NFL | Vikings keeping quiet on Brett Favre

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings took a different stance on Thursday in what has become the story of the summer in the NFL: They decided not to talk about Brett Favre.

The Vikings said Thursday they would not comment on allegations by the Green Bay Packers that they made inappropriate contact with Favre before or during the three-time MVP's effort to un-retire.

"The Vikings are not commenting on the issue. These types of matters are handled by the league," said a statement read by a team spokesman.

The Favre saga has overridden everything else going on in the offseason, turning the NFL into a one-story league. Another chapter was added Wednesday night when a person familiar with the Packers' complaint told The Associated Press that Green Bay has filed tampering charges against the Vikings.

The person said Packers officials believe Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell had discussions with Favre, a longtime friend, that would violate league rules. Presumably, such discussions would include the possibility of Favre leaving the Packers for their NFC North rivals in Minnesota.

"They feel like Favre had something [in place], and that's why he was so anxious to get his release all of a sudden," the person said.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league only comments on tampering cases if there is some disciplinary action to announce.

Favre, meanwhile, is receiving support from varied corners. San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson, for instance, thinks Green Bay is making a mistake in not welcoming the quarterback back.

"Brett Favre should have the opportunity to control his own destiny," Tomlinson said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. "If he wants to come back and play football, then let him come back. I think that he was forced to retire prematurely. He finally realized that's not what he wants to do."

Notes

• Cleveland WR Joe Jurevicius likely will miss the start of the regular season because of his recent knee surgery. Browns GM Phil Savage told WTAM-AM that Jurevicius, a former Seahawk, will probably start the season on the physically-unable-to-perform list. If he does, Jurevicius would miss at least the first six weeks of the season.

Jurevicius had swelling and discomfort in his right knee related to a previous operation and needed another procedure in June.

• QB Joe Flacco, drafted 18th overall by Baltimore, has agreed in principle to a five-year deal that could earn him up to $30 million and includes $8.75 million in guaranteed money. He is expected to compete for the starting job with Troy Smith and Kyle Boller.

• The New York Jets signed QB Erik Ainge, their fifth-round draft pick, and undrafted OL Kyle DeVan from Oregon State.

• New England signed fourth-round CB Jonathan Wilhite.

• CB Trae Williams, a fifth-round draft pick, signed a four-year contract with Jacksonville, leaving the Jaguars with two rookies left unsigned before training camp.

• Washington assistant coach Don Breaux retired because of a heart condition after 27 NFL seasons. He spent 17 seasons with Washington and was part of three Super Bowl-championship teams.

• New York Giants fans will have to pay as much as $20,000 for the right to buy a season ticket in the new stadium the team will share with the Jets. The Giants' seat licensing plan will raise $371 million toward the $1.6 billion cost of the East Rutherford, N.J., arena, which is scheduled to open in 2010.

The Jets are developing their personal seat license plan and will detail it at the end of August, a team spokesman said.

Asked if he'd gotten letters saying his father, Wellington Mara, wouldn't have sold licenses, Giants owner John Mara said: "My father wasn't faced by this kind of debt."