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Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Typically, NFL coaches never look or feel better than on the eve of training camp.

They've spent the past month or so recharging during the only quiet time of the league year. Some coaches go fishing. Some ride their motorcycles. Others sit on the beach and read. When they return, they are tanned, relaxed and ready to resume 18-hour work days.

When Mike McCarthy stepped to a podium Saturday afternoon, however, he looked like he had just emerged from a hurricane. His face was weary. His smile seemed forced. At one point during his annual pre-camp news conference, McCarthy jokingly offered reporters $50 to ask him a question that wasn't about quarterback Brett Favre.

The next question was Favre-related. So it goes.

"I'm focused on football," McCarthy said with as much conviction as he could muster. "It's time to coach. We've had a hell of a summer. It's been great. ESPN has been awesome. I have never watched so much of it in my life."

Indeed, the Packers' chaotic ride has played out in front of a national audience at a time when most NFL teams are on hiatus. The opening of training camp is usually a time of fresh starts, new beginnings and clean slates. But Packers players will report Sunday to St. Norbert's College amid a national firestorm that threatens to engulf their season the same way it consumed their summer.

Less than 48 hours before his opening practice of 2008, McCarthy admitted that he did not know whether Favre would apply for reinstatement -- much less if he would report to training camp knowing that Aaron Rodgers has replaced him as the starting quarterback. And unfortunately for the Packers, that question only tops a series of unexpected issues.

When reporters finally stopped asking Favre-related questions Saturday, they moved on to:

• Will running back Ryan Grant hold out amid an ongoing contract dispute? (As of Saturday afternoon, Grant remained unsigned. McCarthy admitted he is "concerned" about Grant missing practice time after sitting out all offseason practices, but said: "I know both sides are working diligently to get this business matter resolved, and I'm hopeful we do that in a short time frame.")
• Would defensive tackle Johnny Jolly, arrested this month on a felony drug possession charge, report to training camp? (Yes, McCarthy said, but he might be limited in practice because of a shoulder injury.)
• Will 2007 first-round pick Justin Harrell be cleared to practice? (No, McCarthy said. Harrell, who is rehabilitating a back injury, is considered "week-to-week.")

The Packers advanced to the NFC Championship Game last season with the league's youngest roster. Even without Favre, you could reasonably argue they have the most well-rounded team in the NFC North. But there is no telling how the Favre drama will impact the team if it carries over into training camp.

If he reports, Favre will throw training camp into chaos. Even if he does not report, his unresolved status will cast a specter as players wonder what will happen if he does.

Instead of focusing solely on the upcoming season, McCarthy admitted he will have to address the Favre situation with the team during its first meeting Sunday. McCarthy, in fact, has had to spend time working on a plan -- hypothetical as it might be -- for what he will do if Favre reports.

Saturday, he said Favre would undergo a physical and a workout but would not commit beyond that. Would Favre simply watch from the sidelines? Or would he take repetitions from youngsters Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn?

"It will be a challenge, there is no doubt about it," McCarthy said. "But it's a new challenge and a new year. Different than anything that I have personally experienced. But it's something that I can promise you we'll have a plan for and it will be dealt with directly."

Asked what has been the hardest part of dealing with the issue, McCarthy said: "Time. Commitment of time. It's about winning football games, and there's been a large time commitment to this."

And there you go. At a time when NFL teams look forward, McCarthy and the Packers are fighting with their past. Every minute McCarthy has spent on the Favre situation is a minute lost in preparing for the 2008 season.

Or, for that matter, sitting at the beach.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

There is something about a quarterback controversy that draws interest from even the most casual football fans. Here in the NFC North we have a gen-u-ine, honest-to-goodness battle: When the Chicago Bears report Tuesday for training camp, they will begin the process of deciding whether Rex Grossman (hiss!) or Kyle Orton (uhhhh...) will take the first meaningful snap of the regular season.

The Grossman-Orton competition, however, is only the most prominent example of uncertainty in a division stocked with questions at the game's most important position. The NFC North also includes a chaotic transition in Green Bay, an ongoing project in Minnesota and a looming decision in Detroit.

Can the Packers' Aaron Rodgers survive in the post-Favre era? Will Tarvaris Jackson make enough progress to merit the Vikings' continuing faith? What plans, if any, do the Lions have to replace Jon Kitna, who turns 36 in September? Such are the questions facing the NFC North's four teams as they open training camps this week.

Chicago: Door No. 1 or Door No. 2?

Grossman	Orton

The Bears have invested their time, money and patience in Grossman, the No. 22 overall pick of the 2003 draft. He has returned the favor by teasing them with superstar-caliber throws while haunting them with head-scratching interceptions. The Bears reached the Super Bowl in Grossman's only full season as starter, but after five inconsistent years he is down to his last chance.

From the outside, however, it appears the Bears want him to win the job. Otherwise, logic suggests they would have at least sought out more competition during the offseason, if not replaced him altogether. Instead, they pit him against Orton -- a nondescript game manager who spent most of the past two seasons as a reserve.

The Bears' strength remains on defense and special teams, so the No. 1 criteria for their quarterback is to minimize mistakes. Grossman will have to steady his performance considerably or, based on that standard, Orton could emerge as the surprise winner of this derby.

Is either player a long-term answer? Very likely, no. But for 2008, at least, the Bears have given themselves only two doors to choose from.

Green Bay: What's so good about Aaron Rodgers?

	AP Photo/Matt Ludtke
	Aaron Rodgers has been the heir apparent since he was drafted.

