Last night Aaron Rodgers played quarterback as the Green Bay Packers' starter for the first time in his career. He completed 9 of 15 passes for 117 yards, threw a 30 yard touchdown pass and had another pass picked off. When the game had ended, the Packers had lost their first preseason game of the year to the Cincinnati Bengals. Less than 24 hours later I hear he is now being referred to as A-Rod! What was the name of the Packers' last quarterback? Did he have a nickname?
Now that the former starting quarterback's trials and tribulations with the Green Bay Packers are over, and with his good name forever tarnished in Green Bay, it strikes me that this whole process has acted to remove a fair amount of pressure from the heir apparent, one Mr. "A-Rod".
Packer fans should be much more likely to withhold judgement on Rodgers when things go poorly. The consensus after last night's outing from the Packer fans seems to be "Give him a chance". If the former quarterback had actually retired a Packer legend, or, worse yet, had accepted a position in the Packer front office (something I'd heard talked about as a possible option), Packer fan would have been very quick to draw the inevitable comparisons that Aaron Rodgers would consistently lose. As it stands today, "A-Rod" will be looked upon as a breath of fresh air as he attempts to lead a very good football team back to football supremacy.
As the Bret Favre / Green Bay Packers drama plays out, what is the most logical solution? From all appearances the Packers' management has resolved itself to accomplish two things pertaining to Bret... First, they have determined that it's time for Aaron Rodgers to take over the starting quarterback job. This was decided back a few months ago after Bret's tearful retirement speech. That was the logical thing to do since for all to see Bret was evidently done. Second, the Packers will simply not allow Bret to walk away with two years remaining on his contract. Even if he doesn't fit into their plans, they damn sure don't want to see him leading an opposing team against them. For this reason, they have been painted into a corner.
Following logic, the Packers will welcome Bret back into the fold once he petitions the NFL for reinstatement. Then, if the Packers' management is truly serious about Rodgers, and I think they are, they will begin shopping Bret's services around the league. Logically, this should mean a team the Packers won't face anytime soon. Who needs a quarterback that Bret will agree to hook up with that meets the Packers' criteria? Anyone?
Well, logically we are talking AFC teams. Who among the AFC teams could use a starting quarterback? Or, who in the AFC needs a quick fix at the quarterback position to get into the playoffs? I can't imagine Bret agreeing to become a member of a team that will not contend for the playoffs with him at quarterback... Does Bret have a preference between northern and southern teams? This is just my own thought, but I've gotta believe Favre would just as soon play for a team located in the warmer southern climes. I've often wondered what his career stats would have been if he had played in Miami like Marino. So let's say it's important to him to play out his career in a warm weather city. Who in the AFC fits the bill? Logically we're talking Miami, Jacksonville, Houston, and San Diego. Which of these teams needs a quick fix at quarterback? Which plays an offense similar to what Bret has been playing in Green Bay? The only one that fits the bill is actually the Houston Texans since Miami has repeatedly denied any interest in Bret. Do the Texans appear to be close to being a playoff team? Gary Kubiak coaches a version of the West Coast offense so that's a fit, but they play in arguably the most competitive division in the NFL and the team has never been in the playoffs. They are much improved, but I can't see Bret going there, even if they decide to take him. I just don't see any other possibilities in the AFC.
So the next question is, would the Packers agree to trade Bret to an NFC team that doesn't reside in the NFC North? We all know that both the Vikings and the Lions would most likely jump at the chance to bring Bret on board, but that ain't gonna happen... Who else in the NFC might be interested? I guess the question goes back to who needs a quick fix at quarterback to possibly make the playoffs? San Francisco? No. Anyone else?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers certainly fit the criteria in my opinion to suit Favre. A southern team about 8 hours driving time from Southern Mississippi. The Bucs won the NFC South last season with an older quarterback that was hurt part of the time. Tampa, under John Gruden, plays another variation on the West Coast offense. Gruden and Favre have a history between them when John coached under Mike Holmgren. Would the Packers go for a deal with the Bucs?
The only obvious roadblock beyond being an NFC team is that on Sunday, September 28th, this year the two teams play a regular season game. On the upside, the game is not played in Green Bay. Would the Pack go for that? The Bucs have an overabundance of players at the quarterback position, maybe they could package one of them back to the Packers. What would satisfy the Green Bay crew? Let's face it, there aren't too many potential trading partners that fit this scenario.
Logically speaking, I think we'll never see Bret Favre in a Green Bay Packers uniform again, there is just too much anamosity between Bret and the management team. Yes, the Packers' fans are going to have a hard time with this, but I'm afraid it's going to happen.
If I had anything to do with trying to get that team back into the hunt for the Super Bowl, I'd seriously consider Tampa if the Glaziers, Allen and Gruden are interested. I'd want to get something in return for Bret moving on...
After witnessing one of the most difficult retirement speeches in recent memory and with the thought that this man really has nothing to prove, what in the world possessed Brett Favre to be quoted in the Biloxi Sun Herald as saying "If the Packers called, it would be tempting"?
Brett, listen to me man, you are one of the greatest football players to ever strap on a helmet. You've played in two Super Bowls and won the first one. You hold many NFL records and you were the most durable player in the history of the league with an NFL consecutive games played record that is arguably a greater feat than Cal Ripkin Jr.'s MLB record due to the violent nature of the game. You were a joy to behold and even as you got older you never lost that youthful enthusiasm that became your signature.
They might as well forego the waiting period on the Professional Football Hall of Fame and put you on that podium in Canton this summer. There wouldn't be a single person that could raise a reasonable argument against it.
Finally, do you really want to go through another retirement speech?
It's tough to walk away when you know you can still play, but like you said... Do you really want to?
In a report on ESPN this morning, comments attributed to Brett Favre's agent indicate that Brett has notified the Green Bay Packers that he has played his last game in the NFL. If this report is true, we are witnessing the end of an era in the National Football League.
Thanks for the memories, Brett...
Next stop, enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
I'm a sports fanatic living on the west coast of Florida. I'm a rare bird that moved here from the left coast a couple of years ago. I advocate an even playing field in all of life's endeavors.
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