So many lamented the retirement of Brett Favre in March, wondering if the Green Bay Packers could continue last season’s success with heir apparent Aaron Rodgers set to take over play-calling duties.
Monday night against Minnesota, Rodgers completed 18-of-22 passes for 178 yards and one touchdown, guiding the Packers to a season opening 24-19 win over the Vikings. Rodgers also rushed 8 times for 35 yards and one score on a night when the comparisons to Favre were endless.
Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers was very workmanlike in directing the offense and unlike Favre, didn’t force the ball into coverage. He moved around in the pocket and took what the defense gave him, managing the game and efficiently moving the offense.
In early July Favre sought reinstatement into the league and a return to the Packers, causing a media circus.
Packers GM Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy made a decision when Favre retired in March that Rodgers would lead the team in 2008. Monday night’s performance proved the Packers organization made the right decision.
Granted, it’s just one game in a long season but Rodgers showed he can get the job done. Let’s not forget the Packers are a talented team and a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
They don’t need a quarterback to be the second coming of Joe Montana, they simply need Rodgers to compliment the talent around him.
Even more impressive is how Rodgers has handled the Favre situation, not letting the distractions effect his preparation. Despite all of the talk how the Packers would be a better team if Favre remained as the QB, Rodgers showed he is his own man.
If Monday’s performance was any indication, Green Bay fans will quickly embrace Rodgers as their new hero – and they should.
It’s a team game, and Green Bay will be a better team with Aaron Rodgers as their starting QB this season and for many seasons to come.
Moon Dog
One game doesn’t a player make. But if anyone needed this to endear himself to a team and its fan. Then it was Aaron Rodgers of the Packers. And how he acquitted himself on the field justified McCarthy and Ted Thompson’s faith in him.
tophatal …………..