NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

With a win Sunday at Qwest Field, the Seattle Seahawks will have done something it hasn't since early December of last season, win consecutively.

"It's important for us to keep some momentum going here," said Seattle head coach Pete Carroll at his Wednesday press conference from his team's Renton, Wash. training facilities. "Which we haven't done."

Looking to stop that momentum from developing will be the visiting Arizona Cardinals. At 3-2, both Arizona and Seattle sit tied atop the NFC West standings.

"They can beat you a number of ways," said Carroll.

After starting off to a sluggish start, Arizona's defense has heated up. Prior to the team's Week Six bye, the unit forced defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans into four turnovers, three of them interceptions of Drew Brees, en route to clinching the team a 30-20 victory.

The unit is led by first-year Cardinal Kerry Rhodes. Arizona uses the former New York Jet in blitz packages, short-yardage coverage and man-to-man deep coverage. His 36-yard fumble return for a touchdown against New Orleans made the 6-foot-3, 212-pounder the first defensive player in Arizona's franchise history to return fumbles for touchdowns in back-to-back games.

When Rhodes and his counterparts aren't on the field, Arizona puts the ball in the hands of a rookie quarterback.

"He's a very savvy kid," said Seattle's Carroll of rookie Max Hall.

"He's mobile and quick and resourceful."

Those attributes helped put the undrafted free agent out of Brigham Young in exclusive company following the Cardinals' Week Five victory over the Saints. The Mesa, Ariz. native became the first undrafted rookie quarterback to defeat the defending Super Bowl champion since 1967 when Kent Nix led the Pittsburgh Steelers past the Green Bay Packers.

Helping Hall succeed is his Pro Bowl wide receiver, Larry Fitzgerald.

"I don't know if anybody can catch the ball better than him," said Carroll.

In seven seasons in the National Football League, the 6-foot-3, 218-pound Fitzgerald's 549 catches for 7,368 yards and 61 touchdowns have earned him four trips to the Pro Bowl and one First-Team All-Pro selection.

"He'll factor in and just break your heart," said the Seahawks' head coach. "I don't know that you can stop him, you just need to keep his numbers from being silly."

While he hasn't earned the kind of recognition Fitzgerald has, if Seattle's Mike Williams can build off last Sunday's performance in Chicago, the former first-round pick could join the ranks of the National Football League's best.

Against the Bears, Williams hauled in 10 of the 15 balls thrown to him for 123 yards.

"We're trying to work the field better," said Carroll.

Williams and the passing game faced less pressure last Sunday thanks to those up front.

"The fact that the protection was so good makes that all possible," said Carroll. "Best game for our offensive line, for the season – of any time we've been together."

Should the line continue its improved play, Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch's ability to eat up big chunks of yardage when toting the football could be the difference Sunday against Arizona at what is projected to be a rainy Qwest Field.

Kickoff is set for 4:05 p.m. Eastern.

Can't get enough SeahawksGab? Follow Editor Devon Heinen on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DevonHeinen.

Qwest Field is one of the loudest venues in the NFL

The Seattle Seahawks enjoy a home field advantage unlike most other NFL teams.  Qwest Field, so its been said, is one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL, something that is obviously attributed to the fans, but also the stadium's design.  In any event, it's something that the Cardinals will have to deal with this Sunday if they want to leave Seattle with the NFC West lead.

Quarterback Max Hall weighed in on what he's heard about Qwest, which will be the setting for his first NFL road start.  "I've heard it's noisy and a fun place to play," Hall said.  "Coach (Chris) Miller says this is why we play the game is to play in games like this.  The best way to prepare is to have the (piped-in) noise out at practice and work on the silent count and make sure as a quarterback you communicate to your guys as clearly as possible."  Something tells me that there's no replacement for the actual experience.

It's also quite difficult on an offensive line.  Darren Urban of the Cards' official website points out that the Cardinals "have been called for 18 false starts in the seven games they have played there since it opened in 2002, including three last season."It could be worse, though.  The New York Giants were called for 11 false starts in a single game in 2005.  Obviously, it's loud there.

If you believe Levi Brown and Brandon Keith the noise is hardest on the offensive line, particularly the tackles.  "We're the furthest from the center, so we are trying to look past the guard and see the center's head, especially on the silent count, and it gets tough sometimes," Levi said.  "It will happen.  Sometimes you will be late and you just have to try and run that defensive end past the quarterback, but it's part of the game."  Brown, who already has trouble getting back in protection, can't afford to be late this Sunday.

