Goodell would like tampering resolution soon

MANKATO - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged the league's tampering investigation involving the Vikings and Brett Favre is ongoing and that he hopes to announce the findings soon.

Speaking to reporters at the Buffalo Bills' training camp on Monday, Goodell gave the league's first public comments regarding the tampering charges filed by the Green Bay Packers against the Vikings for inappropriate contact with Favre.

"We're in the middle of the investigation," Goodell said. "Hopefully we can finish it up quickly, but as soon as we get to a conclusion we'll announce it."

Goodell reiterated that the league considers tampering a serious offense. The Vikings possibly could lose draft picks or face a fine if found guilty.

"We take every tampering charge seriously," Goodell said. "As you know, we did discipline a club [San Francisco 49ers] earlier this year for a violation of the tampering policy. It's been an important policy so we will enforce it."

Meanwhile, Packers General Manager Ted Thompson denied a report that said the tampering charge against the Vikings was based on the fact that Favre used a team-issued cell phone to call Vikings coach Brad Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.

"There are no [phones], and none that I've ever heard of certainly since I've been back, and I would think I would know, any cell phones that any of our players have that are issued by the Packers," Thompson said.

Childress said defensive end Ray Edwards is "very close" to returning after missing the first seven practices because of a lower back injury. He possibly could return this week, although it's unlikely he will participate in the scrimmage against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday.

Fullback Thomas Tapeh missed the second practice Monday after getting his bell rung in the morning practice. Tapeh called his absence a "little breather."

Tight end Garrett Mills also missed the second practice after twisting his left ankle in a collision with safety Madieu Williams in the end zone.

Defensive tackle Pat Williams (elbow) took six snaps during an inside run drill but did not participate in goal-line or 11-on-11 situations. Williams is building strength in his left elbow after having offseason surgery.

The team held its first practice in full pads in the morning session, and the intensity was noticeably higher.

"It's a good measuring point to see where we're at," defensive end Jared Allen said. "We have a long way to go. Have a lot of things to clean up. Our defense got put in a lot of adverse situations to see how we would react."

The team worked on short-yardage and goal-line situations, which included some hard hitting.

"I don't think anyone has hit since early January," cornerback Antoine Winfield said. "I'm sure guys will be a little bit sore tomorrow and the next few days."

• Allen got a few repetitions at tight end in goal-line work early in practice. Allen caught two touchdown passes in goal-line situations with the Kansas City Chiefs last season.

Staff writer Mark Craig contributed to this report.