It’s early July which means NFL traning camp is just around the corner. This also means it’s time for the Brett Favre is returning to the Packers rumors to start flying. Chris Mortensen has reported Favre has been in touch with head coach Mike McCarthy informing him he still has the “itch” to play. The story went on to state that even Favre’s family is encouraging him to return. This news in conjunction with Brett’s old teammate Al Harris stating on ESPN radio yesterday that Favre has also informed him he has the “itch”. Based on these stories all indications appear Favre is coming back right? Well, not so fast my friend. The Mississippi’s Sun Herald newspaper contacted Favre and the reports are “all rumor.” Hmmm, someone isn’t telling the whole story it appears. I think this is only the beginning to what will be a soap opera summer in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

This is a question that will be answered when we enter the fall of 2008. Barry “Metrosexual Mullet” Melrose has been hired as the new head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning so he will no longer be in studio with ESPN. Melrose has been ESPN’s hockey analyst for over 12 years and in my opinion is one of the most well known ESPN heads even if you don’t like hockey. Melrose did have success while coaching in the early 90’s with the Los Angeles Kings. He went to the Stanley Cup Finals in his first season with LA, but only coached three years total for the Kings. Anyone want to bet Brett Hull will take over for Melrose at ESPN?

Attention all Bobby Knight lovers the man, the myth, the legend is now an analyst for Championship week and all of the NCAA Tournament for ESPN. Is anyone excited or are you more annoyed? I think he did an ok job last night, but that isn’t the real Bobby Knight in my opinion. He was very insightful, but very subdued. I think the real question is will he drop a F-bomb before his stint is over?

Yesterday came the news that NFL journeyman quarterback Sean Salisbury is leaving his role as NFL analyst for ESPN. Chris Carter will be Sean’s replacement and will join a whole host of other ex-NFL superstars working as analysts for ESPN. Salisbury felt he was “underpaid” and had a “capped ceiling” with ESPN so he is ready to move on to other things. Where will Sean land next? Thoughts?

Dan Patrick announced on his daily radio show with ESPN that he is leaving the network. He was off the air last week for what I thought was a vacation, but he was actually in talks with ESPN on possibly staying. Patrick stated he doesn’t know where he is going next other than it would be outside of ESPN. Patrick’s daily radio show has been on the air since 1999 and he has been with ESPN for 18 years. Patrick was a SportsCenter anchor from 1989 to until last year winning the National Sportscaster of the Year award in Y2K. He also received a Sports Emmy Award in the Studio Host category in 1998.

It has only taken a million references of the rumor on ESPN Sportscenter and two months longer than expected, but Trent Green is now finally a Miami Dolphin. The Dolphins gave up a five round draft pick in 2008 to receive veteran starting quarterback Trent Green who had many sucessfull years in Kansas City. The Dolphins have been without a solid quarterback for a LONG time so can Trent be the savior of South Beach???

The answer is…..YES if he has truly recovered from the awful hit he received last year against the Bengals that led to a bad concussion. The Dolphins will win a wild-card berth to the NFL playoffs this year.

Keyshawn didn’t accept an offer from the Tennesse Titans and obviously wasn’t willing to sign with the inevitable offer that was coming from the Oakland Raiders. Keyshawn Johnson has decided to go work for ESPN rather than play football next year in the NFL. At ESPN, Keyshawn will join the crew of Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown as an analyst. He will also particpate on a new weekly ESPN Radio NFL show hosted by Chris Mortensen and Bill Parcells.

He is no other than freshman all everything Kevin Durant of the Texas Longhorns.  Durant is quickly rising to the very top of the national player of the year discussion for NCAA mens basketball.  If you haven’t seen Durant play college basketball then you better start watching right away because this is the only year you will see him in college.  Durant and the Longhorns take on Acie Law and the Texas A&M Aggies this evening at 9:00 pm EST on ESPN.  Dude has got mad game!

Today NASCAR and the community lost an incredible man.  Benny Parsons passed away today after being in the hospital since December 26th with complications from lung cancer.  Benny Parsons was NASCAR champion in 1973 and won Daytona in 1975.  Benny also played a key role as a NASCAR announcer with ESPN and most recently NBC.  You will be missed BP!

Anheuser-Busch has announced they are ending sponsorship for NASCAR’s number two series after the upcoming season. Busch just celebrated their 25th season as the title sponsor this year of the growing series. Anheuser-Busch is paying close to $10 million a year and announced they were pulling out to reassess marketing efforts and because they were beginning to dilute themselves with Budweiser and Busch. Here I thought Busch beer was always diluted. (ba dum dum) There is no announcement at this time who will take over sponsorship, but you can guarantee it will cost more than $10 million a year due to its growth in popularity. ESPN will become the sole source for television coverage this coming year for NASCAR so between the two I have no doubt they will find a quality suitor to take over sponsorship. Make sure in 2007 you “head for the mountains of Busch beer.”