Vikings move on after Favre

MANKATO, Minn. (AP) — Once again, Brett Favre ran away from a Minnesota rush.

Brad Childress insisted the chase is over.

The Vikings coach said Wednesday evening he’s “more than content” with a competition between Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels for the job the team tried so hard to give to Favre, only to find out the NFL’s all-time leading passer decided to remain retired.

“He’s gone his way, and we’ve gone our way,” Childress said after meeting with both Jackson and Rosenfels earlier in the day.

Childress described their demeanor as excited, proudly noting Jackson was the first player to report to the residence hall on the Minnesota State University campus, where the Vikings have held training camp for 43 years.

Rosenfels was grateful for some resolution, but said he wasn’t “at all” insulted by his teammates’ overt interest in acquiring the famously waffling quarterback.

“This is the NFL. I’m a pro. They’re pros. I think these guys are going to have the utmost confidence in me, and I have a lot of confidence in them,” Rosenfels said, as players trickled into the parking lot with pillows and luggage in tow. “It’s time to go to work.”

Jackson wasn’t available for comment, but Rosenfels offered a good word for both of them in defiance of the widespread belief the Vikings are still missing the quarterback they need for that elusive Super Bowl victory.

“Everyone has their opinion. I have my opinion. I feel like the quarterbacks are going to play really, really well this year,” Rosenfels said.

In an interview posted on Sports Illustrated’s Web site, Favre added another subtle twist to this endlessly open-ended story: “I truly, truly believe it’s over. But if someone calls Nov. 1, who knows?”

Asked whether the Vikings would revisit the possibility should Favre change his mind again, Childress repeated his “more than content” stance about the current quarterbacks.

The coach was then pressed to definitively rule out another dalliance with Favre.

“There’s not a chance, from my standpoint. I’m going forward with the guys we have, and we’ll have a great competition,” Childress said.

Now the Vikings are trying to revive their support for the guys who were going to fight for the job in the first place, and denying any doubts about their ability.