Remembering Favre

Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre announced his retirement today after a 17-year career in which he won passed for more than 60,000 yards and 400 touchdowns, won a Super Bowl and claimed three league MVP awards.

Favre, 38, set several career records, including most touchdown passes (442), while leading the Packers to the NFC Championship Game this past season.

As former NFC Central foes, Favre and the Bucs had their share of meetings. Have a favorite Favre memory? Share it in the 'comments' area below.

(Pictured: Brett Favre and Warren Sapp share a few words during a 2003 game at Raymond James Stadium. Times photo - Jim Damaske. Click to enlarge.)

Warren Sapp tells Raiders he's retiring

The Associated Press is reporting that former Buc defensive tackle Warren Sapp has announced his retirement:

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Warren Sapp told the Oakland Raiders on Thursday that he was retiring, ending the career of one of the best defensive tackles to play in the NFL.

Sapp told the Contra Costa Times that he phoned Raiders owner Al Davis with the news Thursday. The Raiders had no official comment, but coach Lane Kiffin hinted at Sapp's decision earlier this week.

Sapp, 35, was the quintessential "three technique" tackle during his 13-year career, lining up between the guard and tackle and splitting that gap. Few did it better than Sapp, who made seven Pro Bowls, won the AP Defensive Player of the Year award in 1999, and was a key cog in Tampa Bay's Super Bowl winning defense in the 2002 season.

Click here to read more from the AP.

Pats vs. Colts is highest-rated regular-season game in 20 years

CBS Sports national doubleheader coverage, highlighted by the historic meeting of the undefeated New England Patriots defeating the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, earned the highest-rated Sunday afternoon NFL regular-season game on any network since at least 1987, which is as far back as CBS records go.

The previous highest game was the Dallas-San Francisco game in November of 1996.

The Patriots-Colts ratings went up 52 percent from last year's doubleheader of Denver-Pittsburgh and Cleveland-San Diego
in Week 9.

-- Times Staff

Panthers cut Keyshawn

Keyshawn Johnson was released by the Carolina Panthers Tuesday, leaving one of the NFL's most productive receivers looking for a third team in as many years.

"They said they wanted to get younger,'' Johnson said. "That's fine with me. I'd like to go somewhere and help someone win another Super Bowl.''

Johnson, 34, spent the weekend working for ESPN in New York during their NFL draft coverage and will undoubtedly receive offers to work in broadcasting. But his first choice is to play another season or two.

The move was somewhat surprising since the Panthers paid Johnson a $3-million roster bonus April 1. Carolina drafted Southern Cal receiver Dwayne Jarrett and also have Keary Colbert.

Last season, Johnson caught 70 passes for 815 yards and four touchdowns, two of them against Tampa Bay. 

Johnson even joked that he would consider returning to the Bucs.

"Me and Jon Gruden together again. You never know,'' he said laughing. "Billy Martin and George Steinbrenner did it.''