and might have been able to squeeze out another title had the Packers let him return. As Montana proved in Kansas City, it's a long shot for an aging Hall of Fame quarterb

New York mayor introduces Favre at City Hall

NEW YORK -- Cameras flashed by the dozens, and a wide-eyed Brett Favre took his first steps into the New York spotlight. "Just like home," the Jets' newest quarterback said Friday with a deep breath and a sheepish grin. Get used to it, Brett. This is only the beginning. "Time will tell, but I don't want to say, 'Be patient,' " Favre said Friday at a City Hall news conference. "I have to get a lot done in a short amount of time. They wouldn't have signed me if they didn't think I could do that." Having won three MVPs and led two Green Bay teams to the Super Bowl, Favre is more than just a country boy from Mississippi. But even he seemed a little awed by his welcome to jaded New York. Mayor Michael Bloomberg greeted him, showering the star quarterback with a number of gifts -- including some cheesecakes -- designed to help with his transition. "The legendary No. 4 has now become Jet Favre," Bloomberg said, "and we're delighted to welcome him to City Hall." The Jets acquired the recently unretired Favre from the Packers for a conditional draft pick late Wednesday night. He was with the team for its preseason-opening victory at Cleveland, flew into town early Friday morning and quickly popped in for his City Hall visit. The Hall of Famer-in-waiting is expected to practice with his new teammates for the first time Saturday. He was headed to the team's facility later Friday, where he would take a conditioning test, join in team meetings and get better acquainted with his new teammates. No. 4 in your program, No. 1 in sales In the first 24 hours after Brett Favre's trade to the Jets was announced, more than 6,500 Favre jerseys for his new team were ordered on NFL.com. According to an NFL spokesman, this isn't just an unprecedented level of sales for a single player -- it breaks the single-day sales mark for all of NFL.com. Page 2 UniWatch columnist Paul Lukas has more. Page 2 "I know I still can play," said Favre, wearing a blue and white polo shirt and khaki slacks and sporting his familiar 5 o'clock shadow. "I don't think too many people question that. I think a lot of people question what happened this offseason." Favre closed a summer of discontent and opened a new chapter in his career by joining the Jets, who stunned the NFL by outbidding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the iconic QB. He brings instant relevance to a team that went 4-12 last season and hasn't had a quarterback of his stature since Joe Namath ruled Manhattan more than 30 years ago. "There's no guarantees," Favre said. "You see teams go out in free agency and spend on a lot of guys and everyone says, 'Oh, they're going to be great and go to the Super Bowl.' It takes chemistry, and to me, that's the most important thing. You can have all the talent in the world, but if the chemistry is not there, it won't matter. "I think we can achieve that." [+] EnlargeAP Photo/Richard Drew Brett Favre says he didn't come to New York to be a big hit on Broadway. But there's no arguing he's the Jets' biggest star at quarterback since "Broadway Joe" Namath. After a huddle with staff members, Bloomberg picked out a few things to help Favre "make a quick adjustment" to the Big Apple. As part of the city's initiative to plant a million trees by 2017, Bloomberg announced one would be planted in Favre's name. "I cannot tell you where the tree is going to be, for obvious reasons, because it'll be stripped bare in about 30 seconds," said Bloomberg, wearing a green tie in honor of the Jets. Bloomberg then presented Favre with a MetroCard -- with $4 fare on it, of course. "If you had picked a number higher, you would've gotten more money on your MetroCard," Bloomberg said, drawing laughs. He also gave Favre a huge "Broadway" street sign, a copy of his book, "Bloomberg by Bloomberg," an empty key ring -- "You win the Super Bowl and I promise you will get a key" -- and a few cheesecakes from Junior's Cheesecakes. Favre, joined by Jets owner Woody Johnson and general manager Mike Tannenbaum, presented Bloomberg with a green and white Favre jersey, already a hit with fans who have snatched up more than 6,500 of them since the trade. The 38-year-old Favre, who joked that his daughter asked if he was joining a college team because all the other players look much younger, won't commit to playing for the Jets beyond this season. "Let's enjoy this year," he said. "The future is now. I don't have 17 more years to play, I don't think. I want to give the New York Jets and the people of this city the best year possible. Believe me." AFC East blog ESPN.com's Tim Graham writes about all things AFC East in his division blog. • Blog network: NFL Nation Favre is coming off one of his most productive seasons, passing for 4,155 yards, his most since 1998, and had 28 TDs with 15 interceptions. "We wish Brett nothing but the best,"

