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Another Sunday, another Fantasy Notebook. ... And another week with the "Favre Watch" fully "en fuego." So, I suppose we should take a brief moment to review this week's developments.

Despite his own comments suggesting the stories of his return were nothing more than rumors, ESPN insider Chris Mortensen on Friday broke the news that Brett Favre has requested his unconditional release from the Packers.

But the Packers have no intention of releasing him and will instead wait for the veteran signal caller to send an official letter to commissioner Roger Goodell asking to be reinstated from the league's retired/reserve list.

If that happens, Favre will be welcomed back with open arms. ... As long as he's willing to serve as confirmed 2008 starter Aaron Rodgers' backup (or not?).

The team's stance in this regard would at least give them the option of trading Favre and provide at least some control over the situation.

I also think an important aspect of this story, first reported by FOXSports.com insider Jay Glazer (and independently confirmed by Wisconsin State Journal staffer Jason Wilde), has been overlooked.

As Glazer laid it out, in late March during the NFL Owners Meeting, Favre informed the team he wanted to play again. Not only did he insist he was returning, both head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson agreed that he still had something left and they would welcome him back. In fact, team officials went as far as chartering a jet to fly to Mississippi to make it official later that week.

The group was set for this huge move when Favre suddenly phoned the team two days before the meeting was to take place and informed McCarthy that he had changed his mind yet again and was staying retired. While team officials were stunned by Favre's reversal, they made the decision to move on.

And they appear to be ready to take whatever heat comes from their stance. That's where we're at. ...

Now, with that out of the way, the Notebook will once again become a Favre-free zone.

We'll get the ball rolling this week in Buffalo, where Marshawn Lynch is looking to follow up a very productive rookie campaign with an even more productive second season. For those who weren't paying attention, Lynch racked up 1,115 rushing yards and scored a team-leading seven touchdowns last year despite missing three games with a high ankle sprain.

But as BuffaloBills.com staffer Chris Brown pointed out last week, the former first-round pick's most surprising stats were on the receiving end, where he had just 18 receptions.

Lynch's receiving numbers were surprisingly low despite being known as an every down back coming out of Cal, but there was a reason that was the case. Often times Lynch was not on the field in any situation where it was 3rd-and-3 or greater.

First-year offensive coordinator Turk Schonert knows why Lynch wasn't on the field more as a rookie in predecessor Steve Fairchild's offense.

"We held him back and Anthony Thomas handled more of the third down role in the beginning of the season because we didn't want to throw too much at (Lynch)," Schonert explained.

Now a year later, a season wiser and with no cagier veteran back on the roster, Brown expects Lynch to be the true every down back the Bills envisioned him to be when they drafted him 12th overall in 2007.

And Schonert is prepared to make it that way.

"I anticipate him being in on third down a lot more," Schonert said of Lynch. "He's had a year, he understands the protections now and I think this year he'll be an integral part of our third down package."

And that should translate into more receptions, which is just what Lynch was hoping for heading into 2008.

"With the new wrinkles that he has added, speeding up the tempo a little bit it's exciting," Lynch told Brown when asked about Schonert's offensive scheme changes. "Just being able to go out there and catch the defense off guard a few times and probably boost up those stats or something.

"With the things that he's been doing I feel it's going to be a big help for our team."

The good news for Fantasy owners, however, is that Schonert's adjustments will be an even bigger help for Lynch.

Lynch's hunch sounds right provided he's on the receiving end of a lot of those passes. With his 18 catches last year Lynch averaged better than 10 yards per reception (10.2). As Brown noted, that not only ranked third on the team, but would've tied Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew for highest receiving average in the league among running backs had Lynch had enough receptions to qualify.

That should change. ... According to Brown, Lynch caught several passes in the spring workouts and lined up wide on numerous occasions. And Lynch will not be alone in the pass receiving role coming out of the backfield. Fred Jackson figures to have a noticeable role in a passing game that utilizes the talents of the backs and tight ends more.

