Third Time's A Charm? Brett Favre Announces Return To Vikings

Brad Childress Has Reportedly Lost The Respect Of Vikings Players, Including Favre

According to a report by Yahoo! Sports' Jason Cole, Vikings coach Brad Childress antics throughout the Favre retirement saga has caused him to lose to respect of the locker room. Cole was also told by at least one player that Favre has little regard for his coach.

On Tuesday, Childress pulled a stunt that confused many of the players. Childress had special teams coach Brian Murphy and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell tell reporters that three Vikings players were really in the team facility, rather than aboard a private plane ferrying Favre between Minnesota and Mississippi. The subterfuge struck reportedly struck many o the team's players and pointlessly deceitful.

“Chilly can’t even tell the truth about that,” the player said. “I mean, how ridiculous is that? What’s the big deal that he has to lie? Worse, he has to tell other guys to lie for him?”

What looks worst of all for Childress is that the player who he is creating these elaborate smokescreens for was reportedly hesitant to return simply because he didn't want to play for Childress.

“Brett thinks Childress has no clue about offense,” a Vikings player said.

Childress’ presence, not Favre’s ankle injury, was one of the biggest reasons Favre was hesitating about playing again, sources said.

Of course, there's nothing better for morale than winning. Remember, of course, that there were numerous reports out of Vikings training camp last year about how the team was supposedly split about Favre being allowed to report late without penalty. Those feelings of animosity either vanished or were not spoken aloud again once the team started piling on the wins.

Brett Favre Is 'Actually Surprised' His Ankle Doesn't Feel Better

Now that Brett Favre has decided to return to the NFL for a 20th season, the question becomes what to make of his ankle. He had offseason surgery and many took that as a sign that he'd be returning. That wasn't necessarily the case at the time, he says, and his health, particularly his ankle, is certainly a question mark moving forward.

That's a major question and one only I can answer. I can't promise I'll make it through the season. I couldn't promise that at age 21. People will say, 'Oh come December he'll be struggling.' They were saying that last year and, come December, I played my best football. Will that be the case this year? I have no idea but I feel as good as I felt last year. The tenth game of the season, I probably won't feel as good as I did at this opening press conference but i think most guys would feel the same way.

Favre says surgery was just the first step in the process of finding out whether he could return to the Vikings. Returning from his shoulder injury in 2009, he said his arm never felt better but that's not quite the case yet with his ankle.

[The doctors] said, 'I don't know how good it's going to feel but don't expect a dramatic difference like your shoulder.' I'm not going to break any 40 times but I need to move around.

Now that it's done, he says he's "actually surprised it doesn't feel better based on what they took out" during ankle surgery.

Favre talking about his ankle sounds awfully familiar to what he said last year about his shoulder. While he said at the time his arm never felt better, he made sure to caution everyone that it could get worse because he was, after all, getting up there in age.

And then he went out and had a career year and was heralded for his "toughness" to fight through such an injury.

I suspect we'll have a similar narrative in 2010.

Check out Daily Norseman for more on Brett Favre's return.

Brett Favre Talked To Vikings QBs Tarvaris Jackson, Sage Rosenfels Before Returning

Brett Favre's return has predictably caused a lot of folks in Minnesota to be very happy.

Two guys that may not be so happy are Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels.

If Favre hadn't returned, one of those two would have been the starting quarterback for a team coming off of a NFC Championship appearance.

Favre said in his press conference Wednesday afternoon that he did talk to both of them before and after making his decision.

T-Jack, Sage and I have had good conversations. They want to play. They can't be high-fiving and being happy, I know that. But they both handled it extremely well. I have talked to them directly and before I knew what I was going to do.

On Tuesday, Jackson said of Favre's return, "Honestly, I don't really care." He hasn't directly said it, but he clearly can't be too excited about Favre's return, even if it does increase the Vikings Super Bowl chances.

I wanted everyone to be all in and I think that's why we've been successful here. It's a good football team but there's a lot of chemistry. More than talent, the chemistry has to come together for any team to be successful.

Chemistry is important but having eight Pro Bowlers doesn't hurt either.

