Tennessee Titans Work-out Receiver Matt Jones

The ex-Jaguar is getting his first official look from an NFL club, even after a humbling interview on ESPN about a month ago.

Jones still has outstanding size and speed, and even though he knows nothing of Tennessee’s offense, he could still emerge as their top receiver if signed.

As it stands, he’d probably step in behind Justin Gauge and Kenny Britt, while surpassing the injured Nate Washington.

The Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys, both in need of an impact receiver, are reportedly keeping a close watch on the situation.

No Progress in Brandon Marshall Trade Talks

The heat is on Josh McDanies and the Broncos, as they have heard plenty of interest from the New York Jets, but still have a hefty asking price on the table.

The reported offer has been Marshall for a New York first round pick, along with veteran linebacker, David Harris.

If Denver doesn’t budge on either Harris or the pick, the reportedly won’t happen.

Bengals’ Carson Palmer Expected to be Ready for Opener

Isn’t this the same news we got all of last season?

Palmer was apparently at full health heading into pre-season, but then arm questions again emerged.

This time the concern is over his ankle, but with soid practices lately, head coach Marvin Lewis is holding him out of the final pre-season game, merely as a precaution.

Brett Favre to Sit for Minnesota’s Final Pre-season Game

This isn’t news, but since it’s Favre, it still makes headlines.

Add the arm surgery, his age, and the reported cracked rib all together, and you’ve got a concerned Brad Childress.

Besides, they may want to give Tarvaris Jackson the full stage as they try to up his value in the wake of trade rumors.

Favre will be more than ready to go for the season opener at Cleveland.

The Vikings drafted the explosive and dynamic Percy Harvin, courted future Hall of Famer Brett Favre, and now are dealing with an MCL injury to Tarvaris Jackson.

While we may never be able to fully close the door on Favre, at least Minnesota can focus on their new, electrifying player, and finding out who their best quarterback is.

If they can get their focus back to simply playing football, this could still be a team to be reckoned with.

Continue on for more things to watch for.

5. Can Percy Harvin Be Their X-Factor?

Harvin is already being projected as the “target” in over 100 plays, which could leave him with 50 catches and close to 20 rush attempts.

He’s also going to be potentially used as a quarterback in Minnesota’s Wildcat formation.

There’s no question the height of his early value, as he brings so much speed and explosiveness, despite not running pure routes.

Harvin should also have a large impact on the special teams as a returner, where his play-making ability may best be showcased as a rookie.

4. The Pat and Kevin Williams Suspension Saga

Recent reports have the “Williams Wall” getting by their suspension from the league.

There were originally scheduled to miss the first four weeks, but hen requested there be no suspension through an appeal, and and it was apparently granted

With all four of their opening games being against teams that didn’t make the playoffs last season, having their run-stuffing wall intact could mean a hot start.

3. Can Adrian Peterson Stay Healthy For a Third Straight Year?

Adrian Peterson has had plenty of knocks early in his career, despite arguably being viewed as “the best back in the league.”

He fumbles.

He plays recklessly.

He does nothing in the passing game.

But he’s also a true gamer and has jaws preparing to be dropped with every touch he handles.

But still, what everyone wonders is when will AP finally get a serious injury, and how will Minnesota respond?

Without Peterson, the Vikings could still potentially not miss a step, as they have a proven veteran in Chester Taylor to step up.

2. Brad Childress on the Hot Seat

While Childress has kept the Vikings competitive, and even led them to a 10-6 division title last season, he is still not a lock to keep his job.

Childress was already a hot seat candidate entering last season, and to keep his job, he must prove that he can stick with and win with ONE quarterback.

He must also get Minnesota back to the playoffs in order to prove 2008 wasn’t a fluke.

With the whole Favre fiasco behind us (maybe), Childress needs to stick with whoever ends up being his guy, and let Adrian Peterson and the defense do the rest.

Even without the Hall of Fame presence of Brett Favre, Minnesota should still make the postseason.

1. The Brett Favre Affect

The Favre “effect” could go in a few different directions.

If Favre decided to come back, this could positively affect the team with an entrance to the playoffs, and possibly a shot at a Super Bowl.

Then again, there are many skeptics that are convinced that Favre, 39, is no better than the options they already have.

Regardless of whether or not he does come back, the mere possibility of adding Favre at any time of the season could disrupt team chemistry and focus.

First and foremost, regardless of any “No chance” quotes coming from Brad Childress, let’s all agree that this whole “Favre thing” isn’t quite dead yet.

There have been tiny birds chirping from tall trees about a possible Favre signing mid-way through August, rather than mid-season.

But biting on hearsay, a coach’s words that you can never trust, or even the word of the great one (Favre) is nothing short of letting yourself get knee deep in a wild goose chase.

No, instead, let’s drop the drama off at the pool, let it sit a while, and get back to what we know.

What is absolutely for certain in Minnesota, is that Childress and co. have one hell of a running back, a solid offensive line, an active special teams unit, and an aggressive defense.

