I’ve had many requests for a mobile-specific theme in the last few weeks, and I finally got it up and running tonight.

Based on our traffic from the last year, iPhone and iPod Touch users vastly outnumber all other mobile devices used to [...]]]> If you’re reading this on an Apple handset, the site now looks much better.

I’ve had many requests for a mobile-specific theme in the last few weeks, and I finally got it up and running tonight.

Based on our traffic from the last year, iPhone and iPod Touch users vastly outnumber all other mobile devices used to access the site. So I went with an i-specific mobile theme. If you’re having trouble reading the site on your handheld, drop me a line and I’ll see what I can do (though I can’t make any promises).

Thanks for the feedback,

- Evan

Brett Favre practices with the Vikings on Tuesday.

Pulling an about-face on his playing status for the second straight summer, the three-time MVP quarterback will suit up for his old rival Minnesota starting with Friday’s preseason game [...]]]> EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Brett Favre unretired again and will be wearing purple this time. Chew on that, cheeseheads.

Brett Favre practices with the Vikings on Tuesday.

Pulling an about-face on his playing status for the second straight summer, the three-time MVP quarterback will suit up for his old rival Minnesota starting with Friday’s preseason game at the Metrodome. The goal: help the Vikings win that elusive first Super Bowl.

“You need to cross over that line. You need to take that chance,” Favre said at his introductory news conference Tuesday, recalling the advice Minnesota coach Brad Childress gave him. “At 39 years old, your arm may not feel like it did at 21, but the pieces are in place here where you don’t have to do as much.”

He added: “If they were willing to take that chance, I was, too.”

The wait for Favre’s decision dragged through May, June and July — at which point he said he would stay retired. But that was three weeks ago. On Tuesday, it all was resolved in a matter of hours.

Team owner Zygi Wilf and president Mark Wilf met Favre in Mississippi with their private plane, Childress himself picked him up at the St. Paul airport, and a news helicopter hovered over their route to the team’s suburban practice facility in Eden Prairie.

Once the vehicles arrived, hundreds of fans roared when Favre waved as he got out. No less than 90 minutes later, he was on the field in his familiar No. 4 jersey with purple shorts and a purple helmet, a vision that has had Packers fans cringing about for months.

He shook hands with a few of his new teammates and quickly began throwing, as people peeked through the security fence to catch a glimpse of the stubble-faced superstar.

“I think it’s great for football,” Favre said. “I can’t see how you think it wouldn’t be.”

On July 28, the man who holds every major NFL career passing record told Childress he wasn’t ready to play, citing a lack of confidence in his beat-up body to hold up over an entire season. Favre revealed Tuesday that he was told by Dr. James Andrews, who performed the arthroscopic surgery on his throwing shoulder in May, that he’s been playing with a torn rotator cuff for a few years.

Neither Favre nor the Vikings expressed any concern about his health, though, on this whirlwind day. Favre was defiant, actually, when asked about widespread criticism of his flip-flopping.

“Don’t watch, you know?” he said, adding: “My legacy, it’s mine. It’s what I think of it.”

Wearing a ratty red baseball cap and a T-shirt, Favre’s eyes reddened when he talk about letting his daughter down last month with his decision to stay retired.

Favre also brushed off suggestions he’s driven by revenge on the Packers, who wouldn’t let him have his old job back last summer when he reconsidered. Green Bay visits Minnesota on Oct. 5, and the Packers host the Vikings on Nov. 1.

“The bottom line is it’s football,” Favre said. “Once you step into the huddle, I don’t look at the helmets. I look at the faces.”

The Vikings did not release terms of the deal. ESPN, citing anonymous sources, said Favre would receive $12 million this season and $13 million next season.

Last month, Favre explained his decision by saying he had to be “careful not to commit for the wrong reasons.”

“I’m 39 with a lot of sacks to my name,” he said.

He has a lot of interceptions to his name, too, more than any other quarterback in NFL history. The last time Favre appeared in the playoffs — a bitter loss at Lambeau Field by the Packers to the Giants in the NFC championship game following the 2007 season — he put up one of his worst performances in recent memory.

Now the question becomes how Favre will fit in with a team that’s already done with the grind of training camp, not to mention how his health will hold up so soon after he questioned it.

The Vikings got an encouraging performance in their preseason opener last week from quarterback Sage Rosenfels, who has been competing with Tarvaris Jackson for the starting job. But neither of them have been consistently sharp in practice this month.

And neither can compete with Favre’s ability or resume. His zinger of an arm and toughness in the pocket are a combination few possess. With an offense he claimed this summer he could operate in his sleep, Favre seems to fit well with Minnesota — especially given the Vikings’ problems finding a reliable quarterback since Childress took over in 2006.

“This is a fluid business, and we were moving ahead but you always go back and reassess,” Childress said, explaining his own reverse in direction.

The coach added: “The guys will learn him. He’ll learn them, and we’ve got a whole month to put this thing together.”

