Is ESPN just stoking the Favre soap opera?

Yesterday (July 31) ESPN reported the following;

A. The Packers are willing to deal Brett to the Vikings after all.
B. The Vikings are the only other team Brett is willing to play for.
C. Brett is likely to take the $20 million and retire.
D. Green Bay is in "serious talks" with the Jets regarding a Favre trade.
and a bunch more crap (John McCain won't help, rocking chairs for Brett etc.)

I wonder how much of all the drama over the last month would have evened happened with out ESPN stoking the flames?

Report: Packers offer Favre $20 million to stay home

The Packer's Blog is reporting that Green Bay offered Favre $20 million to stay retired.
The Green Bay Packers are so desperate to not have Brett Favre report to training camp that they reportedly offered him a substantial amount of money to stay home.
WTMJ-TV Channel 4 in Milwaukee, citing two sources, reported Wednesday that Packers president Mark Murphy at least floated the idea to Favre of paying him a package in the neighborhood of $20 million over 10 years to remain retired. Murphy met most of Wednesday with Favre and his agent, Bus Cook, in Hattiesburg, Miss.
A source subsequently confirmed that the Packers have discussed monetary compensation with Favre and Cook.
If WTMJ's report is true, it could potentially cripple the Packers in court of public opinion as it could be interpreted as a bribe to Favre, a player that has said he wants to continue his career.

Yankees get Pudge Rodriguez from Tigers

The Yankees acquired the 14-time All-Star from the Tigers on Wednesday for hard-throwing reliever Kyle Farnsworth, a trade that filled needs for both contenders. Rodriguez will try to fill the void in the Yankees’ lineup created by catcher Jorge Posada’s season ending shoulder injury.

Ichro Hits 3000

Ichiro Suzuki reached 3,000 combined hits in the major leagues and the Japanese League with a first-inning single Tuesday night against the Texas Rangers.

Only one player in Japanese League history reached 3,000 hits: Isao Harimoto with 3,085. A total of 27 players have compiled at least 3,000 hits in major league history.

“That’s a tremendous achievement for the short time he’s been over here,” Mariners manager Jim Riggleman said before the game. “I think that’s the most (hits) anyone’s ever had in that period of time.”

Asked to list the factors behind Ichiro’s achievement, Riggleman said, “Number one, it’s his talent. You’ve got to have longevity, can’t have too many injuries, can’t miss a lot of playing time.”

Riggleman said the feat should not be downgraded because Ichiro had more than 1,200 hits in Japan.

“Not at all,” Riggleman said. “The hits he accumulated over here exceeded what he did over there. He’s understanding the magnitude of it. It’s really weighed on him. He realizes how few people have done it.”

Favre will play this year - faxes his letter of reinstatement

Yes, that's right, it is finally official - Favre is coming back this year. Where he will be - New York? Tampa Bay? Green Bay? - is still up in the air.

With latest trade, New York Yankees / Boston Red Sox / Tampa Rays Battle is shaping up to be epic

It's getting to be a tight race between Tampa, New York and Boston. Tampa lost again tonight, as I write this Boston is looking to rally against the Angels, and the Yankees are losing. If it stays like this Boston will be a half game back, and New York two games behind them.
The Yankees - Pirates trade didn't get much attention, but it could have an impact on this battle. Nady will start in the outfield for the Yanks, he's got a nice bat, and he's having a strong year. He's batting .330 and they needed another right-handed bat. Marte gives them some much need Lefty relief out of the pen. It's almost repulsive how the Yanks seem to always get just what they need this time of year, I guess limitless funds helps.
It's looking like a great battle, and the Yankees definitely are not out of it, with their latest acquisitions, they may even be the favorite.

Favre to Packers: 'You know I'll win this job'

"I said, 'Let me compete, you'll know I'll win this job' and Ted said again, 'Brett, things have changed. Aaron Rodgers is our quarterback,' " Favre said. "It's pretty clear — and this is what I told the commissioner — that they want me to go away, stay retired. They would much rather see me in a Packers' uniform, paying me $12 million to be a backup — which you know they really don't want — rather than see in another uniform, no matter what they say. They'll drag this out, asking a king's ransom [in a trade], hoping it all goes away."

49% of local Packer fans would like to see Favre retire

According to this online poll at WTMJ, 49% of Packer fans would like to see Brett retire. Pretty shocking.

