Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe confirmed Tuesday that Favre had "told a couple of guys on the team" that he planned to retire -- and as much as Favre tried to play it off as a joke on Wednesday, it was no joke at the moment he did it. The reality is that Favre is extremely emotional in his decisions and thus that's why even coach Brad Childress called the situation "fluid" on Tuesday as the Vikings attempted to convince Favre to take more time to make up his mind.
Favre also said the potential money the Vikings might pay him this season won't influence his decision, but if he does return look for Favre to make a base salary of $16 million with the potential for $4 million in incentives. He was to be paid $13 million base this season.
As for his surgically repaired left ankle, Favre will visit surgeon James Andrews next week to see how the ankle is progressing.
Bevell, meanwhile, said he isn't involved in setting any timetable for Brett Favre's return. "We're preparing regardless so the timetable is up to coach and Brett and guys way above me," Bevell said. "All I'm doing is preparing the offense with what we have, the guys that are here. They are working hard, they're competing hard and we're ready to go if we need to one way or the other."
Meanwhile, linebacker Ben Leber said having a veteran team helps the Vikings deal with the Favre situation. "I think we know how to deal with it, we know that it's something that's out of our control," Leber said. "You can only control what you can control. So just let it work itself out."
We wrote a few weeks back about Adrian Peterson's contract situation. He has two years left on his current deal and there was speculation this offseason he wanted a new deal. Peterson downplayed that angle but he did have an interesting response on KFAN Radio today when asked if he would at least like to talk about an extension. "At least talk about it," Peterson said. "It is what it is. It's a business and people really don't understand. The fans really don't understand it but there is a business side of football that my agents take care of while I still come out perform and play football. It's a business side with the Vikings organization and we can talk about whatever, but I'll let those guys handle that and I just do what I've got to do and that's get myself ready to play this season and get to the championship."
Peterson did not practice this morning and after stretching returned to the Visanthe Shiancoe locker room to do rehab work along with wide receiver Sidney Rice (hip) and cornerback Cedric Griffin (knee), who are both on the physically unable to perform list. Peterson has been slowed in camp because of tightness in his left leg. Bevell said he did not know when Peterson would return.
Longwell, who had said Tuesday that he talked to Favre before and after the morning practice that day, said today that he talked to Favre again Tuesday night and the ankle remains the issue.
"He's still considering the ankle," Longwell said. "If he's healthy, he said, he wants to play."
Another Favre confidante, Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, addressed the saga during his morning news conference. Bevell said he has not spoken to Favre since the retirement reports broke Tuesday. But when told of Favre's comments in Mississippi that health was the ultimate factor, not money, Bevell concurred.
"That's what I've been getting all along," Bevell said. "I always take him for what his word is. He's an emotional guy. He does tell you how he's feeling. He is very honest. That's what I love about him. I think that's what a lot of people love about him. Sometimes it serves him well. Sometimes it doesn't."
Bevell, who was Favre's quarterbacks coach in Green Bay for three seasons before coming to the Vikings in 2006, deflected a question about whether Favre could return sometime during the regular season if he needs more time to rehabilitate his ankle.
"That is not my decision," he said. "We're preparing regardless. The timetable is up to coach (Brad Childress) and Brett and guys way above me. All I'm doing is preparing the offense with what we have. We're ready to go if we need to, one way or another."
Asked whether Favre's dithering is fair to quarterbacks Tarvaris Jackson, the presumptive starter, and backup Sage Rosenfels, Bevell credited their handling of the uncertainty.
"I think they've handled it like professionals," Bevell said. "Both of them come out and compete hard. They control what they can control. That's what we talk about with our players all the time — handle the situations you can control."
For the second day, Vikings players exiting the field after the morning practice were deluged with Favre questions. Shiancoe, one of the most talkative players, threw up his hands.
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