Brian Brohm

[RashanGary]

That's interesting that Driver said that. I heard somewhere else that James Jones said Rodgers knew the offense better than Favre did.

I'd like to see the quote.

It was from a person like Patler who said he heard it on one of the radio stations in Milwaukee. Patler idnd't exacly give a quote either. I trust Patlers a little more because I know he's not prone to exaggeration, but I beleive Rodgers could knwo the offense better. He's around year long iwth McCarthy where Favre just shows up for TC and the reg season. Is it really that hard for you to believe?

[RashanGary]

This is what was said from a very respected poster/moderator at antoher sports forum.



I was listening to an interview with James Jones on WSSP. Gary Ellerson was asking him questions. One question was about what are the similarities between Favre and Rodgers and what are the differences. I was shocked at Jones' answers.

He said the similarities were that they both threw the ball very, very hard and that they both knew the offense really well, but Aaron knows the offense better than Favre.

He was then asked since they both threw the ball hard, who threw it harder, he replied that since he wasn't around before this year, he can only speak on what he has experienced in games and practices this year, and that this year, Rodgers throws the ball harder than Favre does.

He also said the the Dallas game is not the best the Rodgers can do. He is much better than that.


I understand a WR not wanting to say anything bad about his QB, but these are very interesting statements coming from one of GB's own WRs.

[cheesner]

That's interesting that Driver said that. I heard somewhere else that James Jones said Rodgers knew the offense better than Favre did.

I'd like to see the quote.

It is also reported that AR throws the ball harder than Brett.

Here is the discussion thread

http://www.packerchatters.com/4ums/index.php?showtopic=10597

[RashanGary]

The person is a mod there and carries weight. IF he lied, he would hurt the reputation of their forum. If you notice, he has the trust of all of the posters at that site even after saying something that probably offends the living piss out of 80% of them. It's earned (the same way no one questioned Patler here). When you dis Favre at any Packer site and people don't question your accuracy, you're doing something very right.

[RashanGary]

All I know is that if Favre is as great as everyone makes him out to be the Packers are screwed no matter what Driver and Jones have to say. How can you go from the greatest diffence maker ever to just some guy and expect to win when you were barely winning with the best guy ever over the last 3 years? I mean, if he were the best guy ever wouldnl't it be nearly impossible for anythign but a huge drop off?


That is why I temper my enthusiasm. It's just not possible for some guy who's nothing special at anything to step in and play well after the team was being carried by the best guy ever. It defies logic. Either that or really takes away the luster of being the best guy ever if the best guy ever is really just replacable. . . well, is he even the best guy ever? I refuse to buy that. I know Favre is the best guy ever so wtih that, I fully expect a horrible losing season, further showing that he carried this team with all of his knolwedge and greatness. He is one of a kind great and nobody can step in and lead the team to a comparable level.

[Bretsky]

That's interesting that Driver said that. I heard somewhere else that James Jones said Rodgers knew the offense better than Favre did.

I'd like to see the quote.

It was from a person like Patler who said he heard it on one of the radio stations in Milwaukee. Patler idnd't exacly give a quote either. I trust Patlers a little more because I know he's not prone to exaggeration, but I beleive Rodgers could knwo the offense better. He's around year long iwth McCarthy where Favre just shows up for TC and the reg season. Is it really that hard for you to believe?

I find it really hard to believe a player would say that as well; I would find that hard to believe unless I heard it. Sounds like something a rosy eyed reporter would make up.

I also find it hard to believe that Rodgers, with no game experience at all, would know the offense better than somebody who has run it for a long time

[HarveyWallbangers]

It is also reported that AR throws the ball harder than Brett.

Well, I just don't see it. Rodgers has a good arm, but there's no way he throws harder than Brett--even now. I'd like to see the chat transcript. Brett's been in the offense forever. Maybe ARod could recite things on the board better, but when he gets on the field, I doubt he sees it better than Brett. In fact, I think that's the biggest difference we may end up seeing--other than durability issues. Either this guy misquoted Jones (which wouldn't be shocking) or Jones is trying to boost ARod's confidence. Hell, if ARod is that good, then I need to figure out where the Super Bowl is this year and book a hotel.

[Bretsky]

All I know is that if Favre is as great as everyone makes him out to be the Packers are screwed no matter what Driver and Jones have to say. How can you go from the greatest diffence maker ever to just some guy and expect to win when you were barely winning with the best guy ever over the last 3 years? I mean, if he were the best guy ever wouldnl't it be nearly impossible for anythign but a huge drop off?


That is why I temper my enthusiasm. It's just not possible for some guy who's nothing special at anything to step in and play well after the team was being carried by the best guy ever. It defies logic. Either that or really takes away the luster of being the best guy ever if the best guy ever is really just replacable. . . well, is he even the best guy ever? I refuse to buy that. I know Favre is the best guy ever so wtih that, I fully expect a horrible losing season, further showing that he carried this team with all of his knolwedge and greatness. He is one of a kind great and nobody can step in and lead the team to a comparable level.

Talent wise I don't think Rodgers brings as much to the table so there will be a dropoff. How much of a drop off depends on how much smarter Rodgers is with his decision making. IF that is better than Favre's he can be nearly as effective. If the decision making is comparable, we'll see a big dropoff IMHO

[Bretsky]

It is also reported that AR throws the ball harder than Brett.

