Aaron Rodgers: Suck It Up

Aaron Rodgers can preach all he wants about not trying to live up to the legacy that Brett Favre.  Anyone put behind center after the departure of someone who was and still is the face of the franchise is going to a rough time, to say the least.  Check the past:

Jake Plummer was a very good quarterback, but nowhere near John Elway who, to add even more pressure, ended his career in Denver with two straight Super Bowl wins. 

Does anyone outside of the lone-star state even remember who stepped in after three-time Super Bowl Champ Troy Aikman retired from the Cowboys?  Was it:

A) Quincy Carter

B) Anthony Wright

C) Ryan Leaf

D) Clint Stoener

E)  All of the above

If you chose "A" you are correct.

Steve Young, Jim Kelly, Terry Bradshaw, the list goes on for miles.

And now a sore shoulder might sideline Rodgers for what was to be only his fifth start.  I know assumptions make an ass out of you and me, but I would assume that if Rodgers doesn't start on Sunday in a crucial game for the 2-2 Packers it will make an ass out of him too.

The numbers are there, but the results haven't been for Rodgers and the Cheese Heads.  Defenses are at a disadvantage in the beginning weeks of the season.  No tape to watch, new schemes, and new personnel on every team.

Hey I'm not asking him to be the new iron man of the NFL, but let’s just think about this from the perspective of the average fan, or better yet the average boss of any company.

"Hey Aaron, the guy who worked this position before you was at work every day for the past 15 years, and was one of the best workers this industry has ever seen.  You're mediocre at yours and you're calling in sick after a month because of a sore arm?"

Rodgers can swear up and down that the he doesn’t feel the weight of an icon on his shoulders every day, but it’s nearly impossible not to. 

"I don't need that, 'Oh, you've got to play because Brett played 250 in a row.' I don't need that. I have pride in myself," Rodgers said in a press conference earlier this week.

Rodgers has been under some scrutiny for the last few weeks during a slump that has seen the Pack's success decline on the offensive side of the ball.  There’s one thing that will help Rodgers get through this year, it is to embrace the pressure.

Nearly everyone that has ever said "no pressure" has failed. Pressure is good if you know how to turn it into motivation. 

Rodgers has been trying so hard not to be Brett Favre that he's doing himself an injustice.  I know if I were a quarterback I would aspire to be like Brett.  Most touchdown passes in the history of the NFL, 279 straight starts, Super Bowl ring, future Hall of Fame inductee, MVP, and All-Pro...Why not?

Nobody said go throw a touchdown pass under-handed with three defensive linemen dragging you to the turf, but please, at least try to excel; because if this is the best you can do, it will be the longest season and shortest career fans have ever seen.