The Brett Favre NFL era may finally have come to an end. After toying with the idea of retirement for the past few seasons, it seems Favre has finally decided to hang up the cleats for good (where have we heard that before?). Although Favre's retirement was an eventuality, it will be odd to see someone other than Favre under center in a Packer uniform. To put that in perspective, the last man to start a game under center other than Favre was Don "Magic Man" Majkowski back in 1992.
The fallout from Favre's announcement will be widespread. Sportscasters (especially John Madden) will need to find another quarterback to shower with praise every time he steps out of the tunnel ("the guy just starts every game"), flashes a grin at the camera ("he just loves the game of football"), or throws a ball across his body into double coverage ("he's a gunslinger"). Packer season tickets may actually be available for the first time in decades but only because I'm certain many fans will follow him home to Mississippi. Ryan Grant owners in fantasy-keeper leagues can't be too pleased knowing that he will likely face eight- and nine-man fronts next year with Rodgers under center. Finally, Madden gamers--who don't just cheese with the Patriots--have one less viable team with which to play.
Football's "iron man" has amassed quite the list of NFL records. His legacy includes three AP NFL MVP awards ('95-'97), most consecutive starts by a quarterback (253), most wins by a starting quarterback (160), most career passing touchdowns (442), most career passing yards (61,655), most career completions (5,377), most career attempts (8,758), most career interceptions (288), most career games with at least three touchdowns (63), and most career boneheaded playoff interceptions to finish a season (2).
The timing of the retirement has sparked debate as to what exactly motivated Favre's decision.
When it became clear that the Patriots and Randy Moss wouldn't come to an agreement prior to the start of the NFL free-agency period, news leaked that Favre was once again putting pressure on the Packer organization to bring Moss to Green Bay (Favre had done the same thing the season before). Then, a day after the Patriots and Moss came to an agreement on a new three-year, $27 million contract, Favre announced his intention to retire from the NFL. Clearly, these were not independent events.
The implication is that had the Packers acquired Moss, Brett would have stuck around for another season. The funny thing is that although neither have the physical gifts of a Randy Moss, Driver and Jennings represent one of the most potent receiving tandems in the league (Jennings really came on late in the season).The one thing that neither of them can do is catch the jumpball ducks that Favre is famous for heaving up. Apparently, that was the deal-breaker for Favre.
And so the Aaron Rodgers era officially begins. What does that mean for the Packers? Well, except for the considerable ratings hit the Packers are likely to take in Madden 09 by starting Rodgers, no one really knows. In his three seasons in the NFL, Rodgers has only thrown 59 passes.
One thing that is certain is that Rodgers has some big shoes to fill. Not only is he replacing the great Brett Favre, but he is also inheriting the reins to a team that went to the NFC Championship game last season. However short the Packers finish from the accomplishments of last year is how Rodgers will be judged. Even worse, Aaron doesn't have the luxury of emulating his predecessor. Favre's style was so unorthodox that trying to follow in Favre's footsteps could mean disaster for the former Cal standout. That's a lot of pressure.
Don't worry Aaron, you're just 254 consecutive starts away from the record, buddy...