Right tackle Brandon Keith also expressed concern over the challenges that Qwest Field brings.  "You have to really tune in, because beyond just worrying about your responsibility on a particular play, you've got to make sure you get off the ball on time, you make sure you make the right read, so you have to be so focused," Keith explained.  "Like coach said, it's going to be like a playoff atmosphere, so that's how we have to approach it."

There's one Cardinal that isn't concerned at all about the hostile atmosphere; Larry Fitzgerald.  "You definitely have that you-against-the-world feeling when you go on the field," Fitzgerald said.  "You see the 'No. 1' (jersey-wearing) guy and the crazy guy above the tunnel calling your name.  It's a great atmosphere.  It's the 11 men in the huddle and no one else in the building is supporting you.  I love that feeling."

According to Vincent Jackson’s agent, the San Diego Chargers have been notified that the wide receiver will return to practice next Friday and sign his restricted free agent tender after holding out due to a contract dispute.

After reporting on Oct. 29, Jackson will serve his three-game, team-imposed suspension. After the suspension, he will be able to play the last six games of the season and accrue his one last year needed to become an unrestricted free agent.

Initially, Jackson and his agent made it clear that he would not be playing for the Chargers this season. But after not being traded and receiving urges from the NFLPA to sign his tender, Jackson has changed his mind in hopes of making it easier for him to find a new team for the 2011 season.

Deanna Favre wife of Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, spoke to FOX News Channel's FOX and Friends this morning and dodged questions about her husband's alleged sexual misconduct. Farve remarked, "I won’t go into anything personal, but faith really is my crutch." She also spoke about her new book on faith, "The Cure for the Chronic Life." Excerpts from the interview are below:

On her reaction to the allegations against her husband, Brett Favre:

"Well, I won’t go into anything personal, but faith really is my crutch. It’s always been my crutch. It gets me through. It got me through many struggles, as you can read in "The Cure for the Chronic Life," and that's the reason Shane and I wrote this book."

On being a survivor:

"The worst experience or the worst struggle I think that I had to face was the death of my brother, and then four days later, being diagnosed with breast cancer. So I think I’m a survivor if I can get through that, I can get through anything."

On what people can take away from her book:

"We hope anyone who is going through a difficult time will take the book and read it. And we do believe that it will make a difference in their life. But it is also a book for those who feel like they have the world on a string and maybe they are headed in a direction that is unhealthy and they don’t even know it. And so it's a book that anyone can use to help their life be richer."

On how she is feeling as a cancer survivor:

"I feel awesome. I feel really good."

Senior writer jclombardi highlights the legendary QB Favre watch.

Favre remains the man of the moment: If that guy in the Dos Equis ads is the most interesting man in the world, then Brett Favre surely is the most interesting man in the NFL. Whether you love him, hate him or, like many Green Bay Packers fans, are experiencing both emotions simultaneously, you can’t take your eyes off him. And thanks to ESPN’s obsession with the 41-year-old quarterback, you never have to. Packers’ fans are used to it, of course, because their eyes were riveted to Favre for 16 seasons. But after losing a power struggle with management and leaving Green Bay in 2008, Favre somehow managed to raise his already off-the-charts profile. It began when his annual will-he-or-won’t-he retirement debate went national, continued with his Fountain of Youth season for the Minnesota Vikings in 2009 and blew up this fall with his diminished performance and the sexting scandal that has made him the subject of an NFL investigation. Favre clearly is damaging his legacy with what’s happening on and off the field this year, but it doesn’t seem to matter. He remains the NFL’s top draw.

Not friends, not enemies: For a time, it was the worst kept secret in town. During their three seasons together with the Green Bay Packers, Brett Favre did little to mentor Aaron Rodgers, and while the two forged a solid working relationship, neither quarterback considered the other a good friend. If it wasn't before, that was obvious on Wednesday, more than two years since the Packers and Favre's acrimonious August 2008 split and Rodgers ascension to the starting job. Asked during a conference call with Twin Cities reporters if he has a relationship with Favre since Favre was traded to the New York Jets, Rodgers said no. "I just saw him on the field after we played him last year," Rodgers replied. Later, Rodgers was asked if he'd like to reconnect with Favre. His answer – or non-answer – was telling. "I enjoyed the three years that we spent together," Rodgers said. "Now he's out there and I'm out here." Packers coach Mike McCarthy was asked about his relationship with Favre – and vice versa – and it was evident that the 2008 split left neither man interested in staying connected with the other, either. "I haven't spoken to Brett in quite some time, but I had a very positive relationship in our time here," McCarthy said. "I have a lot of respect for what he's done and what he's doing. I wish him the best.”

