Childress Tells NFL He Doesn't Agree With Call

"A day later, Vikings coach Brad Childress still didn't agree with the critical tripping penalty called on fullback Jeff Dugan in Sunday's 27-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In fact, Childress voiced his displeasure Monday morning in a phone call with Mike Pereira, the NFL's vice president of officiating.

"I'm satisfied that I was able to tell my side of it, and he could see my side of it," Childress said.

The penalty negated a 10-yard touchdown catch by Sidney Rice in the fourth quarter. It proved to be a double whammy, because three plays later the Steelers got a 77-yard fumble return for a touchdown by LaMarr Woodley.

On the play, Dugan lined up in the backfield and cut block linebacker James Harrison. Dugan's right leg came up as he twisted to the ground, but it certainly looked like a questionable call.

Childress said he would not change a thing about how Dugan executed the block. "I know there are 32 other clubs in the league that coach the same way to block the end of the line of scrimmage," Childress said. "I thought it was a job well done."

Upon further review Childress didn't second guess the play-calling after his team failed to score a touchdown despite having a first down at the Pittsburgh 1-yard line in the third. The Steelers stopped Adrian Peterson on two runs (the first was negated by an offsides penalty). Brett Favre then threw two incomplete passes before the Vikings settled for an 18-yard field goal by Ryan Longwell."

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CB Griffn Pleades guilty to DWI

"Vikings cornerback Cedric Griffin pleaded guilty to drunken driving on Wednesday morning at Hennepin County's Ridgedale court facility.

Griffin, who was arrested on Aug. 30 for the violation, paid a $300 fine and must put in two days of community service on a work squad. Griffin has 120 days in which to complete the sentence.

The incident occurred when Griffin pulled his car over to the side of Hwy. 5 in Eden Prairie because he didn't feel it was safe for him to continue on the road. Police saw Griffin's car and made the arrest after finding him inside.

Griffin, who was at practice on Wednesday afternoon at Winter Park, was arrested just before the Vikings left for their third preseason game in Houston. Griffin played in that game on Aug. 31. He has started all four games for the Vikings this season and is tied for the team lead with two interceptions.

"He wanted to get this situation behind him and takes full responsibility for it," said David Valentini, Griffin's lawyer. "He apologizes to his teammates, the coaching staff, the owners and to the fans."

Hands-off approach

Having gone against the aggressive man-to-man defense played by Green Bay cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson in recent seasons, Bernard Berrian noticed a major difference when he watched film of the Packers last week.

Green Bay's switch to a 3-4 scheme under new coordinator Dom Capers also changed how Harris and Woodson approached receivers. The corners were no longer getting their hands on receivers coming off the line of scrimmage.

Berrian took advantage of this in the Vikings' 30-23 victory Monday, catching six passes for 75 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown that was his first of the season. Berrian's third-quarter TD came on a perfectly thrown ball from Brett Favre."

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Vikings get their first good taste of Brett Favre's legend

"You'll have to forgive the Vikings for being so animated afterwards. They aren't used to this.

'Incredible, incredible!' linebacker Ben Leber kept saying. 'I still feel the chills. Awesome!'

'We hoped he was going to do something great, and he did,' said linebacker Chad Greenway.

"The legend continues to grow," said kicker Ryan Longwell.

Well, those who have been following closely know that this is what Brett Favre does. He pulls off something improbable to win the game in the final seconds. On Sunday, he took the Vikings 80 yards in 1:29 against a stout San Francisco defense. He did it with no timeouts. The winning score came on a 32-yard laser to Greg Lewis in the back of the end zone with two seconds left.

Just when everyone thought the Vikings were finished, just when Packer fans were set to gloat in advance of next week's Monday night matchup — boom — Minnesota remains undefeated. Just like that, 63,000-plus were celebrating wildly. And the final holdouts from the "I can't root for that ex-Packer" camp crossed over into the light.

Favre, soon to be 40, was asked how he felt after yet another late comeback victory in a career filled with them.

"I'm worn out," he said with a smile. "Believe me, I could fall right now."

It was a very physical afternoon, and Favre took a pretty good beating. His performance up to that final pass was distinctly mediocre. He missed some receivers, and he got banged around by 49ers. On that last play, he was smashed from behind just as he released the ball and never even saw the completion. Instead, he heard the stadium erupt.

"I heard the roar, and I thought that was a good thing," he said.

The Vikings signed Favre to do exactly what he did Sunday. As uneven as the game had been up to that last score, people left the Dome all smiles. They had fun.

Meanwhile, the Vikings players jumped around like grade-schoolers on a playground while the 49ers stood in shock.

