Brett Favre Still House Hunting In Minnesota
(7/3 12:21 PT)
The Facts:
The evidence that Favre will end his retirement to play for the Vikings in 2009 is overwhelming. There have been reports that Favre already has a contract in place with the Vikings and both Favre and the Vikings have made it clear in public comments that there is great interest on both sides. And then there is this latest nugget: Favre is in the process of attempting to secure a residence in the Twin Cities.Reported by the Minneapolis Star Tribune
Diehards Line:
This is the second week that rumors about Favre house hunting in the Vikings' neighborhood have been floated adding fuel to the Favre-will-return fire. But as Star-Tribune staffer Judd Zulgad suggests, the only real only surprise will be if the QB decides his surgically-repaired right biceps tendon has not healed sufficiently enough for him to return to the NFL. That being the case, the fact that Favre is looking for housing could certainly be taken as an indication he's encouraged by how the arm is feeling. ... Stay tuned.
The Facts:
The evidence that Favre will end his retirement to play for the Vikings in 2009 is overwhelming. There have been reports that Favre already has a contract in place with the Vikings and both Favre and the Vikings have made it clear in public comments that there is great interest on both sides. And then there is this latest nugget: Favre is in the process of attempting to secure a residence in the Twin Cities.Reported by the Minneapolis Star Tribune
Diehards Line:
This is the second week that rumors about Favre house hunting in the Vikings' neighborhood have been floated adding fuel to the Favre-will-return fire. But as Star-Tribune staffer Judd Zulgad suggests, the only real only surprise will be if the QB decides his surgically-repaired right biceps tendon has not healed sufficiently enough for him to return to the NFL. That being the case, the fact that Favre is looking for housing could certainly be taken as an indication he's encouraged by how the arm is feeling. ... Stay tuned. Click for More Views Profile
The Facts:
Marshall's ongoing desire to leave Denver is rooted in two concerns. First, he doesn't like the manner in which the team's physicians handled a hip injury that ultimately required surgery. Second, he wants a new contract. The more accurate description as to the latter factor could be that he needs a new contract.Reported by Profootballtalk.com
Diehards Line:
According to PFT's Mike Florio, there's talk in league circles that Marshall has run out of money. If that's true, at least one league source isn't surprised. "Why does a guy who was a fourth-round draft pick live in three different places?" the source told Florio regarding Marshall's residences in Denver, Atlanta, and Orlando. ... Remember: This story isn't fact. But a financial shortfall would at explain -- at least in part -- Marshall's desire to get the new, high-end contract that would almost certainly come with a trade. Then again, the $2.198 million he's due to make from Denver isn't chicken feed. ... Stay tuned. Click for More Views Profile
The Facts:
Speaking on Total Access, NFL Network insider Jason LaCanfora said that talent evaluators around the league believe that Harrison "may be done." They are rating other free agent receivers like Amani Toomer and Joe Horn higher than Harrison.Reported by Profootballtalk.com
Diehards Line:
LaCanfora went on to advise viewers that Toomer has fielded calls from a few teams and is high on several teams' "emergency list. ..." A recent report suggesting Harrison might be of interest to the Vikings doesn't seem to have legs -- perhaps in large part because their interest was in a low-end deal. Harrison is believed to be looking for a more favorable deal. It's still not clear he'll get it. Click for More Views Profile
The Facts:
Though the word on the street continues to be that the Broncos will not be trading Marshall, Adam Schefter points out in via his Twitter account that, while the Broncos won't be making calls, they will taking calls. Schefter also believes that the Broncos would take a first-round pick for Marshall. And that's a surprise, given that the current market for a No. 1 wideout is a first-round pick and a third-round pick.Reported by Profootballtalk.com
Diehards Line:
As PFT's Mike Florio notes, it's not clear whether this is a new attitude on the part of the team, and specifically whether it comes in the wake of the disclosure that Marshall told police in October 2007, "I hate this f--king city. ..." Florio went on to speculate on the possibility that Marshall's camp leaked the 20-month-old comment, in the hopes of stoking a fan and media outcry that could force the team to take the best offer they could get. An interesting theory. Adding to Marshall's already enormous pile of baggage (including recent hip surgery and multiple off-field issues) seems like a risky move -- but that again, how much further can his image be tainted? Click for More Views Profile
The Facts:
It may not rival his obsessive quest for revenge against the Packers as the leading factor driving his likely return to the NFL, but don't overlook the motivating role money is playing on both sides of the Favre-Vikings courtship. Indeed, a league source told SI.com's Don Banks that while Favre has long enjoyed his reputation as a guy who plays for "the love of the game," money has always been one sure way to get Favre's attention. "His coming back and playing every year is not all about his love of competition," the source said.Reported by SI.com
Diehards Line:
