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Favre Back, Flying Under The Radar In Green Bay

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The Associated Press

Published: August 5, 2008

MANKATO, Minn. - There was no parade, no motorcade, and no photo opportunity - hardly the way you'd expect Brett Favre to return to the Green Bay Packers after spending most of the past month as the league's longest-running daytime drama.

If Favre did report to the Packers as expected Monday, none of the fans and media members staking out several entrances to Lambeau Field managed to catch a glimpse of him.

And while a team security official told a few hundred fans gathered near the entrance to the players' parking lot that Favre already was in the building shortly after he was expected to report at 1 p.m., Packers officials weren't immediately available to confirm that Favre was present.

The team announced Monday afternoon that Favre had been reinstated and returned to the Packers' active roster, as was expected. To make room for Favre, the team placed cornerback Condrew Allen on injured reserve with a knee injury.

Coach Mike McCarthy had scheduled a news conference for 9:30 p.m. to talk about his plans for Favre. But the news conference was called off because McCarthy was still meeting with Favre.

Meanwhile, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has ruled that contact between the Minnesota Vikings and Brett Favre this summer did not violate league tampering rules.

Goodell said that while there were conversations between then-retired Favre and Vikings coaches, none of the conversations suggested Favre was soliciting a job or that anyone was soliciting his services.

The Packers had filed the charges against their NFC North rivals last month, based at least in part on records of phone conversations between Favre and Darrell Bevell, Minnesota's offensive coordinator. Bevell is a former Green Bay assistant and a friend of Favre's.

Bevell and Vikings coach Brad Childress have acknowledged speaking to Favre this summer. Bevell knows the quarterback from his days as Favre's quarterback coach in Green Bay.

Both said earlier that the conversations were innocent exchanges.

BILLS: Linebacker Alvin Bowen is scheduled for surgery next week on a torn right knee ligament, likely ending the fifth-round draft pick's rookie season before it starts.

DOLPHINS: Seven-year veteran Josh McCown was listed as Miami's No. 1 quarterback as the team released its first depth chart of the season. But Coach Tony Sparano said second-year man John Beck and rookie Chad Henne haven't been ruled out to start at quarterback for Miami's preseason opener against the Bucs on Saturday night.

EAGLES: Guard Shawn Andrews says he is battling depression and might end his training camp holdout this week.

GIANTS: Halfback Ahmad Bradshaw said he has to serve another 30 days in jail after the season for violating terms of a probation he received as a 15-year-old.

Bradshaw, who led the Super Bowl champions in rushing as a rookie during the playoffs, said the 30-day sentences resulted from an underage drinking offense at Virginia in 2004 and a petty larceny charge at Marshall in 2006.

JAGUARS: Linebacker Clint Ingram twisted an ankle and rookie defensive tackle Theo Horrocks suffered a foot injury in a one-on-one drill and left the field on a cart Monday night.

JETS: Chris Baker was activated after spending the first 11 days of camp trying to rehabilitate his tweaked back.

PANTHERS: A subdued Steve Smith apologized to his teammates, coaches and fans Monday, three days after he punched teammate Ken Lucas at practice, leaving the starting cornerback with a broken nose that will require surgery.

Smith was suspended without pay for the first two regular-season games. Lucas also returned to the team with a black left eye and swelling around his nose. While he said he accepted Smith's apology, the starting cornerback said he probably will be sidelined two to three weeks.

REDSKINS: Rookie receiver Malcolm Kelly had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and is expected to be sidelined for two more weeks.

SEAHAWKS: Offensive lineman Chris Gray has retired on the eve of his 16th NFL season because of a lower back and spine injury that threatened his ability to walk. He is Seattle's record-holder for consecutive games played at 121 at guard and center from 1999 to 2006.

TEXANS: Running back Chris Brown returned to practice after sitting out last week with a sore back.

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