The Badger Herald

SPORTS

Rodgers’ new job comes with price

Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.

Also by Mike Ackerstein:

Seniors end final game at Kohl Center with a bang (March 6, 2008)
Seniors to play final game at Kohl Center (March 5, 2008)
UW coming up on year's finish (March 4, 2008)
Bo gets best of Izzo again (February 29, 2008)

by Mike Ackerstein

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Aaron Rodgers just can’t catch a break.

After three years of waiting in the wings as the heir to the Green Bay Packers’ starting quarterback job held by Brett Favre for 253 regular season games that spanned 16 years, Rodgers finally got a chance to move into the role when Favre suddenly retired Tuesday.

And it could not have come at a worse time.

Because 2007 was the team’s best season since they lost in Super Bowl XXXII a decade ago, fans are going to be asking a lot more of Rodgers in his first season at the helm than they would have if the team had limped through another season.

Had Favre, the NFL’s all-time leader in yards, touchdowns and completions, decided to hang up the cleats after his 16th season — a year in which Green Bay went just 8-8 —there would still be plenty of pressure on Rodgers. But it wouldn’t be as lofty as the expectations he faces now that the team is coming off a campaign when they were a single home overtime loss away from reaching the Super Bowl.

After the Packers’ (very unexpected) 13-3 record last season, Rodgers’ miscues (and there will be lots of them) are going to be a lot more noticeable if the team doesn’t play up to the level of a year ago, which even with Favre was going to be pretty tough to do.

Considering Rodgers’ history, though, it is not surprising that the three-year veteran is now faced with such a tough situation.

Favre’s odd choice of time to retire is just the latest in a series of unfortunate events that have spanned Rogers’ professional career since he became a member of the league on draft day in 2005.

At one point considered a possible No. 1 overall selection in the days leading up to the draft, Rodgers, who accepted the NFL’s invitation to be present at the draft, was left waiting on camera for hours as team by team bypassed him. By the time he was finally selected by Green Bay with the 23rd pick, Rodgers was left to hold a clipboard on the Packers’ sideline indefinitely while wondering when the old man was finally going to retire.

In 2006, it looked like fortune had shined on Rodgers when Favre went down with an injury against the Patriots, opening a chance for him to see some playing time. The backup quarterback quickly hurt his foot, however, and was forced to miss the remainder of the season with the injury. Not that he was going to play much more anyway.

Now Rodgers is charged with the task of replacing one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the game.

Consider this: Brett Favre’s last pass as a Packer was an interception in overtime that cost his team not just the game, but a trip to the Super Bowl. And he’s still the most revered figure in the state of Wisconsin. Think the fans will extend Rogers the same courtesy if he costs them a shot at a title?

Brett Favre may have been picked off more than any player in the history of the game, but Aaron Rodgers can still expect to hear the Lambeau faithful erupt into a series of boos when he turns the ball over the first time — and probably every subsequent one, too — in 2008.

Rodgers isn’t the first player charged with the task of replacing a legend, but there have been few players whose status is on par with Favre’s.

Over the course of his career, he could throw for more touchdowns and yards than Favre, win more championships, score a role of his own in a romantic comedy, and he still might not be loved as much as the gunslinging kid from Mississippi.

Ideally, Favre would have played one more season, the Packers would not have been as successful as last year, and Rodgers would come in with low expectations. Instead, Rodgers is coming in to a bad situation that’s even worse than it was a year ago.

There’s just too much to live up to.

Out of respect, Rodgers will probably be cheered when he takes the field for the first time as the team’s starting quarterback. And for the guy that’s had trouble catching breaks in the league, he should enjoy it.

Those first cheers might be the last.

Mike is a sophomore majoring in political science. If you think Aaron Rodgers is going to live up to Favre’s numbers, or might make a surprise appearance in a sequel to “There’s Something About Mary,” he can be reached at mackerstein@badgerherald.com.

Feedback

Show all comments

Hide anonymous comments

Anonymous (March 6, 2008 @ 2:35pm):

Clearly, you aren't giving Rodgers much respect, and I understand that as he hasn't proven himself as an NFL QB yet.
However, you aren't giving any credit to the rest of the team for their success in 2007. Of course, Favre was a huge part of that success, but look who he was (and Rodgers will be) surrounded by: an amazing offensive line, 5 WRs that create hugh matchup problems for defenses, the most productive running back (for rushing yards) of the latter part of the 2007 season, and not to mention one of the league's better defenses.
You make it seem as if Rodgers will have to do everything himself, but that's just not true.

Anonymous (March 6, 2008 @ 4:51pm):

Just because Favre often thought he had to do everything doesn't mean Rodgers WILL have to do everything.

Add a comment

We welcome your thoughts, but please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments may be deleted.