Check out Daily Norseman for more on Brett Favre's return.

Brett Favre Feels He Owed It To The Vikings To Return

Brett Favre had a visit from a few of his Vikings teammates on Monday night while he was still deciding whether he would return to the NFL for a 20th season. The three players -- Steve Hutchinson, Jared Allen and Ryan Longwell -- told him he didn't need to play like he did last year but they still wanted him to return.

You guys know Hutch but it's like talking to a wall. He's not taking no for an answer. He kind of strikes fear in you. I can't even tell you but I said to him this is going nowhere. At one point, I was stating my case and Jared said, 'You know, I hear everything they're saying and I'm with you. Now, I'm a little selfish and for selfish reasons we'd like to have you back.'

His teammates told him that he didn't owe them anything but, because of the team they've put together (and, frankly, because he waited until the last minute to decide), he felt he owed it to the organization to return.

It doesn't help when I'm driving home in Hattiesburg, a month after football, and there's billboards popping up saying how much we love you and we want you back. Who would've ever thought that would happen? People are making trips to Hattiesburg and it was sincere stuff. The things I was hearing and the letters I was reading, the billboards I was passing....I just felt like I owe it to this organization to give it one more try. I have no idea how it will pan out but I can promise you I will give my best.

As for the decision process itself, Favre has come under fire (once again) for turning this into a circus-like environment. However, he doesn't expect anyone to understand what he went through.

I can't expect anyone outside of this group to understand it or agree it. People are going to break it down and say this is wrong, or right, or inspirational. Everyone will have their take on it. But I think it's a tribute to the guys.

Check out Daily Norseman for more on Brett Favre's return.

Brett Favre: 'Twenty Years And I'm Done'

Brett Favre announced his return for the 2010 season Wednesday afternoon, following a practice with the Vikings. It's practically become an annual summer tradition: Memorial Day leads into July 4th which is followed by Favre Decision Day (Aug. 18) as camps open and the warmer weather begins to wane. But no more.

In his wordy speech to the gathered media on Wednesday, Favre took the time to say that 2010 will be his final year in the NFL.

"Twenty years and I'm done," Favre said. "This is the last year of my contract. I'm sure a lot of people will say, 'Yes!' I'll give it one more try and regardless how it ends I'll leave on top."

Sounds familiar.

Brett Favre Officially Announces His Return To Vikings For 2010 NFL Season

Shortly after practicing with the Vikings on Wednesday, Brett Favre took to the podium and announced what many already suspected: he is returning to Minnesota for the 2010 season, his 20th year in the NFL.

Favre said that the decision "was very tough," and that he "could make a case for both - playing and not playing," but in the end, this comeback (his third, for those scoring at home) was about his teammates. "I think ultimately as much has been made about the three guys coming down, it was really about the team."

Physically, Favre said he was fine -- "I've played in 309 straight games, I can't complain." -- but that the mental aspect is really what wears on him more, particularly the challenge that is winning the Super Bowl.

"It's hard to make people understand. You play 19 years and I was fortunate enough to be on a winning Super Bowl team in 1996. I was fairly young at the time and you think, 'This is no big deal, we'll be back, there's always next year.' In that particular game, the mental toll was really what was hard to deal with. This team is a very good football team. The chances here are much greater than other places and there's a lot of teams that can say they have a legitimate chance and this is one of those teams. From that standpoint, it's always made it easier.

"My wife, she always says i look at things negatively more than I should but the what ifs can not answer the bell and what happens if it doesn't. I would love to win a Super Bowl, but what happens if you don't?"

Brett Favre Will Practice With Vikings, Could Play Sunday Against 49ers

The Vikings released a statement on Wednesday morning announcing that Brett Favre will practice with the team on Wednesday. If he's practicing, then that means he's passed a physical.

Practice will start at 11:30 a.m. (ET) and go for about two hours before a 2:30 p.m. (ET) press conference, where Favre is expected to take questions about his return.

Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star Tribune also reports that Favre could see some snaps this weekend in the Vikings second preseason game against the 49ers.

Check out Daily Norseman for Brett Favre news.

