James Jones: 'Packers locker room would welcome Favre'

Packers Wideout James Jones, who enjoyed a successful Rookie campaign under the leadership of Brett Favre, has spoken to ESPN radio regarding the potential comeback of No.4, as reported yesterday.

The chemistry was great, so I'm sure if he came back late it wouldn't hurt. We're excited for Aaron (Rodgers), but at the same time we'd be excited if Brett came back.

-Packers WR James Jones

Jones seems open to the idea of Favre coming back, and says that he 'would be welcome on the team' if and when he came back. It's still early in this story, and until Favre comes out and states in an unequivocal manner what his intentions are, then it will run and run.

In the meantime, it's difficult not to have some sympathy with Rodgers, who will likely have to deal with this for at least a few more months.

Mooch: Rodgers becoming a leader

Steve Mariucci, long time friend and mentor to Brett Favre, has spoken on the NFL Network to apparently quash the rumours that No.4 might consider coming out of retirement. He stated that Favre's successor Aaron Rodgers has become 'a vocal leader in the huddle' during Mini Camp, and that the coaching staff had been unanimous in their praise of the fourth year Quarterback.

Mariucci was only offering an opinion on Favre's mindset, but he seemed unequivocal that Favre would not want to upset the balance in Green Bay. Host Rich Eisen asked Mooch if Favre would ring up the Packers and ask to be shoehorned back into the equation.

" I don't know that Brett would ring them up and say 'make room for me' really... Could he do it? Absolutely, but I'm just not sure that's his style"

- Ex-Packers Coach Steve Mariucci on NFL: Total Access

As we (and Favre himself) noted, he was always going to feel this way as the off-season wore on. Mariucci explains that he would be starting to work out at this time of year, and as we said last night, the fact that he has not embraced media work means that there is a huge, football-shaped void in Brett Favre's life.

Jerry Jones pleased with Pacman's commitment

In a heartwarming tale of two long lost brothers, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has praised his younger brother (er... probably) Adam 'Rainman' Jones.

"He is very committed. He is very committed physically and mentally. He is smart. He recognizes his challenge and he is really doing well."

- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones

Jones Jnr is on a short leash in Dallas, and whether by choice or not, is opting to spend his three week break before Training Camp in the Dallas area. The move makes a lot of sense for both sides. If Pacman can keep out of trouble for the next two months, he should be reinstated before the opener against the Brownies. Obviously Jerry Jones is a smart man, and it wouldn't surprise us if he has the other Jones under an unofficial curfew, in an ettempt to avoid any kind of bad publicity.

Jones also regailed the press conference with a stroy about Deion Sanders and Pacman taking a fishing trip. 'Quite odd' does not do this one justice.

"He was telling me he was so tired of Deion catching more fish than him that he asked a friend of mine if he knew a pro fisherman who could give him some tips, he was so proud that he called me and told me that he outfished Deion. He is a competitor. He caught a big fish in the deciding catch in the competition and called me to tell me about it. That was a big deal to him."

- Jerry Jones on Adam 'Fisherman's Friend' Jones

Seriously though, we're never going to run out of nicknames for Pacman if he keeps up his dedication to extra-curricular activities.

Upcoming on Wide-Right this month:

Wide-Right will continue to bring updates from around the NFL, even during the official dead time of the league. Here's a preview of what we'll be doing this month:

Season Previews of the NFC East, AFC North, and NFC North.

Coverage of Training Camps across the league.

An in depth look at the league's long term plans for the International series, and a potential franchise in the UK.

We will, of course, still be bringing you the latest news and views from around the league, and offering our own opinion on the various issues that perculate around the game.

Aqib Talib in Rookie Symposium fight

According to ProFootballTalk.com, Aqib Talib has been involved in a physical altercation during this year's Rookie Symposium in California.

PFT states that Talib - the Bucs' first round pick this year - "had been jawing at each other for a while" before things spilled over into genuine, bonafide fisticuffs. The other combatant? Talib's fellow Buccaneeer Cory Boyd, a 7th round Running back out of South Carolina.

Talib was (in our opinion) lucky to get picked up in the first round after admitting to lying to teams regarding his failed drugs tests whilst in college at Kansas.

More on this one as and when the league makes a statement. Apparently this was supposed to be hushed up, and not to leave the symposium - something that suggests that the league may try to avoid making a big issue out of it.

Favre refutes 'rumours'. Sort of...

Late last night the story broke on ESPN that Brett Favre had contacted the Packers and tested the water about a potential return to football this season.

The reaction has been one of non-denial from the Packers, Favre's agent Bus Cook, and the man himself was no different.

In a text message to the sunherald.com website, Favre called the report 'All rumour', and insisted there was 'no reason for it'. The text stopping short of a categoric 'No, I will definately not play again', but it does sort of put the knockers on Chris Mortensen's report.

Again, as we made very clear last night, it would take someone with Al Davis's mindset (ie: nuts) to trade for Favre when he has retired. Whoever did get him would be paying through the nose for a one shot cannon, one that would not guarantee a Superbowl.

With a bit of luck Favre will issue a full statement today clarifying matters.