GREEN BAY’S COACH REITERATES RODGERS NOW STARTING QB
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Even Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy isn’t quite sure how the Brett Favre un-retirement saga will play out over the next few days. But he does know this much: Favre or no Favre, Aaron Rodgers is his starting quarterback.
In his season-opening news conference at Lambeau Field on Saturday, McCarthy strongly affirmed the team’s commitment to Rodgers and reiterated that Green Bay’s players and coaches spent the offseason planning to move forward after Favre retired in March.
“Aaron Rodgers is the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers,” McCarthy said. “That’s been stated over and over again.
“I hope we can finally understand that. That’s where we are as an organization and as a head coach of the Green Bay Packers. I don’t know how else to answer that question.”
The Packers’ players are scheduled to report to training camp today and will have their first practice Monday morning. McCarthy acknowledged the possibility that Favre could be there.
“Has he thought about it? I’m sure he has,” McCarthy said. “Has he confirmed anything? Nothing has been confirmed.”
McCarthy acknowledged that Favre’s presence could become a distraction.
“It’ll be a challenge, there’s no doubt about it,” McCarthy said. “But it’s a new challenge and a new year. (It’s) different than I personally have ever experienced, but it’s something that I can promise you we’ll have a plan for and will be dealt with directly.”
Bevell addresses Favre issue.
Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, accused by the Packers of talking to Favre about his interest in ending his retirement, addressed the media for the first time on the issue.
“It’s not the message I want out there,” Bevell said. “I want us focusing on the Minnesota Vikings. What we’re doing here, what we’re trying to prepare for, the season that we’re having.”
The NFL is looking into tampering charges against Bevell, who was the Green Bay quarterbacks coach from 2003-05 and got to know Favre well during that time.
McAllister gets MRI.
Saints running back Deuce McAllister sat out practice because he had fluid drained from his surgically repaired left knee, then the team sent him for a precautionary MRI.
McAllister said later in the afternoon everything appeared to be fine.
Dorsey signs with Chiefs.
First- round pick Glenn Dorsey, the fifth overall choice in the 2008 draft, signed a five-year, $51 million deal with Kansas City that includes more than $22 million in guaranteed money for the defensive lineman.
Patriots pick up Jordan.
New England signed veteran running back LaMont Jordan a day after he was released by the Oakland Raiders.
The Patriots did not disclose the terms of the deal with the 29-year- old Jordan.
Footnotes.
Eagles all-pro cornerback Asante Samuel left practice because of a strained hamstring and will have an MRI today.
• Danny Woodhead, the NCAA’s all-division career rushing leader from Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference member Chadron (Neb.) State, injured his left knee while practicing in training camp with the Jets on Friday, and the team placed the rookie on the waived-injured list.
• Buffalo’s Leodis McKelvin, the 11th overall choice in the 2008 draft, signed a five-year contract potentially worth $19.4 million, and the cornerback is set to join the Bills after missing only two days of training camp.