Packers make their choice with Favre; now they can wallow in it

From green and gold to green and white. From, "Go, Pack, Go" to "J-E-T-S." From the NFL's smallest market to the league's largest. Brett Favre's life did a 180 late Wednesday night, and it happened because Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson didn't trust Favre, and Favre didn't trust Thompson. Drag a razor across this controversy's beard and that's what you'll find under the stubble -- distrust, too much scar tissue and the simple yet mind-boggling fact that Packers management thinks Favre isn't good enough to win. If it thought otherwise, Favre wouldn't be the quarterback of the New York Jets today. Anyway, so much for the Packers wanting to protect Favre's "legacy." Remember that bit of PR fiction? The benevolent, caring Packers would be there to safeguard all things Brett -- that's what they said. But the protection broke down when Favre decided to unretire and return to Green Bay. Favre is a Jet because Thompson didn't want him to be a Packer. Or a Minnesota Viking. And who can forget that heartfelt "crossing the Rubicon" statement by Packers team president Mark Murphy when Favre was reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Any icier and you could have played hockey on it. AP Photo/Mike Roemer Brett Favre as he left Green Bay...ultimately for the last time as a Packer. For all those Favre critics who insist he's a drama queen, remember that he could have stayed in Green Bay, practiced, competed in an open competition with Aaron Rodgers and dared Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy to keep him on the bench. But he didn't. He left after several days because he has more respect for the Packers than the Packers have for him. Packers management thought Favre wouldn't push for reinstatement and report to camp, but he did. It thought he would take its $25 million of get-lost money, but he didn't. It thought it could break his will by refusing to release him or trade him to the Vikings, but it couldn't. And nice job on accusing the Vikings of tampering (the Vikes were cleared of any wrongdoing). Plus, wasn't it interesting that someone leaked a story that Favre allegedly called the Vikings on a Packers-issued cell phone (also untrue). If this were a divorce, then Favre would be the one getting the alimony. The Packers were so eager to ditch the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards, touchdowns and victories by a QB that they reduced the bidding war to two teams (the Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers). And they settled for a conditional fourth-round pick, which will bump up to a third-rounder if Favre takes 50 percent of the snaps (duh), and a second-rounder if he takes 70 percent of the snaps and the Jets reach the playoffs. Instead of Favre -- who earlier last season helped lead the Packers to the NFC Championship Game and finished second in the league's MVP voting -- Thompson would rather have three quarterbacks on his roster with a combined zero NFL starts. He'd rather have Rodgers than the most durable quarterback in the history of the game. Brett Favre 2008 Timeline The Brett Favre saga in Green Bay might be nearing a conclusion after the unretired quarterback said he and the team might be better off without each other. A look at how the story has unfolded: Aug. 6: Traded to New York Jets for conditional draft pick. Aug. 5: Left practice facility in the afternoon ... did not practice with the team ... met with Packers officials to discuss trade options ... tells ESPN's Chris Mortensen "the best thing for this team is for us to part ways" ... considers talking to the Buccaneers about a possible trade. Aug. 4: Favre reports to training camp and is added to active roster after passing physical Aug. 3: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstates Favre July 31: Favre offered $25 million to not report to camp July 30: Meets with Packers president Mark Murphy in Mississippi July 29: Faxes reinstatement request to NFL July 25: Favre tells Packers he plans to report to training camp July 19: Returns to Lambeau Field to attend Packers Hall of Fame ceremony July 16: Packers file tampering charges with NFL against Vikings July 11: Packers receive letter from Favre formally requesting release July 8: Favre asks for release with understanding he won't be starter July 6: Sends text message to Packers GM Ted Thompson July 2: Favre says reports of return were "all rumor" June 20: Favre tells coach Mike McCarthy he may want to play again April 9: Says he might consider comeback if opportunity was presented April 4: Agent reportedly contacts teams to gauge trade interest April 3: Denies rumors of a comeback March 6: Favre conducts retirement news conference Jan. 20: Packers lose NFC Championship Game to the Giants in OT -- Compiled by ESPN Research Why? It isn't just because Favre wanted to unretire. It can't be. It has to be something as fundamenta