The Vikings have Pro Bowl players all over their roster, with reigning NFL rushing leader Adrian Peterson in the backfield and a dominant defensive line. No matter who’s behind center, they ought to be in position to defend their NFC North title.

To win the conference, and perhaps — finally — a Super Bowl, they’ll need stability at the sport’s most critical position.

Favre has wrestled with retirement for most of this decade and the will-he-or-won’t-he saga became an annual offseason drama for the Packers, his longtime home. In Green Bay, the latest news elicited a few shrugs, little more.

A few months after Favre’s tearful goodbye news conference in March 2008, Green Bay traded him to the Jets after he tried to come back only to learn the Packers were committed to Aaron Rodgers. Favre started strong in New York, but faded down the stretch amid problems with his throwing arm and, with another “I’m done” announcement, headed for his second retirement.

The Jets released him from his contract right after the draft and soon after, the Vikings were openly expressing interest. Favre spent the summer working out in Mississippi and led everyone to believe he was on his way back to the NFL until last month.

Now, he is back.

“I don’t have any problem rooting for one of the greatest quarterbacks ever,” said Phil Setala, a 23-year-old from Minneapolis who was at practice proudly wearing a purple No. 4 jersey.

Even the governor chimed in.

“It’s going to be good for the team,” a giddy Gov. Tim Pawlenty said after a speech. “It’s going to be good for the state. It’s going to be exciting.”

The two parties typically sign a two-year deal with an option for a third year. This process was the Bears exercising that option year.

BOURBONNAIS — Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith has shot down reports of a rift between new quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher, saying they’re simply not true.

“That’s no story,” Smith said Thursday, when his team reported to [...]]]>

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith addresses the media on Thursday afternoon. The Daily Journal/Nicholas Holstein

BOURBONNAIS — Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith has shot down reports of a rift between new quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher, saying they’re simply not true.

“That’s no story,” Smith said Thursday, when his team reported to camp. “You’ve got questions about what’s going on?”

Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler’s manhood during a conversation on a trip to Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a stronger version of the word “wimp” during the interview that had to be edited out.

Chicago radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.

Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune, saying “Me having to be restrained? That’s funny.”

The Bears have high expectations after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a falling out with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.

His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith’s mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.

“There’s no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year,” Smith said. “No more than that. We can’t spend a whole lot of time on something that isn’t true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it’s a non-issue.”

In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.

Smith said another quarterback — Michael Vick — deserves one, although he doesn’t see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.

“I think Mike deserves a second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society,” Smith said. “He deserves a second chance. As far as we’re concerned, we like this team that we have right now.”

“We’ve agreed in principle to terms of contract,” Griffin said. “We just need to sit down and sign.”

The Bears are planning to pick up [...]]]> The Chicago Bears and Olivet Nazarene University have agreed in principle to a deal that will keep the Bears’ training camp in Bourbonnais in 2010, Olivet spokesman Gary Griffin said this week.

“We’ve agreed in principle to terms of contract,” Griffin said. “We just need to sit down and sign.”

The Bears are planning to pick up the option in their contract with Olivet, but nothing has been finalized, Bears spokesman Scott Hagel said.

“Our intention is to pick up the option for (2010),” Hagel said. “But there’s nothing official yet.”

Olivet and the Bears are currently in the final year of a two-year deal. In June, Bears officials met with Lewis University and Romeoville officials to talk about potentially moving the  training camp to Romeoville.

The Bears have held training camp at Olivet since 2002. This year’s camp, the eighth at Olivet, kicks off on July 31.

The final practice will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20.

A DeKalb County judge acquitted Ikegwuonu on Friday of residential burglary and criminal trespassing.

Ikegwuonu and his twin brother, Bill, were arrested on Nov. 25, 2006. They were accused of trying to steal a video game system from [...]]]> The Associated Press | SYCAMORE — Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu has been acquitted of burglary charges in Illinois.

A DeKalb County judge acquitted Ikegwuonu on Friday of residential burglary and criminal trespassing.

Ikegwuonu and his twin brother, Bill, were arrested on Nov. 25, 2006. They were accused of trying to steal a video game system from an apartment in the city of DeKalb.

Bill Ikegwuonu played for Northern Illinois University’s football team at the time. He was acquitted of similar charges in April.

Jack Ikegwuonu was playing for the University of Wisconsin-Madison when he was arrested. He was drafted by the Eagles in April 2008 but didn’t play last season because he was recovering from reconstructive knee surgery.

People in his agent’s office declined to comment Friday.

No word on whether he has a new contract or not.

More to come.

ALBANY, N.Y. — Tom Coughlin isn’t quite sure when the memorable sayings — the ones from Confucius to Lincoln to Lombardi — became a part of his coaching lexicon. The seeds probably were planted when he was growing up playing football and turned into a star wingback at Syracuse University. Once [...]]]> By Bob Glauber/The Washington Post

ALBANY, N.Y. — Tom Coughlin isn’t quite sure when the memorable sayings — the ones from Confucius to Lincoln to Lombardi — became a part of his coaching lexicon. The seeds probably were planted when he was growing up playing football and turned into a star wingback at Syracuse University. Once he got into coaching, he realized words could sometimes have as profound an impact on players as blocking and tackling.

