Murphy flies to Mississippi to talk with Favre

Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy traveled to Mississippi to meet with quarterback Brett Favre and his agent, James "Bus" Cook, yesterday in an apparent attempt to talk Favre out of reporting to camp later this week.

Meanwhile, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell took no action on Favre's request for reinstatement - giving the sides more time to work out a resolution.

"The commissioner is taking no action today," league officials said in a statement issued by NFL spokesman Greg Aiello. "He wants to give both the Packers and Brett an appropriate amount of time to make decisions, including decisions impacting the team's roster and salary cap. When Brett is reinstated by the commissioner, we will announce it."

Cook told reporters outside his office in Hattiesburg, Miss., that Favre, who has been throwing to players at a nearby high school to stay in shape, could be in Green Bay tomorrow.

"He would love to go back in Green Bay," Cook said. "I mean, that's why he started working out. But right now, it looks like he'll be the quarterback at Oak Grove High."

Upon his return, Murphy issued a statement in which he refused to divulge particulars of the meetings. WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee reported the team offered Favre several million dollars to stay retired, and the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported on its website that the team offered Favre "a substantial salary" to stay away. Both cited sources close to Favre.

Lynch done in Denver?

John Lynch's days with the Denver Broncos appear over.

The 16-year veteran safety met with coach Mike Shanahan and told Denver's KCNC-TV that Shanahan gave him permission to explore other opportunities. That could be playing for another team or retiring.

Lynch skipped a team meeting Tuesday night and was excused from yesterday's workouts for what Shanahan termed personal reasons.

Linehan hot

St. Louis Rams coach Scott Linehan briefly halted the second practice yesterday in Mequon, Wis., imploring players to persevere through the warmest day of training camp.

The practice began in 89-degree heat. Linehan called the team to the middle of the field and could be heard yelling.

"It was between myself and the team," Linehan said. "There were a lot of guys taking a lot of extra reps because of guys not being in."

Linehan eased up at the end of practice, with players giving a big cheer in the middle of the field after he informed them he was canceling night meetings.

Russell sits out

JaMarcus Russell was held out of the Oakland Raiders' drills for the second straight practice because his throwing elbow was still sore after he banged it off the helmet of Darren McFadden . . . Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Reggie Williams will have arthroscopic surgery after reinjuring his right knee . . . Buffalo Bills backup quarterback J.P. Losman returned to practice a day after being held out because of a swollen thumb on his throwing hand . . . The lawyer for Warren Moon said the Hall of Fame quarterback pleaded guilty to negligent driving, a reduced charge from the drunken driving count that followed his Dec. 28 arrest. Attorney Jon Scott Fox said Moon received a 90-day jail sentence, with 88 suspended.