Favre has no definite plans to apply for reinstatement

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If Brett Favre is really going to force a showdown with the Green Bay Packers, it won't happen right away, his agent told ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

"We have no definite plans to ask for reinstatement," Favre's agent, James "Bus" Cook, said of the former Packers quarterback, who has asked the team for his release. "Right now we have until the sixth week [of the regular season] and Brett has made it pretty clear that he is not willing to come in as a backup.

"If he asks for reinstatement and they start fining him $15,000 a day [for not reporting to training camp], well, that just doesn't make sense," Cook said.

"We're going to let Green Bay decide what they want to do. It's their move."

Reached by The Associated Press on Wednesday evening, Packers spokesman Jeff Blumb indicated no response was forthcoming from the team.

Packers general manager Ted Thompson has said the team does not plan to grant Favre, who announced his retirement in March, his release. And while Thompson said Favre could return to the Packers if he applies to the league for reinstatement, it would be "in a different role than he was" because the team has committed to backup Aaron Rodgers as its quarterback of the future.

"I just want him to be happy, whatever he does," Rodgers told ESPN The Magazine's Sam Alipour. "If he comes back and plays, [or] stays retired and does charity work, I just want him to be happy. I care about him a lot. He's been good to me. If that means coming back and playing another year or two, as long as he's happy, that's what I want."

Meanwhile, ESPN.com has confirmed that the Packers have filed tampering charges with the NFL against the Minnesota Vikings, alleging "inappropriate dialogue" with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, a close friend of Favre's and a former Packers assistant.

The Vikings, according to a source, are expected to contend Bevell may have had conversations with Favre as a friend but had no involvement in discussing a job with the Vikings.

NFL.com Video

Highlights of the best moments from Brett Favre in 2007.

Vikings coach Brad Childress has said in recent days the franchise is content with Tarvaris Jackson as its starting quarterback. What the Packers contend is that Favre and Bevell may have discussed Favre coming to the Vikings.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league had no comment on the report. Thompson declined comment on tampering rumors in an interview with AP on Saturday.

FoxSports.com first reported the tampering charges.

Favre was in Los Angeles for Wednesday night's taping of the ESPY Awards. Host Justin Timberlake zeroed in on Favre sitting in the audience with his wife, Deanna.

"What have you been up to lately? I haven't seen you anywhere," Timberlake said. "Just chillin'? Yeah, me too."

Later, Timberlake went into the seats to hug Rodgers, the Packers' 2005 first-round draft choice. Favre sheepishly looked down with a slight smile on his face as the crowd laughed.

Favre currently is on the Packers' reserve/retired list. To be reinstated, Favre must write a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Once that request is approved -- a step considered a formality -- the Packers would have to release Favre or place him on their active roster.

Favre told Fox News' Greta Van Susteren that he won't return to camp simply to spite the Packers. The team's players are scheduled to report on July 27.

"It's tempting just to, as everyone said, you know, call their bluff or whatever," Favre said. "I think it's going to be a circus in itself already, whether I go there, whatever."

But, Favre added: "I don't want to go back there just to stick it to them."

Favre's growing rift with the Green Bay Packers could lead to a few awkward moments for the three-time MVP this weekend.

Favre is scheduled to present former teammate Frank Winters at the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame induction banquet at Lambeau Field on Saturday night. Winters, former Packers defensive tackle Gilbert Brown and video director Al Treml will be enshrined in the Packers' Hall of Fame.

Should Favre keep his commitment to Winters, his close friend and former center, his return to Lambeau will come a little more than a week after formally requesting to be released from his contract -- and only days after expressing his distrust of Packers management and insisting that the team pressured him into making his retirement decision in his interview with Fox News.

Favre could see some of the same folks he criticized in his trip back to the place he played for 16 seasons. He also might run into Packers offensive line coach James Campen, a former teammate who was dragged into the middle of the controversy this week.

In an unaired portion of Favre's interview with "On the Record With Greta Van Susteren," Favre apparently said Campen recently made an unexpected visit to his home in Mississippi and said he had "an answer" for Favre regarding his desire to unretire.

"He says, 'You know, I know they told you they're moving on and playing there's not an option," Favre said, according to a full transcript of the interview obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Playing here in Green Bay is not an option, which that's what they want. They want to move on. But I'm telling you, if you reinstate or you force their hand, back them in a corner, they feel like they have no other option, they're going to accept you back.'

"And he said, 'Just telling you.' And I said, 'OK.'"

In an interview with AP on Saturday, Packers coach Mike McCarthy chastised the Favre camp for putting Campen in a "tough spot."

McCarthy said the Packers told Campen to visit Favre as a friend, not on behalf of the team, once they had heard Favre was having second thoughts about retirement earlier in the offseason. McCarthy said it was Favre and his representatives, not the team, who turned Campen into an "intermediary" between Favre and the front office.

"I think he's totally, wrongly been illustrated in this," McCarthy said. "Ted would not even talk to Campen about this. He said, 'Hey, your personal relationship with Brett Favre is bigger than this, so don't ever put yourself in that position.' … James was put in a tough spot. He was put in a situation that was purely personal."

While Favre's comment isn't likely to get Campen fired, it certainly didn't do his old buddy's career any favors. Would another team consider hiring Campen away for a more prestigious job if it seems he's capable of undermining its front office?

McCarthy said Saturday that Campen would not be available for interviews.

Meanwhile, members of the Packers' management team could face a few awkward moments of their own next week, as the Packers hold their annual shareholders meeting at Lambeau Field July 24.

A movement to rally fan support for Favre has fizzled so far -- a rally in Green Bay drew fewer than 200 fans Sunday, and Monday's rally in the Milwaukee suburbs drew only 30 despite widespread local media attention -- but shareholders supporting Favre could call attention to the issue.

Shareholders aren't given the chance to ask questions during the meeting, but Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy and Thompson are expected to be present in the Lambeau Field Atrium area to mingle with them and answer their questions afterward, along with other members of the Packers' staff.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen, ESPN.com's John Clayton and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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