EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Brett Favre says he’s retired, but Minnesota coach Brad Childress acknowledges it’s likely the Vikings will at least assess their interest in the record-setting quarterback during the offseason.
Childress declined Friday to directly answer a question about whether he plans to speak to Favre soon. The coach said he has been too busy with the draft and the team’s rookie mini-camp.
Favre asked for and received his release from the Jets on Tuesday. Favre, 39, left his future open with the disclaimer “at this time” in a statement affirming his retirement.
Asked whether the team discussed the possibility of pursuing Favre now that he’s a free agent, Childress said: “We haven’t. It doesn’t mean we won’t.”
For now, the Vikings are moving forward with Tarvaris Jackson, Sage Rosenfels and John David Booty at quarterback.
• Vikings first-round draft pick Percy Harvin has been hospitalized with severe dehydration.
According to Childress, the receiver was feeling ill Thursday and vomited on a flight from Florida to Atlanta. Instead of continuing to the Twin Cities to take part in the team’s rookie mini-camp this weekend, Harvin was taken to a hospital. Swine flu was ruled out.
“I just think the grind had caught up with him,” Childress said.
Boldin, Dockett sit out with “injuries”
TEMPE, Ariz. — Receiver Anquan Boldin and defensive tackle Darnell Dockett showed up for Arizona’s mini-camp but begged off of workouts because of “injuries.”
Both players are upset with their contract status, and both said they had injured hamstrings, coach Ken Whisenhunt said.
“They showed up (Thursday) night and reported an injury that we weren’t aware of,” Whisenhunt said, “so as part of our procedure we sent them for MRIs. Hey, we know what’s going on, so I’m really not going to have much to say about that.”
Said Boldin: “I’m not making a point. I’m just not able to go right now.”
Footnotes.
In his first workout as a member of the Lions, quarterback Matthew Stafford looked spectacular at times, fitting spirals in tight places, and looked erratic in others. “It was good to play football again. Golly, it’s been a while,” the No. 1 draft pick said.
• Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, rehabbing after season-ending knee surgery, was held out of team drills, a decision that prompted him to say: “I want to go out there and I want to fly around and try and take somebody’s head off. That’s the only thing that’s important to me right now.” The Associated Press
