Contract negotiations between the Vikings and Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield broke off a few weeks ago, but coach Brad Childress indicated Friday that talks could heat up again at any time.

"I just think that [the word] negotiations [are] just what that means," Childress said. "It's ups and downs and flat and people walking away, people getting back together. Nothing says that it's 24 hours a day like it is in Congress when the government shuts down or the state shuts down. It's negotiations."

Winfield is entering the final season on his six-year deal. Though their talks stalled, the two sides have not shown any public hostility through the media.

Winfield missed the three-day mandatory minicamp last weekend to attend the funeral of his close friend's mother. Childress declined to say whether his absence was excused. Winfield did not participate in the OTAs this week. The workouts are not mandatory but only a handful of veterans were not present.

Winfield issued a statement through his agent late Thursday night that read: "I want all to know that I'm not at OTAs because I don't want to be there. I do want to be there! As I have stated before, I want to finish my career a Viking."

Asked about the statement, Childress said: "I wouldn't know how to characterize that. I would just let his words stand. He wants to be there. There is certainly not a bar across the door. As a matter of fact, I told you guys it was a welcome invite with open arms to all."

Childress also made it clear that while he knows exactly what is going on in the contract discussions with Winfield, he has no role in the negotiations. Childress has final say over the final 53-man roster but he doesn't hold the title of general manager. The Vikings' negotiations are handled by Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski.

"It's a free flow of information [internally]," Childess said. "Personnel, the team, coaching, salary cap, owners and it goes all different directions. Around the circle, back and forth, we are completely transparent. Everybody knows what everybody else is doing so that's not my expertise, negotiating. I have to go out of my way to tell the players, 'Far be it from me, I'm never going to sit and talk about dollars and cents.' Typically it's a degrading deal when a coach is talking about putting a dollar figure on you."

Childress was asked if he wants Winfield to remain in Minnesota.

"Yeah, he's a good player," he said. "I want him here right now. That's the mother hen part of me."

The Brett Favre watch has been noticeably quiet the past two weeks, and Childress did nothing to change that when asked if the team has set a deadline for Favre to decide whether he will come out of retirement to play this season.

"I'm not even thinking about that right now," he said. "I'm thinking about the next four OTAs next week."

Favre's long-time agent Bus Cook told the Associated Press on Friday that he remains unaware of any pending change in Favre's plans.

Vikings owner/president Mark Wilf, Childress, members of the organization and several buses of players spent time at Crest View Elementary School in Brooklyn Park on Friday taking part in the team's annual playground build. The project also included staff members from Toro and organizers from KaBOOM, a national nonprofit organization.

The Vikings and Toro split the cost of the construction, which gives kids a new and safe playground.

"I think it's just gotten better and better every year," Childress said. "It's always diverse and we have a bunch of diversity on our team in terms of people and characters."

Childress did not confirm reports that rookie cornerback Asher Allen had arthroscopic surgery on one of his knees, keeping him out of OTAs. However, Childress said he's not concerned about Allen, who is expected to be ready for training camp.