4-ring circus

Tarvaris Jackson takes questions about the Brett Favre situation.

The Vikings conducted their first practice with full pads and live tackling on Tuesday morning under weather conditions coach Brad Childress described as "hateful."

But the most interesting session of training camp was overshadowed by reports of Brett Favre's decision to retire (for the third time). Even those reporting the story from the sidelines didn't believe this would be the last we've heard from Favre this summer. After all, he still has four weeks to change his mind -- that's enough time to change it a couple more times.

After practice ended, though, Childress and his players threw a bit of a wrench in the story, saying they were unaware of the reports and that they were going about camp the same way they have the last four days. They all echoed each other, saying:

"I'm not aware of the reports." -- Childresss
"I'm not going to speculate what I think's going to happen." -- center John Sullivan.
"I haven't heard anything," -- Sullivan
"It hasn't happened yet, so until it's official, I'm not going to comment." -- tight end Visanthe Shiancoe
"Until it's official, I'll believe it when I see it." -- defensive end Jared Allen
"Right now, we're just going to focus on who we have here. Just like last year and the year before." Allen
"I haven't heard anything about it," -- quarterback Tarvaris Jackson

Childress did say he has talked to Favre in the last 24 hours, and kicker Ryan Longwell said he talked to Favre on Tuesday morning and said neither conversation gave the indication that Favre was set to retire.

"It wouldn't surprise me one way or another, whether he decides to play or whether he decides to retire," said Childress, who added that he's not pressing Favre. "He's a 40-year-old man. He just has to come to grips with it."

Whatever the decision, one thing is certain: This story ain't over.

You can read more from The Free Press and wire reports here.

(Photo by John Cross)