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Tim Love Column: Being Aaron Rodgers

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Favre

Whilst on holiday in Florida last week, I was lucky enough to be able to tune into ESPN’s Sport Centre on a regular basis (much to my parents’ dismay).

In the knowledge that the NBA playoffs and the Stanley Cup would be taking up much broadcasting time, I was pleased to see that the NFL coverage was still going strong; news about Pacman, the salary cap and Jason Taylor’s transfer saga to name but a few pieces. However, one story took up more time and discussion than any other item: Brett Favre’s locker had been officially retired by the Green Bay Packers.

What followed this breaking news were pictures of the locker, interviews with general manager Ted Thompson (who said he was ‘surprised’ at the attention the decision was receiving) and some quotes from fans mourning the development. However, more significantly, Aaron Rodgers was asked about the removal of the locker. The new starting QB for the Packers looked slightly agitated about being asked about the retirement of a locker rather than the mini-camps being held across the NFL (or anything else that was not related to Brett Farve).

Whilst he looked annoyed, Rodgers was certainly not surprised to find himself being asked about yet another Brett Favre related piece of news. He is used to living in the incredibly large shadow of Farve as he has been acting as the understudy to the three time league MVP since the Packers picked him in the first round (24th overall choice) of the 2005 NFL draft. Indeed, the fact that Rodgers has sought out the help of Steve Young (the QB who succeeded the great Joe Montana), indicates that he is fully aware of the difficulties he will face in taking over from such a revered figure.

That a story about the removal of his locker had the impact that it did is indicative of the stature of Favre within the Packers franchise and the NFL

Rodgers is aware of the fact that he is attempting to replace a man who started every game for Green Bay for 16 years with great success, and for this reason he understands why he is going to have to deal with the media and fans scrutinising every misplaced pass and every wrong decision that he makes.

Indeed, as Ted Thompson himself said, “If (Rodgers throws) for three touchdowns, then the fan down the street's going to say, 'Well, Brett would have thrown for five,'”. The question is can Rodgers overcome the scepticism that will initially greet his starting place and succeed where so many others have failed in following in the footsteps of a legend? There are many examples of teams which have struggled following the retirement of a franchise player, here are a few:

•The Dolphins have not won a playoff game since 2000, the year after Dan Marino retired.

•The Bills have failed to win a playoff game since Jim Kelly retired 11 years ago.

•The Broncos have won one playoff game in nine years since the retirement of John Elway.

However, perhaps the key difference between the Rodgers situation and the above examples is that the new Packers starting QB is inheriting a strong team for him to lead out on to the hallowed turf at the Lambeau Field. If his promising performances towards the end of 2007 are considered (his QB rating was 106 over two games) then maybe, just maybe, he might be the man to attempt to fill the astronomically large shoes that Brett Favre has left behind at Green Bay (not in his locker of course).

He has acknowledged the fact that whatever he does on the field, however he plays, he will inevitably be compared to Favre. Whether or not these comparisons become a burden or an inspiration might well define the player that Rodgers becomes.

Do you think Rodgers can ever step out of Brett Favre's shadow? Packers fans, are you happy that Rodgers is now starting QB or do you yearn for Favre to come out of retirement? Share your thoughts below!

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comment by EdHercules (U11805159)

posted Jun 4, 2008

The Packers now must have the youngest squad in the NFL after Favre's retirement. This points well for their future, but I would be quite surprised if GB emulate their achievements last year and get to the NFC Championship Game.

If Rodgers does not pan out, then it looks like Brian Brohm gets his big chance.

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comment by Tim Love - BBC Sport (U11756775)

posted Jun 4, 2008

Gopackgo, what is the general feeling amongst fellow Packers fans in your opinion?

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comment by gopackgo (U9734429)

posted Jun 4, 2008

On the sites that I visit the majority are positive about how he will perform this season. They expect to win the division this year even though the Vikes have signed the greatest player ever to grace the gridiron in Jared Allen. smiley
With the talent around him and the experience of Donald Driver and co I don't see a problem for him this year to be quite honest.

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comment by pietrodelroberto (U3924180)

posted Jun 4, 2008

the Packers have been such a stable franchise for a long time now
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Gotta disagree there. The year they went 4-12 all sorts happened. Fans were calling for Favre to quit. They've had a new coach come in last season too and he guided them to the NFC Championship match.

It's hard to tell where the Pack will be come the autumn but they need a good stable season and just sneak under the radar.

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comment by Tim Love - BBC Sport (U11756775)

posted Jun 4, 2008

True, that 4-12 season was a major blip, but otherwise in the last 5 years they have gone 10-6, 10-6, 4-12, 8-8, 13-3. I think that is pretty stable given what has happened to some franchises mentioned in the article. Ultimately, that is what an incredibly solid OB brings you, and whilst some fans might have been calling for Brett's head in the terrible 4-12 season stability very nearly bought them a Super Bowl appearance just 2 years later.

As you say, right now I reckon Packs fans would take a stable 8-8 season with open arms!!

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comment by Beantown Fan (U1930562)

posted Jun 4, 2008

Again, Tim has it right. I WOULD settle for a steady 8-8. I've put it up on my Fox Sports blog...

read here: http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/NFL_hits_the_UK!/2008/03/07/Favre_retires_why_so_bittersweet

The emphasis is really the second paragraph after the football "soccer" and football "NFL" analogy. THAT'S how I feel about this whole Aaron Rodgers episode.

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comment by clutcheli (U6439501)

posted Jun 4, 2008

8-8 right now looks great, I am far more pessamistic than that!

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comment by Smithy (U9611269)

posted Jun 4, 2008

It's an article about Rodgers and the picture is of Favre... Speaks volumes!

Its going to be a huge challenge for Rodgers but he has the pieces (Driver and Jennings) to do it. It will take a few seasons for the fans to get over Favre and for Rodgers to develop but I think Rodgers can eventually fill his shoes...

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comment by Jonzee (U4611200)

posted Jun 5, 2008

Tim,

Are you only allowed to post in your own articles?

Come on, spread those wings!

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comment by Tim Love - BBC Sport (U11756775)

posted Jun 5, 2008

Fair comment Jonzee, point taken!!

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