But, again, we knew that.

That’s why they were dipping their fingers in the Brett Favre dip all off-season. Not necessarily because it tasted so good that they had to keep on dipping, but because the alternative, was, well, not so tasty.

But here the Vikings are, ready to go in training camp today, with Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels duking it out. Oh, and let’s not forget that not-so-coveted former USC quarterback, John David Booty.

He might just get to keep that number four jersey, after all.

But since we’re back to square one, are we honestly going to allow ourselves to believe that this is going to be a fair fight?

Let’s face it, people, Rosenfels was brought in for a reason.

No, he’s not overly athletic (or athletic at all), and probably isn’t the long-term answer (make that a definitely), but he’s a proven pocket passer with a good arm and has shown he can put up solid numbers.

Jackson, on the other hand, finally showed spurts of decent play late last season, but then made everyone forget about his blissful play against the Detroit Lions, as he stunk it up in a playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

There are two doors Brad Childress can choose to open, and quite sadly, neither will lead to that possible Super Bowl run that Brett Favre was tempting the entire state of Minnesota with.

With Rosenfels, you have a guy who will make some plays and can manage games, but can also go all “helicopter” on you, and blow games at the last second.

Jackson, on the other hand, offers to versatility, athleticism, and potential.

But 2009 isn’t about potential. Or helicopters.

It’s about getting someone behind center who is competent enough to manage games, and good enough to win a few when called upon.

Call me crazy, but Childress had his guy last year, and he went by the name of Gus Frerotte.

But like Jackson before him, Childress gave up on Frerotte, went back to Jackson, and well, the rest is history.

So what does the crystal ball have in store for the Jackson vs. Rosenfels match-up?

It could very well be a tight race, and either winner could easily emerge as a serviceable quarterback that simply does what he needs to to help the Vikings win games, i.e., a Trent Dilfer.

That, or Childress could suck up his pride and turn to door number three.

Yes, friends, there is always a door number three.

He could take back his “no chance” remarks, give ol’ Brett another call in eight weeks (or less), and ride that 40-year old arm as far as it gets him.

After all, at this point, what does he really have to lose?

Favre broke his weeks of silence by informing Vikings head coach, Brad Childress, that he would in fact stay retired.

The decision apparently happened sometime Tuesday afternoon, and the definite answer from Favre prompted Childress to inform the Minneapolis Star Tribune of the future Hall of Famer’s decision.

The “daily grind” of the NFL was the cited reason for Favre ending his comeback attempt, as the near 40-year old didn’t feel his body could compete with the rigors of a 16-game NFL schedule anymore.

It now appears that the starting quarterback job in Minnesota will be decided in a battle between Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels, two quarterbacks that never stopped working toward the goal of starting for Minnesota, despite the constant Favre rumors.

Vikings player had been expressing their “want” for Favre to sign with the team lately, while others such as defensive end Jared Allen, wished he would make up his mind.

Favre originally set July 30th as his ultimate deadline, and has made his decision with two days to spare.

While it’s entirely possible the master of indecisiveness could change his mind, or even sign with a different team mid-way through the season, it is clear at this time that Favre is content with staying retired, and simply doesn’t have any more football left in him.

There are reports being circulated that upon Brett Favre’s eventual signing, Tarvaris Jackson will request (or demand) to be traded.

Boo-friggin-hoo.

So what?

Forget about the Favre signing. Just trade the guy now.

Get what you can for him. He has decent stats and has some playing experience in the West Coast Offense.

All of that makes him an immediately solid back-up for St. Louis and Seattle, and he could even be considered for clipboard duty in Chicago, Washington, Carolina, or San Francisco.

The fact is, despite his ineffectiveness and poor accuracy at times, Jackson is still only 26, and still has a ton of potential.

Coming from a Favre-to-Vikings promoter, and a usually “down on Tarvaris” writer-this means something.

Jackson is done in Minnesota. Dead, drowned, beaten and left to breathe his last breath.

Face it, deal with it, accept it. It’s over.

Even if Favre signs, breaks his hip, and screams “curses” all across the NFL world, Sage Rosenfels would probably get the go-ahead over Jackson, at this point.

Dare I even go as far as mentioning John David Booty?

Jackson is a mobile quarterback with a decent arm that can make some plays every so often.

An accurate, clutch, game-managers, he is not.

There are several teams (in the NFC, alone) that could use a quality back-up. Some could even use a starter-and almost all of them wouldn’t mind grabbing a cheap project passer to play with.

Consider Tarvaris Jackson the newest ball of yarn, and the rest of the NFL a litter of cats eager to pick and prod at him.

He may get cut up and scratched a bit, but he’s worth a sniff.

The general consensus was that Jackson’s (along with man-lover Brad Childress) days were already numbered, pre-Favre rumors.

Now that number four is actually on his way in? Yeah, numero seis is toast.

But enough with Spanish, he-said/she-said’s, and semantics.

The guy is heading somewhere besides Minnesota’s starting line-up or bench.

The real questions is, where?