Chris Mortensen has stated that he has not spoken to Favre himself, or his agent since last week, but that isn't stopping the ESPN reporter from shooting down a report from one of his co-workers. Trent Dilfer said the other day that Favre texted him with an unequivocal "NO", when asked about his return to the NFL. But according to Mort, his buddy Favre was responding to something else.

Mortensen was on Mike & Mike this morning, and when the subject of Favre and Dilfer came up, he stated that he believed Brett to be answering the question of whether he had hired a personal trainer. Here's the audio....

While Mortensen could certainly be right (and lord knows Greenberg is, about everyone being sick of this), but completely disregarding a colleague's report about the situation is pretty messed up. It's not like that is a first for Mort though.

Mort Tries To Explain Favre's Text Message To Dilfer (Pro Football Talk)

Brett Favre's agent has certainly made it clear that the quarterback isn't planning on coming back, but we haven't heard from the man himself. Until now, and in a one-word text to an ESPN analyst. Trent Dilfer randomly texted Favre yesterday, to ask him if he had any desire to un-retire (for the 15th time). According to the Star Tribune, Favre simply responded with a "NO"....

A few hours ago, we wrote that retired quarterback Brett Favre hasn’t been contact with the usual suspects when it comes to communicating his desire to play, or not play, since he was granted his release last week from the reserve/retired list by the New York Jets.

Well, now there has been contact with Favre. Former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer, who now works for ESPN, sent a text to Favre today asking if there was any chance he would consider playing in 2009. Favre responded in a return text with the word “NO.” And he put it in caps.

Does that mean Favre isn’t going to be playing for the Vikings this season? As ESPN’s Kevin Seifert points out, this one-word answer “won’t create so much as a ripple in speculation that [Favre] might play.”

Well that's interesting, isn't it? No??? Okay then. Seriously though, it is rather funny that the only way to reach Favre is by text messaging, and that Trent Dilfer of all people was the one that figured that out.

The word from Favre (Star Tribune)

There's obviously no love lost between Terrell Owens and ESPN, which isn't a surprise that he had something to say about the duo Emmitt Smith and Keyshawn Johnson, but it is interesting that Tampa Bay wideout Antonio Bryant does. The two went on similar rants today, with the likes of Emmitt Smith, Keyshawn Johnson and Trent Dilfer being called out by the pair.

Keyshawn's was in more of a jovial manner than anything else as he poked fun at Emmitt and Keyshawn by saying they need their own show called, "Dumb and Dumber". However, Antonio Bryant really seemed to take offense to being referred to by both Smith and Dilfer as a player with, "off the field baggage." Here are the two quotes from the Dallas Morning News and St. Petersburg Times, respectively....

T.O. (Dallas Morning News): "Those two need their own show - Dumb and Dumber," said T.O., who was otherwise jolly while sporting a Cowboys-customized Santa cap and blinking red nose.

T.O. called Emmitt a hypocrite for publicly calling the Cowboys a bunch of individual, then leaving a message on Greg Ellis' cell phone to pass onto the team. (T.O. wouldn't say what the message was.) T.O. also pointed out that Emmitt doesn't even know the name of the rookie running back who starred against the Steelers, since No. 22 apparently referred to Tashard Choice as Rashard.

As for Keyshawn, T.O. pointed out for the 1,348th time that the Cowboys gave Keyshawn a pink slip so they could sign him.

"Obviously, this guy is still really jealous of me," T.O. said, "because I'm here and this guy is in the booth talking about me and the Cowboys."

Antonio Bryant (Tampa Tribune): "I'm still trying to figure out what all this baggage is I'm supposed to have,'' Bryant said. "I'm being serious. I'm a real person and that bull---- Emmitt said on the TV about 'get my life right,' Trent Dilfer mentioned something about getting my life right outside of football. Last time I checked, man, don't be a hypocrite, man. This is me. A lot of y'all can't really walk on the same side of the street I can walk on and still go put on a suit. I can put on a suit just like you and get on TV and talk just like you. But I can still go home and still be me. So remember that, before you disrespect me like that on TV. I never said nothing bad about anybody out here, man, but just don't disrespect me like that. That's real. I'm out here, I'm a hard worker. I've always been a hard worker. So don't take that away from me, man, and just let me play football. If you've got something to say to me, say it...that's to Emmitt and Trent Dilfer. I really man that. That bothers me, man.'

Well then. I know receivers are divas, and that Emmitt and Key aren't always the greatest analysts (I rather enjoy Dilfer), but what ever happened to having "thick skin"? This isn't the first time someone has mentioned that Bryant has/had off-the-field problem, so I'm thinking this has something to do with the ex-player side of things. Like they're breaking some sort of code. Bryant did say he spoke with Emmitt, but still seems upset after admitting that the ex-NFLer, "went back and starting talking about how I got in trouble because of my mouth."

T.O. takes aim at ESPN's ex-Cowboys (Dallas Morning News)
Bryant: ESPN's Smith, Dilfer 'disrespected me' (St. Petersburg Times)

One of the best shows ever on ESPN was Chris Berman and Tom Jackson's highlight show, "NFL Primetime". It was a simple, no frills, highlight show and a throwback to how Sports of television used to be. Sure Berman was obnoxious at times, but there was rarely enough time for him to veer off course, and TJ always seemed to bring him back when he did.

Well according to multiple sources, including USA Today, ESPN is planning on bringing back the show. Sort of. They won't have the extensive league highlight package that is reserved for NBC and they'll be ruining the show's legacy by adding in the likes of Mike Ditka, Merril Hoge and Trent Dilfer. Oh, and it will technically just be a Live Sports Center with Berman hosting at 7pm on Sundays.

Actually, nevermind.....that's nothing like Primetime. I take it back. The move is obviously being made to counter NBC's pregame show, which will now feature Dan Patrick alongside Keith Olbermann. While I'm sure I will like the format and the number of analysts yapping at the same time, it's definitely a smart move. It will certainly be a welcome change from the fastest three minutes segment that Berman could barely get through without gasping for air.

I'm also pretty certain that NBC isn't happy about the decision. Hopefully this move will start some sort of battle so Olbermann's snarkiness can go up against Berman's rage in the showdown to end all highlight shows! One can only hope.

According to Pro Football Talk, ESPN has brought on recently retired QB Trent Dilfer as an analyst for the upcoming season. This now makes a good 45 people or so involved with the NFL on the "Leader"*. Via Pro Football Talk....

Fresh from his NFL retirement, quarterback Trent Dilfer has landed a new gig in television.

ESPN has hired Dilfer as an NFL Studio Analyst. We’re advised that Dilfer, the former Bucs, Ravens, Seahawks, Browns, and 49ers quarterback, will have a significant role on Sundays and Mondays during the season, and that he’ll be involved in the Super Bowl and draft coverage.

He’ll make his first ESPN appearance on NFL Live on Monday at 4:00 p.m. EDT.

An industry source advises us that it’s a three-year contract between Dilfer and ESPN.

I don't even know where Trent Dilfer will even fit in unless the plan on leaving him on the mini field the entire time. Again, just throwing numbers at a problem isn't going to fix it. The Countdowns are beyond help, but I really think NFL Live could be a great show if they gave Trey Wingo a consistent cast of people to work with. In the past two weeks he's probably worked with over ten different people and that's not including the current players that were guest analysts.

Dilfer Joins ESPN (Pro Football Talk)

(*I have no data to back this up, but it could very well be the number)