"Oh, it was incredible," said cornerback Cedric Griffin. "I was on the sideline thinking, 'Brett Favre is known for his comebacks. Brett Favre is known for his comebacks.' And look what we got!" "

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Too Much Crunch Time For Favre

"Brett Favre has been sacked seven times in two games. That's four more wallops than an entire family of Mannings have suffered so far this season.

"Yeah, we need to do a better job of protecting Brett," center John Sullivan said Monday, the day after the Vikings beat the Lions 27-13 in Detroit. "I'm happy we're 2-0, but Brett doesn't need to take this many big hits."

Favre has been sacked four more times than Tarvaris Jackson was through two games last season. At this pace, Favre would be sacked 56 times in 16 games, assuming he survived, of course. That would be 16 more than his career high, which, ironically, came in 1996 when he led the Packers to a victory in Super Bowl XXXI.

"Protecting Brett is something we have to continue working on, across the board," left tackle Bryant McKinnie said. "Everybody always assumes it's just the offensive line. But it's all of us working to avoid sacks."

As coach Brad Childress explained Monday, that includes linemen blocking, running backs picking up blitzes, receivers getting open and Favre getting rid of the ball on time. Childress said the Lions' three sacks Sunday were the result of three breakdowns:

• With 4 minutes, 12 seconds left in the first quarter and the Vikings facing second-and-9 from their 32-yard line, the tackles were pushed back too far. Jason Hunter, a backup left end playing for the injured Cliff Avril, simply beat rookie right tackle Phil Loadholt."

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Favre's 271 Consecutive Starts Sets Record

"Somehow it seems fitting that in the game in which Brett Favre established an NFL record for durability, the veteran quarterback came away hurting.

Favre, who broke former Viking Jim Marshall's record with his 271st consecutive start Sunday, hurt his throwing hand in the fourth quarter on an 8-yard pass to wide receiver Bernard Berrian deep in Lions territory.

Favre appeared to hit his hand on either linebacker Larry Foote or defensive tackle Sammie Hill as they applied pressure. Favre remained on the Ford Field turf for a moment but got up and threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to rookie Percy Harvin on the next play.

Tarvaris Jackson replaced Favre on the next possession, but that didn't come as a surprise with the Vikings leading by 14 points.

"It's all right," Favre said afterward when asked about his hand. Coach Brad Childress also dismissed the notion that Favre might have done some damage.

One thing that wasn't dismissed was Favre's consecutive-starts streak -- a mark that dates to the third game of the 1992 season.

"It's hard to put into perspective," Childress said. "I had a discussion with Jim Marshall this week. Jim was going to try to travel with us to this game. However this happens to be a first wedding anniversary for him and he kind of thought that maybe that would not be a good idea. ... [But] perspective is hard to have. When you go back to whatever it is, 1992. All you guys in this room think about what you were doing in 1992. That's a long time.""

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Vikings Kevin Williams, Pat Williams to play in season opener while team, NFL await federal court ruling

"The NFL said Tuesday that Vikings defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams could play Sunday in Cleveland while a federal appeals court decides whether the Pro Bowlers can sue the league in Minnesota to overturn their suspensions.

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals this week is expected to issue a pivotal ruling that either affirms the NFL's authority to discipline players under the collective bargaining agreement or allows the Williamses to use state law to challenge its drug-testing protocol.

However, with teams already preparing for opening weekend, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed the league postponed disciplining the Williamses and New Orleans Saints defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith, who face the same four-game suspensions.

The Williamses claim the NFL, which suspended them last year after they tested positive for a banned substance, violated Minnesota statutes regulating how and when employers can test workers for alcohol and drugs. They aim to prove their case at trial next spring in Hennepin County. "

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Vikings sign quarterback John David Booty to practice squad

"John David Booty cleared waivers Sunday and was signed to the Vikings' practice squad, providing some clarity to a muddled quarterback mess.

Booty, a fifth-round draft pick last year, was complicating the team's decisions at quarterback, with Brett Favre, Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels on the roster. But Booty struggled this preseason, completing just 17 of 28 passes for 169 yards, with no touchdowns and an interception that was returned for a touchdown in Friday night's exhibition finale against the Dallas Cowboys.

His preseason passer rating was 62.9.

All the other NFL teams had a chance to take over his contract but ultimately passed.

Booty headlines the Vikings' practice squad, which also includes rookie running back Ian Johnson.

"It's not the ideal way of going about it, but it's the next step," Johnson said. "I took care of all the business I had to take care of, and if this is how it has to happen, I'm a fighter, I'll keep fighting until I get my spot. When I do get that spot, I'm going to make the most of it."