REPORT:BRETT FARVE TRADED TO JETS

The Brett Favre era in Green Bay apparently came to an end late Wednesday as the longtime Packers star quarterback was traded to the New York Jets, Foxsports.com first reported. The compensation, believed to be a single draft pick that rises in value depending upon how the Jets perform during the 2008 season, was confirmed by ESPN's Michael Smith on Wednesday night. The Jets declined to comment on the report. Favre's agent, James "Bus" Cook, confirmed in an e-mail to The Associated Press earlier Wednesday that the Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers were emerging as the most likely trade destinations for the three-time MVP. Favre vs. AFC East Brett Favre was 1-3 against the New York Jets in his career, but now that he'll soon be the Jets' new quarterback, here's a look at how he fared against the rest of the AFC East. Team Favre's Record Bills 2-3 Dolphins 3-2 Patriots 2-2 Packers general manager Ted Thompson skipped practice Wednesday morning, and his scheduled early afternoon media availability was postponed indefinitely -- signs that a deal could be in the works. Thompson also was not seen at Wednesday night's practice, although team president and CEO Mark Murphy made an appearance. Favre was on a private plane that left for Hattiesburg, Miss. at 1:25 p.m. EDT Cook and Favre's wife, Deanna, also were aboard the plane that landed two hours later. Favre's family home is near Hattiesburg. In Mississippi, Favre confirmed that he was considering the Jets and Buccaneers. "We're working on it," Favre said in video posted on Jackson TV station WJTV's Web site. "Hopefully we can get something resolved. I've been saying that for quite a while now. I don't want to say we're running out of time, but I need to get into a camp somewhere." Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden refused to address speculation that the team was on the verge of a deal for Favre, sidestepping a question about whether he had spoken to Favre Tuesday night. "I'm not going to talk about it," Gruden said. "I don't know anything other than what happened today on the practice field, and I don't want to address any more speculation at this point. Brett's situation will resolve itself during the coming days I would assume. But at this point and time, all I can comment on is our football team and what we did today." Gruden acknowledged that he's always willing to explore ways to improve his team. "We are a good football team," Gruden said. "We're trying to become a great one. We'll do anything we can to get better. And if that involves looking at other players, by George that's our job. That's our responsibility." Fa r(ve)From Great QB Play Since Brett Favre started his consecutive starts streak (which began on Sept. 27, 1992 and is at 253 games), the Jets have gone through 15 different QB starters. Here's a look at how Favre compares to those Jets QBs. Farve vs. Jets QBs Since Consec. Starts Streak Began Favre Jets QBs W-L 160-93 113-140 TD 440 287 Pass Yds Per Game 242.3 195.7 Packers coach Mike McCarthy spoke to Favre again Tuesday night, but there was no indication that their conversation did anything to change the fractured relationship between Favre and the franchise. "It was just very general," McCarthy said of the conversation with Favre, who was excused from practice Wednesday. "Just how he was doing, where he was with the process, things like that." McCarthy said he was happy the rest of his players were getting a chance to move forward. "We talked about it last night," McCarthy said. "The players want resolution, they want what everybody wants. To come out here every day and talk about somebody that is not here and then shows up, it's gone on too long, and understandably so. They want to play football." Packers players vented frustration over the Favre situation Tuesday, after fans chanting "Bring Back Brett!" turned practice into a zoo-like atmosphere and reporters continued asking questions about Favre instead of football. After McCarthy made it clear Tuesday that Favre's football future wouldn't be in Green Bay, players seemed to have some sense of closure. "It was just important to get things moving," Packers tackle Mark Tauscher said. "Obviously, there's no closure as of yet, but I think we've kind of been told what's going on and I think we all kind of know where everything stands." Packers cornerback Charles Woodson -- who said Tuesday that the saga had "gone on long enough" -- said Wednesday that the Packers' front office gave players the answers they needed. "From what I understand, for the most part it's taken care of," Woodson said. "Now it's just about the Packers and not about the situation. It's over now. From what I understand, it's pretty much over." And if the Packers end up playing against Favre in Tampa on Sept. 28? "Once you're on another team, you're on another

FAVRE-AROCIOUS

BRETT FAVRE WILL NOT START FOR THE PACKERS AND HE PROBABLY WONT PLAY FOR THEM EITHER. IF AND WHEN HE GETS TRADED, WHERE WILL HE GO.

