Actually, Favre Did Give Me an Autograph Once

One of my favorite things about running a blog is that it's a great chance to go back and forth with others about our differing opinions, on something we both follow. Normally, when people do attack my opinions or believes, I respond in kind within the comments of an original post. It's something I encourage, and dealing with differing opinions is something I can take, unlike some people. But I thought I'd give my response to 'antonio' it's own post.

Here's what I said in this week's Bucky Five:

Oh, Aaron. I still love you. Actually, Rodgers didn't even play that bad. He threw for almost 300 yards, and didn't turn the ball over. But not all of his passes were on target, and his only touchdown was on a one yard sneak that was for the most part uncontested. He didn't look like the same quarterback that he was in the previous two games, and he struggled when he had to rollout to his left.

I then went on to say if the Packers did still have Favre, the Packers would more likely be 1-2 right now than 2-1. What I failed to say is that where Rodgers took some sacks, Favre would have likely heaved those up for interceptions. I only say this because that is what we've seen before. Here's antonio's reply:

Um, did you you see the same game I did? Rodgers was consistently overthrowing receivers basically the entire 2nd half. That "almost 300 yards" came in at garbage time.

Did Favre not sign an autograph of yours or something? You do not know how Favre would look with the receivers on this team vs. who the Jets have. Oh, actually you do, career best year last year. You just want him to suck, so, bad. Every post is the same. Rodgers is great, Favre sucks...blah, blah, blah. Sixteen years he fought his a-- off for the team. Keep drinking the kool-aid, Winks, it will sustain you through the Neil O'Donnell era here.

Pretty strong words from a guy who I'm guessing was either wearing a Favre Jets jersey or a Brett the Jet shirt at the time. Pretty strong words from a guy who's likely to be that annoying fan at your favorite bar tonight every time the cameras land on Brett Favre.

To respond, you're damn right I'm drinking the Kool-Aid on the Aaron Rodgers era. But it's not because I blindly following whatever Ted Thompson does, it's because I honestly feel Rodgers is a very capable, and very good quarterback in the league.

If you've watched the same games that I've had, there's no doubting that Rodgers was near flawless in his first two games, but did struggle against a tougher defense on Monday night. I have all the confidence in the world in Aaron Rodgers, and judging my his poise, his confidence, and his play, there is no one else I'd rather have following the footsteps of Brett Favre.

As for Brett Favre, I will admit that I am rooting against him. I'm sorry, I don't want him to make the playoffs, even if it gives the Packers a better draft pick. I want Favre to go to New York and realized he made a mistake, and then come back to Green Bay and be welcomed with open arms when the Packers invite all the alumni back like they did last night.

Why do I feel this way? It's quite simple, Favre held the Packers hostage year after year, and eventually became bigger than the team. At some point, as it is with any relationship, you have to decide if the negatives outweigh the positives. In this case, Ted felt like Favre's melodrama was becoming a distraction, and therefore shipped him out of town to the Jets.

Yes, he did work his ass off for this team for 16 years, but that doesn't give you immunity to do anything you want to in this league. That's the most absurd argument I've heard through this entire thing. As a general manager, you do whatever you can for your team to put them into a position to win. In this case, that was promoting Aaron Rodgers to be the Packers starter. So far, I'd say it hasn't been a bad move at all.

And to answer your question, I met Brett Favre when I was twelve years old. Not only did he sign an autograph for me, he signed two of them (you were only supposed to get one, but I wanted one for my brother). He was very nice and gracious, and I'll always look at my one-time hero in a positive light.

With the exception of this year, of course.

(p.s. Neil O'Donnell's career stats include a Pro Bowl selection, a Super Bowl appearance, and the lowest interception percentage in the history of the league. Just saying.)