Brett Favre Will Reportedly Receive A Pay Raise From The Vikings

The Vikings now have Brett Favre back in tow, a move they're expected to announce late Wednesday morning.

Now the question becomes how much it cost them. Favre signed a two-year, $25 million deal last year that's set to pay him $13 million in 2010.

According to NFL Network's Jason La Canfora, there has yet to be a change in Favre's contract filed with the league office.

However, Vikings beat writer Judd Zulgad reports there is a pay raise coming.

The team, according to NFL sources, plans to increase Favre's base salary for this season to $16.5 million instead of the originally planned $13 million he was due under the two-year contract he signed last August. 

There's also expected to be another $3.5 million available in incentives bringing the total to $20 million.

Favre has told several people his decision to return is not about the money. Why, then, did he return with $7 million more available to him?

Check out Daily Norseman for more Brett Favre news.

Brad Childress, And Possibly Favre, To Address Media Wednesday Afternoon

The Minnesota Vikings released a statement saying that head coach Brad Childress will address the media following the team's practice at 12:40 p.m. Wednesday.

The statement said that Favre's availability is "to be determined," but cameras are allowed to be present at the practice, meaning that we will know far in advance of the press conference whether Favre was taking part in drills with the team.

Brett Favre Arrives At Vikings Facilities, Announcement Expected Soon

It's nearly official: Brett Favre is back.

The Vikings quarterback did indeed take a flight from Hattiesburg, MS back to Minneapolis Tuesday afternoon. He was chauffeured back to Winter Park by friend and Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell upon arriving at the airport.

A local TV station even carried a live feed of Longwell's car driving back to the Vikings facilities.

Favre is expected at some point on Tuesday to announce he is returning for a 20th season in the NFL.

During media sessions on Tuesday, Vikings coaches strangely denied that three players were sent down to Hattiesburg, MS Monday night to convince Favre to play a 20th season. It's become obvious at this point that three players did make the trip down there.

Stay tuned to Daily Norseman for more Brett Favre news.

Brett Favre Reportedly Returning To Minnesota To Rejoin Vikings

As if there were any doubt, Minnesota Vikings QB Brett Favre appears poised to announce his return to the NFL for the 2010 season.

An email from his official website to Pro Football Talk says this:

"Stay tuned for breaking news from the Minnesota Vikings today on Brett Favre's possible return. Visit the Vikings.com and Officialbrettfavre.com for more information."

The Vikings sent three players to his Hattiesburg, MS home on Tuesday morning to convince him to return. According to Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com, the move has worked.

Brett Favre has told trio of vikings who came to persuade him to return that he is "back in" and is on plane back to minny now

Apparently news spreads fast because Favre's official website is not currently loading.

NFL Network's Scott Hanson joins Glazer in reporting that Favre is currently "on a jet headed north."

Stay tuned to Daily Norseman for more Brett Favre news.

Vikings Reportedly Send Jared Allen, Two Others To Visit Brett Favre

On Tuesday morning the Minnesota Vikings took to the practice field missing three players: DE Jared Allen, G Steve Hutchinson and K Ryan Longwell.

The reason for their absence?

Per the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

It's believed the trio was sent to Hattiesburg, Miss., to try to convince [Brett] Favre to return. Sources confirmed the three were not at meetings earlier this morning either.

The last we heard Favre was still interested in playing if his ankle would heal properly. He recently visited Dr. James Andrews in Florida, presumably about his ankle.

Head coach Brad Childress said Tuesday there had been no recent contact with Favre.

Since Favre reportedly sent text messages to teammates indicating his plan to retire, the Vikings have put on the full-court press to get him to return including a pay raise.

Stay tuned to Daily Norseman for more Brett Favre news.

Latest Brett Favre Speculation Has Him Visiting Dr. James Andrews In Florida

ESPN's Chris Mortensen has the latest Brett Favre update.

Reported to to ESPN that private plane left Hattiesburg at 9:11 am CT, today, arrived in Pensacola @ 9:55 a.m. Left Pensacola @ 12:45 p.m., back in Hattiesburg @ 1:33 p.m. Dr. Andrews works out of his Gulf Breeze Institute on Thursday & Fridays. Pensacola is nearest airport.