After not being claimed on waivers, Johnson said he received offers to sign with practice squads of other teams, including the Washington Redskins, which seemed like a good fit for him. But he decided to remain in Minnesota.

"I felt I had done all my work here; I made relationships here," Johnson said. "I've got myself in a good position. If I just keep working hard, I know something good will happen. Hopefully, sometime soon I'll be on that field at the Metrodome." "

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Sore Knee Keeps Jackson Off The Field

"Vikings coach Brad Childress said Sunday there is "a chance" that Tarvaris Jackson could return to the practice field today, but judging from the looks of things it wouldn't be a surprise if the injured quarterback remains on the sideline.

Jackson, who will compete with Sage Rosenfels for the starting job, suffered a Grade 1 sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee during the morning practice Saturday.

After receiving treatment inside the Vikings' training room during the team's lone practice Sunday, Jackson emerged from the locker area following the session wearing a brace on his knee.

He declined to comment after getting into a golf cart that took him back to the dormitory in which the Vikings stay.

"The first 24 hours are a big time to treat those things," Childress said. "He spent some time with all the modalities they do in the swimming pool. There are several things they can do for him. He is better staying inside than he is out here. He gets a chance to look at the tapes tonight."

A decision on whether Jackson practices today will be made this morning.

"We will see how he feels when he wakes up and see what he has got going," Childress said.

Jackson sprained the MCL in his right knee in a preseason game at Baltimore last year and missed the final two exhibitions before returning for the regular-season opener."

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Brett Favre To Stay Retired

Brett Favre has decided to stay retired and not join the Minnesota Vikings this season, the quarterback told NFL Network's Rich Eisen in a text message.

Vikings coach Brad Childress told The Star Tribune in Minneapolis that Favre didn't want to put himself through the grind of a 19th NFL season.

"I just think it was a rare opportunity to explore a Hall of Fame quarterback who had background in the NFC and in this division (with the Green Bay Packers)," Childress told The Star Tribune. "He knows our system inside out ... This doesn't change anything about how I feel about our football team."

Favre retired for a second time after playing for the New York Jets last season. He had surgery in May to alleviate a torn biceps tendon in hopes of extending his career with the Vikings.

The Vikings begin training camp on Thursday with a quarterback competition between Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson.

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Favre anguished over whether to play again

"And on the 87th day he was anguished.

Two-plus months after the Brett Favre-to-the-Vikings soap opera began, and days before a decision was expected to be announced, ESPN reported Thursday that the 39-year-old quarterback "remains anguished about whether he should come out of retirement and join the team."

Did anyone really think the saga would end today?

ESPN's latest report suggests that any decision by Favre probably won't come until next week and it even raises doubt about whether he will meet his self-imposed deadline of July 30. That is the drop-dead day for Vikings players to report to training camp in Mankato, with the first practice scheduled for the following day.

Citing a source, ESPN's Ed Werder reported that Favre is conflicted about returning for his 19th season in large part because of phone calls and text messages he has received from Vikings players urging him to be their QB. The report mentioned Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen and Steve Hutchinson.

Several Vikings have been in some form of contact with Favre in recent months, and ESPN reported Favre is beginning to feel a sense of obligation to Vikings players and the coaching staff because of their involvement in trying to get him to play.

"If it weren't for the involvement of the Vikings players directly telling Brett they want him on their team, I think he might have already decided against playing again," the source told Werder."

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Winfield Signs Contract Extension

Antoine Winfield has signed a contract extension. Judd is on the phone with Winfield as I type. He signed a five-year extension (they basically ripped up his final season).

Here’s the contract details from Judd: It’s a five-year contract worth $36 million, including $16.1 in guarantees and a few likely to be earned incentives that will push up the value the first few seasons. He is scheduled to make $6.1 million this season but with likely incentives he should make around $7.5 million.

“It actually happened at the perfect time,” Winfield said. “I was telling [agent] Ashanti Webb, ‘Let’s try and get something done before camp.’ I’m definitely glad to get it done and now will go in and play like I’ve been playing — 100 miles per hour and not have to worry.”

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Larson will issue ruling by Aug 7 in Williamses' Case

"By Aug. 7, Hennepin County District Court Judge Gary Larson will issue a ruling on whether Kevin and Pat Williams can play for the Vikings this season.

The judge conducted one final hearing Wednesday morning with lawyers for the NFL and the Pro Bowl defensive tackles, who were found to have taken a banned substance -- unwittingly, they say -- and were suspended for four games.