Is Thompson Yanking Favre?

Favre told si.com that Packers general manager Ted Thompson had asked him for “a couple of days” to resolve the situation.
“I agreed to do that,” Favre told the site. “I don’t want to be a distraction to the Packers, and I hope in the next few days we can come to an agreement that would allow me to continue playing football.”
The longer this goes on, the less valuable Favre becomes. If he plays somewhere other than Green Bay, he'll have to learn a whole new system, and teams don't like to change their leader once things get started or have a quarterback controversy. On the other hand, if they are taking Favre back, maybe they are hoping Rodgers will make it easier for them - have a bad start to training camp, say something stupid, or tweak one of his past injuries.

NFL Fantasy File: Mason Crosby Green Bay Packers - Hilarious

Breaking: Favre reporting to camp, Packers give Jets OK to talk to Favre

Two big developments as we head into camp on Sunday. Favre told the Packers he will report to camp. The Packers have hardened their line, stating that Favre will be the back up QB. If he shows, and he is the back up, it's going to be a mess. The team and Packer Nation will be divided.

In related news the Packers have told Brett two teams are interested in trading for Favre - Tampa Bay and the Jets. They have given the Jets permission to contact Brett.
Fantasy Impact: If he ends up in NY the value of NY WRs will go up.

Update: Packers have also given Tampa permission to talk to Favre.

Wall Street Journal says Fantasy could "Kick-start volleyball"

With an estimated 25 million-plus playing fantasy sports in the U.S. and Canada and over $1 billion exchanging hands, it's a wonder new games for obscure sports don't pop up every hour. There exists today, in some form, fantasy sumo wrestling, fantasy jai alai, fantasy professional rodeo, fantasy Supreme Court and fantasy gossip. Yet beach volleyball — an Olympic sport since 1996 — has nothing. At least, not anymore.

The sport's most famous league, the Association of Volleyball Professionals, did have a game as recently as two years ago, but thanks to a combination of unattractive prizes, lack of relatable statistics and a set of scoring rules that one might need a windtalker to decipher, it went the way of "The Sopranos" and simply … ended.

Volleyball? Kick-start? Couldn't you come up with something better, and maybe, oh I don't know, Volleyball related? Maybe "Fantasy will spike volleyball."

This article does make one strong point - The Wall Street Journal shouldn't be covering sports.

Lieberman, 50, plays for short-handed team

Hall of Fame former WNBA star Nancy Lieberman showed she still had one nifty pass left in her.

The 50-year-old Lieberman had two assists, including a no-look pass in the closing minutes of the Detroit Shock’s 79-61 loss to the Houston Comets on Thursday night. She already held the record for oldest player, from her last game, 13 years ago when she was 37.

Lieberman made an appearance in the Shock’s first game since Tuesday night’s bench-clearing melee with the Los Angeles Sparks.

Shocking: Shockey wants revenge.

Even though the Giants apparently have done exactly what Jeremy Shockey asked them to do - trade him to the Saints - the tight end previously told reporters from Newsday's Kidsday in a video interview that he will be looking for revenge when he takes the field against his old team.

"If the team trades me, I promise you I'm going to make them pay"

Oh grow up Jeremy, we all know you're going to make the Saints pay, by being just of much of a pain in the ass for them as you were for the Giants.

Madden: Favre will play for the Packers

Madden just told MSNBC Sports that his cover boy will play for the Packers this year, he seems pretty sure. Dies anybody really know what is going on?

Ronny Turiaf leaving Lakers for Golden State

With great reluctance, the Los Angeles Lakers decided at Friday's deadline they wouldn't match Golden State's offer for Ronny Turiaf, meaning the former second-round draft choice will move up the California coast to play for the Warriors.

"There are emotional ties with Ronny that go beyond basketball," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said on a conference call. "I think that makes it difficult. I think organizations that draft players who turn out to be good players, it's hard for them to let go of those players. And if you know Ronny, you know he's a special kid."

The Warriors signed Turiaf, a restricted free agent, to a four-year, $17 million offer sheet last week. By rule, the Lakers had seven days to decide whether to match it. The three-year veteran from Gonzaga averaged 6.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in 78 games with the Western Conference champions last season, making 21 starts.

