Mogollon joins Mancini as we take you around the league beginning with the latest on Brett Favre...

FAVRE SAGA CONTINUES…
In an interview Saturday morning with The Associated Press, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said the tone of Brett Favre's intentions changed in June. According to McCarthy, Favre called on June 20 with the message: "Give me my helmet or give me my release." But McCarthy said Favre remained unsure he could commit 100 percent to football. GM Ted Thompson said the Packers have "no intentions of releasing Brett" and
indicated they wouldn't actively pursue a trade unless and until Favre requests to be reinstated from the reserve/retired list. No teams have inquired about a trade, Thompson said. He reiterated Aaron Rodgers — Favre's understudy the past three seasons — remains the team's starting quarterback. "Favre's welcome back, but the scenery has changed. There may be a different role," Thompson said. "He becomes an active member of the roster, and then we'll see how it goes from there. We don't have the answers right now, because it hasn't happened, and we don't know that it will."

Mancini's Take: Logic would tell you that the best thing for the Packers to do is trade him to a team outside their division, and let the old gladiator go on with his career. The problem with that scenario taking place is that a legion of his faithful supporters are clamoring for Favre's return as the starting passer. Some of those fans even staged a rally yesterday in an effort to influence GM Ted Thompson. The Packers need to do what's right for the team, and they need to break out of this pattern of being held hostage every year, waiting for number 4 to make a decision on whether or not to keep playing. Green Bay's coaching staff has been preparing for months to make the transition to fielding an Aaron Rodgers-led team. It's not fair to the young QB or the rest of the team to flip the script and totally change plans with training camp less than two weeks away.

Mogollon’s Take: Fair shmare…we are talking about PRO football right? Since when do franchises worry about what is fair? Before we throw too much of a pity party for the Pack—I gotta ask-held hostage? Did the Packers go to the NFC Championship Game against their will? The history of quarterbacks replacing legends is not a good one and more likely than not Aaron Rogers will not lead them anywhere near the Promised Land. There is only one Messiah in Green Bay and that is why I don’t envy Ted Thompson and company—they are in a no-win situation. As for Rogers, imagine him talking the field on Monday Night in week one, a day after Favre throws for 300 yards and four touchdowns the day before?

DEUCE EXPECTED TO STICK
The New Orleans Times-Picayune believes Deuce McAllister will make the Saints' 53-man roster coming out of training camp.

Mancini's Take: Making the roster doesn't guarantee the big back much beyond the fact that he'll still be wearing a black and gold uniform in 2008. The Saints have a younger, faster and cheaper version of Duece in Pierre Thomas, that's ready to take on a prominent role in the offense. McAllister won't be afforded much time to warm up. He needs to show he can contribute immediately on a team that hellbent on bouncing back from a woefully disappointing year in which so much more was expected.

Mogollon’s Take: This doesn’t really tell me much. What I want to know and what is more important to the Saints is can they let Deuce loose once the games count? Yes, there is talent there in Thomas and Bush, but neither is as proven as the former first round selection out of Ole Miss. In McAllister’s seven years as a pro, he’s had four 1,000-yard seasons and in those four years, the Saints have a record of 35-29. In the other three years, New Orleans is 17-31. Ya think he’s important?

HENRY TESTED POSITIVE
The Denver Post reports that ex-Broncos running back Travis Henry tested positive for marijuana again just before the Broncos released him. Originally the report indicated that the Broncos knew of the failed test, but the Post has since reported that the Broncos were not aware of the blown test.

Mancini's Take: Just like that, Henry's career is up in smoke. The gifted runner will have the entire 2008 season to ponder the changes he needs to make if he ever wants to take another handoff in the near future. A more immediate concern, however, is how will he manage to make his child support payments to his multitude of children mothered by a multitude of women. Don't be surprised to see Henry knocking on your door, trying to sell you a vacuum cleaner and a 10-set of Ginsu knives.

Mogollon’s Take: Question: What’s less surprising than Favre flip-flopping on his retirement? Answer: Travis Henry testing positive yet again. What is there to say about this guy? Obviously, responsibility (on or off the field) isn’t his middle name. He can run, but whoever decides he could be the answer to their problems should first ask themselves—is he worth it?

KELLY TO BE TARGETED
David Elfin, of the Washington Times, reports Washington Redskins rookie WR Malcolm Kelly could play a critical role for the team in the red zone this year. Kelly is 6-foot-4, which is six inches taller than starting receivers Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El.

Mancini's Take: I can picture our man, Mogo, doing cartwheels and handstands after reading this little blurb. Dan's always been high on the king-sized wide out, despite his questionable speed and leaping ability. While Kelly will have a role on this Redskin team, let's not discount the emergence of Devin Thomas or Fred Davis as end zone targets either. By the way, I'm not so sure Kelly is six inches taller than Moss. I'd probably say he's almost a good foot taller than the mini wide out.

