Super Bowl 2011: Could This Be Aaron Rodgers' Defining Moment?

There are many questions going into this year's Super Bowl. Which defense will outshine the other? Which coach will implement the best game plan? Who will step up as the primary playmaker?

However, the most intriguing question might be: Which quarterback will do something special? We know Big Ben can produce historical moments. Is this the year of Aaron Rodgers?

Three years removed from the shadows of a Legend, Rodgers has the Packers reeling out wins and vying for a Super Bowl championship. Rodgers' play this year has restored the faith of Packer's fans, who in 2008 questioned the direction of the organization after they decided to part ways with the former starting quarterback.

It has taken a few years to earn the full backing of the Cheesehead nation, but there is no question Rodgers is their guy.

Finally surrounded by a complete team, Rodgers has the platform to achieve greatness. Since being named the starter, Rodgers has performed at a high level for the few years now.

His numbers this year are relatively the same as the last two years and in some cases a little lower. So what makes this year different from the other years? Confidence.

Rodgers always had confidence from the get-go. He was ready from day one to lead the Packers. Yet, the full support of the team and fans needed to be earned. He quickly earned the backing of his teammates after playing injured throughout the 2008 season.

Despite his progress, the results left media members and fans uneasy. It was obvious he was going to be subjected to inequitable comparisons as soon as he took over, and he will be the first one to admit it was hard to let it slide. The only possible avenue of moving forward was to believe in himself. He continued to do so, and it began paying off.

When you watch Rodgers play, he clearly exudes confidence. He plays at an extremely high level and he knows his capabilities.

Now the Super Bowl is uncharted territory. How will he perform under such rigorous demands? After gaining momentum, support and an enormous fan base, a win makes it possible to insert him into the list of Packer greats, but a loss, may help people rediscover their habit of questioning.