Packers say Vikes tampered with Favre

The Packers are accusing Minnesota offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, a close friend and former Green Bay assistant, of having inappropriate dialogue with Favre. The quarterback has sought his release from Green Bay and rumors have circulated that Minnesota is his first choice to play because of his relationship with Bevell Foxsports.com is reporting.

The Vikings were informed late last week of the allegations. The league is currently in an information-gathering mode, speaking to members of both organizations.

Brett Favre's Fantasy Impact

It looks like #4 is going to be back on the field this year. My money is on him starting back in Green Bay. CBS sports has a nice breakdown of how his return will affect his, and the players around him, fantasy value, depending on where he ends up.

The following is a list of teams that Brett Favre is rumored to play for in 2008 if he's traded, released or returns to Green Bay.

Green Bay

Favre Factor: The Packers are standing behind Aaron Rodgers, but if Favre does report to training camp as the backup, it won't be long until he's starting. Rodgers will likely fold under the pressure, and fan support remains with Favre.

Rest of team: Rodgers may be a great quarterback one day, but Favre showed last year he could still play. Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones and Donald Lee are all better Fantasy options with Favre under center.

Fantasy value: Favre would remain a Top 10 Fantasy QB if he comes back to the Packers.
Minnesota

Favre Factor: The Vikings feel they have a Super Bowl team in place with a stout defense and strong running game. They added Bernard Berrian this offseason to improve the passing game, but Tarvaris Jackson is an inexperienced quarterback. Favre would easily start ahead of Jackson.

Rest of team: Berrian, Sidney Rice and Bobby Wade would all see a boost in Fantasy value if Favre joined the Vikings.

Fantasy value: Favre would be a low-end No. 1 Fantasy QB for the Vikings since their focus would remain run heavy with Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor.
Chicago

Favre Factor: The Bears aren't thrilled with Rex Grossman starting again or turning the team over to Kyle Orton. Chicago doesn't have great receiving options, but Favre to Devin Hester would be a nice combination.

Rest of team: Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd aren't great starting options with or without Favre, but TE Greg Olsen and Hester would benefit greatly with Favre in Chicago.

Fantasy value: Favre would be a No. 2 Fantasy QB with the Bears since their weapons aren't the same as the Packers.
Detroit

Favre Factor: It would have been fun to see Favre playing for Mike Martz, but Martz isn't with the Lions. Still, the Lions aren't sold on Jon Kitna because he takes too many sacks and throws too many interceptions. Detroit's offense should look different in 2008 and will be more run heavy.

Rest of team: Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson would thrive playing with Favre. The duo has done well with Kitna, but Favre is a better passer now than Kitna has ever been.

Fantasy value: Because of Williams and Johnson, Favre would be a solid No. 1 Fantasy QB.
Miami

Favre Factor: The Dolphins might have the most trade bait for Favre since DE Jason Taylor was rumored in a trade with the Packers. But the Dolphins aren't going to compete in 2008 even with Favre as their starter.

Rest of team: The Dolphins have little talent to put around Favre with Ted Ginn Jr., Ernest Wilford and Derek Hagan the top receiving options. Even Favre couldn't turn this group into standout players.

Fantasy value: Favre would drop to a No. 2 Fantasy option if this move happened.
Carolina

Favre Factor: The Panthers are looking for help at quarterback because Jake Delhomme is coming off Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Delhomme is expected to be fine for 2008, but adding Favre might solidify the Panthers as a Super Bowl contender.

Rest of team: Favre would have arguably the best target of his career if he paired with Steve Smith. The two would likely hit it off right away, and Muhsin Muhammad and D.J. Hackett would also improve with Favre ahead of Delhomme.

Fantasy value: Favre might jump to Top 5 status if he was paired with Smith.
Tampa Bay

Favre Factor: Coach Jon Gruden has a history with Favre since he was a former assistant for Mike Holmgren in Green Bay. Even though the Bucs have about 20 quarterbacks on the roster (OK, it's five, but it seems like a lot), Favre would be the best one ahead of starter Jeff Garcia, who's posturing for a new contract.

Rest of team: Favre wouldn't have much help here with an aging Joey Galloway and scraps in Ike Hilliard, Maurice Stovall and Antonio Bryant. Still, Favre would have enough in place to make plays.

Fantasy value: This isn't the ideal place for Favre, but he would remain a low-end No. 1 option because of Galloway.
Kansas City

Favre Factor: The Chiefs are in dire need of a starting quarterback with Brodie Croyle a disappointment last year and Damon Huard a career backup. Favre would make sense in Kansas City and turn the Chiefs into a playoff contender.