Deanna Favre relying on faith: With her husband, ex-Green Bay Packers and current Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, under investigation by NFL security for allegedly sending suggestive messages and lewd photos to a woman who worked for the New York Jets, Deanna Favre appeared on ABC's "Good Morning America" Thursday to promote a book she co-authored called “The Cure for the Chronic Life,” which is about getting past hard times and patterns of unhealthy behavior.  To start the interview, Roberts, a GMA co-host, fellow Mississippi native and friend of the Favres, brought up the allegations that Brett Favre sent inappropriate pictures to former Jets employee Jennifer Sterger – allegations that he has yet to publicly deny. After saying that Deanna Favre had agreed to address the "current allegations" against her husband, Roberts asked, "Deanna, what can you share with us this morning about that?" Deanna Favre replied, "I can tell you that obviously I'm a woman of faith, and faith has gotten me through many difficult struggles, it will get me through this one."

Favre one of many subplots: Last year, Brett Favre's return to Green Bay was the story line for the Minnesota Vikings' annual trek east to face the Green Bay Packers.This year, Favre's return is just a juicy subplot in one of the NFL's most bitter and competitive rivalries. For Favre, there's the controversy involving alleged lewd text messages to former employees with the New York Jets. There's a surgically repaired ankle and, now, an elbow that have needed injections. There's also subpar play from the 41-year-old Favre, who has six touchdowns against seven interceptions after a scintillating 2009 campaign of 33 touchdowns against seven interceptions. The usually verbose Favre had no interest in detailing Tuesday's conversation with the league involving the so-called sexting scandal. Nor did he have any interest in saying if he was "embarrassed" that the allegations have scarred a reputation that had been marred only by his annual play-or-not-to-play charade. "Again, that's a league issue," Favre told reporters in Green Bay during a conference call on Wednesday. "As I've said, my focus is on the next opponent. Obviously, that's Green Bay. As I said the other night, I'm reluctant to say that I'm excited about coming back. I know how it feels to play there. It's a huge challenge. We need a victory. This is a race to the finish. We need it." That "need for victory" is the big story line this week. The Packers and Vikings, two of the best teams in the league last year and among the top contenders in the NFC entering this season, are off to disappointing starts. With the Packers at 3-3 and the Vikings at 2-3 and both trailing the Bears (4-2) in the NFC North, what's at stake is obvious.

The Falcons finally get back on the field after answering questions all week about the hit that their CB, Dunta Robinson, put on Eagles WR DeSean Jackson Sunday in the teams 31-17 loss to the Eagles.

This week they are at home to host a struggling Bengals team that is desperate to get back in the win column after a bye week and a 2-3 record that wasn’t expected by the club as they kicked off 2010.

Matt Ryan and the Falcons will look to get back to the basics, as they were shut down by the Eagles, gaining a season-low 293 yards in their loss in Philly. Look for a steady dose of Michael Turner, and this could be the week Michael Jenkins finally get some chances to catch the ball after missing the early part of the year with injury.

Atlanta’s D is also coming off a poor outing, as they gave up a season-high 474 yards and allowing three touchdowns of more than 30 yards. They will look to lay the hammer on Carson Palmer and a Bengals offense that has had issues scoring points all season.

The Bengals are not very good on the road, losing six of seven dating to last season, the lone victory coming in Week 3 against winless Carolina.

They also are getting no pressure on the QB, as they have six sacks, tied for second fewest in the league, and need to find a way to get to Ryan who has won his last 11 regular season games at home.

The Falcons should have success throwing and running on the Bengals D, while Palmer is going to need to avoid the rush and try to keep Ryan and the Falcons off the field. That won’t be easy.

The Bengals are in a must win this week, as a 2-4 start in a tough AFC North and they can kiss a repeat good-bye. The Falcons are looking to rebound after a bad loss to the Eagles, and picking on a Bengals team that has had offensive issues all season is just the ticket. The physical style of the Falcons will send Cincy to their fourth loss in six games. Atlanta 30 Cincinnati 17

Can the Rams bring home the “Show Me State” its first NFC West crown since 2003?

