NFL 08: The story is star QBs, labor, ownership

NEW YORK (AP) -Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady.

The 2008 NFL season starts with a tale of superstar quarterbacks - one back from retirement in new digs, the other two nursing injuries that probably won't keep them out but may hinder their effectiveness, especially early.

But there are other clouds for the NFL as it starts its 2008 season.

The league faces impending labor troubles and the possible departure of an influential owner in a family disagreement, one that accentuates the growing gap among owners between multibillionaires and multimillionaires. Meanwhile, the unexpected death of union head Gene Upshaw, who has been instrumental in labor peace for the last two decades, adds a tragic twist to the NFL story and throws uncertainty into the upcoming labor talks.

The quarterback situation will take the spotlight on the field.

Favre, who retired in April after leading Green Bay to the NFC championship game, decided in June to return for an 18th NFL season. After a protracted debate with the Packers, who had already installed Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, he was traded to the New York Jets. Putting on a different shade of green, Favre acknowledged, "feels strange."

Manning and Brady have physical problems, a constant in a game where big bodies collide on every play.

Manning underwent surgery to remove an infected bursa sac from behind his left knee and only rejoined the Colts on Aug. 19. "My goal is to be back for the first game," said the quarterback who has started all 160 games since he entered the league in 1998, second to Favre's 253 consecutive starts, 275 if you count the postseason.

That's the goal for Brady, too, who missed the first part of exhibition season with an injury to his right foot.

It was his right ankle that hampered him late last year, including in the Super Bowl, where the Patriots' thrust for an unbeaten season ended when they were upset 17-14 by the New York Giants.

Off the field, the most pressing issue is the status of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dan Rooney, the team's chairman. Next to the commissioners, he has arguably been the most influential figure in the league for 30 years.

Rooney's father founded the Steelers in 1932, and Dan now shares 16 percent of the team with his four brothers. Because the brothers hold interest in gambling operations, they must sell their shares and have been entertaining offers that are higher than Dan Rooney can afford to make.

"Dan has done an excellent job running the Steelers and has been a great contributor to the league," commissioner Roger Goodell said. "We believe he deserves the opportunity to continue, so we're working toward a resolution on that basis."