Rest of team: How much do you think Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez would love to play with Favre? Bowe would become a solid No. 2 Fantasy WR, and Gonzalez might leap back into the Top 3 of Fantasy tight ends.

Fantasy value: Favre would be a Top 10 Fantasy QB with the Chiefs because of Bowe and Gonzalez.
Atlanta

Favre Factor: The Falcons are trying to find a new identity following the Michael Vick disaster last year, and rookie Matt Ryan is expected to be their future. Adding Favre would stunt Ryan's progress and wouldn't turn Atlanta into a playoff team either. But, since Favre started with the Falcons, it could be a reunion of sorts.

Rest of team: Roddy White would turn into a great receiving option with Favre, and he would improve the Fantasy value for Laurent Robinson and even Michael Jenkins.

Fantasy value: The Falcons have a long way to go, so Favre would be a No. 2 Fantasy QB in Atlanta.
Baltimore

Favre Factor: The Ravens feel they are a good quarterback away from another long playoff run since their defense remains loaded with talent. But Baltimore needs to focus on rebuilding with rookie Joe Flacco, who would suffer if Favre joined the team.

Rest of team: The Ravens don't have much talent at receiver with Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton. TE Todd Heap is solid, but he gets hurt too much.

Fantasy value: Favre would be on the cusp of a starting Fantasy option but going to Baltimore isn't appealing at this point.
New York Jets

Favre Factor: The Jets say they aren't interested, but it's a move that would make sense with Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens set to battle for the starting job. Favre would look nice in green and white and playing in New York, where he might feel like he's getting the attention he covets.

Rest of team: Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery have somehow managed to post decent stats despite poor quarterback play, so adding Favre would turn them into solid No. 2 Fantasy options. Rookie TE Dustin Keller also would like playing with Favre.

Fantasy value: Favre would be a Top 10 Fantasy QB with the Jets because of Coles, Cotchery and Keller.

NBA loses last scrap of credibility

NBA referee Tim Donaghy made repeated phone calls to a second referee, Scott Foster, at the same time he provided inside information to professional gamblers. I it has also come out that players and coaches also have the phone numbers of referees. The top former top NBA referees have come out on ESPN stating that the NBA has lost all credibility. It's not just David Stern's complete lack of integrity. They invite players and coaches to their golf tournaments, bring cookies to a coach (and not the opposing coach - what kind of message does that send?), and ask players for their autographs and shoes.

You'd have to say that today, the NBA's integrity and reputation lies in the same neighborhood as the WWF, attorneys and used car salesmen.

Favre will be starting for the Packers in 2008

Packers are saying they won't release Brett. He can return, as Rodger's back up. Does anyone really not know how that is going to turn out? You've got one of the top five QBs in the league (I know, greatest ever or whatever, but right now, at 38, he's somewhere in the top five). You've pissed him off. He's going to play this like the one of the dozens of comeback drives he's led in his career. Odds are Thompson is going to fail like all the defenses Favre's picked apart over the years. Coach is going to start the player that gives the team the best chance to win, Rodgers hasn't even started a game yet.

Maybe they'll trade him, but as I've written before, not likely. Nobody wants to be known as the one that shipped Brett Favre out of Green Bay.

Maybe this is working to their advantage, maybe they'll get a more pissed off, and even more determined Favre.

One thing is looking more and more clear - Favre will be starting for the Packers in 2008.

ESPN: Rank the Greatest QBs of All Time

Favre is in second, many surprises here.
To submit your votes go here.

Rays Head to All-Star break on Seven Game Losing Streak

The Tampa Bay Rays lost their seventh straight game Sunday, sending baseball’s feel-good story into the All-Star break on a sour note.

Rally for Packers to reinstate Favre

About 200 people rallied outside Lambeau Field on Sunday to pressure the Packers into reinstating Brett Favre as the team’s starting quarterback.

They have started a Web site, www.bringbackbrettfavre.com, where fans can vote on what the Packers should do.

Latest Favre highlights

1. He wants to play in Green Bay
2. GB is saying they are sticking with Rodgers
3. So Brett wants his release to play where he wants
4. Packers are refusing, will put him on their roster
5. Then they will have to decide if they will trade him, tell Brett he's the back up (good luck with that) or release him later, hoping it's too late in training camp for their rivals to switch horses err, quarterbacks.

