As the inevitable (unless he throws us all the kind of screwball he has been pitching from time to time over the past two years) arrival of quarterback Brett Favre in Minnesota approaches, a member of the Vikings' staff returned to Mississippi today to check out the 39-year-old quarterback's arm.
Per Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, trainer Eric Sugarman went to Hattiesburg. It was Sugarman's second visit with the man who technically remains a free agent, but who everyone expects to hold up a purple jersey soon.
Citing an unnamed source, Hartman reports that Favre's May 2009 shoulder surgery was a "complete success," and that his arm should be at full strength by training camp.
We think that the announcement will be made on Thursday, July 16. That'll allow for heavy media coverage on Friday the 17th, and even heavier activity in connection with the purchase of single-game tickets on Monday, July 20.
Vikings trainer returns to Mississippi
Posted by Mike Florio on July 8, 2009 11:18 PM ET
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35 Comments 
Latest stories in: Green Bay Packers, Injuries, Latest News and Rumors, Minnesota Vikings, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Injuries, Top Stories
Latest stories in: Green Bay Packers, Injuries, Latest News and Rumors, Minnesota Vikings, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Injuries, Top Stories
Yawn. Hartman was affectionately known to my dad, a columnist for a northern Wisconsin newspaper as "Mary," and is every bit the part....an emotional homer. That's off topic though...Favre should just make his statement so you can talk about something else, Florio.
lol, now you think it will be July 16th? I suppose if you make 4 more guesses and finally get it right you will make sure to say "AHAA!!! Told ya so!"
I think I just creamed in my pants..........yep I did!
Hey Florio, when do you ever sleep?
Child please.
can't someone go old yeller on this fossil yet
Smell that boys? Absolute fear from the bears, packers and lions fans. LOL LOL LOL
Great, just what I enjoy reading. Favre did this, Favre did that. If only he could have saved the trouble of the readers and writers (Florio) and just said that he'll be there for training camp.
All those people who urged PFT to get off the McNair stories and back to Favre stories should have made it more clear that they were joking.
se18- Yes I do. Its that smelly smell, that smells smelly
Jeez Florio. Way to spoil the ending.
Good story good information glad to hear all updates. I am not sure what other fans want you to report on in July but this is a huge story and any information on this possible signing is worth the ink. Favre to the Vikings is the biggest story in the NFL in a forever. Thanks and keep up the good work.
Mr. Florio.
I hope you are right... The July 16Th "Iam UN-retiring announcement would be so ironic."
That would be EXACTLY 58 years to the day, that Holden B. Caulfield was introduced to America, and J.D. Salinger published "Catcher In The Rye."
Perhaps Brett is a Holden B. Caulfield worshiper?
"I'm the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life. It's awful. If I'm on my way to the store to buy a magazine, even, and somebody asks me where I'm going, I'm liable to say I'm going to the opera. It's terrible. "
--Holden B. Caulfield-- The Catcher in the Rye, Chapter 3
If a Holden B. Caulfield worshiper can kill John Lennon... Another one.... Sure as hell can kill the Vikings 2009 Season.
1) There will be no Brett Favre announcement until he tests the arm again at the local high school.
2) The arm has to pass the test.
3) This any moment belief is just silly.
4) Sid Hartman is the pentultimate person you should ever trust for information or objectivity.
He has been writing at that paper for over 60 years and still hasn't learned his job.
5) Favre's playing this season is in doubt. Playing for the vikings is unlikely.
6) So many keep forgetting the vikings great ability to screw things up.
vikings will go 5-0, then finish at 8-8. bears take north.
Maybe the trainer was seeing if he could patch up mcnair.
And I suppose you think you're a great writer, Bob Nelson? Your post sucks...
Awesome - another Favre story that isn't a story. Favre went to sleep last night and woke up this morning, let's report on that too.
If old Sid is your penultimate choice, who do you trust less? Next time you intend to post, put down the bong and pick up a dictionary.
Very Nice! Keep the Favre news comming Mr. Florio. Just a question for anyone who might know Mr. Florio included. What if any relationship did Favre and McNair have, both having ties to Hattisburgh Mississippi, and how might McNair's murder affect Favre's decision to come back and play this season?
So many keep forgetting that Bob_Nelson keeps changing his story.
Once upon a time, it was Brett Farve will never play for the Vikings because he is a Packer legend and there is no interest on Farve's part in playing for the Vikings. Guess that wasn't exactly accurate.
Now his take continually evolves as he takes the "if you throw enough against the wall, some of it will stick" approach to his comments.
