What about Bob?

I know. I know. Another in a long line of sophomoric headlines from a perpetually juvenile football writer. But in this case, there might actually be some legitimacy to the question.

After perusing Peter King's always insightful and entertaining Monday Morning Quarterback, he offered some insight about Favre from Packers receiver Greg Jennings. PK was writing about Jennings comparing Favre to new Packers starter Aaron Rodgers.

At one point in the conversation, Jennings noted how relaxed Favre was compared to Rodgers.

"Brett's a little more loose in there," Jennings said. "You know, not that Aaron's tight; he's fine. But Brett was passing gas in the huddle.''

... Ok, I will now attempt to write a reasoned column on the Giants that is fit to print in tomorrow's editions of Newsday, one of the most well-respected family newspapers in the country.

Say this much for Packers fans: They appeared united in wanting the team to bring back Brett Favre. But once it became clear that wasn't going to happen, they eventually decided to support Aaron Rodgers in a fairly big way.

Case in point: As he was introduced before last night's preseason opener against the Bengals, Rodgers was given a warm ovation. Many in the crowd stood and applauded.

And Rodgers didn't disappoint during the game. A week after bombing in an intrasquad scrimmage at Lambeau Field, Rodgers delivered two scoring drives.

In fact, they have been downright nasty.

I suppose it's not unusual for people to express their feelings about a Packers quarterback who isn't named Brett Favre. But when little kids are spewing f-bombs, it is a little disconcerting.

Rodgers explains.

He is on a plane heading for his home in Hattiesburg, Miss.

... but the Jets have been returning those calls. Especially since the Packers and Favre decided the impasse they've reached appears permanent.

Foxsports' Jay Glazer said on ESPN Radio that the Jets' trade offer right now is better than the Bucs' offer, although no deal has been done.

The Jets have remained largely in the background on the Favre issue, but it has not dampened their desire to strongly consider making a deal. The hangup: Favre is reluctant to join a 4-12 team that plays in the country's largest media market.

UPDATE: Favre's agent, Bus Cook, says Favre is willing to play for either Tampa or the Jets. All of which plays into Green Bay's hands, since it now has some leverage dealing with both teams.

Caught up with Boomer over the phone yesterday while I visited Jets camp, where, where, of course, I wrote about Brett Favre for today's newspaper. I had intended to get a better look at Chansi Stuckey, but Favre has made it impossible to do much of anything except babysit the news of the day.

Anyway, Boomer had some interesting things to say (he always does, doesn't he?) about the Favre situation. He mostly blames the Packers for the mess, although I tend to think there is blame on both sides.

Anyway, it is the second consecutive Wednesday that my column has quoted a famous WFAN radio personality. Last week, it was Craig Carton going at it with Chad Pennington.

...

A favorite Boomer story I never get tired of re-telling:

On draft day in 1992, former Cincinnati Inquirer beat reporter Geoff Hobson, who has a thick Boston accent, was asking a question to David Klingler on a conference call. Klingler had just been drafted in the first round, even though Esiason was still with Cincinnati.

Here's how the conversation went:

Hobson: "Have you talked to Boomah yet?"

Klingler: "I'm sorry. I couldn't understand the question."

Hobson: "Have you talked to Boomah yet?"

Klingler: "I'm sorry, could you repeat the question."

An increasingly agitated Hobson then asked: "Have you ever met Norman Julius Esiason Jr.?"

Klingler: "Oh, you mean Boomer. No, we haven't talked yet."

The Tampa Tribune is reporting that the Bucs have essentially agreed to a trade with Green Bay, and that an announcement could come as soon as today. Later today, that is.

I still think the Jets are in the mix in trade discussions, but all along, Tampa has been the more likely fit. We'll see. Soon.

A website called savebrett.net is reporting that it's a done deal: Favre to Tampa Bay.

Still no confirmation on this, but we're awaiting Packers coach Mike McCarthy's meeting with the press.

Stay tuned.

He has left the Packers' facility, and it appears the team is working on a trade.

Jets and Bucs remain possibilities, although the Bucs appear to have a slight edge in terms of interest and ammunition to pull off a deal.

Favre want to go to the Vikings, but the Packers don't want to deal him to their divisional rival.

I would like to write a column on the situation, but news developments are simply too fluid.

Remember when training camp was a time to write about teams and players brimming with optimism about the upcoming season?

This has turned into Terrell Owens without the situps.

It appears there will be no immediate resolution to the Brett Favre fiasco (er, situation), especially after Favre's comments to ESPN' s Chris Mortensen indicating the two sides remain at a stalemate and that the best thing would be for him to be gone.

"[Coach] Mike [McCarthy] and I both agreed last night that me being out there is a distraction and will continue to be a distraction," Favre said. "We all know the reason I'm here is because the commissioner [Roger Goodell] reinstated me so we have a lot of things to figure out. It's simple and complicated, both at the same time."

Favre indicated the Packers spurned his request to talk to teams in the NFC North - the Vikings are his preferred destination - leaving only the Buccaneers and the Jets as potential suitors, with the Bucs a stronger possibility.

Favre also clarified the issue of an open competition with Aaron Rodgers.

"Mike told me, hey, we're a better team with you on it but wanted to know if I have a problem with an open competition," Favre said. "I don't have a problem with competing -- you know that, but Aaron should be the starter right now because he's been out here all this time. This is more than about an open competition and I can do that, absolutely, but this is going to be mass confusion and that's not good for this team.

"I'll practice my butt off, if it comes to that, and I think we all know what the end result will be, but this probably isn't going to work. And I truly understand that if I was in Mike's shoes, I'd see it basically the same way he sees it, I'm sure. And I think if he was in my shoes, he'd see it my way. I think we both agree on that.

"They want to know if I'm committed but I want to know if they're 100 percent committed. The problem is that there's been a lot of damage done and I can't forget it. Stuff has been said, stories planted, that just aren't true. Can I get over all that? I doubt it."

Favre added: "So they can say they welcome me back but, come on, the way they've treated me tells you the truth. They don't want me back, so let's move on. I don't know where it's headed. We'll see."

We have a word to describe this situation, something we've used before when very complicated subjects arise and need to be reduced to their simplest form:

Oy.

We should know one way or the other the deal is with Brett Favre today. That is the hope, anyway.

Favre met for most of the night last night with head coach Mike McCarthy, and then with general manager Ted Thompson.

And it may not be a fait accompli that he is back with the Packers after all. FOX Sports' Jay Glazer reports the two sides remain in limbo, and that Favre himself indicated he does not want to become a distraction to the locker room (ha!).

Wonder if Ari Fleischer will sort it all out for us at a press briefing.

The plan right now is that McCarthy will address the media shortly before a 2 p.m. practice session.

My intention remains to see Chansi Stuckey and the rest of the Boland's Jets practice today, although Mr. Favre may once again force me to change my plans.

btw, Boland and Rock will be live chatting today, so make sure to tune in to Newsday.com/sports for all the festivities. Boland is scheduled to chat at 11:30 a.m. and Rock is set for 2 p.m.