As a relatively young sports fan I have always wondered what it would have been like to watch Ali box in his prime, be in the stands for a 5-5 Ted Williams day, or watch Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, or Don Larsen dominate a World Series game from the mound. Listening to stories of people who saw these feats, the common theme is that you realize that you are watching greatness early on and you the savior the moment for as long as you can. I got this feeling watching Aaron Rodgers dominate the Atlanta Falcons last night while playing the perfect QB game.
Maybe there have been better statistical games, though 31-36 for 366 (Brett Favre never threw for as many yards in a playoff game) and 4 TD's (1 rushing), but in a divisional playoff game on the road off a short week makes Rodgers' night one for the ages. Green Bay was touted as a pre-season Super Bowl favorite, but after a slew of injuries that decimated their run game, offensive line, defense and depth they need two late season wins to claim the final NFC playoff spot. Maybe GB coach Mike McCarthy learned his lesson last week after he took his foot of the gas in Philly, once he unleashed Rodgers and the playbook in Atlanta he didn't even need a punter. Rodgers' line was as mediocre as it has been all season and the run game was MIA, forcing Rodgers to dodge incoming rushers and make at least half of his completions on the move and under duress. Both Vick and Roethlisberger might have been able to make a few of the same plays out of the pocket and maybe Brady or Brees could have made a few of the same throws in the pocket, but no QB has the combination of skills Rodgers displayed against the NFC #1 seed. You don't often see a #1 seed say they were beat by a better team, which Atlanta claimed and was correct and Rodgers turned Matty Ice into Matty puddle of water.
If I were starting a team, not a fantasy team, but an expansion team like the Harrisburg Hitmen, Rodgers would be my first choice. Remember he doesn't have the O-line or coach Brady does, McCarthy is the NFL's Les Miles and his line is as protective as Michael Lohan. His defense is not close to as dominating as Pittsburgh's, I still remember them giving up over 50 to Zona in last year's playoffs, he has no running game, and his #2 WR is James "stone hands" Jones (great nickname for a boxer, not so good for a wideout). His team has averaged 39 pts/game, going 2-1 in those games, while being the underdog in all three. As a reference point Peyton Manning is 9-10 in the playoffs and was favored in 7 of the ten losses.
Just as Tom Brady continues to reference himself as the 199th pick of the draft, Packers GM Ted Thompson should win executive of the decade for selecting Rodgers with the 24th pick in the 05' draft. San Fran, Miami, and Cleveland had the first three selections in that draft and Jacksonville, Baltimore, and Oakland had the three picks prior to GB. Do you think any of those teams could use Rodgers under center? Minnesota had two picks prior to GB in that draft and selected luminaries Erasmus James and Troy Williamson, proving that the word "expert" is throwing around in NFL circles far too much, like "reality star" in the entertainment world.
Chicago better put a call into Ditka, Buddy Ryan, the Fridge, Richard Dent, and Singletary this week, maybe the 85' Bears defense would have the best chance of slowing Rodgers down. If Rodgers leads this group to a Super Bowl and starts dating Jenn Sterger, the NFL should officially get a WWE like QB belt and award it to Rodgers immediately.
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