That inquiry has been one of the most-asked questions during the month-long standoff between the Packers and Brett Favre. Although circumstances could change, the team has thus far turned down Favre's request to postpone retirement and has committed to Rodgers, a skilled but untested fourth-year player.

Rodgers has been Favre's heir apparent since general manager Ted Thompson selected him in the first round of the 2005 draft. But Favre's durability, not to mention several of his own injuries, has limited Rodgers to a total of 59 passes in seven NFL appearances. The upside, however, has been that Rodgers received rare training on the professional level, spending three seasons watching a Hall of Fame quarterback perform.

The Packers believe Rodgers is ready, but more importantly they have determined now is the time for a transition. Favre was going to end his career sometime, and the Packers have chosen to make the shift now. Rodgers will take over a playoff-caliber team with a roster deep enough to absorb the growing pains of a young quarterback.

Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy has adjusted Rodgers' throwing motion, one of the few knocks against him in college. Speaking earlier this summer, before Favre's intentions were made public, McCarthy said: "He's really prepared himself for this opportunity." McCarthy added: "He clearly understands the pressures that are put upon him, of being the starting quarterback, of the legacy of Brett that was in front of him. Those are things he cannot concern himself with. He just needs to stay focused on playing quarterback and being himself."

	AP Photo/Andy King
	Tarvaris Jackson compiled an 82.9 passer rating during the second half of last season.

Minnesota: Is the project complete?

Jackson was the rawest of prospects in 2006 when the Vikings moved up in the second round of the 2006 draft to select him out of Division I-AA Alabama State. Midway through 2007, it appeared Jackson was in far over his head.

But in compiling an 82.9 passer rating during the second half of the season, Jackson convinced coach Brad Childress he was on the right path. In fact, Childress is so confident in Jackson that he and personnel director Rick Spielman surrounded him with a highly-paid veteran team that seems otherwise primed for a deep playoff run.

"The equity he has built in this building with his teammates really speaks for itself," Childress said.

Unlike last season, however, Childress hedged his bet by signing free agent backup Gus Frerotte and drafting former USC quarterback John David Booty. Neither is a threat to unseat Jackson in training camp, but Frerotte is more than capable of bridging the Vikings to 2009 if Jackson falters.

Detroit: When is the right time to look ahead?

After compiling a 10-22 record in his first two seasons as Lions coach, Rod Marinelli can't afford to look too far into the future. Marinelli believes strongly in veteran quarterbacks, but eventually the franchise will have to glance beyond Kitna and determine a succession plan.

Stanton	Orlovsky

The favored scenario might well involve Drew Stanton, a second-round draft pick in 2007. Officially, Stanton is competing with Dan Orlovsky for the No. 2 position, but the Lions would love to see Stanton develop into a legitimate option for the 2009 season.

Already the debate in Detroit is whether the Lions should find a way to get Stanton playing time in 2008 if/when the Lions' season goes sour. (Pessimists!) After all, it's never too early for a quarterback controversy.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

The long-running contract dialogue between middle linebacker Brian Urlacher and the Chicago Bears always carried a heavy undertone: Did the Bears really believe that Urlacher, 30, had a good enough long-term bill of health -- physically and otherwise -- to merit a raise?

After all, Urlacher has had back problems and submitted to offseason surgery on his neck. And like many veterans who spend their careers in one city, he has feuded with part of the powerful Chicago media market and seemed sour on the city at various times last season. The Bears can't possibly have definitive answers to those questions before training camp, but they decided it was worth at least $6 million to express confidence that they do.

For one day, at least, reaction was generally positive in Chicago.

• It's up to Urlacher to justify the Bears' faith on and off the field, writes David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune. "Behaving like an adult whose example affects millions of his fans of all ages should be assumed more than applauded," Haugh writes.
• The Bears came to the aid of Urlacher's "wobbling image" by giving him "an unnecessary contractual bump," writes Jay Mariotti of the Chicago Sun-Times. Urlacher wanted much more money but realized this was the best he could do under the circumstances.
• Urlacher apparently was able to fight off one provision of the Bears' original offer, writes Brad Biggs of the Sun-Times: The final deal did not appear to contain any minimum playing-time requirements in order to earn an annual $1 million bonus. Urlacher only needs to be on the roster to earn the money.
• There is hope that first-round offensive lineman Chris Williams will agree to terms before players are required to report to camp at midnight Wednesday.
• Talks are progressing with the Detroit Lions' draft class, but as of Tuesday morning they had signed only one of nine draft picks.
• Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson exchanged pleasantries but had no substantive talks over the weekend with retired quarterback Brett Favre, the Wisconsin State Journal reported. (You knew Favre's name would appear in this space soon enough, right)? Thompson said he is not nervous about the Packers' annual shareholders' meeting Thursday. "Should I be?" Thompson asked.
• Computer technology is the closest the Minnesota Vikings will get to having Favre in purple.
  

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas.

The Bucs may still be the NFC South champions, but our preseason power rankings don't see them staying in that spot. The Bucs are rated No. 15 and our panel was united in that decision. No voter had the Bucs ranked higher than No. 12 or lower than No. 18. I voted them No. 15 and my logic was they're a team with a lot of questions and they could up being pretty good or pretty bad. You've got to start them in the middle of the pack and see how things fall.

