Favre rumors don't rattle Vikings' Jackson

MANKATO - Tarvaris Jackson admits that like countless other sports fans he has closely followed the Brett Favre saga and whether the quarterback will stay retired, return to the Green Bay Packers or force his way to another team.

"I cannot help it," Jackson said. "I love sports. My TV is on the NFL Network right now."

Which leads to this assumption: The young quarterback might be in a foul mood.

While the Packers almost certainly would never allow Favre to play for their NFC North rival, reports have indicated Favre's first choice is to join the Vikings. Then there were the tampering charges the Packers filed against the Vikings for alleged conversations between Favre and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell as well as coach Brad Childress.

So is Jackson upset about the talk of Favre taking his job? "Not at all," Jackson said. "It kind of helps me out. I know I have to get better. ... I still have some improving to do, and I know that. ... I have to prove myself yet."

Jackson, entering his second season as the Vikings' starter, continued that process Friday as the team opened training camp with two practices. Jackson went a respectable 8-4 in 2007 -- he missed three games because of injury and was benched for another -- but threw three more interceptions than touchdowns (12-9) and his 70.8 passer rating was ranked 28th in the NFL.

Those statistics are among the reasons why there is talk about Favre being an ideal fit for the Vikings or even speculation that if Jackson struggles backup Gus Frerotte could get an opportunity.

"It's all on me. Going out there and executing the offense and just getting better," Jackson said. "That's all I can do, try to get better each day, and that's what I'm doing."

Jackson spent much of his offseason at the Vikings' Winter Park facility working on the field with his receivers and off the field with Bevell and quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers. He earned high marks from the coaching staff and appeared far more comfortable on the field and in the huddle during offseason workouts.

But those practices featured no hitting and minimal intensity. The real test of where Jackson is at will become clear as camp unfolds. On Friday, Jackson appeared sharper during the morning session than the afternoon. In the first practice, he completed a nice 50-yard pass to Bobby Wade after the receiver got by cornerback Marcus McCauley. Jackson also made a nice play during 11-on-11 drills when he avoided the rush and dumped a pass off to fullback Thomas Tapeh.

The main thing Childress is looking for is consistency. That includes seeing Jackson make reads in difficult situations. "There are bodies in front of you and bodies that are coming with a little ferociousness," Childress said. "It is probably easily the hardest thing to do besides maybe hitting the curveball, but there is no one punching you in the side of the head when you are trying to do that."

Jackson said he talked to Childress plenty during the offseason and Favre's name never came up, and reports of calls between Bevell and Favre didn't bother Jackson either. In fact, Jackson admitted there could be worse things than having Favre as a teammate.

"It could be a plus, nothing negative probably with him being the guy he is," he said. "We would compete for the starting job, but at the same time he is a Hall of Famer so you have to understand that. I could learn a lot from him. ... You [would] just have to take it as a blessing getting to learn from one of the best guys to ever play the game."