Vikings deny tampering with Favre

The Vikings' rivalry with Green Bay took an interesting off-the-field turn Wednesday when it was reported the Packers have filed tampering charges with the NFL against the Vikings for "alleged communication" with quarterback Brett Favre.

The story, broken by Fox Sports' website and confirmed by a separate source, said the league is gathering information and talking to both clubs. Favre, who retired in March after 17 seasons but wants to return to the NFL, remains property of the Packers but has requested his release.

Teams found guilty of tampering are subject to penalties that include loss of draft picks and/or fines. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail that the league would have no comment. A Packers spokesman also declined to comment and Vikings officials could not be reached.

According to Fox, the Vikings were informed by the NFL late last week that the Packers were alleging Favre had "inappropriate dialogue" with Minnesota offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.

Bevell was an assistant on the Packers coaching staff from 2000 to 2005 and spent his final three years as Favre's quarterbacks coach. The two remain good friends and have stayed in contact since Bevell joined Brad Childress' coaching staff with the Vikings in 2006.

But a source told the Associated Press late Wednesday that Packers officials believe a league examination of phone records would indicate more than normal contact between Favre and Bevell. The source also said the Packers believe the contact began before Favre asked the team to release him and that Minnesota's interest was Favre's primary motivation for wanting to play this season.

Fox cited league sources as saying "the Vikings vehemently denied any wrongdoing and are awaiting the league's next step in the process."

Wednesday's news was the latest development in what has become an ugly situation involving the Packers and Favre.

Green Bay has made it clear it won't release Favre -- because that would free him to sign with an NFC North rival such as the Vikings or Bears -- and plans to go with Aaron Rodgers as its starting quarterback. Favre has started 275 consecutive games, including playoffs.

There has been talk Favre would be an ideal fit for the Vikings in part because of his relationship with Bevell and because Minnesota runs a version of the West Coast offense that is very similar to what Favre played in during Mike Sherman's tenure as the Packers coach.

Favre has three years remaining on his contract and it remains uncertain what the future holds. About the only way he could end up with the Vikings is if the Packers trade him to a team that then deals him to Minnesota.

Favre, 38, led the Packers to a 13-3 regular-season record last season and a berth in the NFC title game. The NFL's all-time leader in both passing touchdowns and interceptions, Favre is 4-0 against the Vikings since Childress took over in 2006. While Favre wants to return, ESPN.com reported Wednesday that Favre's agent, Bus Cook, said his client has "no definite plans to ask for reinstatement" from the reserved/retired list.

"Right now, we have until the sixth week [of the regular season] and Brett has made it pretty clear that he is not willing to come in as a backup,'' Cook said. "If he asks for reinstatement and they start fining him $15,000 a day, well that just doesn't make sense."

Childress, meanwhile, said Monday that Tarvaris Jackson would be his starting quarterback in 2008. Many feel Jackson is the biggest question mark on a team that should contend for the NFC North title.

Jackson, appearing Wednesday on ESPN, sounded like a guy who could understand a team being interested in Favre. "Just the caliber of player Brett Favre is, anybody would be glad to have him."

In a two-part interview on Fox News Channel this week, Favre was asked about the possibility of running out of the visiting tunnel in Lambeau Field wearing a Vikings jersey for the Sept. 8 opener.

"I've never envisioned that," he said. "I've heard all the talk like everyone else. It's hard not to. But that's always been our biggest rivalry, obviously with the Bears. Did I ever think of that? No. Did I ever think it would happen? Absolutely not. In my getting a release, obviously it gives you an option."