Why Brett Favre's Decison Doesn't Affect the Green Bay Packers

Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me.

Week Four and Week Eight of the 2009 Regular Season were both monumental occasions in history for the Green Bay Packers.  Twice it happened, a devastating loss that plummeted Green Bay into a spiral of despair and self doubt.

First in Minnesota, then in Green Bay.  The losses were tough to deal with, and take it from a Packer fan in saying that Brett Favre was even more hated when he strolled into Lambeau Field and went on to beat Green Bay quite comfortably in the end.

It was heart breaking to watch, and even harder to swallow in the following weeks.  Now though, the pain has subsided and given Green Bay's promising future, the healing process has already begun for Packer fans.

Maybe it was Brett's last minute interception against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship Game that made Packer fans feel a little more at ease, or maybe it was Aaron Rodgers' heroics that have set us up for a future that may or may not feature the Lombardi Trophy.

Whichever one it is, Brett Favre is out of it.  Gone like Syd Barrett from Pink Floyd, Brett Favre is now a Minnesota Viking (or at least for the meantime), and even though he is going to have more than just a place in Packer record books, his pending decision doesn't affect the Packers in any which way, shape, or form.

For those of you out there that are wondering why I am making such a confident statement, I'll back it up with two words. 

Aaron Rodgers. 

Sure, he's no Joe Montana just yet and he does have a lot to learn, but for the most part he is resembling everything a good quarterback should have with guts and charisma.

Although Rodgers still has his doubters, he is acting as the Packers golden boy at the moment, and in a time that is more or less "make it or break it," Rodgers is doing a damn good job. 

Realistically, Rodgers seems like the good guy.  Almost like an old western movie, Favre is the old time cowboy that has shifted to the wrong side of town, while Rodgers is the faithful guy that sticks around to do what is right. 

As corny as it may seem, the harsh reality is that a select number of Packer fans still despise Brett Favre, and until that long awaited day comes that he hangs up the boots, well he'll remain the target for years.

Away from Rodgers though, it is the time gap that is the most important figure in moving on from the Favre days.  Yes, we all remember just what Brett did for our organization, but the future is all Packer fans are focusing on.

Maybe it's Brett's brief stints in the media on shows such as The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, or quirky Super Bowl commercials that tear at the long going factor that Brett is yet to retire. 

Whatever it is, Packer fans just don't seem to care anymore.

When that fateful day comes that Brett makes his announcement (hopefully sometime soon), don't expect to see Packer faithfuls scared.  Sure, Brett's arm is as good as it has ever been, and sure the Vikings are still fully loaded, but so are the Green Bay Packers.

Lambeau Field will be rocking next season when or if Brett comes to town, but note the lack of "We Love Brett Favre" signs in the crowd.  This is Rodgers neighborhood, and he's here to stay.

Tearful press conference or confident return, the 2010 Packers are ready for Favre.  Deja vu isn't a likelihood.