They need one of their running backs -- Warrick Dunn, Earnest Graham or Michael Bennett -- to step up and Michael Clayton, Maurice Stovall or rookie Dexter Jackson have to give them some receiving threats beyond aging veterans Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard. Quarterback remains a question mark. Can Jeff Garcia duplicate last year's Pro Bowl season? Will he even get the chance, if Brett Favre comes available?

There's also a defense where Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber get older every day. But any Monte Kiffin defense is going to be good enough to keep the Bucs in any game.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

Grant

If Brett Favre is the Green Bay Packers No. 1 off-field issue right now, tailback Ryan Grant counts as a close second. With players scheduled to report Sunday for training camp, Grant remains unsigned as he attempts to secure a long-term contract.

Appearing Monday morning on ESPN's First Take, Grant said that discussions between his agent and the team are "moving forward" and that he is "very optimistic" a deal will get done. Grant, however, did not deny that he will hold out if necessary.

"I think I'll wait until everything gets done before I go up there," Grant said.

Grant is in a relatively rare position for a young player: He is technically a free agent, but because of his experience level he falls under the "exclusive rights" category -- which prevents him from negotiating with other teams unless his current one cuts ties. The Packers offered him a standard tender of $370,000 for 2008, but he has thus far refused to sign the contract.

As a result, Grant was present for but did not participate in any offseason workouts. He can't practice in training camp until he either signs the one-year tender or comes to an agreement on a multi-year deal.

Without Grant, the Packers would probably give Brandon Jackson most of the first-team repetitions in training camp.

Packers running back Ryan Grant addresses his contract status and weighs in on the Brett Favre saga.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert 

From an NFC North perspective, the most telling nugget within ESPN.com's July power rankings is that 80 percent of the voters considered Green Bay the team to beat. Not necessarily surprising, just revealing.

ESPN.com's voting took place long after the Packers' standoff began with quarterback Brett Favre, and seems to reflect a pretty rational view: Even without Favre, the Packers have a young, athletic and deep roster. Their offense is well-suited for a quarterback transition, with a deep crew of receivers and running backs, and Aaron Rodgers has taken an ideal path in terms of quarterback development. A return by Favre, unlikely as it might be, certainly wouldn't hurt the Packers' competitiveness.

By ESPN.com's preseason reckoning, the NFC North will send two teams to the playoffs -- the Packers and Minnesota Vikings. A slew of offseason additions in Minnesota inspired a pair of voters to place the Vikings ahead of the Packers in the overall rankings. In general, however, the Vikings will have to demonstrate that their new toys -- receiver Bernard Berrian and defensive end Jared Allen, chief among them -- can assimilate quickly into the program.

That thought process meshes with my general feeling about the Vikings: Everything looks good on paper, but it's only fair to be cautioned by the multiple examples of teams that fall short of expectations generated by high-profile veteran additions. (Hello,Washington Redskins .) Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. The Vikings might have the division's highest upside, but they have some significant work to do in training camp to realize their potential.

Call me crazy, but I ranked the Detroit Lions (24) ahead of the Chicago Bears (25), albeit by the slimmest of margins. (That ranking was the Lions' highest overall). The general consensus was the other way around, but in some cases that might have been based on the Lions' longstanding history. I'm not exactly predicting a playoff run for the Lions, but I think they made a good philosophical choice in abandoning their pass-happy offense and taking steps to balance it out. I also have some faith that coach Rod Marinelli will get his defense worked out in Year Three.

The Bears ended up ranked No. 25 overall, mostly because their quarterback position is unsettled amid the possibility that they might have no good options at the game's most important position. Their best skill players are tight ends Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen, with gaping holes at both receiver positions. The Bears' defense is stocked with proven veterans, but the unsettled contract situation of middle linebacker Brian Urlacher doesn't portend well for team chemistry.

These rankings are based purely on projections, of course, and are more than open to debate. Like most of my fellow bloggers, I'll be over at SportsNation on Monday for an hour-long chat starting at 1 p.m. CT. We can break it down further over there.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

What? Could one whole day have passed without an update in the Brett Favre saga? It appears as though both sides rested Sunday, at least publicly, in anticipation of a key week for the Green Bay Packers. So we'll take our cue and go Favre-less ourselves -- for now -- in this edition of Black and Blue all over.

• It's not clear if Chicago Bears wide receiver Mark Bradley will be ready for the start of training camp after offseason surgery on his right knee. With the departures of Bernard Berrian and Muhsin Muhammad, Bradley has an opportunity to finally establish himself as a front-line receiver. But he has to get on the field. And stay there.
• Jay Mariotti of the Chicago Sun-Times endorses Kyle Orton for the Bears' starting quarterback job based on one qualification: He isn't Rex Grossman. "I have slightly more faith that he'll make fewer mistakes than Rex Grossman," Mariotti writes.
• Rookie safety/linebacker Caleb Campbell (Army) is expected to report to Detroit Lions camp on Wednesday, according to the Detroit News. Campbell's status has been in some doubt as the U.S. military reviews the "alterative service option" that will allow him to defer and modify his post-graduate service obligation.
• Among the issues that have been swept under the (public) rug recently is the Green Bay Packers' concerns at defensive line, according the Green Bay Press-Gazette. The Packers traded Corey Williams and then watched Justin Harrell tweak his back and Johnny Jolly get arrested this month for drug possession in Houston. Jolly could eventually face NFL discipline.
• The Packers are hoping to identify a clear-cut No. 2 running back behind Ryan Grant, assuming Grant signs a contract and reports to camp on time. Brandon Jackson will get the first crack, reports the Wisconsin State Journal.
• Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress will keep in mind the NFL's new 80-man roster limit while monitoring his players' workload in training camp. "You don't need to be a slavedriver," Childress told the Star Tribune.
  

