ESPN reports today;

The Minnesota Vikings have at least temporarily suspended their pursuit of Brett Favre after the retired quarterback failed to report to organized team activities that began Tuesday as head coach Brad Childress had mandated, according to team and league sources.
The Vikings conveyed their decision in a phone call from vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski to Bus Cook, the agent who represents Favre.

Of course the Vikings slowed their pursuit of Favre, he just had surgery and can’t throw yet. Speaking with Judd Zulgad, of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, last night on Sports Central he reiterated that “Favre didn’t have that tendon surgery to remain retired”, and I agree. 

CLICK HERE to listen to the interview

Favre is going to take his time and allow this tornadic media activity to continue. In the next few weeks we’ll hear one of two storylines;
“Brett Favre, feeling that his surgically repaired arm is healthy and ready to go, has signed with the Minnesota Vikings” OR “Brett Favre, feeling that his surgically repaired arm just isn’t strong enough to withstand an entire NFL season has decided to remain retired”. Either way, the Minnesota Vikings are listening with open ears and open minds.

To say that they’ve “suspended their pursuit of Favre” eases the distractions around their current quarterbacks and takes some of the pressure off the rest of the team. In a recent interview with a Minnesota television station, Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson tried to remain unbiased regarding the Favre rumors, “We’re pretty wrapped up in the OTA’s right now”, but he clearly sounded flustered by the constant questions regarding Favre, “I’m just trying to concentrate on the task at hand and the guys here. I don’t know, I don’t know what to tell you. You know as much as we do. It’s kind of frustrating.”

For a guy that’s not even in their lockerroom yet, the Favre chatter has certainly stolen the spotlight of what was supposed to be a possible Super Bowl contender preparing for the season. Make no mistake about it though, whether he does or he doesn’t come back, Favre holds all the cards and the Vikings are still wagging their tails, like hopeful puppies in a storefront window, in the hopes of getting the sure first ballot hall of famer in their purple jersey.