Favre of course is from Hattiesburg (and where he's been practicing) so that's where the speculation stems from. There's no confirmation that Favre was actually on the plane and was visiting Dr. Andrews but connecting the dots that would appear to be the case.

Last week Favre's agent, Bus Cook, said whether his client would play in 2010 or not depends on his ankle, which required surgery earlier in the summer. Favre himself has said that his return is based on the rehab of his ankle.

Stay tuned to Daily Norseman for more Brett Favre news.

Agent: Brett Favre Will Play If Healthy, Money Not An Issue

Brett Favre told ESPN's Ed Werder on Wednesday that he would play for the Vikings in 2010 if his surgically repaired ankle heals properly.

Now his agent, Bus Cook, has gone on the record with the same stance.

"As far as Brett is concerned, in spite of reports to the contrary, Brett's situation has nothing to do with his contract, but everything to do with his health and ability to contribute to that team and play at a level that he has been accustomed to playing over the years," Cook told Mariucci. "Brett's ankle, which needed surgery since 2007, was surgically repaired this last spring by Dr. James Andrews. Until such time, Brett feels he can play at a level that he expects of himself, no decision will be made.

"Brett has an appointment to see Dr. Andrews next week and will know more at that time. Brett continues working every day, rehabbing his ankel and will see after his visit with Dr. Andrews what his status is at that time."

Several reports have said Favre would be more likely to come back if the Vikings offered him more money but apparently that's not the case, according to the man who negotiates those contracts. Cook also reiterates Favre's stance that no decision has been made.

The next step in this will be his meeting with Dr. James Andrews next week. If that goes well, we could see him in training camp.

Check out Daily Norseman for more Brett Favre news.

Brett Favre Will Play 2010 Season If Healthy

Brett Favre, who on Tuesday reportedly told the Vikings he would not be returning for the 2010 NFL season, told ESPN's Ed Werder on Wednesday that he has not made any decision regarding his future yet, and that if he's healthy, he will indeed suit up for the Vikings.

Favre added that he has not sent any text messages to Minnesota's staff indicating he was retiring (Adam Schefter had reported that Favre sent a text saying, "This is it"). And that was the last time anyone ever heard about Brett Favre and text messages.

So, we're right back to where we have always been, with Brett Favre dangling the decision on his future tauntingly close to the media, providing updates without ever really giving any concrete answer. And so they dance.

After Retirement Report, Brett Favre Practices On Hattiesburg High School Field

Amid conflicting reports over whether Brett Favre has told teammates that he will retire (in 2010), Favre has apparently returned to the high school field near his Hattiesburg, Mississippi home to work out, according to NFL Network's Scott Hanson.

Of course, Favre had started practicing on the Hattiesburg field back at the beginning of July, when it was widely assumed he would return to the Vikings after coming so close to making the Super Bowl last season. So what does it mean now? Is he rehabbing his injured ankle, in anticipation of returning to Minnesota? Or does he just LOVE FOOTBALL and comfortably slinging it around with his buddies? Who knows.

Or maybe, money talks, and the Vikings' latest offer to up his contract has convinced him to come back. Stay tuned.

Vikings Reportedly Willing To Offer Brett Favre $20 Million To Play

When news first broke of Brett Favre's (possible) retirement, Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star Tribune speculated that the Vikings could offer Favre more money to play a 20th season.

Zulgad now reports that the Vikings are indeed willing to give Favre some extra motivation.

According to NFL sources, the Vikings' pitch to bring back Favre now includes an offer that could pay him $20 million -- $16 million guaranteed, plus incentives potentially worth another $4 million.

Favre signed a two-year, $25 million contract prior to the 2009 season. He was scheduled to make $13 million this season.

If Favre returns in 2010, it will not look like a money-grab, and his public perception will continue to crumble.

Check out Daily Norseman for more Brett Favre retirement news.

Source: Favre Tells Vikings Teammates He's Done

Stop me if you've heard this before, but the The Detroit News is reporting late Tuesday evening that Brett Favre tells Vikings he is going to retire.

Favre has started to contact teammates and Vikings officials to say he will not return for a 20th NFL season, tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said on Tuesday evening.

