There is little doubt that if the Vikings could sign quarterback Brett Favre, they would sell out their remaining season tickets within 48 hours. For that and other reasons, it will be surprising if Favre isn't with the Vikings in training camp.

Back in February, Favre asked for his release from the New York Jets. The Jets said no. So Favre, now 39, said he would retire. End of issue.

But after last weekend's NFL draft, after the Jets chose QB Mark Sanchez from Southern California, Favre asked again for his release. His request was granted.

And that has become the juicy question. Why did Favre now want to get released from the Jets?

There could be two motives: wanting to play for the Vikings, who have wanted him for a year, and a $20 million pot of gold.

The $20 million isn't a new playing contract. The Vikings probably could sign Favre for about $7 million for the coming season, with about $3 million more available in performance bonuses, such as winning the Super Bowl.

The $20 million, remember, is what the Packers, for whom Favre played 16 seasons, offered Favre nearly a year ago to retire from Green Bay. The 10-year marketing deal would have made Favre an ambassador for the franchise.

Now that the future hall of famer has been released by the Jets, Favre could have new leverage: Give me the $20 million and I'll stay retired. If not, I'll sign with the Vikings and make life miserable for the Packers.

Besides Minnesota, the only other possibility for Favre as a player this season, assuming his injured right arm is sound, would seem to be Washington. But his chances to win would seem better with the Vikings in that the Redskins are in a tougher division (NFC East) with the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. Washington, though, probably would pay more than Minnesota for him. Favre still has a stronger arm than new Vikings QB Sage Rosenfels, whose arm is fine at intermediate lengths.

At this juncture, it appears there are only three ways for the Vikings to improve at quarterback: Favre, Michael Vick, or trying to trade with Cleveland for either Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson.

Signing Vick, though, might turn the Vikings into a halfway house. Best bet is that Vick, who'll get counseling from former Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy, ends up in San Francisco.

Joe Mauer is back to catch for the Twins tonight against Kansas City at the Metrodome, which pleases general manager Bill Smith for obvious reasons. But Smith said he's greatly appreciative of the job backup catchers Mike Redmond and Jose Morales did in Mauer's 22-game absence.

"Can't say enough good things about how hard Morales and Redmond have worked in this first month," Smith said Thursday. "And they've worked together. Redmond has been a huge influence on Morales.

"I don't think people realize how valuable Mike Redmond ($950,000 salary) is to this club. He's a great teammate, a great representative of this organization, and he has been good helping some of our young pitchers make some adjustments.

"He's a leader on this club."

Mark Wilson, the Twins scout who signed Mauer and is from Lindstrom, Minn., is featured this year on a Topps baseball trading card.

The Wild were 12-9-2 this season against teams still alive in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Cameron Hodges, a 6-foot-4 wing from Minneapolis Community and Technical College, scored 25 points and was named most valuable player of the National Junior College Athletic Association all-star basketball game last weekend in Odessa, Texas. Hodges, whose team won 122-108 and was coached by MCTC's Jay Pivec, is headed to Minnesota State Mankato.

Among local sports legends honored at Jax Café last week were Murray Warmath, 96; Johnny Kundla, 92; Kenny Bartholomew, 89; Glen Sonmor, 80; Bob McNamara, 77; Johnny Mayasich, 76, and Tony Oliva, 70. Nearly 250 spectators attended the luncheon.

McNamara, the former Gophers All-America halfback (1954) who has had two knee replacements, a hip replacement and a shoulder replacement, plays either racquetball or tennis four days a week. "It's still fun to compete," he said.

Mancini's hall of famer and U.S. Hockey hall of famer Doug Woog and son Dan will appear Saturday at an autograph session at Hockey Giant in Bloomington from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sad news: Classy Frank Jirik, who for 24 years managed the North Stars' Met Center and had been consulting for the Wild's Xcel Energy Center, died Thursday morning at his home in Lakeville after battling cancer for six years.


Latest buzz is that new free-agent QB Brett Favre, 39, who could end up with the Vikings, has hired a personal trainer at home in Mississippi.

Favre's sudden arrival on the market makes you wonder if that's the reason the Vikings haven't spent much on free agency this year. Maybe they knew something.

The ESPN Monday night Vikings-Packers game Oct. 5 at the Metrodome, if Favre is the Vikings' QB, could set a viewership record.

http://www.twincities.com/vikings/ci_12267411?nclick_check=1

How many times does one guy have to retire before he's really retired? Brett Favre is getting to be like the boy who cried wolf. When he finally does retire for good no one will show up for the press conference!

And after all that drama last summer with Greenbay trying to keep Favre from the Vikings. :lol:

Roger Goddell is not letting that IDIOT come back-lol

Vikings will discuss signing Favre

Childress won't say whether he’s spoken recently with retired quarterback


EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Brett Favre says he’s retired, but Minnesota coach Brad Childress acknowledges it’s likely the Vikings will at least assess their interest in the record-setting quarterback later in the offseason.

