Associated Press
The NFL notebook …
MILWAUKEE ó Brett Favre didn’t report to the Green Bay Packers’ training camp Sunday, temporarily easing tensions in the three-time MVP’s ongoing standoff with the team.
Packers spokesman Jeff Blumb confirmed Sunday that Favre did not report to camp with Packers players, who were required to report at 7:30 a.m. CDT.
Favre told si.com that Packers general manager Ted Thompson had asked him for “a couple of days” to resolve the situation.
“I agreed to do that,” Favre told the site. “I don’t want to be a distraction to the Packers, and I hope in the next few days we can come to an agreement that would allow me to continue playing football.”
REDSKINS
WASHINGTON ó Last summer, London Fletcher was the new guy, leader-in-waiting on the Washington Redskins’ defense, a middle linebacker about to make the team his own. His first training camp with the team was a time of observation and evaluation, reading personalities, gauging when to impose his will, and to what degree.
A year later Fletcher, 33, is without question one of the dominant figures in the Redskins’ locker room, a respected leader, a voice that can command attention. His first season with the club was an unabashed success, restoring grit and consistency to the interior of the defense and helping lift the unit back into the NFL’s top 10.
Fletcher remained a resilient tackling machine; he has never missed a game, playing in 168 straight over 10 seasons, including the playoffs.
STEELERS
LATROBE, Pa. ó Pro Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton was placed on the physically unable to perform list Sunday after reporting to training camp overweight and failing to complete the Pittsburgh Steelers’ annual run test.
Hampton, listed at 325 pounds but apparently much heavier, lagged 30 yards behind defensive end Brett Keisel during one of eight 100-yard sprints. Hampton completed only five.
BENGALS
GEORGETOWN, Ky. ó Receiver Chad Johnson had nothing to say when he reported for training camp Sunday, ending the Cincinnati Bengals’ offseason drama with a pillow under his arm and a leave-me-alone look on his face.
Now, the Bengals can try to move on. and give some relief from his failed attempts to get traded.
HESTER SIGNS
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. ó Kick returner Devin Hester has signed a new four-year contract with the Chicago Bears.
Hester skipped the first two days of training camp because he wanted to renegotiate his contract, which had two years left. Hester said he skipped practices to make a statement that he was serious about a new deal. Hester’s previous contract was for $445,000 for the 2008 season.
BRONCOS
DENVER ó Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler, who recently was diagnosed with diabetes, has had few problems controlling his blood sugar.
Cutler has a monitor that monitors his blood sugar at all times, although he says he rarely thinks about his condition when he’s on the field.