Peter King: Favre wants to play in Minnesota

The reason the Packers will not give Favre his freedom is simple. His team of choice is Minnesota, in my opinion, in large part because Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell is a good friend of Favre's dating back to the three years (2003-05) Bevell was his quarterback coach in Green Bay. If Favre and agent Bus Cook, who, according to ESPN.com on Friday asked the Packers for Favre's unconditional release, believe that the Packers will allow him to go free so he can sign with Minnesota, they're crazy.

LINK

Favre felt unwanted, wants to play for Packers

Brett Favre talked to former quarterbacks coach Steve Mariucci for an hour on Friday. Here's what Mariucci told NFL Network:

"He said a lot. It was an interesting conversation. And basically he's feeling good. He's working out - he's over at a high school, Oak Grove high school, throwing and running and doing what he would typically do in July getting ready for a training camp. And he did most of the talking and he kind of filled me in on what has transpired over the last few months. It's just been pretty interesting."

Why has he asked for his release from the Packers?

"Well, I hope that everybody realizes that Brett Favre would prefer to play for the Green Bay Packers. That's a given.

He goes on to say that Brett understands where the Packers are coming from, building for the future, but he wants to play somewhere if he can't play for the Packers.

Barkley takes his cuts, calls Sonics move a 'travesty'

Barkley takes his cuts, calls Sonics move a 'travesty'

By JIM MOORE
This post has been cut to an excerpt, while Jim may have approved it's post here, it's not clear that without permission from the P-I and AP that this post is OK.
STATELINE, Nev. --

Charles Barkley feels bad for Sonics fans and doesn't think Seattle will ever get another NBA team.
"The NBA doesn't need to expand," he said. "If they get a team, it will be somebody else's team. It's a travesty the way it went down.
"They always talk about the players being greedy; the owners are the greedy ones. It's really sad for me. They had the best fans. You were intimidated at that place when you went in there, and it's a great city, too."

The Sonics' move to Oklahoma City is hard for him to believe, too. He's familiar with the team's 41-year history and said the most intense series he ever played in was the seven-gamer between the Sonics and Suns in the 1993 Western Conference finals.

Favre asks for his release so he can play (for the Vikings? Jets? Redskins? Ravens? Panthers?) Packers Say No.

ESPN, FOX Sports, Sports Illustrated and even the Denver papers are all posting conflicting reports on exactly what is going on.

Due to a certain Colorado Hockey player, with the same agent as Favre, contemplating retirement, and spilling his conversation with Favre's agent, the Denver papers seem to have scooped this, reporting on July 10 that he was coming back.

Everyone but FOX seems to be laying this mostly at the feet of Packer's GM Thompson, for not doing everything he can to bring Favre, who many consider the greatest quarterback of all time, as the starter this year, and in fact trying to keep him from coming back.

But Jay Glazer at FOX is reporting an interesting twist on this;

"In late March during the NFL Owners Meeting, Favre informed the team he wanted to play again, multiple sources have told FOXSports.com. Not only did he insist he was returning, both head coach Mike McCarthy and GM Ted Thompson agreed that he still had something left and they would welcome him back. Despite the fact that those close to Favre have stated Thompson did not want Favre back, Thompson was the deciding factor in agreeing it was not too late to have him un-retire at that time and start for the Packers in 2008.

In fact, team brass went as far as chartering a jet to fly to Mississippi to make it official later that week. The agreement was that the NFL's all-time leading passer would return for the year but help make it easier and palatable for Rodgers, who would have to wait another season to take the helm.

The group was set for this huge move when Favre suddenly phoned the team two days before the meeting was to take place and informed McCarthy that he had changed his mind yet again and was staying retired. While team officials were stunned by Favre's reversal, they made the decision to move on and draft his replacement, a move that Favre at the time understood. The Packers selected two quarterbacks in April's draft..."

This has not been substantiated yet by any other sources, but FOX Sports tends to be more reliable than than the news division, not that that is saying much.

Fantasy Impact: Favre is available off waivers on most leagues that have drafted already - including both of mine (well he was, until I picked him up) - no matter where he ends up, he's worth picking up. If you're about to draft and he is available in late rounds as a QB2, he's a low-risk option with tons of upside. I wouldn't trade for him in most cases - he's hot in the news, which usually makes a player over valued.