The New York Giants traded Jerome Shockey (pictured, left) to the New Orleans Saints. Eli Manning is happy now. You see, quarterbacks can be sensitive. So, Jerome Shockey’s alpha male personality bugged Eli as did Shockey’s status as one of Wellington Mara’s favorite guys. Shockey and Tiki Barber were the only two Giants called to Mara’s bedside during the final days. Good news for Shockey and the Saints: Jerome fits right in with their offense. It’s called win win for a reason.

The Redskins profit from Bill Parcell’s distaste for the dance. The Skins get a six time Pro Bowler in Jason Taylor and the Miami Dolphins get, um, less dance and a second round pick in 2009. Skins defensive end Phillip Daniels ruined his knee on day 1 of camp, so he gets about a mill of his $4 million dollar contract but, at 35, he’s probably out of the game and out the rest of the money on his contract after this season. We can figure that, given the salary cap, DC won’t get Brett Favre — all of this according to the Sporting News. Who knew that the National Football League, or football coaches, or maybe it’s just Parcells — so disapproved of “Dancing With the Stars”?

What do you get from NBC if you are a college football program with a 3-9 season last year and a very low rating? Apparently a contract extension that lasts until 2015 and one extra televised game each year. The Fighting Irish, who already make more TV money than any other school, will up those dollars even further thanks to that extra exposure and ticket sales. Let’s put this in perspective. Forbes named Notre Dame the most valuable college football program in the country, estimating its worth at over a hundred million dollars. There must be a pot of gold inside that huddle.

Matt Barkley, a quarterback headed to the University of Southern California, was chosen Wednesday as Gatorade male high school athlete of the year. Past winners include LeBron James. This guy gets excellent grades, goes to church and contributes to his community.

We get it. Brett wants to throw footballs. The Packers aren’t interested in his services. They’d also prefer not to get manhandled by his fading but still potent skills sometime during the season. But when grownups act like this, well, it’s lame. Improper contact? Seriously?

The National Football League is once again making player behavior on the field the focus of attention. This new campaign isn’t about excessive touchdown celebration, it’s about the possible flashing of gang signs on national television. They’ve hired “experts” to pore over tapes to check and see if any forbidden gestures are made. This seems like a losing battle though. Rules probably can’t prevent the culture clashes that happen when working class athletes are thrust into the big leagues.

Last night America learned that Green Bay quarterback and Cal alumnus Aaron Rogers has a lot in common with an 8th grade girl. He can’t be sure people like him for the right reasons. After all, Brett Favre really is more popular. But Rodgers can’t act like he doesn’t care either. He battled his way into the National Football League by way of Butte Community College then scoring a chance meeting with Cal coach Jeff Tedford who was on his way to recruit a Chico High School student. Then Rodgers played backup to Favre for a few years.

Rodgers did get vital information from Favre’s interview with Greta Van Sustern last night. Favre basically confessed to Van Sustern (part owner of the Green Bay Packers — who knew?), that he does not, repeat, does not intend to return to the Packers as backup quarterback. Imagine Favre suiting up for the Chicago Bears. It could happen.

Brett Favre has done what everybody knew he would do before he officially got himself into the situation he currently wants to get himself out of. In other words: he stated his desire to make a comeback from retirement. But Favre was wise enough to realize he had permanently abdicated from his throne as Green Bay’s Iron Man, and let it be known he wanted a release from the Packers.

Not so fast, Old Faithful! Management is not about to let slip out of their official grasp a football mind and talent that could wreak havoc on his former team, especially were he to sign with a division rival. So Favre remains a Packer. Adding fuel to this burgeoning fire, Green Bay has made it clear that their Boy will remain former Cal QB Aaron Rodgers, officially relegating the NFL’s only three-time MVP to Jim Sorgi status (The Onion Assesses Peyton’s Backup). If Favre intends to return to the NFL in some capacity, let’s hope his clipboard-handling skills exceed his talent at avoiding interceptions.

I love Frank Caliendo about as much as John Madden loves Brett Favre… which makes this skit pretty funny when you add in the never-ending-Favre-(un)retirement saga:

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen is reporting that future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre’s retirement may be over after sitting out of an entire mini-camp. Back in March, many sports fans and writers were skeptical when Favre announced that his career was over in a memorable and tearful farewell. About four months have passed during which time many rumors of Favre’s comeback surfaced. However, those were just rumors. Now it appears that Brett Favre — the man who holds the career records in just about every category for a quarterback, including completions, passing yards and touchdowns — is actually considering returning to the nfl as he has been in touch with Green Bay packershead coach Mike McCarthy. Favre still has two years left on his contract with the packers, so the question becomes, what is going to happen? In fact there are several questions up in the air.

Will Favre actually return? He is feeling “the itch” to return now, but once training camp gets closer will that itch scratch itself?

If he returns, will it be with the packers? He does have that contract, but will they want him? After all, it would be legitimate to question his desire after retiring in March. The packers would have to decide, will Favre be Favre?

Aaron Rodgers has been the back up quarterback to Favre, and has been groomed this off season to take over the starting job. Where does this leave him? The packers would arguably be better with Favre at the helm than Rodgers. But if Rodgers is their future, what effect will bringing back Favre at this point have on his relationship with the team?

If the packers don’t want Favre back, what would be the consequences of that decision? How will the Green Bay faithful feel about their hero playing for another team?

After multiple years in a row when Favre teased retirement, this year he retired. Will there be any backlash from the fans who poured out their emotions over the retirement of their favorite player, the face of their franchise for the last sixteen seasons? I doubt it. A few years back, Roger Clemens teased a retirement and was given a great send off by his New York Yankees, the fans of New York, as well as fans on the road who wanted to pay tribute to one of the all time great pitchers in MLB history. Shortly there after, he announced he was signing with the Houston Astros. There was very little backlash against Clemens, and he ditched his team and played for another instead. After three seasons in Houston, he even returned last year to the Yankees. Favre isn’t talking about returning to another team. We can only assume that he wants to wear #4 with the packers if he returns. If he plays elsewhere, it will undoubtedly be Green Bay’s call, and any backlash from the fans in the Frozen Tundra will likely be against the team, not against the man.