"He told a couple guys on our team he's going to retire," Shiancoe said after practice. "He hasn't told me yet. I'm going to check my phone right now, but it hasn't been said publicly yet so I don't know what to believe"

Of course, as typical with Favre Retirement Watch reports, this could not be confirmed by the Vikings.

Coach Brad Childress said Favre had not told him directly that he plans to retire as of Tuesday morning. The coach would not confirm Favre's status with the team, calling it a "fluid situation," and he was unavailable for comment after the evening practice. Owner Zygi Wilf declined to comment.

"I'm not a big hearsay person," Childress said. "I gotta hear it from the horse's mouth."

Brett Favre Retirement: Vikings Players Say No Decision Has Been Made

On Tuesday there were several reports that Brett Favre would not be returning to the Vikings in 2010 and he would soon announce his retirement.

One reporter close to the Favre family says there has been no decision and on Tuesday Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell said he talked to Favre in between training camp practices and he says there's no decision that has been made.

Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said, "What I'm hearing is it is true, he did decide to retire. Until I hear it from his mouth, I'm going to leave it at that."

Like most people, the Vikings players probably won't believe it until they line up against the Saints in week one.

Check out Daily Norseman for more Brett Favre retirement news.

Conflicting Reports Emerge On Brett Favre's Retirement

Several reports on Tuesday indicated that Vikings QB Brett Favre will retire and he has begun telling Vikings official he is not returning for a 20th season.

Al Jones of the Biloxi Sun Herald is stationed near Favre in Mississippi and cites a family source that no decision has been made on his future.

A family source told the Sun Herald this afternoon that Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre has made no decision regarding a 20th season in the NFL.

“Brett has not made a commitment to play or a decision to return at this point,” the family source said.

Brett Favre Retirement: Brad Childress Addresses Situation At Press Conference, Knows Nothing

Vikings coach Brad Childress held his normal, daily training camp press conference at 12:30 ET today. Here are the “highlights,” as he was peppered with questions about Brett Favre possibly retiring.

When asked if he’s heard the reports that Favre is telling people he will retire:

It’s fluid. We text back and forth all the time. I’m not aware of that. Someone told me that when we were coming off the field. And our players, as teammates, those guys text back and forth all the time. I’m not aware of any of those reports, obviously, I’ve been out here for the past three hours or so. But if and when the case is he does something one way or the other, I’m sure he’ll communicate with me.

So he hasn’t told you at all that he’s not coming back?

He has not.

Have you talked to him at all in the last 24 hours?

I have talked to him the last 24 hours, yeah. [Childress went on to say they discussed several topics, but retirement wasn’t one of them.]

Based on recent conversations with Favre, would it surprise Childress if he retired?

I said this a couple weeks ago … it wouldn’t surprise me one way or the other. I think all of us can live with it either way. The big thing is that he’s at peace with it.

Coach Childress has jokes:

I feel like this is Watergate. Have I done something wrong? Am I on trial?

From there, he heard the same question about 14 different ways, none of which yielded an answer with a different result: As of right now, Childress has not heard if Favre is retiring, the situation is fluid, and they are taking things day-by-day.

Vikings Could Give Brett Favre More Money Not To Retire

Though Brett Favre will reportedly announce his retirement on Tuesday, it's possible the Vikings could entice him back, according to Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

There is a chance ownership will go back to Favre with an offer of more than the 13 million for this season.

Favre signed a two-year, $25 million contract before the 2009 season.

From the Vikings perspective, they may not have much a choice if that's what will get him to play. They're a Super Bowl-ready team as evidenced by last year's NFC Championship run. A Favre retirement would derail those plans.

Check out Daily Norseman for more on Brett Favre.

Report: Brett Favre Tells Vikings Teammates He Will Retire

Brett Fave has not only started to tell the Vikings he will retire, but has also been telling teammates the same, according to FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer. As was reported by Star Tribune’s Judd Zulgad, Favre is telling people his body is too worn down to continue playing.