Packers offer Brett Favre 20 Million to stay retired.

The Green Bay Packers, unable so far to trade Brett Favre and facing his arrival at training camp, are reportedly considering taking a step they desperately wanted to avoid: dealing him to a division rival. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, citing a source close to the situation, on Wednesday reported the Packers were considering seeking a deal with one of their rivals, most likely the Minnesota Vikings or Chicago Bears, if all else fails. That follows reports that the Packers on Wednesday offered Favre a substantial sum of money -- as much as $20 million over several years -- to stay retired. On Monday, Packers general manager Ted Thompson said the Packers would not trade Favre within the NFC North. Favre, who has asked the NFL to be reinstated, is reportedly interested in playing for the Vikings, who play the Packers to open their season on "Monday Night Football" on Sept. 8. The Packers are committed to Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback of the future and are not considering Favre, who tearfully retired March 6, returning to Green Bay as the starter An NFL source said he understood from the Packers that trading within the NFC North would be a last resort, according to the report. And the Packers are still trying to convince Favre to consider trade possibilities with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets. But while the Packers continue to try to buy themselves more time to deal, Favre has yet to talk to either team.Team president Mark Murphy traveled to Hattiesburg, Miss., to meet with Favre and his agent James "Bus" Cook on Wednesday, and multiple media outlets later reported that the team offered the quarterback substantial money to stay retired. WTMJ television in Milwaukee reported that the team offered Favre in the neighborhood of $20 million over several years to stay retired. The Green Bay Press-Gazette reported on its Web site that the team offered Favre "a substantial salary" to stay away. Both reports cited sources close to Favre. But signs still point to the quarterback reporting to Packers camp. According to a source close to Favre, the Packers have told him they might limit him to individual drills if he shows up at training camp, the Press-Gazette reported. Murphy left the meeting in the early evening and had no comment for reporters but issued a statement Wednesday night. "I was in Hattiesburg today and had a nice visit with Brett Favre," the statement read. "We discussed a number of topics not related to football, including Brett's long-term relationship with the Packers. I consider our conversation to be confidential and am going to be respectful of Brett and his family and keep the details private. "[General manager] Ted [Thompson] and [coach] Mike [McCarthy] are going to continue to work on the football side of this issue. They have my full support."After the meeting, Cook was asked by the media if Favre could be back in Green Bay by Friday and he said that was a good possibility. "He would love to go back in Green Bay," Cook said, in comments broadcast by ESPNEWS. "I mean, that's why he started working out. But right now, it looks like he'll be the quarterback at Oak Grove High School." Favre worked out with the school's football team on Wednesday before the meeting. A league source told ESPN's Chris Mortensen on Wednesday night that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell hopes to speak with Favre on Thursday before he decides to reinstate him. Mortensen reported earlier Wednesday that Goodell was unlikely to rule on Favre's request for reinstatement Wednesday in order to give the sides more time to work out an agreement on the quarterback's future. "The commissioner is taking no action today," the NFL said in a statement Wednesday. "He wants to give both the Packers and Brett an appropriate amount of time to make decisions, including decisions impacting the team's roster and salary cap. When Brett is reinstated by the commissioner, we will announce it."