Childress declined on Friday to directly answer a question about whether he plans to speak to Favre soon. The coach said he has been too busy with the NFL draft and the team’s rookie minicamp.

Favre asked for and received his release from the Jets earlier this week. The 39-year-old Favre left his future open with the disclaimer “at this time” in a statement affirming his retirement.

The Packers filed tampering charges against the Vikings last summer, alleging inappropriate contact with Favre while he was waffling again on his retirement. The league dismissed the case.

Asked whether the team discussed the possibility of pursuing Favre now that he’s a free agent, Childress said no.

“We haven’t. It doesn’t mean we won’t,” Childress said. “We talk about everything, from what’s going on in the United States on the front page today. ... So, yeah, I’m sure we’ll talk about that.”

But for now, the Vikings are moving forward with Tarvaris Jackson, Sage Rosenfels and John David Booty at quarterback, a spot that has been unsettled since Childress took the job in 2006.

“I’m more focused on the guys that are here, participating in the offseason program,” Childress said. “I’m more focused on our three quarterbacks right now — Tarvaris and Sage and J.D. — that are progressing through this program.”

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30525582/

How many times does one guy have to retire before he's really retired? Brett Favre is getting to be like the boy who cried wolf. When he finally does retire for good no one will show up for the press conference!
It'll be like when Abe Vigoda finally dies, no one will believe it!! Seriously, though - what is it with these athletes who retire, then unretire, etc.?? It boggles the mind. :crazy:

What a doucheb*g. Just leave the game and STAY Brett. He's like a f*cking dog, you have to tell him to stop doing this or to stay/sit LOL. It didn't surprise me that it would sooner or late happen or that it happened this fast. I think he would be good for the Vikings and would be a HUGE improvement for their team at the QB position over Tavaras Jackson & Gus Frerotte- if this were 5 years ago!!!!! He sucks now and it showed the last 3-5 games as a Jet, even if it was a tough AL East division he played in, and in the cold around playoff time. He might do better in a dome, in a easier division but I doubt he'll be that great. Plus he's a Interception machine. Let's see what happens with this though.

There was no need for the Jets to release Favre unless he wanted to come back.

I guess he couldn't have gone to another team if he wasn't released from that team.

Didn't he sign a one year contract though last year?

Brett is NUTS!!! If someone offered me 20 million dollars and I didn't have to get tackled, slammed into the ground, treated like a rag doll by opposing linebackers and/or linemen, and just simply had to walk around and say "Hi - go see Green Bay Packer games" I'd take the money and RUN!

Brett is NUTS!!! If someone offered me 20 million dollars and I didn't have to get tackled, slammed into the ground, treated like a rag doll by opposing linebackers and/or linemen, and just simply had to walk around and say "Hi - go see Green Bay Packer games" I'd take the money and RUN!

AGREED- I'd grab the check or money, and SPRINT like AT&T lol...id jet so fast out of their, before the GM can say "Quarterba....." and not finish his sentence :lol:. I think he's stupid for doing this.

How many times does one guy have to retire before he's really retired? Brett Favre is getting to be like the boy who cried wolf. When he finally does retire for good no one will show up for the press conference!

Good point. Just walk away Brett.

It doesn't bother me that Brett wants to play. I mean, if a guy loves the game that much, and can be productive, then I say come back until your heart desires. The fact is, even with diminished skills, he's still better than probably half the quarterbacks in the league today. My problem with Brett is his constant retiring, and unretiring act. That's what gets me. I liked the analogy brought up earlier in this thread about the boy who cried wolf, because that's exactly what Brett has become. If he has a press conference next year, I probably won't even watch. I't's just a waste of my time.

It doesn't bother me that Brett wants to play. I mean, if a guy loves the game that much, and can be productive, then I say come back until your heart desires. The fact is, even with diminished skills, he's still better than probably half the quarterbacks in the league today. My problem with Brett is his constant retiring, and unretiring act. That's what gets me. I liked the analogy brought up earlier in this thread about the boy who cried wolf, because that's exactly what Brett has become. If he has a press conference next year, I probably won't even watch. I't's just a waste of my time.

I totally agree with you Brad, and feel the same way....the QB that cried retirement :brent oh god lol- I just made that up on the spot...

But yeah, the retirement then unretiring, along with the rollercoaster press conferences at both ends of the spectrum are what irks, annoys & gets me....C'mon Brett, make a decisive decision, and STAY with it! lol.

Question: Are the Vikings using the spectre of Favre unretiring and playing for them to try to increase ticket sales and revenue so that they get a new stadium and don't relocate to San Antonio or wherever?

Question: Are the Vikings using the spectre of Favre unretiring and playing for them to try to increase ticket sales and revenue so that they get a new stadium and don't relocate to San Antonio or wherever?


Hope not because he will do nothing but throw INT's