Vikings OTA 5/21: More Favre Questions, First Glimpse at QB Competition

Would you be surprised if I told you Vikings head coach Brad Childress was asked about Brett Favre Thursday at his press conference following the day's practices?

Childress addressed the media and tried to put off questions about the future hall of fame quarterback in the nicest ways.

However, Childress also wouldn't close the door on the possibility, reiterating that Favre is still retired but also saying the team might still be evaluating him.

"You're always interested in investigating," Childress said. "I'll stand by what I said last time we met. You discuss it. You're interested in going through the process. Are you interested in a hall-of-fame-caliber quarterback? You're always interested in going through the process and discussing it and investigating it."

The main point Childress got across was that although Favre has been the talk among the media at Winter Park, he is more focused on the players that are currently on the Vikings' roster.

"It's nothing that I'm focused on because I don't think anything's changed," Childress said. "I'm really focused on the guys that are here on this football team, both old and young. But I'm not spending any time on that."

Two players that were at workouts on Thursday were quarterbacks Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels, who are expected to compete for the starting job this summer unless a certain quarterback crashes the party.

Jackson talked after practice about what he needs to improve on this season.

“That big mistake. I tend to try to make the big play sometimes, try to save every play like I did in ‘07," Jackson said. "I got a little bit better at that [in 2008], but a couple of plays I wish I could have back. Just going out there and just playing."

Jackson also gave his take on the quarterback competition and how he and Rosenfels can benefit from each other.

“I think it’s going to be a great competition. He’s a smart guy. Just by listening to him talk to coaches, you know he knows what he’s doing," Jackson said. "He’s been in the system before. He has a lot of experience in this offense. It’s good to listen to him talk. Just trying to pick his brain and learn as much as possible.”

Rosenfels agreed with Jackson on the fact that they can both learn from each other.

“I think he can help me with certain things in this offense and I can probably help him with certain things [from] where I’ve been before and certain things that I’ve done or been taught in the past," Rosenfels said. "But I think it’s a healthy competition. Anytime you have competition it’s going to end up helping the football team and at the end of the day that’s all that really matters. I want to start, he wants to start but at the end of the day what matters is where this football team goes this year.”

Both quarterbacks praised rookie receiver Percy Harvin, who the Vikings selected No. 22 overall in this year's draft. In just three days of practice, Jackson has already seen how dangerous of a receiver Harvin can be.

”He’s a very talented guy. He’s paying attention to detail, the little things, and it’s going to carry over for him," Jackson said. "Everybody knows he’s a very explosive player. I know the guys, we’re going to love having him out here. Like a new toy, just want to try him out and get him the ball as much as possible.”

The Vikings will wrap up their OTA's (organized team activities) for the week on Friday and will begin another mini-camp session starting June 2 that will go through June 5.