Of Rodgers, Martin, Gannon and Favre

By Os Davis  |   Tuesday, June 20, 2006  |  Comments( 3 )

Green Bay Packers
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
Despite any number of unknowns up to and including how much playing time he'll get, some Green Bay Packers pundits are already speculating on Rodgers' performance in 2006. And believe it or not (believe it), some in Wisconsin are already panicking based on performances in drills.

Terms used to define Rodgers' preseason performance thus far in Packer backer circles are things like "spotty" and "disappointing" and flat out "poor." On Friday's drills, Rodgers could not successfully work the two-minute drill in lieu of the absent Brett Favre and in four attempts completed a single short pass to backup RB Noah Herron. Pessimists further note that Rodgers threw an interception in the drill and managed a mere two-for-six in the seven-man drills.

By all accounts, meanwhile, Ingle Martin IV seems to be increasing his stock. On-site reports recorded that, with the second team and Samkon Gado, Martin managed a two-for-four in the two-minute drill and a two-for-four in the seven-man.

I've said it before and will no doubt continue to do so through at least 2007 or '08: Aaron Rodgers will never get a break while in Green Bay. No matter what happens this season, any situation involving lots of playing time for Rodgers and anything less than a Montana-esque performance is certain to gain him only more flack. Whether called upon to fill in for an injured Favre, a benched Favre, or a spontaneously-retired Favre, Rodgers loses.

If Rodgers gathers splinters on the bench in 2006, Rodgers detractors are certain to proclaim that, after two seasons of a dozen or so snaps apiece, the guy just isn't developing. And, to be honest, he wouldn't be developing.

Anything less than Rodgers' utter mastery of Coach Mike McCarthy's West Coast offense may be considered failure, at least in majority public opinion. Rodgers will be forever compared to a quarterback of legendary proportions, the second coming of Bart Starr in the hearts of cheeseheads.

Enter another quarterback of legendary proportions: Rich Gannon. A former charge of Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach McCarthy, Gannon put in about forty-five minutes talking and tutoring Rodgers, Martin, Brian Wrobel, and Tom Arth. Ironically, Gannon was quoted as saying that Favre "has an education of a lifetime for [the Packers'] younger guys." Favre has reportedly refused to tutor Rodgers or the others prospects.

Other QB-related news is that all kick-holding has been done by punters Jon Ryan and B.J. Sander, implying that Green Bay backup QB's won't be taking many snaps on special teams, either.

While spring training goes on and you follow the NFL however you choose, please spare a bit of pity for Rodgers, the man with the most thankless job in football. And maybe take Martin in your 2007 fantasy-league draft.

Follow all the Green Bay Packers intrigue at Realfootball365.com
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (3)

About Os Davis

Os Davis has taken a twisted route to get to RealFootball365.com in his nearly 17 years in professional writing, working in any number of capacities in the sportswriting, news reporting and film criticism worlds. In print media, Os has served as editor at a few publications, including Albuquerque's...
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report