Vikings refuse to address Packers' claims of Favre tampering

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings have declined to comment on allegations by the Green Bay Packers that they made inappropriate contact with quarterback Brett Favre. Vikings spokesman Bob Hagan issued a two-sentence statement on Thursday that said the Vikings "are not commenting on the issue. These types of matters are handled by the league." The Packers filed a tampering charge with the league, contending Favre, who has asked the Packers for his release, has been talking with Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. The two became friends when Bevell was an assistant coach with the Packers. A source in Green Bay told ESPN.com's John Clayton the Packers believe they have a strong case against the Vikings. They believe the Vikings were willing to talk to Favre in order to cause chaos within the Packers family during the summer. Another source suggested Favre might have had a conversation with Vikings coach Brad Childress. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Wednesday the league had no comment. The Vikings open the season in Green Bay. Fellow NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers told Bloomberg Television he believes Favre was forced to retire before he was ready to. "Brett Favre should have the opportunity to control his own destiny,'' the running back and 2006 MVP said Thursday. "If he wants to come back and play football, then let him come back. I think that he was forced to retire prematurely. He finally realized that's not what he wants to do." "I think they are making a mistake," Tomlinson said of the Packers. "If they don't want [Favre] back, that's one thing. Release him, let him go to another team, but don't tell him he can come back but he's going to be a backup. That's not fair to Brett Favre and everything he's done for the organization." On June 20, Favre, who retired on March 3, called Packers coach Mike McCarthy and told him he had the "itch" to return to the NFL. On Saturday, Packers general manager Ted Thompson said Favre could return to active status on the Packers if he comes out of retirement, but his role would not be determined. During Favre's retirement, Aaron Rodgers has been deemed Favre's successor. NFL.com Video Packers file tampering charges against Vikings for illegal contact with Brett Favre. The Packers said they were ready to welcome Favre back to the team later in March when Favre expressed reservations about his decision to retire, only to be assured by the quarterback that he was finished. Favre has said that he felt pressured by the Packers to retire and now has been told that if he returns to Green Bay, he wouldn't necessarily get the starting job back. If the Packers can prove the Vikings tampered with Favre, they could be subject to fines or a possible loss of a draft choice. Childress called the situation a "soap opera," and said earlier this week that it's been interesting to watch, but he remained committed to going forward with Tarvaris Jackson as the Vikings' starting quarterback. Bevell was not available to comment on Thursday and neither were any other Vikings officials, Hagan said. Meanwhile, in Milwaukee, the Favre-Packers feud has begun to weigh on former players in addition to the fan base. Hall of Fame defensive end Willie Davis remains respectful of Favre's iconic status but believes the team has a need to move on. "It is a bit of sadness," Davis said this week in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "And it's a bit of sadness because I know how much of a burden this places on everybody." Davis, an emeritus member of the Packers' board of directors, played for Green Bay from 1960 to '69 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981. From his own experience, he knows how hard it can be for a player to know when to retire. But he hasn't quite seen anything quite like this. "It's not only a surprise to me," Davis said. "I cannot believe the magnitude of this thing

Favre has no definite plans to apply for reinstatement

If Brett Favre is really going to force a showdown with the Green Bay Packers, it won't happen right away, his agent told ESPN's Chris Mortensen. "We have no definite plans to ask for reinstatement," Favre's agent, James "Bus" Cook, said of the former Packers quarterback, who has asked the team for his release. "Right now we have until the sixth week [of the regular season] and Brett has made it pretty clear that he is not willing to come in as a backup. "If he asks for reinstatement and they start fining him $15,000 a day [for not reporting to training camp], well, that just doesn't make sense," Cook said. "We're going to let Green Bay decide what they want to do. It's their move." Reached by The Associated Press on Wednesday evening, Packers spokesman Jeff Blumb indicated no response was forthcoming from the team. Packers general manager Ted Thompson has said the team does not plan to grant Favre, who announced his retirement in March, his release. And while Thompson said Favre could return to the Packers if he applies to the league for reinstatement, it would be "in a different role than he was" because the team has committed to backup Aaron Rodgers as its quarterback of the future. "I just want him to be happy, whatever he does," Rodgers told ESPN The Magazine's Sam Alipour. "If he comes back and plays, [or] stays retired and does charity work, I just want him to be happy. I care about him a lot. He's been good to me. If that means coming back and playing another year or two, as long as he's happy, that's what I want." Meanwhile, ESPN.com has confirmed that the Packers have filed tampering charges with the NFL against the Minnesota Vikings, alleging "inappropriate dialogue" with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, a close friend of Favre's and a former Packers assistant. The Vikings, according to a source, are expected to contend Bevell may have had conversations with Favre as a friend but had no involvement in discussing a job with the Vikings. NFL.com Video Highlights of the best moments from Brett Favre in 2007. Vikings coach Brad Childress has said in recent days the franchise is content with Tarvaris Jackson as its starting quarterback. What the Packers contend is that Favre and Bevell may have discussed Favre coming to the Vikings. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league had no comment on the report. Thompson declined comment on tampering rumors in an interview with AP on Saturday. Foxsports.co mfirst reported the tampering charges. Favre was in Los Angeles for Wednesday night's taping of the ESPY Awards. Host Justin Timberlake zeroed in on Favre sitting in the audience with his wife, Deanna. "What have you been up to lately? I haven't seen you anywhere," Timberlake said. "Just chillin'? Yeah, me too." Later, Timberlake went into the seats to hug Rodgers, the Packers' 2005 first-round draft choice. Favre sheepishly looked down with a slight smile on his face as the crowd laughed. Favre currently is on the Packers' reserve/retired list. To be reinstated, Favre must write a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Once that request is approved -- a step considered a formality -- the Packers would have to release Favre or place him on their active roster. Favre told Fox News' Greta Van Susteren that he won't return to camp simply to spite the Packers. The team's players are scheduled to report on July 27. "It's tempting just to, as everyone said, you know, call their bluff or whatever," Favre said. "I think it's going to be a circus in itself already, whether I go there, whatever." But, Favre added: "I don't want to go back there just to stick it to them." Favre's growing rift with the Green Bay Packers could lead to a few awkward moments for the three-time MVP this weekend. Where will Brett Favre be when the Packers get the ball in their regular-season opener on Sep. 8? Under center On the bench With another team Still retired Favre is scheduled to present former teammate Frank Winters at the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame induction banquet at Lambeau Field on Saturday night. Winters, former Packers defensive tackle Gilbert Brown and video director Al Treml will be enshrined in the Packers' Hall of Fame. Should Favre keep his commitment to Winters, his close friend and former center, his return to Lambeau will come a little more than a week after formally requesting to be released from his contract -- and only days after expressing his distrust of Packers management and insisting that the team pressured him into making his retirement decision in his interview with Fox News. Favre could see some of the same folks he criticized in his trip back to the place he played for 16 seasons. He also might run into Packers offensive line coach James Campen, a former teammate who was dragged into the middle of t

