The Native Times

Childress, Favre could reach quick deal Vikings coach Brad Childress traveled to Mississippi to gauge Brett Favre's interest in joining the Vikings, and whether that is feasible. By JUDD ZULGAD and CHIP SCOGGINS, Star Tribune staff writers Last update: May 7, 2009 - 1:39 AM


Whether Brett Favre and Brad Childress sat on a bench in the back yard of Favre's Mississippi home on Wednesday night and shot the breeze about the quarterback playing for the Vikings is unknown. But Childress reportedly left the Twin Cities on a commercial flight Wednesday and, according to people with knowledge of the situation, the Vikings coach was scheduled to begin meeting with the for-now-retired, record-setting quarterback over dinner. Discussions about Favre wearing a Vikings uniform this fall will continue today, most likely in Hattiesburg. One key topic will be the condition of the partially torn biceps in Favre's throwing arm that derailed his only season as a member of the New York Jets. But a resolution to that situation appears close -- and the sides could reach a deal quickly. Favre, according to NFL sources, is agreeable to undergoing a minor procedure in which surgeons complete the cutting of the tendon. The recovery period would be quick, and Favre would be ready to go long before training camp. Indications are Favre is as anxious to join the Vikings as Childress is to have him running an offense that includes Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson and wide receivers Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin. "I try not to get too caught up in it because I don't want to get too overexcited, thinking that he's coming and then all of a sudden he doesn't," Berrian said. "He would be a great addition to the team. He's a great player. He's done so much for the NFL by himself. He definitely would bring leadership to the team. "He's been in the league for 17, 18 years and to have a player of his caliber come in, it speaks volumes for what he can do for this team." The Favre saga took on a life of its own Wednesday, just as it did last summer when he decided he didn't want to retire and ended up trying to force his way from the Packers to the Vikings. Favre eventually was traded to the Jets, who released him from the reserve/retired list last week.