Brett Favre, perhaps the most celebrated player in Packers history, is no longer a Packer after the team traded him to the Jets late Wednesday.

Now that the controversy is over, who was more at fault — Favre for undoing his plan to retire, or the Packers, if you believe they pressured him to retire in the first place? I saw one bit of news that apparently the Packers didn’t think Favre could lead them to the Super Bowl (as if Aaron Rogers can) after he stunk in last year’s NFC championship. Perhaps the whole mess was as much about GM Ted Thompson’s ego as Favre’s.

There is now even more pressure on Rodgers to fill Favre’s shoes. There is pressure on the Packers, whose management were content to let Favre go but will face criticism all season if the team struggles. There is pressure on Favre to show he can win with another team. This whole mess might turn out badly for everyone involved.

The biggest fantasy question for the Chiefs is whether Larry Johnson can return to his form of 2005 and 2006. A big season from Johnson might take pressure off the passing game — or be an indication the passing game is ineffective, even with Tony Gonzalez and Dwayne Bowe catching balls.

QUARTERBACK: Brodie Croyle enters the season as the Chiefs’ starter of Damon Huard. Croyle only needs to be competent enough so Johnson doesn’t wear down over the course of the season. In fantasy terms, that’s a low expectation, meaning Croyle is nothing more than a QB3.

RUNNING BACKS: The combined quagmire of holdout and injury limited Johnson to eight games, 158 carries, 559 yards and 3 touchdowns. But he did have his moments in 2007, as well as catching 30 passes. Provided he’s fresh, Johnson could uncork another impressive season, but given the more recent history, don’t take a chance on him higher than a low-end RB1. Backup Kolby Smith is almost mandatory insurance for Johnson owners and a sleeper RB5 otherwise.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Dwayne Bowe delivered an impressive rookie season with 70 receptions, 995 yards and 5 touchdowns. He should equal or better those numbers in 2008 and is a solid WR3, maybe even a WR2, on draft day. After Bowe, however, it’s slim pickings, with Devard Darling barely a WR5.

TIGHT ENDS: Tony Gonzalez may not be the absolute best fantasy tight end in the league anymore, but he still is putting up impressive numbers. Expect another year of the upper echelon of fantasy TEs, with around 1,000 yards receiving and 5-7 TDs.

KICKER: It’s Billy Cundiff or Nick Novak as the Chiefs’ kicker in 2008. Whenver a mediocre offense features a kicking battle between two mediocre kickers, avoid whoever wins on draft day.

The fantasy talent in the AFC West thins out quickly after San Diego. The Broncos once were a reliable source of an RB1, but their biggest question — again — will be who will emerge as their featured back.

QUARTERBACK: Jay Cutler was on his own as his first full season as an NFL starter, and he put up respectable numbers with 3,497 yards and 20 touchdowns to only 14 interceptions. Expect some improvement this season — not enough to vault him into the upper echelon of fantasy quarterbacks, but enough to be a low-end QB1.

RUNNING BACKS: With Travis Henry and more failed drug tests now history, the Broncos likely are returning to the running back by committee that has frustrated fantasy owners since Terrell Davis retired. But Denver’s RBBCs can yield unusual results: Remember Mike Anderson’s TD surge of a few seasons ago? Selvyn Young is penciled in as the starter, with Michael Pittman, Andre Hall and rookie Ryan Torain backing him up. Keep an eye on the situation over the next month to see if Young keeps hold of the starting position or if a teammate, possibly Torain, passes him by Week 1. Whover emerges as the starter can be considered an RB3, with his primary backup coming in as an RB4 or RB5.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Brandon Marshall exploded for 102 receptions for 1,325 yards and 7 touchdowns last year, numbers he won’t repeat simply because he’ll be suspended for the first three games of the season. That suspension drops him to from a sleeper WR1 to a WR2, but barring another off-the-field incident, he will produce in 2008. Keary Colbert, Brandon Stokley and Darrell Jackson compose the rest of Denver’s WR threats, but none is more than a WR5 or even draftworthy, though don’t be shocked if Jackson rejuvenates his career and delivers WR4 numbers. That’s a big if, however.

TIGHT ENDS: Tony Scheffler put up nice numbers despite missing five games last season, but don’t risk him as a TE1 just yet. Daniel Graham still figures in the mix but at best is a TE3.