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

GREEN BAY, WIS. -- After a night of celebration, the Green Bay Packers have to get down to business. Training camp opens in a week. Their draft class remains unsigned, as does running back Ryan Grant, an exclusive-rights free agent who is pushing for a long-term extension.

And then, there is that little Brett Favre issue, which continues its run as the lead story of Black and Blue all over.

• There are no indications that Favre spoke with general manager Ted Thompson or coach Mike McCarthy during Saturday night's Packers Hall of Fame induction. But then again, the only media members allowed in the event were those who purchased tickets months ago.
• Despite the gesture, Favre and the Packers still have to resolve "what appears to be irreconcilable differences," writes Mike Vandermause of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• Retired Packers safety LeRoy Butler didn't think Favre would show up. But in the end, "he wants the attention, too," Butler told the Wisconsin State Journal.
• Free agent quarterback Daunte Culpepper recently contacted the Detroit Lions about a job, according to the Detroit News. The Lions are not known to be seeking a veteran backup for Jon Kitna.
• One player the Lions did host on a visit recently was linebacker Takeo Spikes.
• Has Kyle Orton improved enough to win the Chicago Bears' starting quarterback job? That's one of the Bears' top questions as they enter training camp, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Minnesota Vikings center Matt Birk called the attention paid to his absence from the team's offseason program "silly." He added: "I'm not the cornerstone of the franchise for crying out loud."
• External playoff expectations "beats the alternative," Vikings coach Brad Childress said in a Q&A with the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

GREEN BAY, WIS. -- Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers ignored the rush Saturday night and stared downfield as if they had all the time in the world.

Favre's return to Lambeau Field wasn't surreal. It wasn't awkward. It wasn't ironic, even as Favre walked through the Packers locker room and stood on the same stage from which he made his emotional retirement announcement.

The only tension emanated from a slew of reporters gathered to document any slip-up, veiled shot or outright criticism that might come from Favre or a Packers official. No one came close. In fact, it was as if Lambeau were packed in a time capsule and insulated from worldly events.

Favre spoke publicly three times -- at a news conference, then to accept the Packers Hall of Fame MVP award, and finally to introduce inductee Frank Winters -- and never referenced his standoff with the organization. Winters touched on it only briefly in his acceptance speech, thanking Favre for showing up during "a tough time."

General manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy reportedly were in the crowd but they were out of sight to the media. Former Packers player Larry McCarren, who served as the emcee of the banquet, asked that the night be reserved for inductees Gilbert Brown, Al Treml and Winters. McCarren noted that "there are bigger problems in the world than the one the Packers Nation is wrestling with now."

Favre, who has been known to meander from topic to topic while speaking in public, kept to the script Saturday night.

"Frank asked me a couple months ago if I would do this," Favre said, "and I was honored. ... It was a privilege and an honor to play with Gilbert and Frank and work with Al. And I congratulate you. As a roommate and friend, they don't come any better than Frank."

At $125 per plate, the paying customers tonight were among the Packers' most loyal fans. They gave Favre a standing ovation at the banquet, one that appeared to take him aback. A few shouted individual messages of support.

Many reflected the torn feelings of former Packers guard Marco Rivera, who was among the former players in attendance.

"I understand where both sides are coming from," Rivera said. "I understand the position that Brett Favre is coming from. I understand the position the Packers are in. It's tough when you played football for so long to walk away. I had to walk away for [back] injuries. It was tough for me to put the TV on and watch football. I understand both situations and I hope something can be resolved, but it's up to both parties.

"I really don't know what they're going to do. But at some point I think they'll get past this."

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

GREEN BAY, WIS. -- It could never happen this way, right? Too easy, huh?

Brett Favre is not only in Green Bay, but as we type these words he is sitting in the atrium of Lambeau Field, waiting to induct his friend Frank Winters into the Packers Hall of Fame. Somewhere in the same room, we're told, is Packers general manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy.

(The event is closed to the media, so we can't tell you for certain that Thompson and McCarthy are there. They were scheduled to be.)

Assuming everyone is here, how hard would it be for Favre, Thompson and McCarthy to lock themselves in an office and find an endgame to the month-long public drama that has engulfed the franchise? There are hard feelings on both sides, to be sure, but what better time will there be to resolve those problems?

There are many who believe Favre's bridge to playing again in Green Bay is permanently burned. But at some point, he and the Packers are going to have to solve this problem. Even if Favre decides to remain retired, there is still the issue of his long-term relationship with the franchise.

Absent a reconciliation, would Favre consent to having his jersey retired at Lambeau Field? Would he participate in alumni events? Or would one of the most celebrated players in Packers history enter retirement estranged from the organization?

There is a lot of pride and a few egos involved. But with players reporting to training camp a week from Sunday, the timing for a resolution will never be better.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

	AP Photo/Mike Roemer
	Brett Favre, right, jokes with Frank Winters during a news conference before the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame induction banquet on Saturday.

GREEN BAY, WIS. -- On this weekend, at least, Brett Favre kept his word.

He walked into a media auditorium with one of his best friends, former Green Bay Packers center Frank Winters, at about 4:15 p.m. central time. The two posed briefly for pictures. Favre broke the obvious tension by slapping Winters in the gut.

