by By Sean Jensen sjensen@pioneerpress.com , St. Paul Pioneer Press

"With this frenzy going on, and all this craziness, we have to kind of see it to believe it. That's a good insinuation," Shiancoe said Wednesday of Favre speaking as if he's already a Viking , "but we won't believe it until we see it."

Shiancoe and his teammates have been at the epicenter of what he calls "Favre-a-palooza," yet they have largely been in the dark about what's fact and what's fiction.

Shiancoe didn't watch Favre's HBO interview on the debut episode of "Joe Buck Live" Monday night, but he tuned into recaps and perused Internet accounts.

"It's a big step, since all this Favre-a-palooza started, to actually hear it from the horse's mouth," Shiancoe said. "There's no doubt, from what I've heard and seen, that we're interested in him, and he's interested in coming here."

So far, Shiancoe says, Favre has not been a distraction to the Vikings , and, from his perspective, he was glad Favre didn't show up for the Organized Team Activities.

"I don't think he should be hanging around, and not practicing. It would just create more press and make it really crazy," Shiancoe said. "So I thought he made the right decision."

But speaking of decisions, Shiancoe is hopeful one comes soon, certainly before training camp.

"There comes a point where it has to be good for the team, and it's coming up on that point, where we have to know what's going on," Shiancoe said. "I feel it's essential to have the nucleus of the offense there, in Mankato, as soon as possible, so we can build that camaraderie."

Selfishly, though, Shiancoe would be thrilled to catch passes from Favre.

Hopeful of building on his breakout season in 2008, Shiancoe noted that Favre's favorite targets often play his position.

"He loves to throw to the tight end. Trust me. I've done my research," Shiancoe said. "I know this guy here. He's sent a couple of tight ends to the Pro Bowl.

"I feel the tight ends are a quarterback's best friend."

Shiancoe said Favre is well aware of the potential of the Vikings' offense, one the tight end likened to the 1999 St. Louis Rams.

"Brett knows what he's coming into - an explosive, fast offense," Shiancoe said. "It's an explosive, fast and dynamic offense.

"I know our offensive coordinator has a lot of toys to work with."

Shiancoe has watched Favre on numerous occasions in the past, and he's even pulled a few game tapes during this offseason.

"I feel he brings veteran leadership, poise, and he makes plays," Shiancoe said. "He's a playmaker. He'll orchestrate this offense pretty well, especially since he's been running this offense in Green Bay."

As for the impact on Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson, Shiancoe said, such moves by a team are a part of the business.

"You have to expect that in this league. There's always somebody who is going to be trying to get your position," Shiancoe said. "You have to always expect adversity, and you always have to expect a fight or a competition."

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