NFL Offseason Notebook, May 20

Here's what is happening around the National Football League on Thursday, May 20, 2010:

• Zach Thomas officially called it a career Thursday, but not before returning to Miami.

Thomas, who spent the first 12 season of his illustrious 14-season career as a Dolphin, signed a one-day contract with the team in order to retire in a Miami uniform. Thomas made the Pro Bowl seven times and recorded at least 145 tackles for six consecutive seasons beginning in 2001. All told, Thomas had 1,038 tackles, 19 1/2 sacks and 17 interceptions in 168 games with Miami.

The Dolphins released Thomas after the 2007 season, and he joined Dallas for 2008. He played all 16 games for the Cowboys that season and registered 94 tackles, but Dallas then cut him loose before 2009. The Chiefs signed Thomas during the 2009 preseason, then released him just before the regular season and he sat out all of last year.

• Brett Favre's return to the NFL could very will hinge on exactly how far the Southern Miss baseball team advances in the NCAA Tournament.

Favre paid an unexpected visit to the team Thursday morning, the Sun Herald reported on its website, and was immediately asked if he would be back with the Vikings in 2010.

"I was a kid again watching y'all play in the College World Series,'' Favre told the team. "Let's make it a (fun) bet. If you guys go back to the College World Series this year -- I will come back and play. How about that?

"You go back and I go back."

That sound you just heard was the entire state of Minnesota jumping on the Golden Eagles' bandwagon.

• The Packers are realigning a couple pieces of their 3-4 defense, the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported.

B.J. Raji, who played end in his rookie season, will slide inside to his more natural nose tackle spot, while Ryan Pickett moves from end to Raji's vacated end position.

"At first, I was like, 'Ah, I don't like it,' but then I started thinking they're right," Pickett to the Press-Gazette. "I can actually play either one, and I think B.J. will be a great nose."

• The 49ers named Trent Balke their new Vice President of Player Personnel, a job previously held by Scot McCloughan until he and the Niners "parted ways" in March.

"We are very excited to reward Trent with this promotion," San Francisco president and CEO Jed York of Baalke in a statement. "During his tenure with the 49ers, Trent has exhibited leadership, organization and superb skills as a talent evaluator. Those attributes have served our team well in recent months. We have a great talent in Trent that we are pleased to have leading our personnel department moving forward."

Transaction Wire

• Baltimore re-signed three restricted free agents: wide receiver Mark Clayton, punter Sam Koch and DB Fabian Washington. Clayton will receive $2.5 million next season, while Koch will earn just less than $1.7 million. Washington's salary was not immediate released.

Injury Ward

• Colts S Bob Sanders and WR Anthony Gonzalez, who both suffered season-ending injuries in 2009, returned to the field this week at Indianapolis' OTAs.

Gonzalez hurt his knee in the Colts' first game of the season, Sept. 13 against Jacksonville, and never returned to the lineup. Sanders, meanwhile, tore a bicep on Nov. 1.

• San Francisco rookie running back Anthony Dixon, a sixth-round pick in this year's draft, sat out the 49ers' workout Thursday with a hamstring injury.

Tweet Up

Titans Running back Chris Johnson (@ChrisJohnson28): "ppl dont understand ths is my life & my body so I know wht I deserve, I wnt a super bowl but when u dont wnt 2 do wht it takes 2 get 1 its not gonna happen."