While I have a hard time getting too excited about Jackson (at least barring an injury Lynch), the offensive adjustments outlined above are certainly worth noting.

From a Fantasy perspective, anything that keeps Lynch on the field is obviously a positive. Of course, the Bills will still emphasize the running game.

In fact, Schonert plans to revert to a two-back offense that uses a fullback (the team often lined up their tight ends in the backfield last season) and he intends to make sure Lynch gets his 20-to-25 carries each game.

All in all, it sounds like the Bills view Lynch as a man to build their offense around -- something you'll want to keep in mind come draft day. ...

Meanwhile, getting back to the tight ends. ... Robert Royal is the incumbent starter, but he hasn't taken a snap since last season as off-season knee surgery forced him to miss the entire spring.

Also in the mix for the starting role is free agent pickup Courtney Anderson. He and second-year man Derek Schouman were both used with the first unit in two tight end sets with Royal rehabbing his knee. At 6-7 and 270 pounds Anderson moves well for his size and was a factor in the passing game this spring.

The competition will hinge largely on Royal's surgically repaired knee. According to Brown, if Royal looks quicker and more agile than last season and can hold his blocks more effectively with two fully healthy legs, he's likely to hold onto his starting job.

But if the knee doesn't hold up the competition is wide open, and Schouman and Anderson will be ready to swoop in to replace him. ...

In Denver. ... As reported in a previous Notebook, Selvin Young has already predicted he can get 2,000 yards this season, a lofty goal for a player with 729 yards in his NFL career. While he still has to lock up the starting tailback spot, Young clearly feels it is his to lose.

"In my mind, I feel that way," Young said. "Whenever it's etched in stone, I hope I'm going to be the guy that's going to be leading."

And assuming he can avoid injury -- major or minor -- throughout the summer, I absolutely expect Young, who took every snap as the No. 1 tailback in off-season mini-camps, to handle a vast majority of the rushing chores this fall.

Remember, Young bulked up to 211 pounds this offseason.

And while the Sports Xchange recently suggested that still isn't very big for a workhorse back, it strikes me that Mike Shanahan, who clearly wasn't on board with the notion of relying on Young in the featured role earlier this year, had to have a change of heart.

At the very least, his decision to release Travis Henry is an indication the coach is coming around. But Young will continue to do what he can to sell Shanahan on his ability to hold up over the long haul.

"It's my job to show the coaches I can be productive in that sense, and it's up to me to stay healthy and do the things off the field and in the weight room to combat his ideas," Young said.

Young said his build doesn't affect how he plays, and he did average 5.2 yards per carry as a rookie last year. Staying healthy over a full season is what Young needs to prove he can do. Young only missed one game last year, but got only 140 carries.

"If I can stay healthy through the season, how much I weigh wouldn't matter or affect me one bit on the football field," Young said. ...

And he's right.

Do the names Barry Sanders (203 pounds), Priest Holmes (213 pounds) and Marcus Allen (210 pounds) ring a bell?

How about the late Walter Payton? Sweetness tipped the scales right at 200 pounds.

That's not to say Young belongs on that list of talented and productive superstars. But it's safe to say his playing weight doesn't have to be a limiting factor. ...

Meanwhile, the Broncos do have other options on the roster at tailback to share the load, with Michael Pittman, Andre Hall and Ryan Torain below Young on the depth chart.

And as ESPN.com's Bill Williamson reminded readers this past week, since Shanahan took over as Denver's head coach in 1995, several running backs have come out of nowhere to star in the Broncos' zone-blocking running system.

Perhaps none better than Terrell Davis (who by the way, was listed at 206 pounds during his Broncos career). The list also includes Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson, Clinton Portis, Reuben Droughns, Tatum Bell and Mike Bell.

So what if Young comes up short?

According to Williamson, even though he was drafted in the fifth round, Torain has a legitimate chance to make an impact this season. He is a prototypical Broncos running back. He hits the hole quickly and he's a downhill runner. He fits in Denver's zone-blocking scheme.

