What about Bob?

Ok, we gave LTmLT his one non-Brett Favre item. Now that that's out of the way, let's update you on Favre, who, in case you've been under a rock the last 3 months, is contemplating another comeback to the NFL.

Vikings coach Brad Childress, who hopes to have the soon-to-be 40-year-old quarterback coming off surgery on his throwing arm as his quarterback this season, said he watched a clip of Favre throwing to high school and college players in Mississippi. And Childress liked what he saw.

"I didn't look at his wristwatch or the sunglasses or the hat or the receivers," Childress said yesterday at a charity event in Minnesota. "I looked at what I look at as a coach. I liked his throwing motion, the little bit that I saw on tape. It looked fine to me."

Childress recently has received firsthand reports on Favre's progress from offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and head trainer Eric Sugarman, who met with Favre two weeks ago in Mississippi. "I think [Bevell] thought he was progressing," Childress said. "I think Suge felt the same way."

As for whether Bevell also began working on the Vikings offense with Favre, Childress said: "There will be a spot where that happens, providing that he ends up being with us. But I think it's just been more banter back and forth. 'What are you calling this? How are you doing this?' That kind of thing."

(PROGRAMMING NOTE: The long-awaited introduction of Newsday's new blog system will have to wait at least another day. That's when the name of this here blog will change from "What About Bob" to "NFL Hot Reads." ... exciting!!!)

(AP Photo)

Brett Favre has been working out three days a week with a local high school team in Hattiesburg, Miss. in hopes of returning to the NFL.

He now says he'll let the Vikings know by the start of training camp whether he's coming back.

All signs point to a return, but Favre acknowledges some lingering doubt. Which is why I'm still leaving some wiggle room for the possibility that Favre says he will remain retired.

"There's two weeks left, and I'm doing everything I can," Favre told the Associated Press. "I was down here Sunday morning working out. I'm trying to get everything to where I feel 100 percent when I go in. I can't go in any less. When you're 39 years old, it's hard enough. But it's getting there."

"I felt like going to New York last year that I still had it," Favre said. "I didn't know my arm was hurt at the time. So that's what I try to get across to people. I had that fixed, the surgery to fix that. So I'm trying to make sure that if I go back that that part is completely resolved."

It sure looked like it Wednesday morning, according to the AP, when Favre connected on a variety of passes to high school and college wide receivers. He was crisp on short timing passes and hit receivers in the end zone from about 50 yards away. He attempted a few deep passes off bootlegs and usually hit his targets in stride.

Favre's spirals held true, and he proved he still has plenty of zip when he tossed a deep pass to a college receiver who dropped by to work out. The pass split the receiver's hands and hit him in the face.

"He's a senior from Southeastern Louisiana, so I put a little more on it," Favre said with a smile.

Favre said if the arm strength wasn't there, he wouldn't make a bid to return for his 19th NFL season.

"I don't think Minnesota would even consider it if I didn't have it," Favre said. "Second of all, I wouldn't even think about it if I didn't have it. Now, having it here and having in on the field on Sundays is two different things, I know that for a fact. I know what it takes to play on Sunday, and I still believe I have that."

Favre said his hesitation is more about what those watching him practice might not see. He used a golfing analogy to explain his situation. What if, he asked, Tiger Woods came back and found he didn't have the same game?

"He goes out and hits a 2 iron, and he thinks it will go the normal distance it has all his life, then all of a sudden, it's 13 yards short, and he says, 'I don't know why that is because everything felt perfect,' so that's what I have to get through," Favre said.

"If you're throwing and it's a little off and you have a little pain, it's a little bit understandable," he added. "If there's no pain and there's no excuse, that's where you've got a problem. So I want to go out and have one of those days throwing, and then have another where all of those throws you make, every warmup throw you make or just in general, feels perfect."

Wow.

The soon-to-be 40-year-old quarterback, who retired the last two seasons and only weeks ago underwent surgery on his throwing arm, has put a downpayment on a condominium near the Vikings' training facility.

Really??!?!?!?!?!

Holy Craphonso. Favre is coming back!!

Nothing's official, mind you. But just in case Favre does agree to a contract with the arch rivals of his former Packers team, the Vikings are suggesting that fans who want to see Favre face the Packers on Oct. 5 at the Metrodome would have to plunk down a pile of cash for a Vikings-Chiefs exhibition game Aug. 21.

Dang. Favre's really coming back??

...(and I know LTmeansLawrenceTaylor is not), check out the premiere of Joe Buck Live tonight at 9 p.m. on HBO.

This will be Favre's first interview since he retired from the Jets in February. The 39-year old quarterback agreed to be on the show in April, well before his recent dalliance with the Vikings.

Other featured guests on tonight's program: Michael Irvin, Chad Ochocinco, David Wright, actor Paul Rudd, comedian Artie Lange and SNL cast member Jason Sudeikis. Quite an eclectic group.