Dressed up -- for him -- in a gray suit and a button-down shirt (no tie), Favre walked into the hornet's nest without hesitation. He might have reversed his decision on retirement, but Favre kept his commitment Saturday to introduce Winters here at the annual Packers Hall of Fame induction.

Favre appeared for about three minutes at a pre-event news conference, telling a few stories about Winters and saying he was "honored" to be at the event. He did not take questions -- a team spokesman said Favre did not want to detract from the festivities -- and isn't expected to address his month-long standoff with the team.

"A lot of people around the NFL and the United States were probably thinking Brett wouldn't show up today," Winters said. "But I knew deep down inside that he would. He told me he would be here."

Favre and Winters first met in 1992, when Favre showed up in Green Bay as a 252-pound quarterback. Winters asked him if he was a linebacker.

"From that point on," Favre said, "we were inseparable. What an unlikely friendship: Union City, New Jersey, and Kiln, Mississippi. I guess the old saying about opposites attract is true."

Favre said tonight's induction is part of the Packers mystique.

"That's the thing about Green Bay," Favre said. "It's a special place. There is a lot of tradition. You think of the Packers, all these great names, and for Frank to be honored, it's a special thing."

Favre is scheduled to make a more formal speech later this evening during the banquet, where he and his wife, Deanna, will sit at Winters' table. Numerous members of the Packers' organization are also scheduled to be in attendance, including coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson, but there have been no indications of a meeting or any other event that could bring resolution to Favre's situation.

Tonight's ceremony, which is closed to the media, has been sold out for months. The attendees are mostly friends of the organization, and Favre should be able to spend most of the evening under the radar.

"He told me he was going to be here and I believed him," Winters said. "I told him if he didn't want to come, it would be all right. I didn't want him to be harassed and make it a big deal. But he said no, it was all right."

Winters said he speaks to Favre regularly but never sensed that tonight's event would be awkward for him.

"You've got to remember," Winters said, "I asked him a long time ago, before this came about," Winters said. "Our friendship goes back a long time."

"Basically, when I talk to Brett now it's basically about what's going on with the kids. We don't really talk much football. I don't think it's awkward. I'm sure there are a lot of people who would like to ask him a lot of questions. But it's a special night for a couple of guys and I'm just going to keep it at that."

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

GREEN BAY, WIS. -- Brett Favre kept his word to one of his best friends today and is in Green Bay to induct center Frank Winters into the Packers Hall of Fame.

Favre introduced Winters to reporters assembled here at Lambeau Field but did not address his current standoff with the team. He left the room without taking questions.

We'll bring you a fuller report soon.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

GREEN BAY, WIS. -- Former Packers defensive lineman Gilbert Brown just met with the media assembled here at Lambeau Field for the Packers Hall of Fame induction.

As Brown reminded reporters, he is a man of few words. So his reaction to the standoff between the Packers and Brett Favre was pretty predictable.

"All I know is tonight is Gilbert Brown, Frank Winters, Al Treml," Brown said, referring to Saturday's trio of inductees. "That's all I care about. The three guys going in."

Pressed on the issue, Brown said he hasn't had time to think about Favre's situation.

"All I've had time to think about is what I'm doing," Brown said. "Everyone can't sit around thinking about everyone else. I'm a grown man, too. He put his pads on just like me. I ain't got time to worry about him."

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

GREEN BAY, WIS. -- Yes, we're here on-site for what promises to be an interesting scene Saturday night at the annual Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame induction. As of this morning, quarterback Brett Favre is still expected to present inductee Frank Winters and thus will be in the same building with Packers general manager Ted Thompson and the rest of the team's front office. (Favre also is scheduled to appear at a news conference for the inductees but is not expected to take questions.)

We'll bring you details of the scene as soon as we can.

Here's a quick look at the division on the final quiet weekend before training camps begin:

• Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf turned down an opportunity to comment on the Packers' tampering charges against his team. When asked by Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune, Wilf said: "Let's put it this way, I look forward to the opening game in Green Bay." (The Packers and Vikings open their season at Lambeau Field on ESPN's Monday Night Football. Game on, as they say.)
• Wilf, linebacker Chad Greenway and other members of the Vikings organization were in Iowa City on Friday to participate in flood cleanup.
• The Chicago Bears have extended their training camp contract with Olivet Nazarene University through 2009.
• While Favre's presence has brought national attention on Green Bay tonight, it's only fair to point out the banquet is to honor Winters, former defensive tackle Gilbert Brown and longtime video director Al Treml.

Colts head coach Tony Dungy was a guest Friday with Tom Waddle and Marc Silverman on ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago.

Dungy offered updates on the statuses of Marvin Harrison and Peyton Manning, as well as his thoughts on the Brett Favre situation.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

How about some Brett Favre links for a change?

• The NFL will need about a week to investigate and rule on the tampering case between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Knowing the NFL, however, it wouldn't be a surprise if it takes longer.
• The Vikings have lawyered up. They have almost nothing to say about the tampering charges.
• The Chicago Bears owe it to themselves -- and everyone else with interest in their well-being -- to have "The Conversation," writes David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune. They should at least find out if Favre would be interested in playing for the Bears.
• Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe thanks Favre and the Packers for providing the media with juicy drama during what is traditionally one of the least exciting weeks of the sports year.
• The Detroit Lions got a little bit of clarity in negotiations Wednesday with first-round draft pick Gosder Cherilus when the Baltimore Ravens signed quarterback Joe Flacco, who was picked one slot behind Cherilus.
• Former Packers vice president Andrew Brandt will teach sports business at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, as well as sports law at Georgetown law school during the fall semester.
• An architectural firm has developed a new Vikings stadium that shaves about $100 million from the original $954 million price tag. The design uses some of the existing Metrodome structure. The plan has not been approved.
• Check out this shot of Vikings coach Brad Childress showing off a 65-pound grouper he caught near Marco Island, Fla. (No, it does not appear Favre was on the boat.)