Bolts must make most of golden opportunity

Issues with big-name quarterbacks make it a little tricky to forecast how teams will perform this season. Brett Favre and the Packers can't figure out whether or not he's playing. Any questions? John Clayton begins his training camp tour next week. Have a question for John? Connect with him here. Mailbag The Colts' Peyton Manning underwent minor knee surgery and is shut down for four to six weeks. Philadelphia 'sDonovan McNabb had to cut back his throwing this spring because of a sore shoulder. Carolina's Jake Delhomme is coming off Tommy John surgery. San Diego's Philip Rivers is coming off ACL surgery. We have learned over the past two years that top quarterbacks have amazing recovery skills. McNabb and Carson Palmer taught us pure pocket passers can bounce back from knee reconstructions more quickly than receivers because they can operate in a seven-step box and not worry about breaking into a sprint. Drew Brees showed us a shoulder reconstruction can't stop a determined quarterback from having a Pro Bowl season. Manning, McNabb, Delhomme and Rivers should be fine. In the case of Favre, we're learning a fractured relationship with a team can be more damaging than a reconstructed limb. But all the QB developments make speculating on the season interesting. Fro mthe E-mail Box Q: Having been a season-ticket holder for 15 years and still a big fan, do you think that this is the year for San Diego to get by New England/Indy for the AFC championship? Reid in Springfield, Mo. The two-year window for winning a Super Bowl starts now, and the Chargers will never have a better chance than this season. They have the second-easiest schedule in football and should win at least 13 regular-season games. LaDainian Tomlinson is getting older and pretty soon the wear and tear of being an NFL running back will catch up to him. In a couple of years, some of the contracts of the team's top young stars will expire, and San Diego won't be able to keep everybody. Right now, the Chargers are loaded, and if the Patriots didn't have the easiest schedule in football, I'd boldly predict that the Chargers are the AFC Super Bowl favorites. San Diego will start camp with some injury concerns, but the only starter who may not be ready for the regular-season opener is center Nick Hardwick, as they signed Jeremy Newberry as insurance. This could be their year.