Tom Coughlin, Giants head coach

“When I became a coach, I paid more attention to these sayings,” the Giants’ coach said. “We’re all in the business of psychologically making sure certain things are always referred to, and that’s why it’s a big point of emphasis. Getting the right messages across to the players is very important to me.”

The Giants open defense of their unlikely Super Bowl championship run last season Friday in Albany, where Coughlin will preside over the usual assortment of punishing two-a-day practices in brutal heat and humidity. But for all the physical preparation required, the team’s mental approach might be even more critical as the Giants attempt to repeat as Super Bowl champions, which has been done only nine times in NFL history.

That’s where the words come in.

You can find them all over the team’s locker room. Hear them in the meeting rooms. And read them in the Giants’ in-house monthly newsletter, “Under The Helmet.” On the cover of the May newsletter was a quote from Confucius:

“The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.” Inside was a quote from Abraham Lincoln that read: “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.”

Neither Confucius nor Lincoln came up with last year’s catchphrase, but the line served the Giants’ situation perfectly: “Talk is cheap. Play the game.”

With all the bickering of previous seasons, especially the critiques leveled by former running back Tiki Barber, Coughlin threw that one out there early in the offseason. It was an appropriate mantra for a team that cut back on the controversy and indeed wound up doing its talking on the field — all the way to victory over the previously unbeaten Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Today, the “Talk is cheap. Play the game” line is posted on a wall outside the team’s video room.

This year’s motto is a bit simpler, yet equally meaningful: “It’s a whole new season.”

It is Coughlin’s way of getting the Giants focused on what lies ahead, not dwelling on last season’s miracle run.

Coughlin likely will embellish the line with a more richly worded saying from former UCLA coach John Wooden, another of Coughlin’s coaching role models:

“Learn from the past, don’t live in the past. The infection of success can lead you to live in the past, to believe that what happened before is automatically going to happen again.”

Oh, and in case you’re wondering whether the players relate to the sayings that Coughlin trots out, and if they have any measurable effect on their performance, rest assured. They adore them, and they apply them to football.

“I like that one right over there,” running back Brandon Jacobs said, pointing to a saying on a wall next to the team’s training room.

It reads:

“Control your emotions, direct yourself under pressure and make the right choices.”

“That one is perfect, because you’ve got to control your emotions and direct yourself under pressure. So when you’re — – off and mad because something didn’t go your way, you want to be able to bounce back on the next play to make it better.”

Safety James Butler lists this one as his favorite:

“Prepare like you just lost your last game.’

“It keeps you hungry,” Butler said. “I think it applies to the individual and to the team.”

Defensive end Justin Tuck likes the one from Bill Russell, the former Celtics star center who won 11 NBA titles, posted near the door to the locker room:

“My ego was centered around my teams’ success, not my accomplishments. How could I help my teammates to get better?”

“I respect a guy that’s got 11 championships,” Tuck said. “How can you not? It’s something that sticks with you, like a lot of the sayings that brings out. There are different sayings that are appropriate for different scenarios.”

The Giants now begin the Herculean task of attempting to repeat as Super Bowl champions, and their emotional preparation will be critical to their success. Toward that end, look for Coughlin to trot out plenty more inspirational and meaningful quotes.

“I’ve got a bunch of favorite sayings, but the most important ones are about the sense of team,” Coughlin said. “That’s always first and foremost with me.”

Coughlin will provide the occasional Vince Lombardi quote, but more judiciously than you might imagine, considering the former Packers coach has been one of Coughlin’s most important role models.

“It’s not because I didn’t think they were appropriate, because what has said is for all time,” Coughlin said. “But there are some things that I’m more interested in the players hearing either coming from me or a different way of saying it.”

Ultimately, Lombardi’s message does get to the players, even if it might not be in his exact words. One of Coughlin”s favorite Lombardi-isms might thus apply:

“Physical toughness will make the opponent weaken and mental toughness will make him crack.”

Words to live by.

Especially for a defending Super Bowl champion.

Distributed by the Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service

Devin Hester, the Bears electrifying kicker returner, was not at the team’s opening practice of training camp, The Daily Journal’s Rob Laird reports.

According to ESPN’s John Clayton, the Bears are expected to fine Hester $15,000 a day until he reports to camp. [...]]]>

Devin Hester celebrates after a 2007 victory over the Chiefs/Associated Press file photo

Devin Hester, the Bears electrifying kicker returner, was not at the team’s opening practice of training camp, The Daily Journal’s Rob Laird reports.

According to ESPN’s John Clayton, the Bears are expected to fine Hester $15,000 a day until he reports to camp. If Hester chooses not to report to any of the camp’s 23 days, he could be fined $345,000. His current salary is $445,000.

More information to follow.