As the Favre turns: Latest twist has NFL visiting Winter Park
Morry Gash, Associated Press
Brett Favre
As league security dropped by Vikings HQ, an ESPN report said that Brett Favre "clearly prefers to play for the Vikings."
By JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune
Last update: July 23, 2008 - 5:24 AM
Featured comment
"Calls TO..." ...our coaches isn't the same as calls FROM. Packer management seems to be as grossly inept as the fan base over there. Maybe they should … read more get all PO'd about Favre calling our coaches and fire him, Lmao!
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Brad Childress
Troy Melhus, Star Tribune
Darrell Bevell
Nati Harnik, Associated Press
poll: Should the Packers release Favre so that he can join the Vikings?
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Brad Childress: Vikings' top gun More from Vikings All five draft picks could have deals by today Dungy keeps hopes up for Manning Vikings' five impact newcomers Vikings: The best position battles Vikings' competency is departure from past The NFL had members of its security department at Winter Park on Tuesday to interview Vikings officials regarding the tampering charges the Green Bay Packers filed against Minnesota for "inappropriate dialogue" with quarterback Brett Favre, according to people with knowledge of the situation.
While the sources did not know exactly with whom NFL officials spoke, it's believed that Vikings coach Brad Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell were questioned. The fact the Vikings were asked for their side of the story a day before the team was to report to training camp and less than two weeks after the Packers filed the charges could be an indication the league is hoping to resolve the issue quickly.
It marked the latest twist in the Favre-Packers summer soap opera that now involves Green Bay's NFL neighbors to the west. ESPN reported Tuesday night that Favre -- who retired in March, then decided he wanted to unretire -- "clearly prefers to play for the Vikings."
Favre's desire to end up in purple has been speculated on previously but remains an enormous long shot, as the Packers have told Favre they won't grant him his wish to be released.
That's in part because the Packers don't want Favre signing with an NFC North rival such as the Vikings or Chicago Bears. Favre remains the property of the Packers until his contract expires after the 2010 season.
The NFL's trip to Minnesota came on the same day the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that a source said Favre continued to use a Packers-issued cell phone after his retirement and that when the team checked the phone records, there were "repeated calls to coach Brad Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell."
Favre's odd decision to use a phone on which the Packers could review all calls had been speculated on last week after the Associated Press reported that Green Bay informed the NFL it felt "an investigation of the phone records would show more than 'normal contact' between the Vikings and Favre, even before he formally asked for his release to play for another team."
Bevell and Favre became friends when the former served on the Packers coaching staff from 2000 to 2005, and they have continued to stay in touch.
That made it difficult to believe the Packers could prove much by simply pointing to conversations between Bevell and Favre. If Favre's phone records provide evidence of multiple calls to Childress, it's a different story. Favre asked for his release this summer when the Packers told him Aaron Rodgers is their starter.
The Vikings are believed to be Favre's top choice for a landing spot, in part because they run a version of the West Coast offense with which he is familiar. Childress has stated publicly that Tarvaris Jackson is his starting quarterback, but the opportunity to plug in a veteran like Favre could be tempting.
The Vikings, if found guilty, could face penalties that include the loss of draft picks and fines.
While the Packers won't release Favre, the NFL Network reported Tuesday that the team has talked to multiple clubs about what it would be willing to offer in a trade and that calls have been made to franchises in both conferences.
ESPN reported later Tuesday that sources from the NFL and its players union said Packers General Manager Ted Thompson started making calls to other teams "after being encouraged by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to resolve the controversy surrounding Favre before they begin training camp Sunday."
The Vikings have remained quiet on the tampering charge since news broke last week. Owner Zygi Wilf told the Star Tribune last week that he wouldn't comment on the Packers' accusation but added, "Let's put it this way, I look forward to the opening game in Green Bay." The Vikings will face the Packers in the season opener Sept. 8 at Green Bay.
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bowhuntr24
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Doubt it will happen but being a Vikes fan I would love to see it just think....Vikings first super bowl led by Brett Favre...ouch that would hurt the pack fans for ever!!!
interesting article. Won't it be interesting if he did end up as a Vike? I am not sure if I would be happy... I've dislike him for as long as I can remember being a vike fan. I'm just excite for this lllooonnnnggg drawn out story to be over with.
baldwin4
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SI says favre doesn't care. He just wants to come back and break some more records.
