So we find ourselves wrapped up in the midst of another retirement saga.

Every major news source is reporting that Brett Favre is retiring from the NFL and leaving the Vikings scrambling to fill the void in their offense.

In the unfortunate ratings driven nature of mass media, where everyone wants to be right, and where everyone wants to have breaking news first; the sports world is buzzing at every corner as many Minnesota Vikings' fans reach for their favorite antacid.

Respectively speaking, I strongly disagree with the reports of Brett Favre retiring, and offer this "Forensic" review of the situation.

My opinion is that out of everything I have read, which basically all say the same thing, is that Brett Favre is merely venting but not officially making a statement toward his actual decision.

Perhaps the most accurate observation came from NFL Network's Steve Mariucci whom stated,

"He may have stated to somebody that he's leaning (towards retirement), because his ankle is not perfect,"  "But right now, he hasn't retired. He's still trying to get healthy. He doesn't know if he's going to be able to be healthy in time."

To further support this observation, Vikings coach, Brad Childress, has stated that Favre has not officially informed him of his decision, and that he would need to hear it, "from the horse's mouth".

Favre's main objective to return to the NFL for a 20th season is to be healthy enough to compete.  He is still rehabbing his ankle and working on conditioning in addition to his regular regimen.

Favre's other intention seemingly points to his desire to skip training camp and pre-season games.  After 19 years in the NFL, I can't find fault in that. 

If you remember Favre waited until the late August in 2009 to announce he would play for the Vikings, missed pretty much the entire pre-season, and went on to have a career best season.

Coach Childress also addressed this issue by referring to it as a "fluid situation" which also indicates that this is far from over.

Favre's official web-site has no announcements or news relating to this issue, Favre nor his agent "Bus" Cook can not be reached for comment, and half of his team-mates have conflicting stories to offer the news media.

In addition to the aforementioned, Sport's Illustrated author Peter King's tweet is reporting that Brett Favre plans to see Dr. James Andrews regarding his ankle and his progress thus far. 

King further stated that Favre's own mother and close friend have reportedly stated that they are 100% certain that Favre hasn't made a solid decision about his retirement, but he still needs to see signs of improvement before his late-August return date !

Despite my previous comment about media and ratings, I find Peter King's tweet very intriguing.  Many sources consider King one of Favre's foremost reporters.

I highly doubt, if King's statements are true, that someone who has "decided" to retire would go through these lengths if his mind was made up. 

Moreover, based on this new information it confirms his desire to miss training camp.

Favre has built his career by being the iron-man of professional football.  He has played through major pain and limitation before, and I doubt that this ankle issue would stop him now.

Considering Favre's past, if Favre did indeed contemplate retirement, why would he have had the surgery in the first place? 

Why would he wait so long after the surgery to make his decision?

I feel this is simply a way of circumventing training camp and ensuring his conditioning indeed brings his ankle to acceptable playing condition and it fits his motives.

Nonetheless retirement is still a possibility; however I just don't see the concrete signs at this point in time.

Conclusively, if Brett Favre walks away from his team and the NFL, he will make an official announcement within the next few days, if not the next two weeks.

You can either follow this latest saga and drive yourself crazy, or you can sit back for the ride and wait to hear it from Brett himself.

The funny thing is, even then, if he does retire; you can never discount the possibility of another comeback. 

For now, I'll stay put with what I'm seeing.

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"Time keeps on ticking, ticking, ticking, into the future," as does the clock on another NFL season. 

The question all Minnesota Vikings fans keep waiting for is if Brett Favre will be under center for one more go-round.

There are many factors in this parable.  However, don't get wrapped up into the soap opera the mainstream media keeps pumping out.

It's not about ego, the ankle, Favre's record, or the Super Bowl.  Surely those issues are valid, yet not the main reasons.

Something that hasn't been considered by media sources, and some fans alike, is the fact that although this man can still play and has the fire burning inside, Brett Favre is also trying to live his life. 

Recently, Brett Favre has become a grandfather.  That in itself may be something more powerful than a Super Bowl ring. 

It's not that he feels old, but the arrival of a grandchild can change the mentality of any man or woman.  Now things have a different perspective.

If you remember when Favre was in Green Bay, the first episode of "Favre Watch" began when the quarterback contemplated retiring to spend more time with his family. 

