Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert
Gotcha! That's how some people will react upon learning that the Green Bay Packers have filed tampering charges against the Minnesota Vikings, alleging offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell spoke inappropriately with retired quarterback Brett Favre. Despite the protestations of coach Brad Childress and others, these people will now claim to have proof that the Vikings are trying to figure out a way to pry Favre from their division rivals.
Except for one thing: From everything we understand, Minnesota isn't trying to acquire him. They know the Packers would never willfully allow Favre to join the Vikings. Childress respects Favre, but he is committed to Tarvaris Jackson and is not looking to replace him.
While it is likely that Bevell and Favre have spoken recently, it is the details of their conversation -- and not the conversation itself -- that make up the crux of the tampering charges. Was Bevell -- a former Packers assistant and Favre confidant -- providing support to a friend in need? Or was he attempting to map out a path for Favre to join the team?
A conversation in itself does not constitute tampering. And internally, the Vikings don't think Bevell has come close to the tampering line. In any event, they are furious to have been dragged into a dispute that remains between the Packers and Favre. The Green Bay front office wouldn't be privy to a first-hand account of the conversation, but hints of communication would be enough to file tampering charges.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell recently strengthened the league's discipline for tampering and takes all charges seriously.
The chances of Favre moving to the Vikings have been remote from the start. In fact, there has never been any evidence that they had genuine interest in acquiring him. And a conversation between Favre and one of his former coaches isn't enough evidence to change that line of thinking.