KICKER: Jason Elam left for Atlanta, and Matt Prater appears to be taking over for the Broncos. Don’t even think he can replace the departed veteran (especially at Invesco) — Prater is barely a fantasy backup on draft day.

After the Patriots and Colts, the Chargers might be the most loaded fantasy team in the NFL. They have the top running back and top tight end. And if Philip Rivers lives up to his potential, San Diego will be putting up plenty of points all season.

QUARTERBACK: Rivers put up numbers in 2007 similar to his numbers in his breakout 2006 season. Similar, but no better, relegating him to a low-end QB1 or a strong QB2. He’s not the worst fantasy starter, but don’t be shocked if his numbers are similar again in 2008. I think he’ll improve and is worthy of QB1, particularly if like to wait several rounds before taking a quarterback.

RUNNING BACKS: How potent of a fantasy player is LaDainian Tomlinson? He had a “down” year yet is still the top player on this year’s draft board. He may not score 28 TDs in a season ever again, but 20 isn’t that farfetched. Add impressive rushing totals, above-average receiving stats and his penchant to throw a TD occassionally, and he’s still the No. 1 player on draft day. However, Michael Turner , now a Falcon, isn’t available to back him up. Darren Sproles isn’t as worthy as a handcuff, though still decent insurance if you have LT (but not as a stand-alone RB5). Don’t be surprised if rookie Jacob Hester enters the backup mix, but he’s not worth a pick on draft day.

WIDE RECEIVERS: The addition of Chris Chambers took some of the pressure off Vincent Jackson last year, but neither enter 2008 as more than a WR3. One or both might put up WR2 stats if Rivers takes off, but that’s a big if on draft day.

TIGHT ENDS: Antonio Gates had surgery in the offseason to repair a dislocated big toe. He’s expected to be ready by Week 1, but some outlooks drop him on the TE board behind Jason Witten and/or Kellen Winslow. Don’t believe the negative hype — Gates is still the best fantasy tight end in the league, and provided he stays healthy, will enjoy another successful season.

KICKER: Nate Kaeding’s points were down a little from 2006 (118 from 136), but he’s still was an accurate field-goal kicker, converting 88.9 percent of his attempts. He’ll stay accurate, will score 120-130 points, and is one of the top five fantasy kickers in the league.

The Titans were an odd bunch in 2007 — a playoff team with barely any fantasy starters. Not many will start for fantasy owners at the beginning of 2008, either.

QUARTERBACK: Vince Young vaulted to a QB1 after his impressive rookie season, but he sank to lower numbers in passing touchdowns, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, as well as throwing more interceptions. Though his running skills far surpass the average NFL quarterback, he’s not the second coming of Michael Vick. Young will become a better passer, but not enough to be taken as a QB1 on draft day. Maybe Young is headed down the Troy Aikman highway — a impressive NFL quarterback who displays leadership but just doesn’t display the fantasy stats to match.

RUNNING BACKS: LenDale White emerged from the Titans’ running back committee to finish with 1,110 yards and seven touchdowns. I’m not convinced he can repeat that, but he’s still a strong RB3, maybe even a lower-tier RB2 if he can put up similar numbers. Backing White up are Chris Henry and rookie Chris Johnson. Both have speed but are too unproven to risk as anything more than an RB5, if that.

WIDE RECEIVERS: The Titans don’t have much fantasy talent here, with Justin Gage and Roydell Williams pegged as starters and Justin McCareins also in tow. Gage caught 55 passes for 750 yards and 2 touchdowns last season; Williams also caught 55 passes, for 719 yards and 4 TDs — but neither is more than a WR4. Williams is currently sidelined while recovering from a broken ankle, giving McCareins an opportunity — he might be worth a shot as a WR5 on draft day.

TIGHT END: Alge Crumpler escaped Atlanta and becomes perhaps Tennessee’s most reliable receiving option. He’s being tabbed as a middle-tier TE1 sleeper in some rankings, but resist taking him too soon as your TE1. With Crumpler’s arrival, Bo Scaife drops to a lower-end TE2 or a TE3.

KICKER: Rob Bironas uncorked a dream fantasy season, scoring 133 points and converting 35 of 39 field goals. You would think the Titans would get into the end zone more, meaning we won’t see as many FGs, but Bironas remains a fantasy starter just behind that top tier of kickers.

A year ago, there was uncertainty at quarterback before the Jaguars named David Garrard as starter. This year, the only uncertainty is how much of a fantasy force Garrard could become.