Well, I just don't see it. Rodgers has a good arm, but there's no way he throws harder than Brett--even now. I'd like to see the chat transcript. Brett's been in the offense forever. Maybe ARod could recite things on the board better, but when he gets on the field, I doubt he sees it better than Brett. In fact, I think that's the biggest difference we may end up seeing--other than durability issues. Either this guy misquoted Jones (which wouldn't be shocking) or Jones is trying to boost ARod's confidence. Hell, if ARod is that good, then I need to figure out where the Super Bowl is this year and book a hotel.

Was not sure if cheesner was trying to be sarcastic with the comment about arm strength

but I completely agree with HW; no way is the arm stronger. Elway and Favre had elite arms. Favre's arm strength is still elite even now. Rodgers arm is solid; but IMO nobody will consider his arm strength elite compared to other starting QB's

[Patler]

I heard an interesting interview with Donald Driver two weeks ago. He was asked what Rodgers' strongest attribute was, and Driver said he threw very well, but fans will be impressed by his ability to recognize defenses. Driver said Rodgers can call the defense before they finish lining up. He said it was really impressive.

I also heard this interview---it was on TMJ radio I believe. I thought it was an interesting and telling comment from DD.

Yup, it was WTMJ. Just what I heard coming directly from Driver's mouth in a live interview. If I could provide a link, I would.

To be perfectly honest, I don't put a lot of credence in what Jones may have said. I'm not doubting that he said it, but how much does he really have to draw on? Just one season.

Even Driver has to be taken with a grain of salt. If you have listened to him much over the years, he is prone to a bit of exageration. So, while the speed at which Rodgers reads a defense might be exagerated, the simple fact that Driver mentioned it makes me believe there is something there that stuck out in Driver's mind.

All in all, it doesn't matter one bit. They key is that Rodgers has to put everything together at game speed. Doing it in practice, in the film room or on the sidelines is not the same as doing it in a game.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I think ARod has everything you are looking for. He has good arm strength (although not elite like Favre). He seems to have accuracy. He has good mobility. His teammates seem to believe in him. He's very intelligent. He works hard. Durability will be a big issue until he proves otherwise, but I think he can be as good as Matt Hasselbeck, and that might be good enough to put us in the picture for the Super Bowl. It's fair to remember that Matt struggled his first year in Seattle--even after sitting behind Favre for a couple of years, so we'll go through some growing pains. However, I think the team surrounding ARod is better than the Seattle team he went to, so he's set up for earlier success.

[GrnBay007]

I will be extremely happy if Rodgers picks up where Brett left off and they make a run in the playoffs.

Kinda bummed people are so anxious to see Rodgers succeed that they throw in digs about Favre. As it is now, we all just wait and see the answers about whether Rodgers does this or Rodgers does that better.

Something I'm curious about....

Driver said he threw very well, but fans will be impressed by his ability to recognize defenses. Driver said Rodgers can call the defense before they finish lining up. He said it was really impressive.

What is this statement really being based on? The Dallas game? Packer practices? C'mon, lets be real.

[Patler]

Something I'm curious about....

Driver said he threw very well, but fans will be impressed by his ability to recognize defenses. Driver said Rodgers can call the defense before they finish lining up. He said it was really impressive.

What is this statement really being based on? The Dallas game? Packer practices? C'mon, lets be real.

It could be based on lots of things, practices, film room sessions watching the competition, sideline comments from games, etc. It doesn't mean he will do it as the starter in game conditions, and I didn't offer it for that. Just that Driver brought it up, when he could have answered the question with comments about what a hard worker Rodgers is, what a great guy he is, etc, etc.

It is no different than what we are told about other young, inexperienced players. Things they seem to do well in practices or whatever that we can hope they will do in games.

[Patler]

It is also reported that AR throws the ball harder than Brett.

Well, I just don't see it. Rodgers has a good arm, but there's no way he throws harder than Brett--even now. I'd like to see the chat transcript. Brett's been in the offense forever. Maybe ARod could recite things on the board better, but when he gets on the field, I doubt he sees it better than Brett. In fact, I think that's the biggest difference we may end up seeing--other than durability issues. Either this guy misquoted Jones (which wouldn't be shocking) or Jones is trying to boost ARod's confidence. Hell, if ARod is that good, then I need to figure out where the Super Bowl is this year and book a hotel.

Interesting comment from Favre himself about his arm strength in recent years:

-- On his reputation for throwing hard:

"I've always had a knack for breaking fingers, dislocating fingers, cutting fingers, whatever. The last couple of years, not quite as much. I noticed my arm strength has diminished a little bit on top of the aggression. I was more apt to do it in practice the last few years, when there were times I could make a statement. Call it old age if you will, but then I figured I'd just wait for the games.

"But early in my career, and I say early, but I mean up until a few years ago, it was nothing for me to go out and the first pass in practice I'd throw it as hard as I could. Guys were not ready for it and broken fingers would result. Donald Driver had a ton of dislocations and breaks."

[GrnBay007]

It is no different than what we are told about other young, inexperienced players. Things they seem to do well in practices or whatever that we can hope they will do in games.

Completely understandable. I just don't see why people are so quick to start comparing him in any way, shape or form to Favre when the guy hasn't even started a game...much less to say he's better!!!! It's just not necessary. I just wish everyone (players...apparently, and fans) would let the guy play his own game and not compare.

Being the Favre fan that I am, I'm inclined to say there is absolutely NO way he takes over and doesn't skip a beat, but I'm certainly open to the fact that it could happen.