Brett Favre doesn't deserve our trust 
August, 3, 2010

By Kevin Seifert

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- You have my permission to be skeptical of Brett Favre's apparent intention to retire rather than play this season for the Minnesota Vikings. I know I am.

Favre deserves nothing but our skepticism, especially after announcing his retirement in March 2008. And July 2009. And, privately, several more times in between. Someday, it will be for real. But the only way we'll know that is if the season comes and goes without Favre in uniform. We're six months from that eventuality.

It's true, there might be more going on than we know. But this roller coaster is turning into a joke. I'm here at the Detroit Lions' training camp -- amazing, isn't it? -- and the first five Lions people I talked to all expressed the same reaction that you and I have.

As in, let's just wait a minute and see whether this really plays out the way it's being suggested it might.

Remember, Favre began texting Vikings players and coaches in July 2009 with the news that he would retire. He formally told coach Brad Childress the same thing on the eve of training camp, and within days he was texting Vikings players and asking them how camp was going.

By mid-August, he was on the practice field.

History can't always be our guide, and I'm sure some of you probably think I'm just in denial. Trust me, I'm not. You're not using your capacity as an intelligent human being if you don't have deep, deep reservations about the sincerity of Favre's mindset right now.

His status will be day-to-day until all 32 NFL teams don't want him to play for them. As long as there is one, just one, he remains a possibility to be in uniform.

Of course, we have to consider both sides of this. I'll be back shortly with some thoughts on where the Vikings, and the rest of the NFC North, will be if Favre indeed doesn't play this season. But, please, hold your breath on that one.

[img_r]http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2010/0624/nfl_a_favre_400.jpg[/img_r]FavreWatch: Theories abound 
August, 3, 2010

By Kevin Seifert

OK, the prevailing theory on this blog -- and, apparently, around the NFC North -- is that Brett Favre will put on a Minnesota Vikings jersey at some point this year. All of this is uncharted territory, of course. But as long as we're just talking among friends, let's address some of the early theories making the rounds:

"It's always about money"
Comment: That's what David Canter, a well-known player agent, tweeted earlier today. Canter added: "He knows that Vikes are desperate. No doubt they'll sweeten the pot and he'll break the bank. Uncapped year. 20mil." Indeed, the Vikings wouldn't be an encumbered by any salary cap if they want to give Favre more than the $13 million he is scheduled to receive. We don't have any reason to think Favre simply wants more money, but he has more leverage than any player in the NFL right now. He also has an owner who never shuts off the money spigot when it comes to player salaries. Why not take advantage? Chances of reality: 50 percent.

The ankle is worse than he thought
Comment: When is the last time a quarterback threw with his foot? I just don't buy that as a legitimate reason why Favre wouldn't play this season. It might well be the reason Favre isn't in training camp now, but I can't see it as more than a secondary issue. Chances of reality: 30 percent

He's a drama queen
Comment: It's an interesting thought, especially when you consider the possibility of Favre eventually riding back into town as the savior of a team that struggled through the preseason or started the regular season, say, 1-2. Remember, the Vikings' bye week comes in Week 4. Perfect. Chances of reality: 60 percent.

anyone think ESPN is just looking for some hot story? Hell on sportscenter they couldn't give any proof of Brett retiring. The head coach never heard it and Mr Ed says he hasn't heard anything and afterall Brett told him first about the surgery.

He will be back. But at times you have to feel sorry for the guy. He gets ridiculed for talking and then when he don't say anything they nail him that way. He is in a no win situation.

"dhazer" wrote:

Reportedly, Favre sent texts to teammates saying, "This is it." Why does everyone assume that means he will retire? Those words are entirely ambiguous. One could just as easily interpret to mean, "Here we go -- let's get started!" Perhaps he was letting his teammates know he's about to make an appearance, not that he was calling it quits.

"Nonstopdrivel" wrote: