Favre decision on hold

Options include retirement, trade

Brett Favre's agent says the three-time MVP understands he would be walking into a media frenzy by showing up for the Green Bay Packers' training camp, but he's willing to deal with that rather than have retirement forced on him.

"He's prepared to deal with it," James "Bus" Cook said yesterday. "He's ready to go back, but he can't go back until the commissioner reinstates him."

That didn't happen yesterday. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is giving the Packers and Favre at least one more day to resolve their standoff before granting the quarterback his reinstatement.

"The Packers and Brett Favre are continuing their discussions," the league said in a statement. "The commissioner preferred to let those discussions continue rather than act on the reinstatement petition."

Meanwhile, two potential solutions reportedly were emerging late last night.

The Wisconsin State Journal and ESPN reported Favre is considering a 10-year, $20 million marketing and licensing deal offer from the Packers - and staying retired. And the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported the Packers and Cook were in "serious" discussions with the Jets about a trade.

The State Journal report said the Packers' deal, which was reported by multiple media outlets after team president and CEO Mark Murphy met with Favre and Cook in Mississippi Wednesday, went on the table soon after Favre retired in March and wasn't a last-ditch attempt to pay Favre to stay away from training camp.

Once Favre is reinstated, the Packers will have 24 hours to decide whether to cut him or restore him to their active roster. By not acting yesterday, Goodell decreased the chances Favre would be present at Packers training camp today.

Cook said Favre still wants to be released, something the Packers have ruled out.

"If he was given his release, there's no guarantee he'd go anywhere to play," Cook said. "However, he'd have the freedom to choose if he should decide to play."

Favre also could be traded - apparently even to a division rival.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Packers officials have had internal discussions about trading Favre to the Minnesota Vikings or Chicago Bears as a "last resort" to resolve the smoldering controversy.

"That's news to me," Vikings coach Brad Childress said. "Whatever you're hearing, I'm not hearing."

General manager Ted Thompson and other Packers officials have said they and the team committed to moving forward after Favre retired in March.

It is widely believed Favre would be willing to play for the Vikings. In filing tampering charges with the NFL against the Vikings two weeks ago, Packers officials expressed a belief that Vikings coaches had inappropriate contact with Favre - and interest from the Vikings was the main reason behind Favre's last-minute desire to return.

Favre isn't believed to have much interest in playing for Chicago.

Carter in Miami

The Miami Dolphins drew another name from the past of Bill Parcells, working out former Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter. But Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said the workout is merely an evaluation of Carter, who started for the Cowboys and Jets before poor play and drug-related arrests ended his NFL career. The Dolphins are also considering signing former Dallas receiver Terry Glenn . . . Quarterback JaMarcus Russell returned to Raiders practice after being sidelined for two sessions because of a sore elbow. Russell took part in all team drills, but held back a bit in his throwing to make sure not to damage his elbow even more after banging it off the helmet of teammate Darren McFadden Tuesday.

More jail for Bradshaw

Giants coach Tom Coughlin was unaware of a report in a Virginia newspaper that running back Ahmad Bradshaw would have to serve another 30 days in jail after the season because of an old probation violation. The second-year running back was released from the Abingdon (Va.) Regional Jail July 13 after serving most of a 30-day sentence. Quoting jail sources, The Bristol Herald Courier reported the incarceration was the first of a two-part jail sentence sandwiched around the upcoming NFL season. Charles A. Stacy, Bradshaw's attorney, has said the underlying charge for which 22-year-old Bradshaw was placed on probation stems from an offense that occurred while Bradshaw was a juvenile . . . Wide receiver Chris Henry was suspended by the NFL for four games but may play the final 12 games of the regular season for any team that signs him. Henry was released by Cincinnati in April after his fifth arrest. Goodell had suspended Henry indefinitely following his latest arrest. The charges against him on that arrest were subsequently dropped . . . The Titans released wide receiver Mike Williams. Williams, the 10th overall pick in the 2005 draft by the Detroit Lions, has continually suffered from conditioning, weight, and endurance issues . . . Two-time Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware sat out Cowboys practice, a day after leaving the field early following a hit to the head . . . The Jaguars signed free agent guard Chris Liwienski and waived rookie quarterback Paul Smith . . . Holdout running back Steven Jackson missed his seventh day and 10th practice of Rams camp. Jackson wants a new contract . . . The Steelers signed former Pro Bowl kick returner Eddie Drummond to help bolster what has been a weak special teams unit . . . Browns outside linebacker Antwan Peek underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery to remove a piece of cartilage and is expected to miss the preseason. He could return by the regular-season opener Sept. 7 against Dallas . . . Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon said clinical evaluations following two arrests for drunken driving have shown he does not have a problem with alcohol. He said he's thankful the Seahawks are allowing him to remain as their radio color commentator.