The matter has been playing out in federal and state courtrooms since last winter, with issues still pending in both jurisdictions.

The NFL wants Larson to delay any proceedings on the matter until after a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. District Court of Appeals hears appeals of a ruling by federal Judge Paul Magnuson. The oral arguments are set for Aug. 18. The court is expected to rule by September.

If Larson doesn't wait, the risk is that the federal and state courts will issue conflicting rulings, NFL lawyer Joseph Schmitt said. "We are sympathetic to the plaintiffs' desire to get the matter resolved. We share that desire. ... However, the most important consideration is not speed, but accuracy," Schmitt argued.

The players want to proceed immediately in state court with a trial before the season begins. Absent a trial next month, Ginsberg asked that Larson wait to conduct a trial until after the season.

Last year, the Williamses filed a lawsuit in state court contending that the NFL's drug-testing procedures violate state workplace laws, and they asked that a judge void their suspensions."

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Coordinator Bevell Visits Favre With Trainer

"Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell visited Brett Favre in Hattiesburg, Miss., last week to watch him throw passes, but it still remains uncertain when the currently retired quarterback will make a decision on playing in Minnesota this season, according to an ESPN.com report Sunday night.

The Star Tribune reported last week that Vikings athletic trainer Eric Sugarman had made a second trip to check on Favre's progress from arthroscopic surgery on his throwing arm, but Bevell's presence wasn't known until Sunday evening. The Star Tribune confirmed Bevell also was on the trip.

That would make Bevell the first member of coach Brad Childress' staff to visit Favre in Mississippi. Bevell watched Favre perform in a rigorous throwing session that included an estimated 100 passes, sources told ESPN.

Favre, according to those sources, felt his performance with the Oak Grove High School team was encouraging. Favre, however, also "warned the Vikings representatives that he might be forced to delay a decision on whether to play until just before the team opens training camp.""

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Vikings Send Trainer To Check Favre Again

"Vikings trainer Eric Sugarman was in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Wednesday to check on the physical condition of quarterback Brett Favre, another indication the veteran NFL quarterback is headed for the Vikings.

This is Sugarman's second visit to Favre in Mississippi. The last time he was there in mid-June, Sugarman gave the former Packers star some exercises he could use following arm surgery.

A Vikings source who has been in contact with Favre recently reported that the surgery seven weeks ago was a complete success. With training camp opening 10 weeks after the surgery, Favre's arm should be back to full strength. Unless Favre changes his mind or there is a problem agreeing on a contract, there seems little doubt Favre will be in uniform when Vikings training camp opens in Mankato on July 31.

The contract Favre might already have agreed to includes a minimum guarantee, so the club won't get stuck with a big salary if he can't produce. But the incentives will be big if he does the job."

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Vikings Williams Wall Can Play During Appeal

"Minnesota Vikings Kevin and Pat Williams can play while their court case over their use of the substance StarCaps plays out, and the NFL cannot step up testing of them during that time, Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson said this morning in a 15-page ruling.

Larson also scheduled a hearing July 22 on the NFL's request to put the state court matter on hold pending the league's appeal of federal claims -- a process that could take months.

Lawyers for the two defensive linemen asked Larson to let them continue to play football. The NFL wanted the players to serve out their suspensions.

The NFL argued that a restraining order Larson issued late last year was dissolved by the actions of U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson."

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If You Want Favre Vs Packers , You'll Pay For Chiefs Too

"A Brett Favre signing with the Vikings is expected to be announced in time for the start of the team's single-game ticket sales July 20.

The Vikings will play Favre's former team the Green Bay Packers on Monday night, Oct. 5, at the Metrodome on ESPN. The Vikings are planning to require anyone buying a ticket to that game to also buy a ticket to the Aug. 21 exhibition game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Meanwhile, a little birdie heard that Favre and wife Deanna last weekend made a $30,000 deposit on a condominium near 50th and France in Edina.

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Winfield Frustrated By Vikings' Mixed Signals

"Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield, known for his knack of anticipating the moves of opposing receivers, didn't envision his current situation.

"I didn't expect to be in July without a deal," Winfield said. "Personally, I'm a little disappointed. They consider me a core player, but they're not showing me that."

Breaking his months-long silence, Winfield told the Pioneer Press he had been hearing privately the same positive comments team officials had been saying about him publicly. Winfield has avoided commenting on his contract status, but he felt compelled to speak after several statements from team officials. Most recently, at the team's first State of the Vikings meeting with season-ticket holders on June 17, player personnel vice president Rick Spielman said Winfield is "an important part of our defense" and that the club was going to do "everything we can to keep" him.

