Another week, another reported deadline for Brett Favre.
This time it’s ESPN’s turn. Their Web site is reporting that Vikings head coach Brad Childress wants a decision from Favre this week. SI reported something very similar two weeks ago. But the Sirius NFL Radio network reported later Monday without citing a source that a deadline is not in place.
Favre reportedly had surgery to repair a torn biceps tendon in his right, throwing shoulder some time in the past two weeks. Favre doesn’t want to make a decision until he knows he will be fully recovered. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen writes, “According to sources, Favre is conflicted between his desire to provide the Vikings with the quarterback he believes is the only thing they lack to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender and his resolve to feel confident enough in his shoulder that it will not undermine his performance, which eroded under a league-high nine interceptions the final month of last season when the Jets faded from playoff contention.”
(This has to be doing wonders for the confidence of Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels, currently the top two guys on Minnesota’s depth chart.)
It would now be completely stunning if Favre did not return, as opposed to slightly stunning when this whole debacle started. Favre and his agent, James “Bus” Cook, can spin this any way they want to, but the way Favre maneuvered his way out of the Jets organization and is now inevitably headed to the Vikings is pretty disturbing.
The only reason there is not more outcry at this is Favre’s late-season failures with the Jets did not exactly make him a must-have in New York for this season.
The Vikings have another series of organized team activities this week, through Thursday, but two more scheduled for June 15 and 16. Their first full training camp practice is July 31, but Childress has long called himself a “mother hen” when it comes to wanting all of his players working out at the team’s facility and participating in the non-padded, optional practices throughout the summer.
Favre ran a similar West Coast-style offense throughout his years with the rival Green Bay Packers, but even if he’s healthy he’d need some time to adjust to new terminology and new teammates, particularly the receivers.
The Vikings were unavailable for comment Monday. Neither Childress nor Cook returned messages.
Last Friday, Childress didn’t answer a question about whether he’d set a deadline for Favre, claiming he wasn’t thinking about it.
The same day, Cook told The Associated Press that Favre remained retired as far as he was concerned, but the agent also began touting Favre’s ability without prompting, as if he were trying to sell the Vikings on a contract.
He said: “I would think they would pull out all the stops if they want to get the guy. I think Brett Favre just brings a whole new ballgame to any ballclub. That’s no reflection on the guys that are on their team at quarterback right now, but Brett’s in a different league than most.”
With AP