-Chris Mascaro

***UPDATE***: Favre said that he is considering coming out of retirement and the Vikings are the only team he's spoken to. He had surgery 2 1/2 weeks ago to repair the torn biceps tendon in his right arm, and the doctor said it would take 4-5 weeks to see if the procedure was a success.

Seems like the daily Favre drama is just beginning.

(Photo by Tom Gannam/AP)

That's what the former Cowboys receiver thinks of Brett Favre's latest dalliance with the Vikings.

"Listen, Favre's 100 years old; stop this already," Irvin told Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times. Irvin was recently in Los Angeles to promote his Spike TV reality show "4th and Long."

"This is what's killing everybody. Every time Favre says, 'I want to come back,' it's like everybody on ESPN says, 'Whatever team he says he wants to come to, he makes them automatically a Super Bowl contender.'

"They said that same stuff last year with the Jets, and Favre gave out toward the end of the season. I love Favre and I think he's been a phenomenal talent for a long time. But when I think about it now, I say, 'Stop it already.' I don't mind that you still want to play football, but do you want to play so much, and you want to get back at [Green Bay General Manager] Ted Thompson so much, that you're willing to go back into Lambeau and hurt those fans that supported you for so long?"

Amen.

(Photo from SimonandSchuster.com)

If Brett Favre decides to give it one more crack with the Vikings, his family will be ready to cheer him on when Minnesota visits Favre's old stomping grounds in Green Bay.

An estimated 25-30 rooms were blocked off for Favre's family and friends at the Midway Motor Lodge near Lambeau Field for the weekend of the Nov. 1 Vikings-Packers game, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

“They called and said if he goes to Minnesota they definitely want to be at the game,” Doug Warpinski, the Ashwaubenon hotel’s manager, told the paper.

Warpinski indicated Favre’s family and friends stayed at the hotel for home games in Favre’s final five years with the Packers.

So what's this news about Favre undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his bum throwing arm to alleviate the pain that was causing him all those problems that led him to retire in the first place. Or second place, I should say.

Guess all that nonsense Favre's agent, Bus Cook, was spewing the other day was just that.

Ok, let's review: Favre announced his retirement from the Jets shortly after the season, this after he sucked down the stretch - at least partly the result of a partially torn biceps.

Then the Vikings came calling to see if Favre was interested in playing.

He hemmed and hawed about being retired, but never said flat out he wasn't interested. Same with Cook.

He also said he wasn't undergoing no stinking surgery.

Now he undergoes surgery.

And the Vikings aren't saying much of anything about Favre.

Translation: Vikings coach Brad Childress must really think that Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels just flat-out suck.

Check back in a couple weeks when Favre will have a better idea if he can throw without pain for the answer. And if there's anyone out there who doesn't think Favre will be under center when the Vikings open their season, please let me know.

Thank you.

Well, we haven't had any Brett Favre news for a few days, so why not jump back into the fray and piss off LTmeansLawrenceTaylor ... or anyone else who's sick and tired of the will-he, won't-he saga that just won't end for the Pride of the Bayou.

Favre's agent, Bus Cook, says as far as he knows, BF remains retired.

As Vikings coach Brad Childress said at a community service event on Friday that he isn't thinking about Favre, and that he did not have a deadline in mind for Favre to make a decision about his status, Cook said Favre has no plans to return to the NFL. The Vikings are the only team interested in the soon-to-be 40-year-old quarterback who has a bad arm and is coming off a string of miserable performances in the month of December and is completely shot as far as we're concerned.

But Cook left open the possibility that Favre could have a change of heart. Again.

"We've all changed our minds, I guess," Cook said in an interview with the Associated Press.

According to the AP:

Without prompting, Cook began touting Favre's ability, 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."

Cook said he hasn't been in contact with the Vikings.

"I don't know what Minnesota will or won't do. I don't know what he will or won't do," Cook said.

Cook declined to elaborate on the condition of Favre's right arm. Favre suffered a partially torn biceps late last season. Jets team doctors suggested Favre needed corrective surgery if he wanted to play again, but Favre, citing his reluctance to get the operation, instead announced his retirement.

Yesterday, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that BF was set to undergo arthroscopic surgery to tear the remainder of the biceps tendon that has been the source of considerable pain.

Now, ESPN has debunked the report, with Ed Werder quoting a source (he doesn't identify the source, but it could very well be a man who loves to Bush Hog in his spare time) indicating the surgery is not imminent and that BF hopes the tendon can tear on its own.

Carry on.

We've turned the reins over to Mad Dog Mascaro and La Monica as we attempt to recoup some brain cells lost over the last 10 months or so, but we had to give you this latest on BF, who is scheduled to meet with renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews tomorrow in Birmingham, Ala.

