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Favre Watch: Hold Your Horses

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By ROY CUMMINGS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 6, 2008

Updated: 08/06/2008 03:13 pm

The Packers are close to announcing a deal for Brett Favre. That, at least is the feeling in Green Bay, where Packers GM Ted Thompson has postponed a news conference scheduled for this hour.

That's the latest on the Favre front, where the situation continues to change by the hour. Literally.

If you haven't heard, there are reports out now that suggest the Bucs and New York Jets are engaged in a bidding war for Favre and that the Jets are winning. Don't count out the Bucs, though.

The Glazers are star catchers and they see Favre as a star worth chasing. This deal then, at least as it pertains to the Bucs, has become as much about business as football.

Favre's agent, James "Bus" Cook, confirmed in an e-mail to The Associated Press on Wednesday that the Bucs and Jets were emerging as the most likely trade destinations for the three-time MVP.

Favre was on a private plane that left for Hattiesburg, Miss. at 1:25 p.m. Cook and Favre's wife, Deanna, also boarded the plane. Favre's family home is near Hattiesburg.

Earlier Wednesday, Cook told the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger that the trade might happen in a matter of hours.

"Brett's ready to go play," Cook told the paper.

The question that remains is whether the Bucs are willing to win the bidding war, which could wind up costing them a No. 1 draft pick plus a player and maybe another pick.

The Bucs are certainly in there fighting, but coach Jon Gruden wasn't ready to acknowledge that after practice this morning. Nor would he say he's had talks with Favre. Of course, he wouldn't deny talking to Favre either.

"I'm not going to talk about it,'' Gruden said when asked directly about talking to Favre. "I don't know anything other than what happened today on the practice field and I don't want to address any more speculation at this point.''

Speaking of speculation, there were reports in Tampa that suggest Favre may arrive there later today. The Tribune has confirmed, though, that the only private plan leaving Green Bay this morning is headed for Favre's hometown area of Hattiesburg, Miss.

The flight, initially delayed, reportedly is due to land in Mississippi later this afternoon.

The Bucs have yet to confirm publicly that they are interested in Favre. But Gruden conceded that Favre's situation is "unprecedented" and acknowledged that he's always willing to explore ways to improve his team.

Garcia was brought in as a free agent last year and led Tampa Bay to a division title. He was selected to play in the Pro Bowl for the fourth time.

In other Bucs developments, former Buc Lorenzo Neal was brought in for a look. They say they're not worried about B.J. Askew, who is nursing a sore foot/ankle, just doing their due-dilligence.

The Bucs have also set up a plan for their quarterbacks for the game at Miami on Saturday. Luke McCown will start and Brian Griese and Chris Simms will get significant snaps as well, according to Gruden. The plan calls for rookie Josh Johnson to get some work in the game as well.

-- The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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