NFL Insiders James Walker, Pat Yasinskas and KC Joyner discuss the latest in the Brett Favre saga as well as other news and notes around the league.

In an interview with ESPN's Ed Werder, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer talks about expectations for the season, Chad Johnson and Brett Favre.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

An unfortunate side effect of the Brett Favre tampering case is that it could undermine perceptions of the Minnesota Vikings' commitment to third-year quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.

In short: Were the Vikings attempting to woo Favre at a time when they were publicly and privately insisting Jackson is their starter? (As recently as Tuesday, coach Brad Childress said Jackson was his guy.)

One can imagine members of the Vikings chuckling as the Green Bay QB controversy unveiled. But now, a week before players report to training camp, the Vikings find their organization's integrity under challenge.

True or not, the accusations will be a distraction for the Vikings if they cause so much as one player to question the organization's short-term faith in Jackson.

As ESPN's John Clayton reported, the Vikings contend discussions between Favre and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell were based purely on their friendship -- and did not broach the possibility of Favre joining the Vikings. But the Packers, according to reports by Clayton and the Associated Press, claim the Vikings were trying to damage the Packers by throwing them into chaos, while at the same time clearing the way for Favre to join the Vikings.

Those accusations will be difficult to prove, but it almost doesn't matter. They are now public, and perception often creates reality. As a result, Favre's attempts to play in 2008 have now thrown two franchises into turmoil. Anyone else want to play?

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

A little bit here and there:

• The Associated Press reports the Green Bay Packers will at least partially base their tampering case against the Minnesota Vikings on "more than normal" phone activity between Brett Favre and Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. The calls took place in the time period before Favre asked the Packers for his release. (Again, it seems only fair to judge the content of the conversations, not the existence of conversations themselves. But the NFL has a relatively low standard for tampering, as it showed during the Chicago-San Francisco case.)
• In a twist, both Favre and Aaron Rodgers were in Los Angeles on Wednesday to attend the ESPY awards.
• Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy told the New York Times he is "a little bit more on the team's side" in the dispute between the Packers and Favre. "Now he wants back in with them but wants back on his terms," Dungy said. "He's saying, 'I didn't work out, I'm just ready to play now and I'm your best bet to get to the Super Bowl."
• Will new Chicago Bears running back Kevin Jones come back to haunt the Detroit Lions? And have the Lions adequately replaced him with Tatum Bell and rookie Kevin Smith?
• Seventeen years after he was paralyzed, former Lions offensive lineman Mike Utley has regained most of the use of his hands and has some voluntary movement in his lower legs and feet. His goal is to one day return to Detroit and walk off the field.

Aaron Rodgers, A.J. Hawk, and Matt Leinart talk about Brett Favre from the ESPYs.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

Among the reasons the Minnesota Vikings are livid about a tampering charge from the Green Bay Packers: The NFL has made a renewed effort to patrol illicit recruiting and is handing out relatively high penalties for relatively low-grade offenses.

Consider the recent case of the San Francisco 49ers. The Chicago Bears charged them with tampering this winter, claiming the 49ers had talked to agent Drew Rosenhaus about the future availability of linebacker Lance Briggs in October 2007. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the main evidence was phone records that showed a 49ers official had called Rosenhaus during the timeframe in question.

The records did not indicate Rosenhaus took the call. Nevertheless, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ultimately required the 49ers to forfeit a fifth-round pick and swap positions with the Bears in the third round of the 2008 draft.

Every circumstance is different, but what if the investigation confirms that Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell did indeed speak with Favre at a time when Favre was seeking release from the Packers? Would that be enough for the Vikings to be fined or lose a draft pick, even if there was no firm accounting of what the two friends talked about?

The whole issue could blow over without further incident, but at a time when the NFL is working overtime to maintain the integrity of the game, no one wants to be in the line of fire.

John Clayton in this video discusses how Goodell is likely to handle the charge.

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.

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

	Larry French/Getty Image
	Jeff Garcia would likely be the odd man out if Favre came to Tampa.

Let's jump ahead a bit and ponder what would happen to Tampa Bay's ensemble of quarterbacks if the Bucs end up with Brett Favre. That's still very hypothetical, but it could happen and it's good conversation in the lull before training camps start next week.

The Bucs currently have Jeff Garcia, Brian Griese, Luke McCown, Josh Johnson and Chris Simms on the roster. Simms will be gone before long and he'll have some company if Favre comes to Tampa Bay.

Garcia's coming off a Pro Bowl season, but he's 38 -- the same age as Favre. There's no need for two geriatric quarterbacks and Garcia would be the obvious loser in this scenario. The Bucs would try to trade him, but they might end up having to cut him.

Griese was brought back to give the team a veteran backup because Garcia isn't known for his durability. If Favre comes, durability isn't nearly as big an issue because he's the most durable quarterback ever.

The team believes McCown and Johnson each has potential and it's tough to see either of them not making the roster. McCown showed some promise late last year and the Bucs invested a draft pick in Johnson.

They could end up going with McCown as the backup and Johnson as the No. 3 quarterback if they end up with Favre.

