Brett Farve.

Ah, yes. The never ending story of Brett Favre's career in the NFL. He texted his teammates that he would be retiring this summer, setting off a media fury. It's not really the dog days of summer without the speculation surrounding Favre's "Indecision." (Why didn't ESPN pay Favre's charity of choice some dough to air an hour long broadcast of this?) It would end in the same fashion as LeBron James' "Decision," with fans disappointed their star player won't be with them to lead a struggling franchise to glory.

The Vikings NEED Favre this year. Losing him drops them from contending for a Super Bowl to struggling to make the playoffs. They need a healthy Favre though and his main reason for not returning this time is a bum ankle. Old man Favre with one leg is still better than Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenthal. The Vikings should plead with Favre to play one more season. Finish up at an even twenty. Promise the offensive line will step their game up and not let Julius Peppers eat him alive.

If Favre returns again, for the 3rd time out of retirement, his legacy will not be tarnished. He tarnished it enough by joining his long time rivals, the Vikings. Him joining the Vikings would be liking Derek Jeter playing for the Boston Red Sox. It's just hurtful to a fanbase and shows how little athletes care who they play for, or what it represents.

Also tarnishing his legacy is ESPN. Their 24/7 coverage of the "Favre Saga" is tiresome. There is plenty of baseball on and football training camps are underway, yet 80% of their programming is devoted to Favre and speculation as to if this time it's for real. ESPN speculates about everything, and they beat every compelling topic to death. Beaten so much that I'll turn off sports and watch "Teen Mom" or "Real Housewives of NJ" with the lady.

Other than that, his legacy is solidified in the record books. Just open them up, and Favre's name is at the top of all quarterback categories, including interceptions. For all of the good games he has had, there have been plenty riddled with gun-slinging atrocities. Having said that, Favre will still be remembered as one of the top 5 quarterbacks of all time.

If the ankle really is the issue, Favre is done. Problem is, his ankle will probably feel better with a few more weeks of rest. Once he realizes his ankle will support playing in an NFL game, the urge to play, which he hasn't been able to quell yet, will be irresistible. Given this is an uncapped year in football, the Vikings can open their checkbook and give Favre whatever he wants.

Favre is the boy who cried retirement, giving this claim zero credibility, and won't be believed till the season is over without him playing one snap. He'll be back though and I hope he comes back every season til he's 50. Try to break his records then Peyton Manning.

UPDATE 12:45 PM - Brett Favre has already told ESPN today in an interview that he has not ruled out playing if the ankle feels better. Sounds like someone just wants to skip training camp. Maybe Coach Brad Childress should force him to run 300 yard shuttle runs like Albert Haynesworth.