And even though he is currently fourth on the depth chart, Torain shouldn't enter training camp feeling buried. As Williamson put it: "No running back in Denver should ever feel that way. ..."

Also in Denver. ... As the list of problems continues to pile up for Brandon Marshall, Shanahan gave his support to his third-year star receiver and didn't give any indication he would suspend him as Shanahan prepared to play in a celebrity golf tournament.

"I can't go into great detail, for obvious reasons, but Brandon has a good upside and he's a real good kid," said Shanahan on Thursday. "I feel very good where Brandon's at. I think he'll be fine."

As Denver Post staffer Steve Yingling reminded readers, Marshall's rap sheet includes arrests for domestic violence, DUI and most recently being cited in Denver for a handful of minor traffic violations.

Shanahan believes Marshall's biggest problem has been with a female companion. "He's had problems with one person over and over again, and hopefully he's smart enough to stay away from her," Shanahan said. ...

Meanwhile, Marshall could be suspended under the NFL's personal conduct policy because of his multiple arrests. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello has confirmed the NFL is investigating Marshall but told the Post on Thursday that no decision has been made.

Look for the league to reserve judgment until after Marshall's September DUI trial. ...

And one final Broncos-related note. ... The Broncos were not aware the NFL had ruled Henry again tested positive for marijuana prior to the team releasing the running back on June 2, two NFL sources said.

A source close to Henry confirmed the league said he tested positive for marijuana in May.

This is the second time Henry is facing a possible one-year suspension from the NFL. On December 4, 2007, the 29-year-old Henry successfully appealed a previous positive marijuana test results.

Henry can also appeal his latest positive and has five days after receiving an official notice of violation to make that determination. If his appeal is denied, the one-year-long suspension would be effective immediately.

My guess is the troubled tailback won't catch many breaks this time. ...

In Pittsburgh. ... Ben Roethlisberger is coming off a breakout season, one in which he made the Pro Bowl and shattered a Steelers single-season record with 32 touchdown passes.

And as Pittsburgh Tribune-Review staffer Scott Brown noted, Roethlisberger didn't just crack the ranks of elite quarterbacks last season. He also established himself the unquestioned leader of the offense in his fourth year as the Steelers' starting quarterback.

"I think it's been a gradual process, but you could kind of see it coming along last year," tight end Heath Miller said. "He knew that this was his offense, and he knew that everyone in the huddle was looking into his eyes because they knew he was our leader."

Roethlisberger, 26, admittedly has had to grow into that role -- he took over a veteran-laden offense when an injury thrust him into the starting lineup as a rookie in 2004 -- and he said he plans to be even more vocal this season since he is more comfortable with Arians' offense.

"Because it was a new offense (last season) it's kind of hard to be too vocal as a leader when you're not sure what's going on all the time on offense," Roethlisberger said. "This year I think I'll be able to develop even more and hopefully just be able to continue to grow into my leadership role."

Leadership aside, why should Fantasy owners expect continued progress from Big Ben, who finished second only to Tom Brady in passer rating (104.1) and also befuddled opponents with his ability to escape the pass rush?

Roethlisberger said there is plenty.

"I'm never going to be satisfied with where I'm at," Roethlisberger said. "I'm always going to try and get better, whether it's reading defenses better, knowing what's going on, on offense. There's a lot of little things I'd like to do to get better."

If you ask me, the fact that Roethlisberger enters 2008 with a better command of the offense Bruce Arians installed last year is a great reason for optimism. So is the addition of new weapons, including rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall and wide receiver Limas Sweed, who fills Roethlisberger's pre-draft request for a bigger receiving target.

"I think we've got a lot of pieces," Roethlisberger said, "and we're a year better. ..."

I couldn't agree more. And based on his current ADP of 8, there are plenty of Fantasy owners out there who believe in Roethlisberger, too. ...

