The quarterback's first substantial comments on his latest retirement decision reversal come in an interview with Fox News on "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren."

"OK, you guys have a different path, fine," Favre said, recalling a June 20 conversation with Packers coach Mike McCarthy. "What does that mean for me? So that means either you give me my helmet, welcome back, or release me, or attempt to trade me. We all know that's a possibility, but way-out-there possibility.

"And he says, 'Well, playing here is not an option, but we can't envision you playing with another team, you know, either.' And I thought, so basically, I'm not playing for anyone if I choose to come back."

According to Van Susteren, who spoke to the Associated Press by telephone yesterday afternoon, Favre said he was "never fully committed" to retiring and felt pressured by the Packers to make a decision, a notion Packers general manager Ted Thompson and McCarthy tried to dispel in an interview with the AP on Saturday.

"Ted always wanted Brett back," McCarthy said. "We always wanted Brett back."

The team had no immediate reaction to Favre's interview.

"We currently have nothing to add on this matter," a team spokesman said.

Favre told Fox he understands that the Packers want to move on - but if they're doing so, they should let him go.

"Them moving on does not bother me," Favre said. "It doesn't. I totally understand that. By me retiring March 3, I knew that could possibly happen. All I was saying is, you know, I'm thinking about playing again."

Favre said he has thought about the ramifications of playing for another team, moving to another city, and angering some Packers fans

Van Susteren - who is from Appleton, Wis., is a Packers shareholder and previously had interviewed Favre and his wife, Deanna - said Favre made it clear he would not return to the Packers if he wasn't the starter. And while Favre said the Packers asked him for a list of teams to which he would accept a trade, he wants to be released to make sure he ends up on a competitive club.

Thompson said the team wasn't going to release Favre, but he could come back in a "different role than he was" because the team is committed to going forward with Aaron Rodgers.

"You're telling me playing there is not an option, but playing elsewhere, we just can't - we're trying to protect your legacy," Favre said. "Well, thank you. I appreciate that. But apparently now, they're trying to protect my legacy by bringing me back and having me be a backup. Boy, that is really good."

Noteworthy

Henry's lawyer, Perry Ancona, said Henry planned to apply immediately.

The 25-year-old Henry was accused of punching an 18-year-old University of Cincinnati student in March and of breaking his car window with a beer bottle. An earlier trial ended when a jury could not reach a verdict on the assault charge, and the judge dismissed a misdemeanor charge of criminal damaging.

Yesterday, prosecutors dropped the assault charge after Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Richard Bernat ruled against them on several motions just before the retrial was to begin.

The Bengals cut Henry after his April arrest, his fifth since joining the team in 2005, and he was suspended by the NFL. He has not been signed by any other team. *