In high-stakes poker vs. Favre, Green Bay can't win

The World Series of Poker isn't being played in Las Vegas. It's being played in Green Bay, Wis., and Hattiesburg, Miss. And so far, a very amateurish Ted Thompson is trying to show strength in his hand. Feel free to laugh the next time Green Bay Packers management, both past and present, starts talking about "preserving" Brett Favre's legacy and cherishing Favre's place in the team's "family." It means nothing. The Packers are about the Packers, and that's fine, even expected, but at least say so from the beginning. Don't pretend you're genuinely concerned about Favre's standing in franchise lore when, in reality, you're more concerned about damage and image control. Favre wants to unretire. And yeah, it's a bit of a diva-ish thing to do. Tears in March. Text messages in July. But Favre has earned his share of diva currency, enough for one Get Out Of Retirement card. He's played hurt. He's played with his heart heavy with grief. And he's played for the moment, not the money. There are bits and pieces of his body all over Lambeau Field. Thompson, the Packers' general manager, doesn't see it that way. His solution -- and remember, the Packers are the self-appointed guardians of Favre's football reputation -- is to announce that one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, the guy only seven months removed from the NFC Championship Game, can return but may be a second-stringer. Think about it: Favre wearing a baseball cap and holding a clipboard. Some legacy. Packers management wants it both ways. It says it wants to protect Favre from himself, but mostly it wants to protect Favre from becoming a free agent, signing with the Minnesota Vikings and possibly kicking the Packers' butts twice in the regular season. That's the reason behind not granting Favre his release -- nothing else. Management says the "finality" of Favre's retirement prompted the Packers to "move forward with our football team.'' But how can you move forward if Favre is still on the depth chart? If you don't want him as your starter, which is beyond astounding, then why want him at all? Thompson has mixed a football Molotov cocktail. A short pour of Favre. A long pour of Aaron Rodgers. Topped off by Packers teammates and fans torn by their allegiances. Now light and throw. Favre could make it easy on Thompson by staying retired. Of course, that's what Thompson is counting on: The great Brett Favre would never come back here as a backup. He wants Favre to fold. But I'd love to see Favre report to Packers training camp later this month. I'd love to see the beads of sweat form on Thompson's forehead as he realizes he miscalculated the situation. Again. If Favre shows up, Thompson has created an instant quarterback controversy. And by doing so, he has created the beginnings of a divided locker room. You don't think there are going to be pro-Favre guys vs. pro-Rodgers guys on that roster? You don't think the Lambeau crowd will start chanting No. 4's name the first time Rodgers struggles (and he will -- zero starts, 35 completions and one touchdown throw in three seasons)? You don't think Rodgers, Thompson's very first pick as GM in 2005, will be looking over his shoulder pads every time he makes a mistake? Favre isn't blameless in this mess. He miscalculated, too. And for that, some Packers followers now consider him a whiner, not worth the trouble. Let's hear what they say if Rodgers bombs. Thompson doesn't really want Favre back, unless it's for ribbon-cutting ceremonies or 20-year anniversaries. He wants the Rodgers Era to begin as soon as possible, preferably with Favre watching from his living room in Mississippi. But sometimes you make exceptions for the exceptional. Favre has his faults, beginning with his penchant for changing his mind, but he still gives the Packers the best chance to win. Somehow that's been lost in the chaos. If Thompson wants to honor Favre's legacy, then grant him his release. If he signs with the Vikings and beats you, then that's how it goes. After all, Thompson had first crack at him as the Packers' starter. Or if Favre truly wants to make this an amicable farewell, then he should tell the Packers he won't sign with an NFC North team. The wink-wink understanding might not be officially allowed by the league, but who has to know, right? The more likely scenario: The Packers could manipulate the trade process by making the price reasonable for, say, AFC teams, but cost-prohibitive for teams such as the division rival Vikings, Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions, or even 2008 NFC opponents Tampa Bay (Sept. 28 road game) and Carolina (Nov. 30 game at Lambeau) -- both rumored landing spots for Favre. The whole situation is messier than eating barbecue ribs with your knuckles. And it could only get worse. In the end, Thompson and the Packers are the