Winfield said Spielman's comments were "surprising," because team officials have had "very minimal" discussions with his agent Ashanti Webb, who did not respond to several interview requests from the Pioneer Press. Winfield said he still wants to get a deal done but has been disappointed by the slow pace of negotiations.

As a result, Winfield's frustrations seem to be coming to a head.

"If they want me here, they should be able to get a deal done. There shouldn't be a problem," Winfield said hours before boarding a cruise with his family this weekend. "If they don't, then they need to say that and let's work toward a resolution that works out good for everyone."

Asked if that meant requesting a trade, Winfield declined to comment.

The Vikings declined comment through a spokesman Sunday night.

Winfield said his feelings stem from talks with key Viking coaches and executives.

Namely, he had two encouraging conversations over lunch with Vikings coach Brad Childress in April.

"He wanted things to get done," Winfield recalled. "He told me, 'You're one of my guys.' He said he doesn't do numbers, but he was going to fight for me." "

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Brett Favre Surgeon: " He Wants To Play For The Minnesota Vikings."

"Brett Favre "wants to play and he wants to play for the Minnesota Vikings," according to his orthopedic surgeon.

Favre, who'll be 40 in October, also "wants to end his career on a high note," Dr. James Andrews told Rick Cleveland, a columnist for the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger.

Andrews, 67, was in Jackson last week to speak to colleagues at Mississippi Sports Medicine. He's based in Birmingham, Ala.

Though most of Andrews' interview with Cleveland was about youth sports injuries, he briefly discussed Favre:

"I'm not supposed to say anything but Brett kind of let that cat out of the bag on that HBO show," Andrews said."

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Childress Says Favres 'Pain Free'

"Vikings fans rooting for the team to sign Brett Favre got more reasons to cheer on Friday: Coach Brad Childress said Favre is "pain-free right now" during a radio interview in which he lavished praise on the future hall of fame quarterback.

It was an important update on the status of Favre's surgically repaired arm. The widespread belief is that Favre will sign with the Vikings as long as his arm wouldn't prevent him from playing at a high level.

Childress' effusive comments serve as the latest mounting evidence that the Vikings want the marriage to happen, and Favre appears more ready, at least physically, to walk down the aisle.

"My understanding is that he is pain-free right now," Childress said during an interview with KFAN-AM 1130. "Does he have the endurance and the stamina in that arm yet? He doesn't know that yet. It's no different than grabbing a golf club for the first time during the year when you rip around 18 holes, and you wake up the next day and your side hurts. You say, 'Geez, I haven't felt that muscle in a while.' So he's got to build some endurance in that and see if he thinks he can get it back to where he wants to get it."

Childress again said that it is not a foregone conclusion that Favre will sign to play for the Vikings, but he spoke glowingly about him.

Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards said during a recent interview with ESPN that Favre could help the team win but that some of Favre's actions last season while with the New York Jets, including dressing in a separate area away from his teammates, wouldn't be welcomed in Minnesota. Edwards said he doesn't want Favre to bring his "prima-donna attitude" because he believes that "will break a team apart."

Childress told KFAN he wasn't bothered by Edwards' comments. "I think it was all in jest. Defensive linemen, usually by nature, hate quarterbacks, and that's OK."

Childress added: "I talked to (former Viking) Tony Richardson, who was (Favre's) teammate at the Jets. He had nothing but great things to say about him. Did I get into, Did he have a separate locker? It's hard for me to see that. Of course, I know how Winter Park is set up. I think he'll be a great locker room guy. He's probably one of the better practical jokers out there over the course of 16 years, and he's not afraid to give it to anybody, and I think he'll be a tremendous teammate, as well."

Childress said Favre understands the benefits of going through a full training camp with a team, and more pressing than getting to know the Vikings' offense would be getting to know his new teammates and their abilities on the field.

Don't expect the Favre signing to happen until close to training camp, though. Childress plans to leave Monday for a weeklong fishing trip to Alaska with Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid. And Childress' daughter, Cara, is getting married July 11 in the Twin Cities area.

Reports of Favre's diva attitude with the Jets would seem to run contrary to how he was perceived around the NFL by opponents and teammates throughout most of his career.

"I think what that is is that's a guy that plays with passion, to a degree wears his emotions on his sleeve," Childress said. "You really don't really like quarterbacks that ride a roller coaster. Obviously his standard was usually pretty good. Could he get wild? Could he throw some interceptions? Sure he could. But he plays the game with enthusiasm and with excitement. There's kind of a boyishness even though he's approaching 40 years old." "

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