When the team checked the phone records, the paper said, the records showed "repeated calls to [Vikings] coach Brad Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell."

The Packers filed a tampering charge with the NFL last week.

Though Favre's talking to Bevell, his former quarterbacks coach in Green Bay, may not show much, the paper said discussions with Minnesota's head coach may raise red flags.

Favre retired in early March, but he has been having second thoughts about playing in 2008. He has asked to be released from his contract, a request the team has no plans to grant.

The Packers have asked several teams what they would offer for the former MVP, the NFL Network reported yesterday. They have not limited their inquiries to AFC teams, according to the report.

One NFL executive told NFL.com that the Packers simply may be checking the potential market for Favre before deciding whether it would be worth dealing him.

Favre is under contract to the Packers until after the 2010 season.

Giants. New York agreed to contract terms with first-round choice Kenny Phillips last night. The safety from Miami will earn roughly $11 million over the next five years under terms of the deal, the Associated Press said.

Bears. Six-time Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Urlacher signed a one-year contract extension with Chicago last night on the eve of training camp. The AP said the deal was worth $18 million, including a $6 million signing bonus, a $1 million raise in base salary from 2008 through 2011, and then $8 million in the final year of the deal.

Texans. Houston signed running back Steve Slaton, a third-round pick out of West Virginia who starred at Conwell-Egan High in Bucks County. Terms were not revealed.

Slaton, the third-leading rusher in West Virginia history despite leaving after his junior season, went to the Texans with the 89th pick. He set school records for career rushing touchdowns (50) and single-season rushing yards (1,774 in 2006).

Chargers. Defensive end Luis Castillo agreed to a five-year contract extension through 2014 valued at about $43 million. The deal will pay Castillo a guaranteed $17.5 million in signing and roster bonuses. Castillo will get a signing bonus of $6.15 million and roster bonuses of $4.35 million, $4.75 million and $2.25 million for three seasons.

Patriots. Offensive lineman Nick Kaczur pleaded guilty to speeding in a deal with New York State prosecutors that will put a misdemeanor drug-possession charge on hold. The 28-year-old Kaczur was ordered to pay $355 in fines and fees by Whitestown Town Justice Stanley Wolanin, who said the drug possession charge will be dismissed if he stays out of trouble for the next six months.

Signings. Receiver Mario Urrutia, a seventh-round pick from Louisville, signed a four-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. . . . The Denver Broncos agreed to a deal with cornerback Jack Williams, a fourth-round pick from Kent State. . . . The Tennessee Titans agreed to terms on a multiyear contract with rookie tight end Craig Stevens, a third-round draft pick out of the University of California.