First off, I hate addressing rumors, but when they involve a name like Brett Favre you're almost forced to do so.

   But before you get excited about the gunslinger from Green Bay joining the Panthers as rumored on Pro Football Talk, just realize that isn't going to happen.

   Even if Favre is interested in Carolina, the Panthers aren't necessarily interested in him. The Panthers have their starting quarterback in Jake Delhomme and they're committed to developing their other two young signal callers Matt Moore and Brett Basanez. It's really as simple as that. So while Favre might be an intriguing one-year option (if the Packers were even willing to part with him), his addition could really set the organization back a few years since it would slow the development of they younger guys, particularly Moore.

   Bottom line: Delhomme is your starter this year, Moore is your No. 2 guy and Basanez is No. 3.

   Even though Marty Hurney and John Fox are in a win-now situation this year, I still think the Panthers are much better off with Delhomme anyway than Favre. Delhomme, who has had just one losing season with the Panthers in terms if his own W-L record, already knows the system inside and out while Favre would have already missed two minicamps and need to learn a completely new system in about a month. I'm not saying it can't be done, but it would be very difficult. And Delhomme, in case you somehow haven't heard, has been looking great in his rehab from elbow surgery.

   Even if Favre returns to the NFL (and I think he might), I don't think the Packers will trade or release him. I think he will play for Green Bay. What his role there will be, who knows?