QUARTERBACK: Garrard missed four games last year, so his final numbers of 2,509 yards and 18 touchdowns don’t seem so impressive. But that 102.2 passer rating can’t be overlooked, even if it’s not a fantasy statistic. True, Garrard likely will throw a few more interceptions than the amazinly three he tossed last year, but I think 3,500 yards and 22 TDs are realistic projections. But is he a starting fantasy QB? If you are the type of owner that waits rounds to draft a QB1, you could do much worse than Garrard as your starter. But the Jags are still a run-first team, relegating Garrard to a strong QB2.

RUNNING BACKS: The running back by committee rambled on in 2007, with Maurice Jones-Drew rushing for 768 yards and 9 touchdowns, and Fred Taylor defying logic to finish with 1,202 yards and 5 TDs. Expect the RBBC to continue, with Jones-Drew improving his yardage numbers a little. He’s an RB2, with Taylor an RB3 with maybe a TD or two less.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Any hopes of Reggie Williams repeating his 10-touchdown season of 2007 might have been derailed when he reinjured his knee this week. Surgery is scheduled, but there is no timetable for his return yet. For now, be wary of drafting him as one of your starting receivers. That injury bumps the value of Jerry Porter, Troy Williamson, Dennis Northcutt and Matt Jones. Maybe Porter will emerge in Williams’ place and might be worth a chance as a WR3. As for Williamson, Northcutt and Jones, select none higher than a WR5.

TIGHT ENDS: Marcedes Lewis might be a sleeper tight end for 2008, but he’s still no more than a TE2 on draft day.

KICKER: Josh Scobee only played half a season but still scored 62 points and made 12 of 13 field goals. In a full season, he’s a reliable starting fantasy kicker.

The Texans improved to 8-8 last season, suggesting maybe it was all David Carr’s fault. Houston features two quality quarterbacks, no strong fantasy RBs and a budding star in Andre Johnson.

QUARTERBACKS: Matt Schaub amassed solid numbers in 10 games, though only 9 touchdowns, before his season ended to injury. Sage Rosenfels stepped in and tossed 15 TDs. The Texans are going with Schaub, who is a strong QB2 with QB1 potential, particularly with a healthy Andrew Johnson. If your league allows a third quarterback, Rosenfels is a solid handcuff for Schaub as well as a sleeper if he’s pressed back into service.

RUNNING BACKS: The running game should improve, but with whom: The oft-injured Ahman Green, the newly acquired Chris Brown or rookie Steve Slaton. Whoever emerges as the featured back should be considered an RB3. The backup becomes an RB5, with the third candidate, likely Slaton, someone to keep an eye on once the season begins.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Johnson will benefit from a full season, both from him and Schaub, and is a good risk as a low-end WR1 for 2008. The Texans’ other receivers should also excel again, with Kevin Walter a decent WR4 (amybe even a sleeper WR3) and Andre Davis a solid WR5.

TIGHT ENDS: Owen Daniels is oh so close to being a TE1, with 63 receptions for 768 yards, but he only scored three touchdowns last year. He might find the end zone more often in 2008, branding him a sleeper TE1, but otherwise count on him as a top TE2.

KICKER: Kris Brown uncorked starting kicker numbers, scoring 115 points and converting 86.2 percent of his field-goal attempts, including all five 50-yarders he tried. He will be a lower-end K1 again.

Vacation is over: Not just mine, but the breaks of NFL players who are back in training camps. I’m going to finish up the team-by-team previews, moving to the AFC South today, then post another set of fantasy rankings of the preseason ramps up. Just 35 days until the season opens!

The Colts feature sure fantasy bets, with only Marvin Harrison’s uncertainty clouding their roster.

QUARTERBACK: With Tom Brady’s astounding season in 2007, Peyton Manning is no longer the top fantasy QB, but he’s still as sure a choice as any quarterback in the league over the past years. He’s the next QB pick after Brady — likely in the second round — and expect another year of at least 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns.

RUNNING BACKS: Is Joseph Addai the next RB on the board after LaDainian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson? Some sources think so, though I think he’s closer to about No. 5 but still a clear RB1. After a blazing start in 2007, he slowed down to finish with 1,072 and an impressive 12 touchdowns, along with 41 receptions and 3 TD catches. Expect similar TD and reception numbers and a bump in rushing yards. Kenton Keith delivered more-than-adequate numbers as Addai’s backup, enough to consider him as a sleeper RB4, but will the return of Dominic Rhodes cut into Keith’s field time? Consider both as RB5s.