Mogollon’s Take: Ha! Was that you posting up Santana in the Meadowlands parking lot back in his Jets days? I’ll refrain from saying, “I told you so.” After all, the term red zone doesn’t quit mean as much until there is zebra there to put his hands to the heavens. But this should be no surprise. Kelly reminds me of Anquan Boldin, another big, “slow” receiver with some durability questions who dropped into the second round. His skill set is custom fit for the newly installed West Coast Offense in the Nation’s capitol—not only in the red zone, but also in the middle of the field, where Kelly will flourish running crossing patterns.

SAINTS WIDE OUT UPDATE
Mike Triplett, of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, reports New Orleans Saints WR Adrian Arrington has been very impressive thus far. However, he may be squeezed by the numbers game and start out on the team's practice squad. WR Lance Moore may have to earn a roster spot as a return man if he is going to stick with the team this year. WR Devery Henderson will be in serious trouble if he is not able to establish himself during training camp. Henderson always looks great in July and August, which is why it's likely he will be given another chance to realize his potential.

Mancini's Take: Are we forgetting about Robert Meachem? The former Tennessee Volunteer has shown himself to be 100% healthy and rarin' to go during OTAs. In a perfect world, the Saints would like to see Meachem step up and claim the number two receiver's spot. Lance Moore is a number four or five receiver, while "Stone Hands" Henderson is a very limited player who has problems running shorter routes or getting open across the middle. If Meachem doesn't perform, I'd look for David Patten to get lots of playing time. Despite being in his mid-thirties, the former Patriot still has speed to burn and still gains serious yardage after the catch. What do you make of this, Sports Master?

Mogollon’s Take: I’d like to see them give Arrington a chance if he earns it Reverend. He was a steal in the seventh round and once the pads come on it shouldn’t matter how much your bonus was. Arrington is another player whose stock took a dip because too many people focused on his 40-time rather than what he did between the hashes. Arrington has excellent hands and in his last performance as an amateur he often looked like the best player on the field, including Heisman Trophy Winner Tim Tebow and No. 1 overall pick Jake Long.

ODELL THURMAN SIGHTING
The Associated Press reports Northern Ohio authorities were seeking free-agent LB Odell Thurman (Bengals) Friday, July 11, on a felonious assault warrant. Thurman was indicted last week by an Erie County grand jury, accusing him of punching a 19-year-old man. According to police, Thurman punched the man in the face, breaking his jaw, after they argued about a place in line at a water park resort.

Mancini's Take: Not only doesn't Thurman belong in the NFL, he doesn't deserve to be walking the streets. We're talking about a common criminal who's a menace to society and should be locked up. Good luck defending this chump, Dan.

Mogollon’s Take: What a waste of talent is all I can say—no defense here-unlike public defenders I get to pick my cases. When he dropped in the Bengals laps as a second round pick out of Georgia, I believed he was the steal of the draft. He backed it up with a stellar rookie campaign, however has seen as much game action as I have since then. He’s a cautionary tale and displays why character does count when making one’s selections on draft day.

HACKETT SIGHTING IN OAKLAND
Word is that the Oakland Raiders had hired or were going to hire Paul Hackett, the veteran offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach who was most recently with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Raiders senior executive John Herrera confirmed coach Lane Kiffin and Hackett have talked about a consultant's job, but said nothing had been finalized. Kiffin is currently on vacation and there likely would be no announcement, if there is one at all, until next week. The Raiders often simply add people to their organization, with confirmation coming the day they're either seen on the field or around the building or when their name is added to the Web site.

Mancini's Take: The madness continues in Oaktown. It looks as though Lane Kiffin is still the Raiders head coach in name only, as the fiendish Al Davis is doing everything in his power to force the young offensive coach to resign. Am I jumping to conclusions? I don't think so, since I can't see how the prideful Kiffin would accept such a move that would significantly lessen his influence within the organization. Hackett, on the other hand, fits in well with the type of conservative ball that the Raiders are looking to employ in which cannon-armed QB JaMarcus Russel will be asked to be a game manager. Forget about the Favre saga, this here is the real soap opera.

Mogollon’s Take: Ralph, I would think you would be simply happy that Mr. Hackett is no longer clocking in for the Gang Green. So is the philosophy to draft a quarterback who impressed people by throwing the ball 70 yards down field with a flick of the wrist and turn him into Chad Pennington? I hope you’re ready for the five-yard slants Raider Nation. What happened to the vertical attack Davis loves? I guess this is what they mean when they say someone has forgotten more football than you’ll ever know.