To quote Jim Mora, "Playoffs!?!". That is the thought that is starting to seep into the consciousness of Rams fans in 2010. The season so far has been tumultuous. Frustrating losses against Arizona and Oakland. Morale boosting victories against Washington and Seattle. Then crushing disappointment in a blowout defeat to Detroit followed up with a gutsy win versus San Diego. Where does this leave the Rams in the NFC West and do they have playoff potential? What about our divisional rivals?

Arizona Cardinals (3-2)

The Cardinals have also had a rocky start to the year. After losing Kurt Warner to retirement they turned to Matt Leinart, who was replaced (and released eventually) for Derek Andersen, who has now been benched for rookie Max Hall from BYU. Beanie Wells has struggled with injury and the defense is still looking to fill the gap left by Karlos Dansby. They've been handled comfortably by the Chargers and Falcons, but have also managed to do a number on the reigning SuperBowl champion Saints off the back of two defensive TDs.

With the West looking so close the divisional clashes will most likely be the deciding factor. I can see them picking up 4 more wins (Weeks 8 v. Bucs, 10 v. Seahawks, 12 v. 49ers & 15 @ Panthers) for a 7-9 record, 3-3 in the division. If they have playoff ambitions they'll need to win a couple more on the road in the West…

Seattle Seahawks (3-2)

Coming of the back of a thrilling win in Chicago, the Seahawks are another hard team to figure out. An embarrassing loss to the Rams and comprehensive defeat to Denver is mixed in with a win over the Chargers and a domination of the 49ers in week 1. Earl Thomas and Mike Williams have been bright spots but nagging injuries to round 1 draft pick Russell Okung has frustrated them.

I can see them getting on a minor roll with wins in weeks 7 and 8 against Arizona and Oakland. That might be the momentum to get them over the hump, but week 9 brings a reinvigorated Giants pass-rush into Seattle. If the Seahawks win that game and make it 4 in a row, they'll likely take the division, but I don't think they will. After an ass-whooping at home against Big Blue, Seattle will need to travel to Phoenix to face Arizona and get things back on track, before then heading to the SuperDome. Ouch. Then they get the upstart Chiefs. It could quite easily go downhill from here. My prediction for them is only 3 more wins (weeks 7, 8 and then 16 vs. Buccs), which leaves them 6-10 and several things for Pete Carroll to think about.

St Louis Rams (3-3)

We all know how the season has gone so far. A mix of good and bad, the typical derailing injuries but also some welcome surprise in Bradford's early promise. The loss to Detroit had everyone wringing their hands, but a nail-bitter against the Chargers has got everyone excited again. Spagnuolo will look to chalk up two more wins against the NFC South in Tampa and Carolina in the coming weeks. Both are certainly winnable and would put the Rams on a 3-game streak heading into their bye week. What follows is a tough run of divisional games with the Falcons, Saints, Broncos with the Chiefs thrown in for good measure. It could quite easily result in a string of 5 losses meaing we'd need to win the final 3 games (vs. Chiefs, vs. 9ers, @ Seahawks) to stand a chance of January football.

I think the Rams are looking at 7 or 8 wins, with week 12 @ Denver and week 15 vs. Kansas as the crucial games. If we win both, we'll have done enough to take the West at 8-8 (3-3 divisional), but slip up in just one and we could be looking at all sorts of tie-breakers with the Cardinals…

San Francisco 49ers (1-5)

The pre-season favorites for the NFC West and a dark-horse for a deep playoff run in many pundits eyes. Whoops! Alex Smith has been so bad fans are even chanting for David Carr. Samurai Mike is losing his rag and their sole win came against the Raiders last week. They've had three close losses to good teams (Saints, Falcons, Eagles) but close doesn't cut it in the NFL. They need to recover and do it quickly. Luckily for them the NFC West is the epitome of parity (or is it mediocrity!?) and they aren't out of it yet, sitting only 2 games off the pace.

They should be able to beat a poor Panthers team this week, but it's their week 8 clash against the Broncos at Wembley that could make or break their season. A loss would mean 2-6 and that if the Seahawks had won their easier games versus Arizona and Oakland they would then be 4 behind. It will take a huge effort to turn round from there. Their final 4 games of the year will be vs. Seahawks, @ Chargers, @ Rams and vs. Cardinals. All will be tough match-ups, especially as the Chargers now need to get going after a 2-4 start. They will need to find at least 5 wins from their final 8 games to have a chance of playoff football. I'm not convinced they are that clutch. I'll give them 4 wins for 6-10 and quite possibly the sack for Singletary.

