MORT'S MAILBAG: May 20

	Brett Favre won three straight MVP awards from 1995-97, and he was an MVP candidate in 2002.

Q: I'm a huge Green Bay Packers fan, and I read an article that described the Pack as a team on the slide down. I know every team usually goes through cycles of a few years on top, followed by a couple down in the dump, and back around again. But can a team with megastars like Brett Favre, Ahman Green, Donald Driver, Bubba Franks, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and Na'il Diggs -- as well as emerging stars and a strong O-line -- really be a team on the slide? It just doesn't make any sense. Can you shed any light? -- Carlton
MORT: Carlton, I think it's too early to project the Packers as a team on the way down. I think they have lost some of the depth that made them so resilient last season. But you are right. They have too many bright young players to make that projection. Favre was a legitimate MVP candidate last year. I think Mike Sherman does a great job as coach. I just think the key is whether they can stay healthy -- how many guys are in Green Bay for their offseason program? If they stay healthy and Favre is on his game, the Pack will make another run.

Q: Whatever happened to Brian Griese? Was he picked up by another team? -- Scott, Mt. Airy, Md.
MORT: Scott, Brian Griese is still with the Denver Broncos until June 2 (we presume). That's when he is expected to be released and become free to negotiate with any team.

Q: Did the Chicago Bears make the right move by trading the fourth pick? Also, was it good to sign QB Kordell Stewart to help the Bears' terrible offense? And do you see the Bears rebounding from an ugly season to be a contender in 2003? -- Nathan, Chicago
MORT: Nathan, I have a feeling we are going to judge the Bears' move out of their first-round pick by two players: Dewayne Robertson and Rex Grossman. Robertson is the player the Bears passed on. If he turns out to be a dominating defensive lineman for the New York Jets, then it's a very questionable move. Still, the Bears did gain an extra first-round pick and Grossman (No. 22 overall) can make GM Jerry Angelo look like a genius if he becomes a Pro Bowl QB and a 10-year starter to stabilize the most important position in football. I think Kordell was a solid move, and I think the Bears will rebound from a down season. But I still think a rebound puts them in the 7-9 to 9-7 range. Anthony Thomas needs to stay healthy and rebound from a disappointing second season at running back.

Q: What's the latest on Jamal Anderson? Still New England-bound? -- Darius
MORT: Darius, it's been kind of quiet, but I know that Jamal has been training like a champion with his eye on a return. New England is still a target. Maybe Dallas and Tampa, too.

Q: I think the Giants should get rid of QB Kerry Collins. He hasn't been doing all that much. ... Do you think this will be Collins' last season in New York? -- Chioke Hassan, Baltimore, Md.
MORT: Chioke, I have to disagree. Collins may not electrify anyone, but he is really one of the most productive, big-armed QBs in the NFL. You better not just throw guys away like that, unless you have a guarantee somebody better will take his place.

Q: Mort, just a little info on Warren Sapp. In your last chat wrap, someone asked if he would retire a Buc. Recently, Sapp may have given fans a sign of things to come. Ray Lewis had his charity bowling tournament at ESPNZone down at the Inner Harbor, and Warren Sapp was in attendance. Local media reports say that Lewis and Sapp discussed Sapp's future and the possibility of him signing with Baltimore after this year, so the two can end their careers together. ... That is the gossip. And what Ray Lewis wants, he may just get. I really don't want to see this happen. It would be similar to the Redskins signing an old Bruce Smith. ... Sapp would be a problem in the Raven locker room and would cost too much money. What do you think about that? -- Bob, Baltimore
MORT: Well, Bob, thanks for sharing that info or "gossip." Sapp and Lewis are two former Miami Hurricanes, and that's a real brotherhood. First, Ray Lewis does not make the personnel decisions for the Ravens. Ozzie Newsome does. He's very strong and obviously one of the most capable talent evaluators in the NFL. Is Sapp a fit with the 3-4 scheme? Does he really want to be a true NT at this stage of his career? I don't think Sapp would be a problem in the locker room. It's Lewis' team. Sapp would know that. I'm neutral on your Bruce Smith analogy -- Sapp is still playing very well and younger at similar stages of projected career transition -- but I enjoy even more that budding rivalry between the Ravens and Redskins.