[Insert mandatory ‘yes, yes, we’ve heard all this before’]

Brett Favre Retirement Watch: QB Reportedly Tells Vikings He's Not Coming Back

Brett Favre is reportedly telling Vikings officials that he will not return for a 20th season.

The report comes from Vikings beat writer Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Zulgad also reports that Favre will issue a press release sometime Tuesday to announce his retirement.

In the middle of July, Favre said he would love to play if his ankle heals. A week later, he was quoted as saying his ankle wasn't where he wanted it to be.

As Zulgad says, keep in mind it's only Aug. 3 and this is Brett Favre we're talking about.

More updates will be coming but keep up with the Daily Norseman for more on Brett Favre.

Favre: 'Ankle Is Not Where I Would Like It To Be'

Brett Favre has been rehabbing his ankle in Hattiesburg, MS after having surgery over two months ago. The overwhelming expectation is that Favre will announce sometime in mid-August that he's returning to the Vikings for the 2010 season but the quarterback insists he hasn't made up his mind yet.

Part of the reason for the indecision for his ankle rehab, which isn't going exactly as planned.

"After almost nine weeks, it's not where I would like it to be, but I'm working at it,'' he said. "Maybe it never gets to where I want it to be. Forty years old … three surgeries … that's all you need to know.''

Ankle or not, Favre will be back. Everyone knows it. He probably knows it. It's just a matter of when he'll announce it.

Check out Daily Norseman for more Vikings news.

Vikings Coach Brad Childress Visits Brett Favre In Hattiesburg, MS

With Brett Favre weeks away from presumably announcing he will return to the Vikings for the 2010 season, head coach Brad Childress made a trip to Hattiesburg, MS where Favre currently resides.

Childress would not comment on camera about his visit but said, "You can fill in the blanks."

Childress arrived in Hattiesburg Sunday night and said he did not know how long he would stay in Mississippi. 

Filling in the blanks would be that Childress is just checking up on his quarterback to confirm he's ready for the seasson. Favre is recovering from an ankle surgery and it appears things are going well.

Favre is expected to announcing sometime in middle-to-late August that he's returning for the 2010 season.

Brett Favre 'Would Love To Play' If Ankle Heals

Brett Favre attended the ESPYs on Wednesday night and discussed his return to the Vikings. He hasn't yet decided whether he'll play, he says, but did admit he's rehabbing his ankle to get healthy enough to play.

“It starts with the ankle. This coming Friday will be eight weeks [since the surgery] and I had hoped it would be a little bit better. I can walk fine but you don’t walk in football. Then it kind of works from there up. If you wake up in the morning and your feet hurt it kind of makes the rest of your body hurt and if you’ve been sacked 700 times that usually adds to it. It’s a great football team -- I know that now, I knew it last year -- who would love to have me come play. I would love to play and be the best I could possibly be and that’s really what I’m working towards right now.”

Pretty much everyone assumes he'll be back. He wouldn't be working out at a high school in Hattiesburg, MS if he didn't expect to play and he wouldn't have had surgery on his ankle if he didn't expect to play.

But he'll be dragging this out through much of the Vikings training camp before likely announcing his return in mid-August.

Brett Favre Throwing Passes At Hattiesburg High School Again

Brett Favre hasn't yet formally declared his intention to return for the 2010 season but every indication thus far has been that he'll be back.

The latest is that he has recently started throwing passes at the high school near his Hattiesburg, MS home, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Nevil Barr, the coach at Oak Grove, said that Favre was on the field Thursday morning throwing passes to the high school receivers. According to Barr, Favre began making occasional appearances at the high school to throw shortly after he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle in late May.

"His arm is great like always," Barr told the Star Tribune. "As far as how his ankle is I haven't heard him say anything about it. We don't ask him a whole lot on that."

The speculation on Favre's return date is currently Aug. 16, when the Vikings leave training camp head back to Minneapolis.

For more on the Vikings, check SB Nation's Daily Norseman.

Favre Still Says He Doesn't Know If He'll Play Again

This offseason, Brett Favre had an ankle surgery that would only need to be performed if he intended to play football again, he continues to workout and rehab the ankle diligently and recently told a Mississippi newspaper that he would love to beat the Saints again.

So, he's coming back then, right?