Bob_Nelson = Sid Hartman = Fountain Of Misinformation.
booooooooooooo yeaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!
just keep lettin em rip Florio
Days Without a Fart/Favre Meter is staying At ZERO!
July 8, 2009 11:18 PM
Yes, a QB that hasnt been to the Superbowl in 12 years (13 years since he won) is totally going to be the savior of the Queens....What, was George Blanda too expensive? The Vikings, and fans, are the downfall of the NFL.
Viking fan in August: "We are going to the Superbowl, best Vikes team ever..We have it all..RB, WR's, D, and now finally a QB...Miami here we come.."
Now, here is a Vike fan in October: "God we suck, it's all Childeress' fault..Fire him..Why cant Ziggy bring in any talent?...Ah I just want to pull for the Bears to beat the Packers..Im not a Viking fan, Im a football fan."
Ha, that's always a good one to here, "I'm not a Viking fan, I'm a Footbal Fan?"
Yeah, we're all football fans, we just cheer for a team that doesn't suck..Or play Janitor to the Packers, picking up their old trash...
Hey Raider Pride did you actually quote Salinger in a football form??? Do you have any picture books you could reference? There are Bears fans in here for love it god!!! Maybe a Sponge Bob quote you could break out for the Packtards. CAN'T WAIT to see Ted Thompson curled in the fetal position crying in his skybox on Monday night!!!!!!!
se18a29 says:
July 8, 2009 11:46 PM
Smell that boys? Absolute fear from the bears, packers and lions fans. LOL LOL LOL
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Smell that boys? Absolute disorientation and projection from the vikings fans. LOL LOL LOL
Farve goes from a guy that most everyone roots for to a guy that most everyone hates....I loved his collapse last year and will hope he comes back to ruin the vikes....sorry vikes fans.....I wanted his last NFL TD pass to be to Dolphins lineman Phillip Merling!!!!
Vikes, I see that Marvin Harrison and Junior Seau are old, I mean looking for a team..intersted?
se18a29 says:
July 8, 2009 11:46 PM
Smell that boys? Absolute fear from the bears, packers and lions fans. LOL LOL LOL
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See that boys? That's an absolute douchebag who thinks it's somehow funny or witty when you LOL yourself three times.
The only fear in the North is that Vikings will continue to be so pathetic they can't even sell out a home playoff game.
Followed by the fear that the franchise sucks so bad that not even L.A. will take them.
Ladies,Ladies! Why can't we all just get along? Of course Favre will lead the hapless Vikes to an oh so close finish behind dem Packers hey. Although they will beat the Pack at home...schweet
If Brett backs out now I'll be ticked off to no end, I already ordered my Favre Viking Jersey. My only hope after that is that I run into Ted Thompson on the streets of Green Bay again while I'm wearing it.
So let the man play already. The Vikings will pay so let the chips fall where they may. I'm both a Favre fan and Packers fan so it will be a fun season figuring out how to hate the Vikings.
Fan_Of_ Four says:
July 9, 2009 1:53 PM
"If Brett backs out now I'll be ticked off to no end, I already ordered my Favre Viking Jersey. My only hope after that is that I run into Ted Thompson on the streets of Green Bay again while I'm wearing it."
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At this rate you are going to go broke buying new Favre jerseys every year each time he changes teams after retiring. I have been a Packer fan since I was a kid in the 80's when they stunk and I used to love Brett. However, the drama of the last year and a half, apparently caused by his own agenda to try to get back at Thompson, has ruined his reputation in my book. No one forced Favre to retire and the Packers are surviving without him. Can't wait 'til we play the Vikings!!
Fan_Of_ Four - I am sure when Ted Thompson sees you he will soooo regret giving up Brett - too old and broke to win at home in the NFC championship - Favre.
I am sure he is just sooo disappointed that he instead has a young and svelte Aaron Rodgers, the forth leading passer for yards and TDs his first year as a starter in 2008.
Oh, PLEASE Ted Thompson, for the love of all that is HOLY... Can we PLEASE bring back the all time leader of interceptions to our hallowed Lambeau Field... Someone should fire that evil Ted Thompson right now!!
As a Packer fan and a Viking hater, I can't wait to see Favre do as much for your franchise as he did for the Jets.
To All you Packer fans... let's just hold on a second... wasn't it you who said last year that the Jets would stink with Favre and your Packers would be GREAT!
Well even though the Jets struggled after Favre got hurt, you were 1/2 right... the Packers did have a much better season than you thought... huh?
He did so much for your team for 16 years... let him be and focus on cheering for the guys on your team now. I'd have loved to have him leading my team for those years.
Zip it you cry babies. You are almost as difficult to listen to as Favre himself.
You're no Fletch.