Every summer, I start to think about NCAA two-zero-fill-in-the-blank, and Madden two-zero-fill-in-the-blank. This year will be NCAA 2010, and Madden 2010, and given that both of my teams should be good (Georgia Tech and the Falcons), I feel a little more excited than most.

[Falcons Message Board]

Is it possible to retire, want to come back, retire, then want to come back all in the span of a year? Well, if it isn’t, then Brett Favre’s a miracle maker, and I mean that more than being able to single handedly wreck the Jets’ playoffs hopes last year with interception after interception.

The guy, as it turns out, is eyeing a possible return. Yippee.

Citing an anonymous source “with direct knowledge of the discussions between the two parties,” ESPN reported Tuesday that Favre is scheduled to meet with Vikings coach Brad Childress later this week about a possible comeback with Minnesota.

It was believed all along that Favre, after hearing Green Bay’s plans to go with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, wanted to come to NFC North rival Minnesota so he could exact some revenge on the Packers.

Revenge? For what? For employing the guy four years too long, letting him retire, and then telling him he can’t come back and just expect to be the starter after he does retire and then three months later decides he isn’t done yet?

Man, that guy must be pissed. Prepare, people: We’re going to have another year of listening to “this is Favre’s last year.” Let’s see if he can crush Minnesota’s playoff hopes like he did the Jets. AT this point, would you really even want the guy?

[AJC]

Instead of doing my own, I’ve promised to post the MLB Power Rankings for CBS, Fox Sports, and ESPN. ESPN and Fox Sports had theirs out the other day; today, CBS released their power rankings. At the top is the Cubs, followed by the Rays (3 losses — really?), followed by the Braves (who can’t hit the Marlins), followed by the Cardinals and Dodgers to round out the top 5. Enjoy.

[CBS Sportsline]

Here’s the link to the Power Rankings on ESPN. And here’s the link to the rankings on Fox Sports. CBS Sportsline is yet to have theirs out, though I’ll keep a watchful eye and update the post when they’re delivered. A couple of notes:

• The top three in both are comprised of the Marlins, Braves, and Cardinals. ESPN likes the Braves more than the Marlins; Fox Sports is the other way around. Both think St. Louis is the third best team one week in.
• Fox Sports really likes the Mariners at No. 5; ESPN thinks they’re barely inside the top 10, putting them at No. 9.
• Both believe the Astros and Nationals are the two worst teams in baseball, with the Nationals taking the cake for being the lousiest. Fox Sports believes the Indians are the third worst team, while ESPN says they’re better than San Francisco and Milwaukee, who both have one more win.

[ESPN]
[Fox Sports]

Ever tried to watch college wrestling? Me neither. But if this clip seen on Deadspin were the case every time, I’d have to admit I’d at least watch it once or twice a year. If only someone ran out of the back and cracked the dude who’s celebrating in the back of the head with a chair…. then it’d be, well, the WWE. And I don’t watch that either. I’m not sure where I’m going with this.

I’m trying to put this video in my thread, but it appears I can’t, so just go here to watch.

[Deadspin]

[Who Knew Wrestling Could Be So Violent?]

Nothing quite like a 36 year-old man giving alcohol to 14 year old girls and making them strip on the pole, right?

According to the story, Steven Russo, 36, would have multiple girls — all friends of his son — over in his basement, feed them alcohol, and then encourage them to dance on the strip pole. Just a few interesting highlights:

• The teens allegedly listened to Russo spin tales about his sexual exploits and drank vodka, rum and beer he gave them. They also mingled in the basement while he played music and shouted, “Get on that pole,” according to a criminal complaint filed by Bethlehem Township police at the office of District Judge Joseph Barner.
• One teen mentioned Russo’s house has a room called “the cave” on the second floor where people have sex. One boy claimed he was there that night because another teen planned to have sex and he was “hooking up,” with one of the other girls. The boy said they left after his friend was finished.

Yeah. Pretty sick.

[Deadspin]
[Lehigh Valley News]

Peyton Manning won his third NFL MVP today, tying him with Brett Favre for three overall in his career.

“I know it’s an individual award, but … truly, in my opinion, a team award,” said Manning.

“It’s been the most rewarding regular season that I’ve been a part of in my 11 years, and I have to believe a lot of the other players and even coaches might feel the same way.”

Manning won the award by a landslide, with Chad Pennington of the Dolphins and Michael Turner of the Falcons tying for second place (4 votes per piece).

The MVP was well deserved for Peyton, but now he’s got bigger fish to fry. On Saturday, he faces a Chargers team that eliminated him from the playoffs last year, and a team he has statistically struggled against in the past.

It’s Monday Night Football tonight, then three games on Thanksgiving Day/Evening. Tonight’s game features the Packers, who are tied with everyone else in the NFC North for first place, and the Saints, are behind everyone in the NFC South, but not by much.

If you bet the over — 51.5 — you’re pretty happy right now. It’s 21-14, Saints, and the Packers are about ten yards away from another touchdown…. and we’re not even at halftime.

Enjoy the game tonight. Posts this week will be limited due to Thanksgiving and laziness.

Monday Night Football hasn’t exactly been stellar this year — they really need to move to a flex schedule so we can actually get some good matchups — and tonight, though a little intriguing, probably won’t have every viewer at the edge of their seats.

The game features the Browns at the Bills, Brady Quinn playing against a team that started 5-0 and has fallen apart ever since. I think I picked the Bills at -5.5, but not sure; that should give you some indication of just how unsure I am about this game. If I had to bet something, it’s cold outside and I’d probably take the under at 41. Enjoy the game.

This should be one more storyline that ESPN should eat up this week along with their normal storyline of Eric Mangini vs Bill Belichick. We’ll hear about Spygate. We’ll hear about how the teams hate each other. And now we’ll hear about the Jets maybe having an edge because Ty Law has played against these guys so many times. Or maybe the Patriots have the advantage because they’ve played against Ty Law so many times (practice, you know).

See. I’m already doing it. Anyway, Ty Law is heading to the Jets, and he’s going to be thrown right in the fire. If the guy was smart, he’d've signed a one-year deal with the Pats this week and gotten a chance to play against Brett Favre. Five interceptions later, and the guy would be a sure lock for the Pro Bowl after playing his first game in Week 11.