Aaron Rodgers vs. Brett Favre: Comparing the Two Star Packers QB’s
It’s about time to take a closer look at these two QB’s, and see just how similar they really are. Without further suspense, let’s get started!
Brett Favre was basically an idol in Green Bay, until one fateful day he was traded to the New York Jets. Since that day he has gone on to play two seasons for the Minnesota Vikings, and completely ruin his stature among diehard Green Bay Packers fans. That being said, Favre still holds many records in Green Bay to this day….records that are now being shattered by his replacement, Aaron Rodgers. The two QB’s worked together for an extended period of time, in which Rodgers picked up a lot of tricks from his mentor. Today, Rodgers shows some aspects of Favre’s games, but also shows a different approach to the game.
Favre was know as “The Gunslinger” and rightfully so. The former superstar quarterback was known for his lightning-fast spiraling passes, that has been reported to have broken at least 31 of his wide receivers’ fingers. Rodgers has a very similar arm, but there is a difference in the way they choose to use that cannon of an arm. Along with Favre’s record of most touchdown passes in the history of the NFL, he also holds the record for the most interceptions thrown. Why is that? Well first off, he felt invincible because of his arm, that he could fit passes into tight spaces simply by putting more power on the ball. That is absolutely false, and Rodgers is proving that week-in and week-out. A-Rod has figured out that arm power is to be used only as a tool after extreme patience is used. Favre would simply gun the pass and hope for the best, while Rodgers waits until his receiver truly is open.
There’s another very similar characteristic between the two. The play-making ability is an obvious sign that Rodgers was Favre’s student, as they both have a knack for escaping the pocket and making plays. Favre was known for his underhand passes, and shovels, while Rodgers has made a name for himself with his ability to scramble and use touch on his passes to hit receivers over the top of the defense. Rodgers also has made some pretty Favre-esque shovel passes as well in his time, and has made Green Bay fans look at him almost as they looked at Favre.
One thing you can’t take away from Favre, is that he knew how to win football games. There was absolutely no quit in the man, and that’s the reason that his teams were successful for the most part. Favre won one Super Bowl in 1996, but had many successful seasons. Rodgers has already won a Super Bowl, and has had similar success with his Packers’ teams. Favre still leads Rodgers in Super Bowl appearances, but Rodgers is strong on his way to another appearance this year (knock on wood), and is closing in on a lot of Favre’s records. Both hold similar ability to lead clutch drives to seal wins. In particular, the deep ball is what both QB’s seem to like to go to when needing a big touchdown. You see Rodgers hit Jennings, Nelson, and Jones mostly on deep routes for touchdowns all the time, while Favre threw them to Antonio Freeman, Jennings, Sharpe, and more. They both have that ability to pop a big play off at any time, without any sign.
Those are some of the main issues that they are similar in, but what Rodgers really has on Favre is that he’s more of a complete football player. Favre played the game with what he had, and what he had was a cannon arm, great teammates, and the ability to make plays. Rodgers has nearly perfect mechanics, which Favre most definitely never had, and also a very smart head for the game. I’m not saying that Favre didn’t have a good head for the game, but what I am saying is that Rodgers possesses the ability to make reads, process them, and then carry out the decision within the space of a split second. Favre threw many of his interceptions because he didn’t process the right coverage, or other options quick enough, and settled for option #1 or #2, instead of finding that wide open #3 option. Patience is key at the quarterback position, and Rodgers has that extremely hard to teach characteristic.
Overall, both QB’s are legends in Green Bay, but Rodgers does seem to be the better overall player. I can tell you that Green Bay has embraced Rodgers, and have all but kicked Favre out of the fold for playing for their arch-rival Vikings. That being said, once Favre comes back and apologizes to the fans, and makes up for all the damage, he will have his jersey retired, and he will once again be considered a Lambeau great. Until then however, Rodgers will continue to receive the honor of being exalted over Favre, and considered the better quarterback to Favre.