Predicted Standings:
St. Louis Rams  8-8
Arizona Cardinals  7-9
Seattle Seahawks  6-10
San Francisco 49ers 6-10

The following e-mail was sent out to every team in the league along with the corresponding video on blows to the head and neck area.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell notified teams today that more significant discipline, including suspensions, will be imposed on players that strike an opponent in the head or neck area in violation of the rules.

A memo to the clubs from Commissioner Goodell was accompanied by a message and video to NFL players and coaches. The head coach of each club has been instructed to show the video and read the message to his players and coaching staff as soon as possible. The video includes examples of illegal hits and legal hits under NFL rules.

"One of our most important priorities is protecting our players from needless injury," Commissioner Goodell said. "In recent years, we have emphasized minimizing contact to the head and neck, especially where a defenseless player is involved. It is clear to me that further action is required to emphasize the importance of teaching safe and controlled techniques, and of playing within the rules. It is incumbent on all of us to support the rules we have in place to protect players."

The enhanced discipline will be imposed even in cases of a first offense, including the possibility of suspension for first-time offenders, the clubs were told.

Following is the message to be read to all coaches and players:

TO NFL PLAYERS AND COACHES:

One of our highest priorities is player safety.  We all know that football is a tough game that includes hard contact.  But that carries with it an obligation to do all that we can to protect all players from unnecessary injury caused by dangerous techniques from those who play outside the rules.

The video shown today shows what kind of hits are against the rules, but also makes clear that you can play a hard, physical game within the rules.

Violations of the playing rules that unreasonably put the safety of another player in jeopardy have no place in the game, and that is especially true in the case of hits to the head and neck.  Accordingly, from this point forward, you should be clear on the following points:

1.         Players are expected to play within the rules.  Those who do not will face increased discipline, including suspensions, starting with the first offense.

2.         Coaches are expected to teach playing within the rules.  Failure to do so will subject both the coach and the employing club to discipline.

3.         Game officials have been directed to emphasize protecting players from illegal and dangerous hits, and particularly from hits to the head and neck.  In appropriate cases, they have the authority to eject players from a game.

ROGER GOODELL

Commissioner

Hits to the Head and Neck

Senior writer jclombardi highlights Packers headlines.

Pressure to pressure Favre: When Brett Favre returns to Lambeau Field in the white and purple of the Minnesota Vikings for the second consecutive season, it’s hard not to make the matchup about the melodrama. But come Sunday night, the most important matchup will be between the man with the headset and call sheet in the Packers coaches booth and the 41-year-old gunslinger. There’s really no way around it: Favre has the number of Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers. Big time. Favre is a perfect 8-0 when facing a team or defense directed by Capers. It’s going to matter more whether Capers’ unit has improved over last season. In the two games against the Packers, Favre was 41 of 59 (69.5%) for 515 yards and seven touchdowns (135.9 rating).

Harris and Bigby practice with Packers: Packers cornerback Al Harris structured his workouts the six weeks he was on the physically unable to perform list with just one thing in mind. Being ready to play against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct.?24. On Wednesday, Harris was back on the practice field performing as though he would be in the starting lineup Sunday. The truth is he’s not going to be a starter. If coach McCarthy and DC Capers like what they see from him in practice, he could be part of the nickel package. His timing couldn’t be better as Capers sets out to put a net around Favre’s targets in a crucial NFC North Division game. Harris was one of three players to begin practicing after spending six weeks on the PUP list. The others were safety Atari Bigby and rookie running back James Starks. Bigby has a chance to be active Sunday but did far less than Harris in practice and might need a little more time.

Capers reevaluates how to cover Vikings QB Favre: Last year, Capers went coverage-oriented instead of blitz heavy in both games of the Vikings' crucial season sweep. He did it in part to defend halfback Adrian Peterson, in part because of injuries at safety, and in part because of concern that Favre was too likely to gash blitzes for backbreaking plays. In the two games combined, Minnesota put up 68 points and Favre was the difference with seven touchdown passes, no interceptions and a passer rating of 135.9 points. That on the surface should incline Capers toward using more pressure this time. "I don't know what Dom has in mind, I have no idea," defensive end Ryan Pickett said. "But I'm sure it will be something different than what we did." On the other hand, Minnesota hasn't been the same offensive power this season as last, and its offensive line has had serious issues protecting Favre.