Regardless of how good or poor the Packers team was, the human element started appearing as Brett was getting closer to 40 years old and thinking ahead to life without football.

The same process continued for several seasons, even through the loss of his father and his wife's battle with cancer.

He finally retired, un-retired, and so on.

If anything, the drama that has unfolded over the years shows me someone who is battling his personal life and love with his public life and love of the game. 

It isn't an ego issue, it's a sign of someone who has a big heart; one which is torn.

Now as a grandfather, he may be pondering a permanent retirement.  Favre lost important moments in his daughter's life while he was making headlines and setting records.  He has publicly alluded to this issue.

I think now he may try to make amends to his daughter and grandchild by being there for them. 

Imagine that: the legend throwing diapers to the trash, instead of passes for touchdowns.

Either way, if Favre chooses to return, he'll still be Brett Favre.  If he chooses to walk away, he'll still be a legend.

Selfishly, I hope he returns, but if he chooses not to, he'll have more of my respect.

Good Luck Brett.

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It seems abominable that the Associated Press would give Brett Favre one lonely vote for MVP after how much he's accomplished this season.

I mean, the 40-year-old quarterback, whom holds almost every record known to man, only had a season in which he threw for 4,202 yards, 33 TD's and 7 interceptions; and his passer rating was only 107.2.

I can't imagine why he would only get one vote. Unless the drama of the last two offseasons has tarnished his image according to the press' eye.

Nothing against Peyton Manning, but if you look at the numbers, Manning had 9 more interceptions than Favre and also had a passer rating that was 7.3 percent less than Favre.

Also consider the fact that Indianapolis has been a machine for what seems like forever, and the Vikings were a flip flopping team that had the roster, but not the director on the field to utilize it.

I could accept the anointment of Drew Brees moreover than Manning simply for the fact that the New Orleans Saints were not expected to do what they did this year, and Brees was on fire this year.

The selection of Peyton Manning shows, in my opinion, just how much of a popularity contest the award has become, and that's unfortunate.

It almost seems as if the Associated Press said, Favre has enough records, he doesn't need this one too.

Regardless, the Associated Press selected Peyton Manning, and in my opinion, simply because he was Peyton Manning, "America's Sweetheart".

Did he deserve the award? I guess you could say he deserved the chance, but to run away with the vote as much as he did, seems to make a mockery out of the whole damn thing.

I'm not saying the award should have gone to Brett, and yes I'm a huge fan of his. What I'm saying is that the MVP award seems to be appearing more and more about marketability than accomplishment.

What about other quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady? Did they even get a thought?

I think Favre deserved a little more respect form the voting panel. To me receiving one vote after the season he had is unforgivable.

The MVP vote is more mainstream media at it's best, thank God for Bleacher Report.

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Many say they have no business being in the playoffs, the division they play in is weak, and they should be one and done.

Mark my words. Be very afraid of the underdog!

Teams all too often fall into a false sense of security when facing an opponent such as Arizona; look at what just happened in Cincinnati.

Despite the last game blowout, where Warner and company had the night off; the Cardinals are a team that at any time sneak up and bite you. You must give respect to the defending NFC champions.

Today, look for a whole new team, the regular Arizona team, and if you're Green Bay, I wouldn't be so comfortable with your season ending win.

If anything, the keys to this match up lay in the hands of the Arizona defense more than the offense. 

The defense, mediocre and inconsistent, must step up and pressure Aaron Rodgers and force him to throw quickly. When Rodgers has the time to check down options, he is lethal.

If the Cards play physical bump and run against the Packers' receivers (the way the NY Giants did in the 2007 Championship game), then it will buy time for the defensive line to penetrate.

Another key factor is Ryan Grant. If memory serves me correctly, if they can contain him early and render him ineffective, he usually gets flustered, essentially making the Packers one-dimensional.

The linebackers for the Cardinals must tell Green Bay there will be no option over the middle, and make them keep their throws to the flats and corners. 

This is a tall order for the Cardinals' defense, but they have the personnel to do it.

If anything, they must pull the tapes of their victory over Minnesota and use them here, since Green Bay and the Vikings' offense are basically carbon copies. 

If they can do it against Favre and Adrian Peterson, I would think they can do the same in Mr. Rodgers' neighborhood.