The plan is for Favre to undergo an arthroscopic procedure to tear the remainder of his partially torn biceps in his throwing arm.

Releasing the remaining portion of the biceps would alleviate the pain in his arm, although it's uncertain whether he'd be able to throw with the same kind of velocity as he could before the injury. If the recovery is complete enough, then Favre would join the Minnesota Vikings as their quarterback.

As we've told you in the past of the soon-to-be-40-year-old Favre, who has thrown 13 touchdowns and 31 interceptions over the last four years' worth of December and January regular season games, he can do whatever he wants. And so can the Vikings, who are clearly willing to cast their lot with a player whose best days are far behind him.

Go for it, fellas. Enjoy.

... but if there's a way he can somehow get the partially torn biceps in his throwing shoulder to tear completely - through a series of exercises recommended by noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews - then perhaps his second un-retirement will proceed.

ESPN is reporting that Favre has ruled out reconstructive surgery on his upper are, and isn't wild about arthroscopic surgery either. But he's willing to try and get the tendon to tear completely through exercises - and thus relieve pain he experiences when throwing.

Terrific piece in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune by Jim Souhan, who ventured to Favre's hometown of Kiln, Miss. to do a piece on how the locals are thinking about their favorite football hero.

Sounds like the folks at the Broke Spoke bar and other Favre haunts are leaning toward Favre making another comeback, this time with the Vikings.

Further proof: Favre is working out with the local high school team.

Favre's mother, Bonita, put it best, when she told Souhan: "It would be a tough decision for anyone. It's also difficult when you love the game. After he's home for a while and starts realizing what's at stake and it starts getting time, the wheels start turning."

The Vikings' president, Mark Wilf, said at a community event today that the team is interested in Brett Favre, who is 39 years old, has announced his retirement twice, has a torn biceps, has thrown 13 touchdowns and 31 interceptions in December and January regular season games over the last four years, and ... oh, you know how we feel about it.

As long as there's some team willing to give him a shot, then Favre will not go away any time soon.

I just wish they'd go ahead and get the deal done. Enough of this off-season nonsense already.

(Glauber Nation kudos to whoever can identify the person in the picture and why we put him up with this post.)

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that there are concerns Brett Favre's shoulder injury might be worse than feared, and could ultimately derail any bid to make a comeback with the Vikings.

(One can only hope.)

... then again, it's still early in the day, so who knows what happens next?

In any event, Favre has ended - for now - any talk that he'll become the next Vikings' quarterback.

Then again, his agent, Bus Cook, told reporters yesterday that, "Like anyone else, he could always change his mind in the future about retiring, but I haven't heard anything from him that that's the case."

This according to Rick Schwartz of Yahoo! Sports.

We'll see if this turns out to be true, although with Favre, even if he says no now doesn't mean he'll say no later.

Stay tuned.

... in whether he joins the Vikings.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune quotes sources as saying that Favre is agreeable to undergoing a minor surgical procedure that would cut the remaining portion of the torn tendon in his biceps to relieve any discomfort he'd been feeling toward the end of last season.

That is all well and good, but that doesn't necessarily mean his arm will return to full strength. In fact, by cutting the tendon, it creates a level of instability in the arm that could affect his throwing ability moving forward.

The only way to ensure adequate strength in the arm is if Favre were to undergo a more significant surgery that would re-attach the tendon. That would require an extensive rehab regimen that would put his availability for training camp in question.

Remember when Favre said on his farewell conference call from the Jets that he didn't want to undergo surgery to make the repair? That's the procedure he was talking about, not the snipping of the remaining portion of the tendon referred to in today's Star-Tribune.

It doesn't mean the Vikings won't take a chance on him; in fact, if Favre decides to have the procedure done, it would likely hasten a deal. It wouldn't, however, change the fact that Favre would go into the season with a continuing problem in his throwing arm.

Well, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the wheels have been put in motion on the Favre-to-Minny train, as sources told the Star-Trib that Vikings head coach Brad Childress left the Twin Cities on a commercial flight on Wednesday.

His destination, according to the source, was Mississippi, where he was scheduled to have dinner with Favre Wednesday night before meeting with him again on Thursday in his home town of Hattiesburg.

Contrary to recent reports, the Star-Trib's NFL sources say that Favre would be amenable to surgery on his biceps tendon, which they say would be a minor procedure and would have him back by the start of training camp.

Said Bernard Berrian, the Vikings' top receiver, to the Star-Trub: "I try not to get too caught up in it because I don't want to get too overexcited, thinking that he's coming and then all of a sudden he doesn't. He would be a great addition to the team. He's a great player. He's done so much for the NFL by himself. He definitely would bring leadership to the team.

"He's been in the league for 17, 18 years and to have a player of his caliber come in, it speaks volumes for what he can do for this team."

Or he could self destruct down the stretch like he did last year.