Also in Pittsburgh. ... Early reports indicate former Vikings halfback Mewelde Moore could emerge as a free-agent steal with at least one observer drawing comparisons to Patriots pass-catching back Kevin Faulk.

In fact, Pro Football Weekly believes that Moore, who signed a three-year contract reportedly worth up to $4.95 million in March, has a chance to be Pittsburgh's most formidable receiving threat out of the backfield in recent memory.

The Steelers haven't had a back catch 40 passes since Amos Zereoue caught that many in 2003, and you have to go back to 1994 to find a Pittsburgh back with 50 catches or more (fullback John L. Williams, who caught a team-high 51 passes).

Moore is unlikely to be in the mix for the team lead in receptions, but he could be more of an offensive threat than may have been expected.

In a related note. ... Pittsburgh Post-Gazette staffer Gerry Dulac reports the Steelers released Najeh Davenport, their top backup to Willie Parker the past two seasons, to make room for their two newest running backs.

But it wasn't just Mendenhall and Moore.

The Steelers didn't want to part with Gary Russell, a second-year free agent whom the coaches think can develop into a top-notch NFL running back. The 5-11, 215-pound Russell spent most of last season on the practice squad. ...

And finally in Pittsburgh. ... PFW reports that second-year tight end Matt Spaeth has impressed in off-season workouts. Spaeth is likely to get considerable playing time in the team's two-TE sets. ...

In Cleveland. ... General manager Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel have made it clear Derek Anderson is the starting quarterback as opposed to last year when the job was a duel between Anderson and Charlie Frye -- a duel Frye was winning until the middle of the second quarter of the first game.

Still, Brady Quinn, without rocking the boat, is not approaching training camp like a guy resigned to being second string. He says he is looking forward to competing with Anderson.

"That has to be my mindset going in regardless what people may say because if I'm not preparing that way I'm doing our team an injustice," Quinn said. "If he was to go down on the first play of the season, I have to be ready to take the reins and go from there."

According to the Xchange, Quinn threw the football much better in mini-camp than he did a year ago.

The Xchange further explained the entire offense looked better because it has been in the same scheme for more than a year, but Quinn particularly looks improved.

Anderson also threw the ball well. He looked more at ease than he did last spring. There is more structure to practice with him working as the starter and Quinn as the backup.

With the order set, Anderson will get the majority of practice time in training camp. And according to ESPN.com's James Walker, Anderson is doing everything he can to improve the weakest part of his game.

The lanky signal caller, coming off a Pro Bowl season in 2007, is currently working out at a SPARQ (speed, power, agility, reaction, quickness) training facility in Oregon that focuses on improving his mobility. He also watches a lot of game film.

As the Browns' high-powered offense continues to evolve, second-year offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski is installing more rollouts and screens into the playbook this season to give opponents different looks. According to Walker, that will require Anderson, a traditional pocket passer, to be fleeter of foot to execute the additional plays.

Walker also believes Anderson has to work on his touch on short throws. ...

All that said, I'm convinced the Browns' impressive, young and still-improving supporting cast -- working under the guidance of the innovative and fearless (in terms of play calling) Chudzinski -- will keep Anderson's totals more than high enough to continue pleasing Fantasy owners. ...

Meanwhile, SI.com's Bucky Brooks believes the potential long-term absence of receiver Joe Jurevicius due to another knee surgery could severely hamper the Browns' offensive production this season. Though Jurevicius was only counted on to fill a role as the team's third receiver, his value to the Browns should not be underestimated.

"He is a tough guy," an unnamed AFC scout told Brooks. "He is a consistent player who does so many things that go unnoticed for them. Not only is he a valuable receiver, he is a leader and a good blocker. Don't underestimate the loss of him in the running game. He is one of the few guys willing to go inside and dig out linebackers and safeties.

"His loss would impact Jamal Lewis' production."

Brooks went on to remind readers that even though Jurevicius put up modest numbers (50 receptions for 614 yards and three scores) as a starter last year, his penchant for producing clutch plays on third down gave Anderson a security blanket in pressure situations.