Quote: Every football fan knows that if Brett Favre returns in 2008, he'll continue to pad some of the most impressive passing stats in history. He already holds records for virtually every volume stat, including passing yards (61,655), attempts (8,758), completions (5,377) and TDs (442).
But not every fan knows that Favre is also the most prolific turnover machine in league history, coughing up the ball so often Robitussin wants to sign him to a long-term sponsorship deal.
Favre's already the all-time leader in INTs (288), easily surpassing Dead Ball Era dinosaurs such as No. 2 George Blanda (277) and No. 3 John Hadl (268).
But Favre's no regular-season phenom.
He's just as prolific in the postseason, too. Favre's crushing INT in overtime against the Giants not only ruined, in true Favre-ian fashion, an otherwise amazing season for the Pack, it tied him with another postseason INT expert, Jim Kelly, for the most playoff picks in history (28).
But fear not, Cheeseheads. His oopsies are not limited to passes gone astray. Favre also needs to fumble just six times this season to tie Dave Krieg for second on the all-time fumbles list (153). With a truly sub-human effort of 14 fumbles befitting a soon-to-be 39-year-old who can't make up his mind, Favre can tie the career mark of 161 fumbles set by Warren Moon. Favre fumbled 16 times back in 2001, 14 times back in 2006, and a respectable 12 times last season. Moon's record is well within his reach.
Of course, we only make fun of Favre because 1) we love him and, 2) it's all true.
Which I think is funny. They don't want him, he's apparently washed up over the summer. Yet, they don't want MN or Chicago to get him. Why, because he is better than their current starting QB.
Couldn't this all have been solved had if McCarthy/Thompson said, we welcome you back. You'll have to compete for the starting roll just like everyone else. We'll put the best player on the field.
It's quite amazing looking at different message boards around the net. Lots of Packer fans have divorced Bret and he is now that person you have to like cuz he's the father your kids, but you can't stand him. Of course there are a few guys who have huge man love for old #4 yet, but they seem to becoming fewer and fewer as time drags on.
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John
GARVI
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With me having green and gold blood running threw my veins,My .02.
Brett, Thanks for all the memories but see ya . I don't even care if he would go with the vik's
He gave us alot of memories both good and bad. I was and still am a fan of his, but this last couple of weeks I have been adding up the good and the bad and it's about 50/50. Yes one superbowl win ( good ) one superbowl lost (bad) and yes that loss can be part his fault like many other losses. Last year chi,dallas and nfc championship losses were mostly his load and he looked just awfull, and that there tells me it's time to move on and I do think Rogers can play (if he doesn't get hurt). Brett thought that the starting job should be his just by walking in and that has also upset me, he should have to compete for the job. His good season last year was (for passing yards) yards after the catch (I belive we lead the nfl) and sure he did pass it to them but I thinks Rogers can do that also. His last pass as a packer was a pass that who ever gets him will see also (many times) He just does this at bad times that cost you games. So there is my first and last .02. Go Pack with or without him.
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HaywardBound
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I've loved rooting against #4 as a viking homer for many years. I've scoffed at the mindless press he receives when he's on television. I couldn't think of a better memory than watching him get picked of by a Vikings defender, but with that being said.... I'd trade 2 rattle traps, one husky jerk, a hand full of twisters and T Jack for a year with him wearing purple. I think Green Bay knows too well the Vikes are a quality QB, and a Proffesional offensive game plan away from the super bowl. The great thing about the nonesense around this whole ordeal is it maintains the rivalry we all secretly love! Go Vikings lets win the game Go vikings honor your name!
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Blue Fleck
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Just heard that Bret is going to file his reinstatement papers and showing up for training camp with Green Bay, anyone have any links to confirm this? Was it just a rumor on Fox Sports radio?
chomps
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Jim Rome talk show talking about Brett running the scout team and giving the starting defense a good look at the way T-Jack is going to run the Vikings O, pretty funny!
Actually I just was through Green Bay this last week and watched as they tore down the sign for Brett Favre's Steakhouse. The new sign they were putting up was Brett Favre's Wafflehouse....
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Kooty
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Farve rather Play with the Vikes
just think....Vikings first super bowl led by Brett Favre...ouch that would hurt the pack fans for ever!!!
Go Pack with or without him.
...you can cut off one chunk (Favre) and the rest of the brick STILL stinks! 