Rally held to pressure Packers to reinstate Favre

fans came to his defense Sunday, rallying outside Lambeau Field to pressure the Green Bay Packers to reinstate him as the starting quarterback. The crowd of more than 100 chanted "We want Brett," and carried signs reading, "Favre for President" or "Favre Forever." Many in the parking lot wore No. 4 jerseys, tossed footballs and grilled. "We've always appreciated the passion of our fans," the Packers said in a statement. Team spokesman Jeff Blumb said there would be no other comment. The rally in Green Bay, Wis., was the brainchild of brothers Adam and Erick Rolfson, who on Friday tried to think of a way to keep Favre in Green Bay. Another rally is planned for Monday night in suburban Milwaukee and every Sunday thereafter at Lambeau Field until Favre is back. The brothers also are demanding an emergency meeting of stockholders "to help control the fate of our quarterback," Erick Rolfson said. A message left for Favre's agent, James "Bus" Cook, wasn't immediately returned Sunday. Favre retired March 6 after 16 seasons with the team. He changed his mind and asked for his release because it appeared the Packers were not receptive to having him play again. On Saturday, general manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy said they didn't plan to grant Favre's request. And while Thompson said Favre could rejoin the team in a "different role," the Packers were committed to going with Aaron Rodgers as their starter. Speaking later to ESPN.com's John Clayton, Thompson said he is prepared to accept Favre's return and not necessarily as a backup. "It's not accurate," Thompson said of the AP report that Favre would come back as a backup. "We don't know what role that would be. He can come back as an active member of the Green Bay Packers." Thompson reaffirmed to ESPN that the Packers won't release Favre. He would not discuss trading the future Hall of Fame quarterback. Thompson said he had not received any inquiries from other teams as of Saturday morning. "I don't want to deal in hypotheticals," Thompson said. "Brett is still retired. I know that there has been a lot of publicity about him being released, but if he applies for reinstatement, he will go back on the Green Bay Packers active roster and we will deal with it then." Rodgers, who is playing in the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship in Lake Tahoe, Calif., is trying to block out the Favre talk. "It's always difficult when your name is in the media all the time and there's a lot of speculation about different things," Rodgers said. "I'm just trying to enjoy the weekend...I'm just focused on that, on working out and going back to Green Bay next week for training camp." "We wanted to create a forum for fans' voices to be heard," Adam Rolfson, 36, told The Associated Press by phone. "I don't understand how you deny somebody that threw for 4,000 yards [last season] a starting position. I can think of at least 25 teams in the NFL that would jump at the opportunity to have Brett Favre be their starting quarterback." They had hoped Sunday's rally, only a day in the making, would have attracted more people. Packers fans are divided on the 38-year-old quarterback. While Favre clearly has his supporters, others seem weary of another offseason of retirement-related drama. In an unscientific poll on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Web site, 47.2 percent of fans said they wanted Favre to play for the Packers next season and 46.5 percent said he should "retire already." Only 6.3 percent of the 17,000-plus fans who voted in the poll as of Sunday afternoon wanted to see Favre play for another team. The Packers said if Favre wanted to play for them, he had the chance when he told them a few weeks after his tearful goodbye news conference that he was having second thoughts. With Thompson and McCarthy preparing to fly to Mississippi and seal the deal on a comeback, all Favre had to do was say yes. He didn't. "Ted always wanted Brett back," McCarthy said. "We always wanted Brett back." In an interview with the AP on Saturday, Thompson called the situation "gut-wrenching." "W eunderstand where the fans are coming from," he said. "This is a hot-button issue that surpasses anything I've ever gone through." The brothers, from the Milwaukee suburb of Pewaukee, started making random phone calls Saturday from the Green Bay white pages urging people to attend Sunday's rally and visit their Web site www.bringbackbrettfavre.c om. Atthe rally, they asked fans to vote on whether they wanted the team to make Favre the starter, whether Favre or Rodgers gives the Packers the best chance at the Super Bowl and whether Thompson should be fired if he trades or releases Favre. The Web site is selling "Favre 08" shirts, bumper stickers and yard signs. Erick Rolfson, 32, plans to turn his Wauwatosa mortgage company into "Favre '08 Headquarters."

Favre asks Packers for release

Brett Favre may be determined to play football in 2008, but it now seems unlikely he will do so in Green Bay. The legendary quarterback has officially asked the Packers to release him, FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer reports. The request was first reported by ESPN.com. Favre's request comes just days after Green Bay officials downplayed the prospect of a return to the NFL. "What I remember about him is he was ready to retire, and that's how I feel today. I think down deep, that's exactly how he feels," team chairman Bob Harlan said, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette. The 38-year-old Favre retired March 6 after a 17-year career. The Packers plan to use Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback for the upcoming season