WIDE RECEIVERS: It’s been a rough 12 months for Harrison, and his days as a major fantasy force might be over. If he somehow overcomes his knee problems and off-field issues, he might be worthy as a WR3 on draft day. But it’s too big a risk, particularly if you are not confident of your top two receivers. Take Harrison as a WR4 or WR5, and be ready to release him if his season goes south. Oh, there is this other receiver in Indy, Reggie Wayne, who caught 104 passes for 1,510 yards and 10 TDs last year. He’s a WR1 again, perhaps the next receiver taken after Randy Moss and Terrell Owens. With Harrison’s demise, Anthony Gonzalez becomes a vogue sleeper pick, maybe as a WR3. Don’t over-reach, but don’t be surprised if he finishes with about 50 receptions and 5-7 TDs.

TIGHT ENDS: Dallas Clark picked up the receiving-touchdown slack from Harrison, scoring 11 times, with 58 receptions and 616 yards. He might not put up those TD numbers again, but he is still a solid TE1 from whom you can expect similar receptions and yards.

KICKER: With the Indy offense, a dome and a warm-weather division, 35-year-old Adam Viniatieri remains a starting, top-five kicker.

Take away the Jets’ two productive receivers, and New York might rival Miami in terms of fantasy wasteland. Will a revamped offensive line help?

QUARTERBACKS: Kellen Clemens or Chad Pennington? No matter who starts, neither is better than a QB3.

RUNNING BACKS: Thomas Jones might have wished he stayed in Chicago after rushing for a respectable 1,119 yards but only one TD. The Jets have upgraded their offensive line, so Jones’ numbers might improve, but even if, he’s a stretch at RB2, but a good option for your RB3. If Jones busts, Leon Washington waits, though his numbers were down in 2007. He’s no more than an RB4, likely better as an RB5.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Jerricho Cotchery put up great reception and yard stats but low TD numbers. Laveranues Coles scored six TDs but missed four games and delivered only half the yards as his teammate. Put them together and you’d have a great WR1. Separately, they are good WR3 options, with maybe Coles achieving WR2 numbers as the season progresses.

TIGHT ENDS: Chris Baker amassed OK TE2 stats last year — 41 receptions, 409 yards and 3 TDs — but don’t expect much improvement for 2008, meaning Baker remains a low-end TE2.

KICKER: Mike Nugent scored 110 points in 2007, not bad for kicking with an anemic offense. He was moderately accurate, making 80.6 percent of his field goals. On a different team, Nugent might be a starting fantasy kicker, but he’s better as a backup while with the Jets.

The Bills defintely sport fantasy potential, but also sport the potential to frustrate. And if he stays a safe driver off the field, Marshawn Lynch might turn into a fantasy star.

QUARTERBACKS: Trent Edwards seems to have cemented the starter role over J.P. Losman, but that unlikely will translate into big fantasy numbers, at least initially. He’s a low-end QB2 or a QB3, but keep an eye on him if the Buffalo offense suddenly explodes.

RUNNING BACKS: Lynch’s rookie season was overshadowed by Adrian Peterson’s rookie season in Minnesota. All Lynch did was rush for 1,115 yards and seven touchdowns despite missing three games. Expect his numbers, especially his TD totals to jump. He’s an RB1 candidate who might be ready for more greatness. Fred Jackson gained 300 yards and averaged 5.2 yards a carry in Lynch’s absence last season, and is a sleeper handcuff to Lynch.

WIDE RECEIVERS: The story of Lee Evans’ fantasy career: A big game one week, misery the next. There was more of the misery than the big games last year, with a career-low five touchdowns. He’s talented enough not to pass up as a WR2 and hope for the best. Josh Reed caught 51 passes for 578 yards, but no touchdowns — he’ll likely score at least one this year, but he’s no more than a WR5 on draft day, an occasion in which you shouldn’t worry about Roscoe Parrish.

TIGHT ENDS: Robert Royal scored three TDs but only caught 25 passes for 248 yards in 2007. Those numbers likely won’t improve this year, so don’t rely him as more than a lower-tier TE2.

KICKER: Rian Lindell was like Jay Feely in Miami — accurate, but low points because of his team’s anemic offense. The Bills aren’t as anemic, but Lindell remains no better than a second kicker.