"I'm not saying that," Favre said. "I just don't know. I do not want to stir the pot. If it [comment] comes from me, it's a big deal. At my age, all surgeries are major. The three I've had on the same ankle were considered minor, but major to me. It feels fine now. If my body was a wreck, the decision would be made. But that is not the case. I know [the Vikings] want to know."

If Favre didn't come back and waited until July to let the Vikings know, they would be incredibly disappointed in him. Minnesotans wouldn't have the same venom for him that some folks from Green Bay now do but they'd be (rightfully) upset.

Favre added: "Hell, I want to know. But I am not going to press it. If I do not play, it does not cost the Vikings a dime. They keep the $13 million. I know they have confidence in the players they have. They had a chance to draft [Notre Dame QB Jimmy] Clausen in the first round, but they didn't want one.

But they didn't draft Jimmy Clausen because they were sure Favre was coming back. Not drafting Clausen is in no way a vote of confidence for the Vikings backups.

It sounds like it'll be another few weeks before Favre "officially" says he's coming back.

Brett Favre: 'I Know I Can Still Play At A High Level'

It's the offseason and Brett Favre's "Will he, or won't he?" routine is still going strong.

Some things never change.

Favre spoke with Al Jones of the Biloxi Sun-Herald -- his hometown paper -- and sounded as if he was ready to get back out there and play.

In a Thursday morning interview with Sun Herald sports writer Al Jones, Favre, who had just finished an 8-mile bicycle ride, said: ‘‘I would love to go beat the Saints. I know I can still play at a high level. Last year was a great year, but it could have been better (winning NFC Championship).’’

Judging from everything we've heard and seen -- from the ankle surgery to working out with the local high school football team to now wanting to beat the Saints -- Favre is coming back.

For more on the Vikings, check out Daily Norseman.

Dr. James Andrews: Brett Favre Surgery Went Well, Few Weeks Of Rehab To Go

We've got a little more information on Brett Favre's timeline regarding his decision on the 2010 season:

Dr. James Andrews told AP that Favre's ankle surgery went well but QB has a few more weeks of rehab before he'll decide if he'll return.

So, if he's continuing to rehab then that pretty much tells you all you need to know about his return.

Favre isn't likely to make a decision until at least the start of training camp anyway.

Vikings Kicker On Favre's Return: 'It's 50-50'

It's long been presumed that Brett Favre would return for the 2010 season. The fact that he recently had ankle surgery only seemed to strengthen the thought that he would return.

According to Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell, Favre's return is "50-50" at this point. Longwell doesn't have any inside information at this point but talked about the possibility of the silver-haired quarterback coming back for one more go-round.

"I think it's 50-50 either way," said Longwell, who is a golf buddy of Favre's and was a teammate with the Green Bay Packers.

"He played so well (last season), and I think there's a desire that this team has a chance to go a long way. That would be the reason to come back. But at the same time, he was so at peace with how he played last year — late in the season — and that would be the reason not to come back."

Vikings linebacker Ben Leber feels a little more strongly about the situation. In his opinion, Favre will be back.

"But that's just my personal opinion," Leber said. "You can never count him out. He's such a true competitor, the way he exhibits how much he loves the game. During my short time with him last year, you could see thatpretty clearly. I just have a feeling his competitive spirit will bring him back."

For more on the Vikings and the never-ending Favre drama, check out SB Nation's Daily Norseman.

It's Official: Brett Favre Has Ankle Surgery

In case you hadn't heard, but Brett Favre confirmed Friday what was widely reported that he had surgery on his ankle. Favre made the announcement on his web site, Official Brett Favre:

This is to confirm that I did have a procedure to remove some scar tissue and bone spurs from my ankle which had been bothering me for a period of time. I appreciate your concerns.

Thanks,
Brett

However, there was no official word from Official Brett Favre, the web site, on whether Brett Favre, the quarterback, plans on playing in 2011.

Report: Brett Favre Has Arthroscopic Surgery On His Ankle

Brett Favre ended the 2010 season with a bum ankle and it was later reported that he would need surgery on it in order to play in 2010. Since then, he released a statement that said any type of surgery would not be major and it would not be the sole factor in his decision to return.