Without that steady presence in the lineup, the pressure falls squarely on the shoulders of No. 2 receiver Donte Stallworth to produce when defenses take away Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow in the passing game. Although Stallworth brings an added dimension to the team as a deep threat, he lacks the skills to fill Jurevicius' void completely.

"Stallworth is a solid player, but he is not as consistent as Jurevicius," the scout told Brooks. "They will miss Jurevicius' reliability."

Brooks went on to point out that at the No. 3 spot, one of the Browns' unproven young receivers (Travis Wilson, Syndric Steptoe, Joshua Cribbs or Kevin Kasper) will be counted on to take Jurevicius' place in the lineup. The team also might utilize more double tight end sets with rookie Martin Rucker pairing with Winslow. ...

In Seattle. ... Even though the coaches continue to talk as if Deion Branch will be good to go in Week 1, PFW continues to hear that he still has a long way to go in his recovery from reconstructive knee surgery and remains a strong candidate to be placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list, which would put him on the shelf for the first six weeks of the regular season.

More likely than not, look for Seattle's starting receivers in Week 1 to be Bobby Engram at flanker and Nate Burleson at split end.

PFW added that Burleson was the offense's most consistent performer in the team's OTAs.

I'll also remind you there's a chance Engram will skip the start of camp as well.

As Seattle Post-Intelligencer beat writer Clare Farnsworth reminded readers, Engram, 35, is in the final year of a two-year contract that he believes is no longer applicable. He is scheduled to make $1.5 million in 2008 after setting a franchise record with 94 receptions last season.

"I think that everyone is in agreement that I've outplayed that deal," said Engram, whose current contract is scheduled to pay him about half of what Branch and Burleson will make.

Meanwhile, without Branch and Engram the Seahawks spent offseason mini-camps working in a young set of wide receivers to go along with Burleson. Ben Obomanu (12 receptions) and Courtney Taylor (five receptions) are the only other wide receivers with any NFL experience, while former practice squad members Logan Payne and Jordan Kent also vie for playing time.

"They're very different," offensive coordinator Gil Haskell told Farnsworth after a June mini-camp practice. "What Jordan gives you, he's a tall, fast man. Logan, he's a tough (guy) who can catch the ball. Courtney Taylor might be the most skilled of them all. And Ben does it right every time."

While the Seahawks fully expect Engram back for the regular season, the situation is unsettled heading into training camp. That means Obomanu could enter camp as the second starter while Taylor and Payne are the likely candidates to fill in at No. 3.

The Seahawks already have plenty of other questions on offense.

The running game is in a state of flux, with Julius Jones looking like the likely replacement for Shaun Alexander. Maurice Morris and T.J. Duckett should also see time at halfback with Leonard Weaver apparently in the lead for snaps at fullback.

The tight end position is also unsettled, with rookie John Carlson trying to win the starting spot ahead of veteran journeymen Will Heller and Jeb Putzier.

According to Farnsworth, Carlson showed some flashes in mini-camp practices, but Heller and Putzier were more impressive.

PFW, however, points out that Carlson's relative inactivity was due to a nagging hamstring injury and, to a lesser extent, a team policy in early OTAs that automatically puts rookies behind veterans when it comes to playing time.

PFW went on to suggest that Carlson is likely to quickly bypass Heller and Putzier on the depth chart when training camp begins and his hamstring is fully healed. But that's not to say Heller and Putzier won't be factors in the tight-end equation.

Putzier, in particular, could be an intriguing secret weapon for Seattle's offense not too far down the road. ...

In Philadelphia. ... PFW reminded readers last week that nearly a third of the Eagles' pass completions were to running backs last season, and that number could actually go up with the addition of Lorenzo Booker. And the tight ends are sure to play a bigger role with L.J. Smith expected to be healthy and providing more of an impact on the passing offense.

So where does that leave the wideouts?

Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown are expected to remain the starters and rookie DeSean Jackson is guaranteed a roster spot, likely as a returner and slot receiver.

But those who follow the team closely tell PFW the Eagles have plans for their three other veteran receivers -- Jason Avant, Hank Baskett and Greg Lewis.

Avant won the No. 3 job last season but was bothered by a hernia season-long and never took the step forward the coaches had expected, but he's a player they remain high on.

Baskett has flashed big-play potential and has the size to play every WR spot and Lewis finds a way to keep hanging on.

It's possible that the coaches opt to keep six wideouts, figuring that Jackson's and Baskett's special-teams value (Baskett is one of the team's best coverage guys) would allow them to do so.

Still, if the Eagles make good on threats to use Booker and Brian Westbrook in the same backfield together might cut into the other receivers' time. ...

For what it's worth. ... Jackson has made a positive impression on the coaches so far, despite a few shaky minicamp practices. Rookie wideouts don't often make big impacts in Andy Reid's offense but Jackson might carve out a role where he gets the ball a couple of times per game on offense in creative ways. ...

In a related note. ... Donovan McNabb, who missed several days of off-season workouts due to tendinitis in his shoulder now believes that he is fully recovered from the condition.

Sal Paolantonio of ESPN recently made the disclosure on ESPN Radio in Philly.

According to Profootballtalk.com, Paolantonio told listeners the expected rehab of two-to-three weeks took only three days. Paolantonio added that McNabb, who is currently working out with teammates in Arizona, is telling friends that his shoulder is 100 percent, and that he's out to prove that he is healthy. ...

In St. Louis. ... PFW reports that Drew Bennett genuinely believes new offensive coordinator Al Saunders will bring out the best in him this season as the team's projected No. 2 receiver, replacing Isaac Bruce.

It should help that Bennett has received a completely clean bill of health after being limited by thigh and hamstring injuries the first half of last season.

But what if Bennett comes up short?

We could see more of the team's two rookie wideouts.

Although second-rounder Donnie Avery, who was the highest-selected receiver in the 2008 draft, has received more attention from the media, more than a few observers believe fourth-round pick Keenan Burton could end up making just as big an impact as Avery, if not bigger.

According to PFW, both Avery and Burton showed a lot of energy in the Rams' OTAs and offered a collective breath of fresh air as well as a lot more speed than the departed Bruce. ...

And finally this week, in Cincinnati. ... Despite making about $2.5 million (about $1 million to sign plus an average of just over $500,000 a year) since 2005 as a member of the Bengals, Chris Henry is so broke he wants taxpayers to pay for a record of his trial.

Henry was arrested after a March 31 incident and charged with criminal damaging and assault. A mistrial was declared last week when jurors couldn't come to a unanimous verdict. Prosecutors said Tuesday they would retry Henry and the trial was set for Monday.

"He's broke," said Perry Ancona, the former wide receiver's attorney said Tuesday. "He doesn't have any money to pay for a transcript."

Ancona said Henry, who has been suspended by the NFL, is destitute.

"He has no funds whatsoever and can't even meet his current obligations," Ancona told the judge.

Henry's $360,000 Kentucky house was auctioned in May when he failed to pay the mortgage. Henry's SUV was repossessed last month.

Wow. Shocking. Who could have guessed that Henry wouldn't be a sharp enough operator to set a little something aside for a rainy day?

I'll go ahead and remind you that Henry's chances of rejoining the ranks of America's wealthy depend greatly on the outcome of this week's retrial. The arrest in this case -- his fifth in three years -- led to his immediate release from the Bengals and garnered the indefinite NFL suspension.

If Henry is found not guilty, the suspension likely will be lifted and he will be allowed to seek employment with another team in 2008. ...

That's it for this week's Notebook. I'll check in again next Sunday. ... In the meantime, keep an eye on the News & Views section of this site for late-breaking news and other tidbits of interest. Watch the Headline News section for more in-depth reviews of current events -- including the Fantasy Notebook.