Or as a prominent Wisconsin-based Favre observer recently told Banks: "Brett likes his money now. Don't underestimate how hard it would be for him to ever leave $8 million to $10 million -- or whatever the Vikings wind up offering him -- on the table. He talks about staying home and riding his lawn mower around, but he likes to get paid. ..." While the Packers were willing to pay Favre similar coin to retire, Banks notes that signing with Minnesota allows the QB to both have his cake and eat it, too. As Banks summed up: "What could be better than a scenario in which he gets paid in the process of trying to make the Packers pay for their mistake?" Stay tuned. We're waiting for an official announcement. Click for More Views Profile
The Facts:
After fatally striking a pedestrian on the MacArthur Causeway in a March drunk driving accident, Stallworth also tested positive for marijuana use, law enforcement sources say.Reported by the Miami Herald
Diehards Line:
Stallworth is serving one month in jail after pleading guilty last month to DUI manslaughter and he's been suspended indefinitely by commissioner Roger Goodell. This latest bit of news obviously won't weigh in Stallworth's favor when Goodell revisits that "indefinite" time frame. ... Meanwhile, rookies Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi are said to be the early favorites in the competition to fill the opening opposite Braylon Edwards. Joshua Cribbs and veteran addition Mike Furrey are other possibilities, but those who follow the team closely expect one of the two rookies -- most likely Robiskie -- to win Stallworth's job. Click for More Views Profile
The Facts:
Marshall said he wanted to be traded more than 18 months ago and said he "hated Denver," according to documents obtained by the CALL7 Investigators. Marshall was arrested for driving under the influence on Oct. 22, 2007, and according to the police report, he started verbally attacking the city of Denver and saying he wanted to leave the Broncos.Reported by TheDenverChannel.com
Diehards Line:
"I hate Denver. I hope I get traded. I hate this f******* city," an officer wrote in the police report. Nice! Marshall, who has a long history of run-ins with the law, also berated police for stopping him and not finding the killer of fellow Bronco Darrent Williams. "Why aren't you guys out looking for Williams' killer?" the report says. ... Hmmm. Old news but obviously interesting given Marshall's more recent trade request -- one made to team officials instead of the local constabulary. Assuming the team's current stance -- that Marshall isn't going anywhere -- remains unchanged, it could make fan interaction worth watching. Click for More Views Profile
The Facts:
The increase in Holmes' upper body is becoming so pronounced that he's beginning to look like an entirely different player. "I tipped the scales (Monday) at 201 (pounds), Holmes said proudly following his workout. That's an all-time high for Holmes, who played in the 190s last season and joined the league weighing considerably less.Reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Diehards Line:
According to Tribune Review staffer John Harris, Holmes' newfound huskiness makes him more resemble a running back than the slim receiver who was selected No. 25 by the Steelers in the 2006 NFL Draft. Holmes' physical remake, particularly around his neck and through his shoulders, is the next step in his development. "I look at it as if I have to be a complete receiver," said Holmes. "I've got to be physical. ...' Sounds good -- as long as Holmes follows through on making sure the added weight doesn't affect his speed. Click for More Views Profile
The Facts:
The Marshall saga has been quiet since the receiver requested a trade nearly two weeks ago. Expect the quiet to continue. I talked to some people close to the situation Monday, and they said the Broncos will maintain their stance of keeping Marshall. The team still expects Marshall to show up for training camp.Reported by ESPN.com
Diehards Line:
This according to ESPN.com's Bill Williamson, who added: "The team still has no plans to trade Marshall." And why would they? The Broncos know they hold all the cards. If Marshall doesn't show up in 2009, he won't be paid. A prospective free agent in 2010, there is little chance Marshall will risk missing an entire season. So, the Broncos are content waiting this situation out. Click for More Views Profile
The Facts:
Harvin, the Vikings first-round draft pick, was sent home from the NFL Rookie Symposium after becoming ill, organizers said.Reported by NFL.com
Diehards Line:
Harvin reported for the start of the symposium Sunday afternoon but after notifying the medical staff that he was not feeling well, it was recommended that he return home. Harvin was officially excused by organizers. There are reports, however, suggesting Harvin will return on Tuesday if he feels better. Worth noting, this is the second time Harvin has become ill after traveling this offseason. He missed the Vikings initial rookie mini-camp in May when he was hospitalized for a virus and severe dehydration after vomiting on a flight from Florida to Atlanta on his way to Minnesota. Click for More Views Profile
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The Facts:
The evidence that Favre will end his retirement to play for the Vikings in 2009 is overwhelming. There have been reports that Favre already has a contract in place with the Vikings and both Favre and the Vikings have made it clear in public comments that there is great interest on both sides. And then there is this latest nugget: Favre is in the process of attempting to secure a residence in the Twin Cities. 