My prediction is that it'll be awfully difficult for Favre to pass up playing with arguably the best RB in the league, Adrian Peterson, and Minny's newest toy on offense, Percy Harvin. I expect him to be the Vikes' Week 1 starter.

Either way though, I hope this doesn't drag out too long like it did last year — not because I don't want to follow it, but rather for fear that every media member will start sounding like this.

-Chris Mascaro

(Jim Gund/Getty Images)

Continue reading "Childress in Hattiesburg visiting Brett Favre?" »

As Brad Childress ponders the notion of making 39-year-old Brett Favre, who has a torn biceps in his throwing arm, the salvation for his Vikings team, we offer him this reminder from loyal Boland reader/poster Ira, who first trotted out this stat several weeks ago:

Over his last four years, Favre threw 13 touchdowns and 31 interceptions in regular season games played in December or January. That includes last year's woeful December production of 2 TDs and 8 INTs.

That is not a snapshot statistic; that is a trend.

Carry on, Coach Childress.

The NFL Network correspondent has journeyed to Hattiesburg, Miss. to get the latest on the Brett Favre saga.

Here is what he is up against:

"I flew into Hattiesburg this morning and went right to the office of Bus Cook, Favre’s agent. We talked for about 45 minutes off camera and about another five minutes on camera in an interview that you’ll see today on NFL Network’s Total Access.

As for the reported scheduled meeting between Vikings coach Brad Childress and Favre today, Cook told me he has no knowledge of any such meeting – one that has taken place or will take place in the future."

Wonderful. Nice of Cook to be so forthcoming about a meeting that is OBVIOUSLY taking place.

"We actually had direct communication with Favre — through Cook. The two were texting throughout our conversation, and at one point, I asked Cook to deliver a text to Favre for me. I asked Cook to ask Favre if he indeed would meet with Childress. Favre’s response was that he was laying sand in the yard and we could come join him."

Are you kidding me?

"So, basically, Favre was doing yard work. I was crestfallen that Favre’s invitation wasn’t sincere.

Favre would neither confirm nor deny that he will meet with Childress."

What a load of Craphonso.

"I did think this was interesting: During the course of our conversation, Cook did say that if Favre were to ever come back with the Vikings, it wouldn’t be for revenge against the Packers. One other thing: Cook flatly rejected reports that he has investigated the idea of hiring a coach to work with Favre while the quarterback ponders a return. Actually, Cook laughed at the notion.

I’m currently at Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport, the very airport Childress would fly in to if he were to travel here today. So, I’ll have the latest if or when it does happen."

Good luck, Scott ... you poor bastid.

As the Boland Farewell Tour continues on EBoland and Gang Green , there is actual Jets' news to get to. And as we've been designated Boland's fill-in until a suitable replacement is found (and I assure you, we will find a suitable replacement you will come to like, respect and occasionally mock - although not for his choice of sweaters), we'll bring you Jets' updates.

Anyway, we've just gotten word that the Jets have no problem with Favre considering un-retiring for a second time, this time with the Vikings. We'd heard the Jets' take before, but they've made it official.

“As I’ve said in the past, Brett will be a friend of the Jets for years to come," general manager Mike Tannenbaum said in a statement just released by the team. "I appreciate his contributions and wish him well in whatever he decides to do."

Why come out with a statement? My sense is that the Jets were beginning to feel as if the perception would be that they were ticked at Favre because they weren't commenting on the situation at all. But getting Tannenbaum front-and-center with a quote that makes it clear there is no antipathy toward the quarterback goes a long way toward addressing that issue.

For more on the Jets' take on why they released Favre, here's some background.

The Jets knew Favre would consider playing again, although the feeling in the organization was that Favre would not come back. He still might not come back, but not before another flirtation. Favre is meeting with Vikes coach Brad Childress.

Perhaps Childress will ask Favre about the fact that he has a torn biceps that limited his play toward the end of last season. Or how Favre had two touchdowns and nine interceptions in his last five games in 2008.

Oh, well.

We'll be at The Fort tomorrow morning for a periodic media availability. Our top priority is getting some face time with quarterback Kellen Clemens. He might have a thing or two to say about the young man the Jets drafted with the fifth overall pick less than two weeks ago.

Our blog pal from Binghamton via Cortland via Long Island is not on board with the idea of Brett Favre wearing another NFL uniform this season.

As Favre huddles with Vikes coach Brad Childress, Tony A. suggests that it's probably a good idea if Favre opts to stay in Mississippi and ride the Bushhog down on the farm ... or ranch ... or whatever it is Favre calls his sprawling chunk of land down on the bayou.

(photo courtesy of purplepride.org forum)

That's what NFL.com analyst and former NFL player Solomon Wilcots asks the former Packers and Jets quarterback, who is mulling another unretirement, this time with the Vikings.