As the NFL sends a security contingent to question the Minnesota Vikings about a potential tampering charge regarding quarterback Brett Favre, the Packers are busy making inquiries of their own.

A league source has stated that the Packers have several teams that are considered potential trade partners, though the Packers claim that the talks are in the "due diligence" stage.  This was brought about after Roger Goodell encouraged the Packers to try and mend the chasm between them and the future Hall of Fame quarterback, who has played the last sixteen seasons on the hallowed Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field.

Teams supposedly in the mix according to that league source are the Dolphins, Jets, Ravens and Texans in the AFC, and the Buccaneers, Panthers, Falcons and Redskins in the NFC.  Favre's agent James "Bus" Cook has said that he and Favre are in no hurry to apply formally for reinstatement, which he will have to do in order to play in 2008 after being placed on the reserve-retired list on April 25th, and that the next move would be the Packers.

Let's be honest here.  Of the teams mentioned as potential trade partners, at least five, possibly six of the teams are so far gone that they aren't even fringe playoff contenders by adding Favre.  The Dolphins are a team in shambles and disarray, and they just dealt away their best player, All Pro defensive end Jason Taylor, in an attempted youth movement and to put Bill Parcells and company's stamp on the team.  They'll go into camp with John Beck and rookie Chad Henne battling for the starting job.

The Jets have a rag armed Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens under center.  They are full of holes, and really would be hardpressed to be a .500 team even with Favre.  The running game is questionable, and even after adding Alan Faneca, I am not sold on their offensive line.  The Ravens have Willis McGahee, but aging and questionable receiving threats, a recuperating Todd Heap at tight end, and a declining defense, evidenced by the way they were lit up early and often in 2007. 

The Texans could be an interesting proposal.  They have Andre Johnson as a top receiver, Jacoby Jones, and an up and coming young corps defensively.  However, they paid a hefty price to get Matt Schaub from Atlanta following the 2006 season, and I don't know if they would want to impede the chemistry and progress that the team made last season.

On the NFC side, Carolina has Steve Smith, two decent running backs in DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams, but their offensive line is a sieve, as evidenced by the revolving door under center last season.  Jake Delhomme is recovering from surgery, David Carr and Vinny Testaverde also started, while Matt Moore saw action as well.  Favre doesn't want to come back and get knocked around. 

Atlanta?  Let's not even get started with the issues with that club.  (For more about the Falcons 2007 woes, read here.)  The club has been in a tailspin since the Michael Vick incident, and bringing Favre back after they dealt him following drafting him from Southern Mississippi might be good for nostalgia and slight ticket sales increases, but not from a perspective of improving the franchise on the field.

That leaves Tampa Bay and Washington.  The Redskins have bolstered their talent pool, and made the playoffs with Jason Campbell and Todd Collins running the offense.  Tampa Bay has an aging quarterback of their own, Jeff Garcia, who is currently embroiled in a contract battle with the Bucs.  Both teams have other weapons that would help complement Favre, as the Skins have running backs Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts, wide receiver Santana Moss and tight end Chris Cooley.  Tampa Bay has surprise 1000 yard rusher Earnest Graham, Cadillac Williams, and Joey Galloway.  Both teams would benefit from the experience and leadership that Favre offers, not to mention his ability to make things happen.  Either way, I know Favre would rather be playing football than being like Billy Mays on infomercials, or doing Ephedrasil Hardcore reviews on television.

Of course, the Bears and Vikings are still foaming at the mouth for a chance to add Favre to their clubs.  Really, can you blame them?  The Bears are stuck watching Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton battling for the starting job, while the Vikings have the consistently inconsistent Tarvaris Jackson, he of the 9 TD passes and 12 INT in 12 starts last season, all but assured of the starting job.

So where does the Favre carnival go next?  Stay tuned for tour dates at a NFL franchise near you.