Fast Break

NFL

Favre leaning toward return

In a story posted on the Web site of the Biloxi (Miss.) Sun Herald on Thursday, Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre said he isn’t approaching Saturday’s playoff game against Seattle like it will be his final game in Green Bay. He seemed more optimistic than in years past about returning.

“For the first time in three years, I haven’t thought this could be my last game,” Favre told the newspaper. “I would like to continue longer.”

“I’m trying not to laugh, but I have not been part of any conversation with Brett on that topic,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “And I think we need to just move on and focus on Seattle, because that’s what we are focused on. I’m sure that’s what he’s focused on.”

Baseball

Phelps signs with Cardinals

First baseman Josh Phelps and the Cardinals agreed to a minor league contract, adding depth to St. Louis’ bench.

The 29-year-old Phelps, a Lakeland High School graduate, has played seven seasons with Toronto, Cleveland, Tampa Bay, the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh. He has 64 home runs, 243 RBIs and a .273 batting average.

Phelps’ best seasons were in Toronto, where he began his career in 2000. He batted .309 in part-time duty with the Blue Jays in 2002 and hit 20 home runs in 2003.

Arenafootball2

Shock add DB, lineman to roster

Defensive back Tremaine Tyler and offensive lineman Marcel Burrough have been added to the 2008 Spokane Shock roster.

Tyler, 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, played at the University of South Carolina. Burrough, 6-6, 335, played collegiately at San Jose State University.

The Shock released receiver Kyle Whitehurst and now have 30 players on the roster. The team will bring in 35 for training camp, which starts in March.