On offense, Arizona must protect the quarterback. 

Common sense aside, the ability for the Cardinals to be effective lays in the hands of the offensive line, where time not only guarantees better throws from the QB, but allows the talented receivers to scramble if needed.

The receiving corps must be crisp in their routes and with the talent they posses, they can put Green Bay's defensive backs into fits. 

Remember Plaxico Burress against Al Harris and Charles Woodson?

Finally, and possibly paramount over all, is the special teams. They must not give the Packers a short field. They key here is to keep the Packers' drives starting at the 25-yard line or less. 

If anything drives a team crazy, it's consistent long drives; especially if they can't find a rhythm on offense.

On the packers side of the ball, Aaron Rodgers has shown the ability to continue what Brett Favre left him, and he has done so brilliantly. In fact he made me eat my words that I said and wrote when the Favre drama all went down.

Nonetheless, I think the key for the Packers is very simple. The running game.

Everywhere else, this team seems to have an advantage, however if the running game can't be established and the offensive line isn't giving much time to Rodgers, then look out for an upset.

Ryan Grant had a good season, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. He broke the 1,000 yard mark, and scored 11 TDs; however Ryan Grant can't afford to have another game like he did against the NY Giants in the NFC championship game where he rushed for a whopping 29 yards.

What concerns me here is that Ryan Grant is somewhat an enigma. He averaged 78.3 yards per game in 2009 with only 3 major rushing games.

If the offensive line and Grant lay an egg today, it will not bode well for Green Bay.

Overall I think this game will be a nail biter and not the blow out everyone thinks it will be.

I think the Cardinals are up for the challenge. I think they know what they have to do and are willing to burn every ounce of energy to do it.

This is a dangerous team because you never know what you're running into; ask Minnesota.

I have a feeling, and that feeling tells me: Arizona 23 - Green Bay 20

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Many say they have no business being in the playoffs, the division they play in is weak, and they should be one and done.

Mark my words. Be very afraid of the underdog!

Teams all too often fall into a false sense of security when facing an opponent such as Arizona; look at what just happened in Cincinnati.

Despite the last game blowout, where Warner and company, had the night off; the Cardinals are a team that at any time sneak up and bite you.  You must give respect to the defending NFC champions.

Today, look for a whole new team, the regular Arizona team, and if you're Green Bay, I wouldn't be so comfortable with your season ending win.

If anything the keys to this match up lay in the hands of the Arizona defense more than the offense. 

The defense, mediocre and inconsistent, must step up and pressure Aaron Rodgers and force him to throw quickly.  When Rodgers has the time to check down options, he is lethal.

If the Cards play physical bump and run against the Packers' receivers (the way the NY Giants did in the 2007 Championship game), then it will buy time for the defensive line to penetrate.

Another key factor is Ryan Grant.  If memory serves me correctly, if they can contain him early and render him ineffective, he usually gets flustered, essentially making the Packers one-dimensional.

The linebackers for the Cardinals must tell Green Bay there will be no option over the middle, and make them keep their throws to the flats and corners. 

This is a tall order for the Cardinals' defense, but they have the personnel to do it.

If anything, they must pull the tapes of their victory over Minnesota and use them here, since Green Bay and the Vikings' offense are basically carbon copies.  If they can do it against Favre and Adrian Peterson, I would think they can do the same in Mr. Rodgers' neighborhood.

On offense, Arizona must protect the quarterback. 

Common sense aside, the ability for the Cardinals to be effective lays in the hands of the offensive line, where time not only guarantees better throws from the QB, but allows the talented receivers to scramble if needed.

The receiving corps must be crisp in routes and with the talent they posses, they can put Green Bay's defensive backs into fits.  Remember Plaxico Burress against Al Harris and Charles Woodson?

Finally, and possibly paramount over all, is the special teams.  They must not give the Packers a short field.  They key here is to keep the Packers' drives starting at the 25-yard line or less. 

If anything drives a team crazy, it's consistent long drives; especially if they can't find a rhythm on offense.

I think the Cardinals are up for the challenge.  I think they know what they have to do and are willing to burn every ounce of energy to do it.

This is a dangerous team because you never know what you're running into; ask Minnesota.

I have a feeling, and that feeling tells me: Arizona 23 - Green Bay 20

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