Rodgers–”I’ve got to play better”: Rodgers isn't playing very well these days. Just ask him. "We haven't done a good enough job getting seven on the board in the red zone and done a poor job on third down. I've got to look at myself first," Rodgers said. "I've got to play better. I'm not playing up to the standard I've set for myself. I've got to play better." For Rodgers to play better against the Vikings Sunday night, he'll need to spend more time standing up passing the football than cradling the ball against the Lambeau turf. Minnesota sacked Rodgers 14 times in the two Packer-Viking games last season. He's been sacked 21 times in 2010. "That put us in a hole last year because we had to convert some third downs that were tough to convert," he said. "So we need to find a way to block those guys and hopefully keep the sticks moving this week. You've got to be good on first and second down. You've got to put yourself in 'third and manageable.' I think we've had 16 third-and-11-plusses this season and those are tough to convert." Rodgers knows getting to "third and manageable" won't be easy against the Vikings defense.

What more is there to say about #4?

The only thing that quarterback Brett Favre has ever said about the allegations against him regarding Jenn Sterger and two massage therapists to become public came from his long time teammate and friend Ryan Logwell.

Longwell revealed before last Monday Night's game against the Jets that Favre addressed the issue with teammates and apologized for causing a distraction.  To date, that is his only real acknowledgement of the scandal to become public, and at the time he wasn't happy that it became public at all.

"That is between me and my teammates.  Apparently not all of them," is how Favre responded to post game questions regarding Longwell's revelation that Favre apologized to the team and even cried while doing so.

I remember watching the live press conference at the time and feeling especially awkward because I knew that he and Longwell have a long history, both on the field and off. 

I was curious at the time what Longwell's motives were for making Favre's apology known to the public.  Was it an attempt to show the softer side of Brett?  Was it him just not realizing he should shut up?  Was he trying to help?

After all, Longwell had a front row seat for how quickly it can all get out of hand.  He lived in the same neighborhood as Tiger Woods and his family when that whole scandal unfolded.  At one point, Longwell's wife was even mistaken for Tiger's wife (way to go, kicker) by the paparazzi. 

At the time, Longwell expressed great concern for the Woods family.

"You just pray for his family," Longwell said. "You pray for his wife and kids. Just pray that if what's coming out is true that he can learn from it and move on."

Perhaps that is what Longwell wants to see in this situation, the ability to learn and quickly move on.

It seems, however, that this story has at least a few more motions to go through before it dies.  News broke Wednesday that Jenn Sterger has hired a lawyer to help her decide how to proceed and that the NFL has asked the editor of Deadspin to cooperate with the investigation.

It is uncertain how these events will affect the matter in the long run, and while many of writers will attempt to speculate what is coming next, I am going to refrain from doing so.

I've noticed a variety of reactions to this story.  Some people think this is strictly a personal matter, which should be discussed only within the confines of the Favre household.  Some people suggest that sexual harassment is indeed a big deal and that Favre has allegedly committed a crime and the media would not be doing their job if they didn't discuss the issue at hand.  Some people fall in between.

I'll be honest with everyone out there on where I stand.  On just about any blog, opinions are going to become obvious eventually anyways.

I think Favre is innocent until proven otherwise, but that the absence of any denial is awfully curious.  After all, the media has been Brett's best friend for the better part of two decades and has been one of his main tools in becoming as famous and rich as he has today.  To make the conscious choice to abandon all previous strategies of using the media to sell himself suggests to me that there is no way in which Favre feels he can sell himself as the good guy int his situation, guilty or otherwise.

I also think football related publications, while sometimes crossing over into unnecessary tabloid-mode, have every reason to follow this story the same as any story that might involve a hefty fine or lengthy suspension of a high profile player. 

Since I am a blogger that has never claimed to have any journalistic integrity, I have considered abandoning this story outright until a punishment is handed down or the situation is otherwise settled.

On the other hand, some might view that as some sort of favoritism towards Favre if, of course, they didn't realize that I have never and will never like him or the fact that he decided to wear a purple jersey.

So, use the below poll, and of course the comments section to let me know how you feel.  Should I cover it?  Should others?  Where should writers, journalists, and bloggers draw the line?

In the end, all Vikings fan should want is to move on like Longwell said, and watch the team win a Super Bowl.