ESPN's Ed Werder sat down with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to talk about coach Mike Tomlin's first year, the roles of rookies Rashard Mendenhall and Limas Sweed, the Brett Favre situation and more.

Tarvaris Jackson talks about the Vikings' upcoming season and the Brett Favre rumors.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

Hovan

It was interesting to read the comments of Tampa Bay defensive tackle Chris Hovan, of all people, in a Tampa Tribune story about the Buccaneers' possible interest in Brett Favre. Those with long institutional memories might find it pretty funny to think of Hovan and Favre on the same team.

In 2002, when he was a member of the Minnesota Vikings, Hovan started a war of words with Favre that kept things interesting for several seasons. During one offseason, Hovan hung a Favre jersey in his locker to emphasize how obsessed he was with beating him. The back-and-forth included a shouting match after a game in 2002 and a few condescending retorts from Favre -- who called Hovan an "idiot," among other things.

The rivalry fizzled over time, and Hovan signed with the Bucs after the 2004 season. Hovan no doubt has matured, and this week he passed on a chance to pile on Favre while supporting current starter Jeff Garcia. "Hopefully everything works out for Brett," Hovan told the Tribune. "But right now we have a great guy at quarterback."

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

Here are some headlines from around the division Wednesday morning.

• There are rumors swirling that Tampa Bay general manager Bruce Allen had dinner with Brett Favre in Tampa on Monday night. Allen strongly denied that, but stayed silent when asked if the Bucs are interested in Favre.
• The Falcons signed linebacker Robert James, a fifth-round draft choice, to a four-year contract. Atlanta has signed nine of its 11 draft picks.
• The Saints haven't been nearly as active in getting their picks signed.
• The Panthers signed tight end Gary Barnidge, giving them two picks under contract, and are close to a deal with seventh-round pick Mackenzy Bernadeau.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

Sometimes, the written word doesn't do justice to the spoken word.

After watching the second part of Brett Favre's interview Tuesday night on Fox News Channel, we came away convinced that Favre has no interest whatsoever in reporting to Green Bay Packers training camp out of spite. A partial transcript released earlier suggested that Favre would consider it, but in the televised portion, Favre said, "I don't want to go back there just to stick it to them." That seems pretty clear to us.

More than Monday night, Favre seemed resigned to the fact that his only chance to play in 2008 is through a trade. He sounded ambivalent -- at best -- about that possibility and went out of his way to say that he might choose to remain retired. Favre admitted he hasn't spoken to backup/heir apparent Aaron Rodgers -- but suggested the Packers leaked information about his own situation to deflect public attention from some negative comments about Green Bay fans attributed to Rodgers in Sports Illustrated.

Curiously, Tuesday night's segment didn't include a list of specific grievances Favre apparently provided. They were included in the partial transcript released earlier.

Below is the full transcript of Tuesday night's airing.

Greta Van Susteren: Let me ask you something. Right now are the Packers paying you any money?
Brett Favre: No.

GVS: So you are, quote, retired?
BF: Yes.

GVS: What you want, since they don't want you back, at least they've sent that message to you, they say they've moved on, you want to be released to pursue anything you want?
BF: To play for whoever, you know?

GVS: And they want to, quote, trade you...
BF: Maybe.

GVS: Maybe trade you or put you on the bench. If they trade you, they can basically hide you on a team that they know the Packers won't compete with or doesn't have a Super Bowl chance.
BF: I would say that's exactly right. And they haven't even talked about a trade. It's been, 'We will welcome Brett back. He'll have to understand he'll be a backup.'

GVS: Why not do that? If you look at it, Aaron Rodgers, I hope he's a healthy man, but he hasn't started a game. You've started the last 275 -- I think that's the number. And he's been injured twice.
BF: The one thing in this, I do feel bad for Aaron a little bit. I think he'll do a fine job, to be totally honest with you. I do. He has been injured. The two injuries are not his fault. Couldn't control them. I know this has been tough on him. I think he'll do a fine job. And this has nothing to do with him, this whole deal. If they want to make me a backup ... The thing is, they've been preaching about, 'We want to protect Brett's legacy' ... and we both know what that's about. How does that protect my legacy if I'm a backup? Brett, we welcome you back, we'll play you $12 million but you've got to hold the clipboard and ball cap. That's probably better for them as opposed to letting me go somewhere and me coming back. Then, their legacy, the management, could be in jeopardy. Let me worry about that. You don't worry about my legacy. It's a bunch of bull. That's all it is.

GVS: To think ahead, if the Packers did release you, and let's say a team picks you up that really needs a quarterback. Chicago, Baltimore or even Minneapolis. And I think the thought of that first Monday night game, I think the Packers play Minneapolis. Don't they play the Vikings?
BF: Yes, yes.

GVS: That's also the day they're supposed to retire the Green Bay '4.' To have you run out in a purple uniform will make the fans crazy.
BF: I've never envisioned that. I've heard all the talk like everyone else. It's hard not to. But that's always been our biggest rivalry, obviously with the Bears. Did I ever think of that? No. Did I ever think it would happen? Absolutely not. In my getting a release, obviously it gives you an option. I don't know if other teams would make a play for me. ... It may not work out. We won't know unless we're released. And how am I supposed to trust that they're working on a trade after the things that have been told to me in the past? Teams may have called and said, 'Hey, we're interested.' Well, you know, I mean, they may never tell us. The longer this goes on, the less likely that I am to play with someone because of the time factor.