On Friday morning Scout.com reported that Brett Favre "may have already had surgery" on that ankle. By Friday evening, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that indeed he went through with the procedure earlier in the day.

Noted orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews operated on Favre at the Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze, Fla., where Favre and his agent Bus Cook were spotted by a handful of people.

Dr. Andrews cleaned up scar tissue and other elements of the joint to allow Favre a better range of motion, sources said.

While Favre's officially saying he hasn't made up his mind regarding a return to the field in 2010, the surgery will put him out for 4-6 weeks which would put his return just in time for training camp.

The last time we heard from Favre the rumor was that he wasn't going to go through with the surgery. That's even more evidence that no one truly knows what he's thinking.

Here's what he said about the possibility of ankle surgery in a statement he released at the end of April:

I don’t believe major surgery on the ankle would be required for me to return in 2010. I’ve consulted with Dr. Andrews on the phone, and a relatively minor procedure could be done to improve the dexterity of the ankle, and to relieve the pain. I’ve put up with pain worse than this in my career, and I didn’t want anyone to assume that the possibility of surgery was the sole factor that would determine whether I return or not.

For more updates on the Vikings, check out SB Nation's Daily Norseman.

Rumor Is That Brett Favre Will Decline Ankle Surgery

According to Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press in Minneapolis, there's a rumor making the rounds that Brett Favre will not have ankle surgery prior to the 2010 season.  

This jives with a statement Favre released last week:

I don't believe major surgery on the ankle would be required for me to return in 2010. I've consulted with Dr. Andrews on the phone, and a relatively minor procedure could be done to improve the dexterity of the ankle, and to relieve the pain. I've put up with pain worse than this in my career, and I didn't want anyone to assume that the possibility of surgery was the sole factor that would determine whether I return or not.

Once again, Favre has found a way to keep his name in the headlines throughout the offseason.

Brett Favre Releases Statement About Ankle Injury, Says 'Major Surgery' Not Required

In response to ESPN’s report Friday that Brett Favre will have to undergo ankle surgery in order to play the 2010 season, the man who knows how to keep a storyline afloat better than any other athlete did just that by posting this on his official site:

I want to add to the information provided in the article that was published this morning on ESPN’s website. Given the reaction to the article, and the typical conclusion jumping, I thought I’d clarify a few things.

While my ankle has been bothering me, the injury is not debilitating. For example, I’m able to work around my property without any problems. Sure — certain exercises cause some ankle pain, but it’s nothing that I haven’t experienced (or played with) before. In fact, many people don’t realize that I injured my ankle before the NFC Championship game.

Some people reacting to the ESPN story have made this assumption. I don’t blame them for doing so, given that the term “surgery” often covers a variety of procedures, some more complex than others.

The ankle pain is a factor, but one of many factors that I’ll need to consider in making my decision. Other factors include the input of my family, and the wonderful experience that I had last year with the Vikings.

In short, The Orbiting and Ever Present Brett Favre PR Death Star/Country Bear Jamboree continues to rotate.

(H/T: Sporting News’ The Trenches)

Brett Favre Retirement Watch: QB Needs Ankle Surgery To Play In 2010

The 'Will he or won't he' of Brett Favre's return to the NFL now has a little extra drama. Favre has been informed that his ankle will require surgery should he attempt to play in 2010.

Surgery on the ankle, which was injured in the NFC Championship game, is unavoidable, according to Dr. James Andrews.

Favre's return, which seemed inevitable, is now a major question.

"We have spoken,'' Favre said in an e-mail. "To play again, I would need the surgery, as I suspected. This decision would be easy if not for my teammates and the fans and the entire Vikings staff. One year truly felt like 10 -- much like Green Bay for many years. That's what I was missing in my heart I suppose, a since of belonging.''    

Favre, 41, hasn't determined yet what he'll do. He isn't saying what, exactly, the injury is or how long it would take to recover from.

So the Brett Favre Retirement Watch has a little added intrigue this year. As if it needed any to inevitably become The Story Of The Offseason.

Catch up on all things Vikings at Daily Norseman.