GVS: Training camp starts, right around the corner. The 27th of July?
BF: For Green Bay. Other teams are probably reporting earlier.

GVS: Let me get this straight. You're now 100 percent certain you want to play football?
BF: Where is a different question, yes.

GVS: 100 percent?
BF: Right. And I very well may not play, Greta.

GVS: But that's your desire?
BF: Well, the circumstance...

GVS: And you're physically ready to do this?
BF: I think so, yeah. I think I'm ready.

GVS: And Deanna is on board, your wife?
BF: Yeah.

GVS: Have the Packers told you you could come back and sit on the bench?
BF: That's what I'm hearing, yes. Yeah.

GVS: Is that unacceptable to you?
BF: I think so. I've had a lot of people say, and you've mentioned that, go back and hold them to it. Well, I don't see it that way. It's tempting because everyone is saying, 'call their bluff,' or whatever. I think it's going to be a circus in itself already, whether I go there or whatever. And I like my teammates. I had a lot of fun with them. I have talked to numerous guys throughout this whole ordeal. I wish them the best. I really do. I hold nothing against those guys. We had a lot of fun together. It was an amazing year last year. I don't want to make it any worse than it is. I mean, I've always been a Packer and always will be a Packer. Will I play somewhere else? Remains to be seen. But I don't want to go back there just to stick it to them.

GVS: When you had that announcement in March, you got very emotional. Is this emotional for you?
BF: Very emotional. The way I play the game, the way I live my life, is very emotional. And I'm sorry. I've got friends that pick on me all the time about crying, not only during that press conference but last year after a Chicago Bears game. 'Hey, Favre is crying again.' And it is a little bit embarrassing to me at times. But that's the only way I know to be. It's real. It's genuine. Every game I've ever played, regardless of if it was preseason or Super Bowl, meant the same to me. And I laid it all on the line, and I hope people can appreciate it, because I do. And if I don't play again, it's not the end of the world, because I look back and have no regrets. There are some games that I wish I would have won, but I played every game the same way. And so what you see is what you get. I don't know what else to tell you. Yeah, I was emotional. 'He was believable.' I heard that. 'Favre was believable.' Well, it was real. I didn't think I'd play again and still may not. I was giving an honest answer at that time. They didn't make me give that answer. They asked if they could have that answer before free agency and the draft. And I did.

GVS: Have you spoke to Aaron Rodgers at all?
BF: No.

GVS: Were you friendly with him?
BF: We got along fine. He's 14 years younger than me. I know he made some comments here lately. But when I was his age I made some crazy comments, too, so I can't hold that against him. It seems to me that some things were released I think the same day that the Sports Illustrated article was coming out. They're going to probably say that they didn't release any of this info or get the pot stirring. But if they did it was pretty smart, because it deflected a lot of the comments that he supposedly made.

GVS: About the fans having to basically get over you?
BF: Yeah. And I'm sure he's tired of answering questions about Brett Favre.

GVS: It must be hard on him.
BF: It's got to be hard on him. My only advice to him, and I never gave him advice, really, would be that the only way to shut that up, we all know, is to go out and play and play well. And that's not to say that they would forget what I've done. But go out and prove it on the field. That's all I would say. I'm not sitting here bashing Aaron Rodgers. I think he'll do a fine job, and I think his comments are not a surprise. Not only from him, but I might have said the same thing.

GVS: I know you haven't made any decisions, but is going back to Green Bay an option and being the backup quarterback at this point?
BF: Going back and being a backup quarterback? No.

GVS: What about competing for starting quarterback?
BF: Why?

GVS: I'm just asking.
BF: That's what I would ask them: 'Why?' 'Well, Brett, you retired. You know what I mean?'

GVS: Allowing them to trade you so that they get something in return?
BF: It's hard to imagine. But if I'm going to play, I mean obviously I would have to agree to whoever it is. And I'm sure they're not going to do it with a big rival or a competitor or whatever. But that may be our only option. I don't know what else to do.

GVS: If they release you -- which is now your first choice if you can't be the starting quarterback -- if they release you, that at least enables you to make your own decisions.
BF: Why not ask for it? That's what Bus [Cook] and I, we talked about it. Why not ask for it? Do we think we'll get it? But that gives you freedom to sign with anyone. But I'm still under contract, and as far as I know, you can't talk to anyone and they can't talk to you. They have to go through the Packers via the trade scenario. 'Hey, we understand that Brett possibly could be traded.' How do we know that he hasn't talked to someone? I guess he yesterday said that no one has inquired. That may very well be true. But then again, how do we know it's not?

GVS: What do you make of the rallies? There are a couple rallies scheduled to bring Brett Favre back, some of your fans.
BF: Once again, Green Bay is a special place. Wisconsin is a special place. I truly appreciate not only these rallies, but the way they ... you know, I've been booed a couple of times in that stadium, deservedly so. I didn't always play well. I had my ups and downs. But through it all, most people can say, 'You know, I appreciate the way he played, the way he handled himself. I wasn't perfect. Never will be. But I've always shot it straight and honest and played the game that way. I think those people, now, I think they'll hear this side of the story. They can believe what they want. But for the most part, the people that are rallying and know me, think they know me, would say, 'You know, now this makes more sense. That's kind of what we thought.' I'm not here to convince people. I'm here to tell the truth. And I hope the fans know it's not about them. Obviously it's not. Because I can't go nowhere else and get what I've got in Green Bay. Never will. No one can. And I was fortunate through those years to appreciate it, witness it, feel it. There's nothing like it.