Nov 4, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) recovers a fumble as Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett (90) reaches for the ball during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Ok, so Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers’ much-celebrated quarterback, completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes yesterday – everyone was sure to point that out.

He was the first to say that he was upset with his own performance. He admitted he played well below the bar he has set.

“It was bad. I wasn’t on today. I didn’t make a lot of good throws. We’ve got to do a better job there,” Rodgers said

But none of that really matters. He’s the league’s MVP and there’s no taking that away from him. His value to the Packers is immeasurable, his impact on the game growing each week.

All of that was embodied in a single play from Sunday’s 31-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

With the Packers clinging to a 7-point lead, they were in the middle of a promising drive that featured a team that was running the ball well and a team that seemed to be getting stronger with every play.

Rodgers dropped into the backfield after the snap and handed off to James Starks who made a cut through the initial wall of defenders and into the second wall where flailing arms resulted in the ball being stripped. As the ball hit the ground, so did several players who attempted their best flops and bounces in their attempt to gain possession, only to watch as the ball squirted away and fell lonely and silent onto the Lambeau Field turf where it lay for what seemed an eternity – until a streak of white jersey came sliding headlong into and onto the ball.

Nov 4, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks to pass during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

It was Rodgers.

Risking life and limb, in a single moment Rodgers gained the respect of every Packers player and football fan watching. Not only did he recover the football that kept alive a multi-play 75-yard touchdown drive, but he also resuscitated a team that was wallowing – a team that needed a single spark to propel them to a much-needed win.

And that’s why Rodgers is not only the most important player on the field at any given time for the Green Bay Packers, but he is fast becoming the face of the league.

Yes, he completed only 14 of his 30 passing attempts in this win over the Cardinals, but his passer rating was respectable, 96.9, and his four touchdown passes is something the majority of NFL QBs would die for. So, yes, Rodgers’ day was very un-Rodgerslike, but that’s OK … for the MVP. That’s how it should be. He should be dissatisfied with that. He’s done much better in the past and will do so again in the future.

That’s what MVPs do.

“I need to play better in the second half of the season,” Rodgers said. “You can’t have the kind of missed throws that I had today and expect to be able to win consistently.”

We’ve all come to expect only the best from Rodgers. He knows it and so does his coach, Mike McCarthy – even though he was a bit surprised and frightened by Rodgers’ play.

“It scared the hell out of me, frankly,” PMcCarthy said about the fumble recovery. “When I saw him dive in there, I just thought the worst. I think it tells you about him as a football player, which I obviously have great respect for that. He plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played, but I get paid to worry and I was worrying. That was a heck of a play by Aaron.”

His teammates felt the same way … as did the fans.

Everyone realizes that it’s Rodgers’ ability to throw touchdown passes, his ability to evade the rush, his ability to use his legs to pick up crucial first downs, his ability to lead a group of men to continued success – those are the things that help bring notoriety.

But it was that single play Sunday when Rodgers handed off and then dove into our hearts that continues to be and will define his legacy. We won’t forget the simple things, the things that make him our Most Valuable Player. When he saw that loose ball bouncing around among 300-pound football players, he didn’t care. He did what he had to do to help his team. His unselfish act was a simple one, but one that could go a long way in helping this team continue to roll toward a division championship and the playoffs.

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Aaron Rodgers, despite a shaky start by his team, is the NFL’s MVP – hands down. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

He’s baaaaaaack!!!

Though in fairness he never really left.

There was just a short period of time where he looked a little less superhuman than usual.

Sure, the Packers started 2-3, but very little of this was Rodgers’ fault. During that early stretch, he was still in the top 10 in the NFL for passer rating, touchdowns, and completion percentage. He was the team’s leading rusher in two of those games, and he played three of the NFL’s top defenses.

Still some members of the media, with the glee of a 5-year-old on Christmas morning lined up to take their shots. He is not a good leader. He doesn’t make the extra effort. He isn’t playing like the MVP. Just because he’s a great quarterback, doesn’t make him a great guy.

How did Rodgers respond? … Like a true champion does – he let his game do the talking.

He proceeded to go on a two-game tear the NFL has rarely seen. He completed 73 percent of his passes, threw for 680 yards had nine touchdowns and ZERO interceptions. His QB rating was 133.0.  Even more impressive, the two defenses he did this against were both ranked near the top of the NFL against the pass, and St. Louis had only given up one passing touchdown at home all year before Mr. Rodgers came to town.

He now stands right where he belongs, atop the NFL in nearly every major quarterback statistic. And with that, all  the whispers, the talk, the doubt, and the insults, have faded away.

While the stats alone are impressive,  they only tell half the tale.

Two things that are vital for a quarterback are protection and a good running game.

The Packers are ranked dead last in the NFL in rushing touchdowns with two. They average only 3.9 yards per carry (Rodgers actually leads them with 5.2 ypc) and near the bottom of the league in yards per game. As far as protection goes,  Rodgers is on pace to be sacked 60 times this year … 60! In fact, there is only one quarterback (Kevin Kolb in Arizona) who has been sacked more than Rodgers.

Not only does Rodgers not have a dependable running game, or consistent protection, he has also been without his best receiver, running back, and tight end, due to injuries.

What does all of this mean?

Quite simply, the Packers are once again among the elite, and that can be directly attributed to the play of the most valuable player of anyone on any team – Aaron Rodgers

With help from his teammates, Aaron Rodgers could play for many more years in the NFL. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay Packers. Lifetime contract.

Those three should be and will be a reality if the Packers’ quarterback, Super Bowl champion and league Most Valuable Player has his way.

In a Q&A published this morning by the Green Bay Press Gazette, Rodgers doesn’t beat around the bush. He comes right out and says that there’s no other place he would rather be than in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In fact, he want s to be there for the remainder of his career.

Is there any question the Packers bean counters aren’t locked in a room at 1265 Lombardi Avenue trying to figure out a way they can make that happen?

Aaron Rodgers and Ryan Braun are best friends and Rodgers would certainly love to have a lifetime contract much like was given to Braun by the Brewers.

Like his good friend Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers, Rodgers wants a long-term contract that will essentially keep him in a Green Bay Packers uniform for the remainder of his playing days. And you can’t blame him. I’m sure Braun and Rodgers have talked about the fact that Braun has been thought of enough by the Milwaukee franchise to sign him to a contract that will keep him in a Brewers uniform for nearly the next decade.

Rodgers wants something like that.

Here’s some other highlights from Rodgers’ interview:

On his disappointment with the Pro Bowl:

“After the Pro Bowl experience, the things that happened at the hotel, during the week and then in the game, I just thought was so disappointing. Not only myself, the coaching staff that we brought, but to the fans. I mean, I’m sitting there, I bought six tickets as well so I have six people in the stands watching me in the game and I felt I was embarrassed for them so I just felt like it was the right time to say something like that.”

On the trappings of stardom:

“I think you can kind of prepare for some of it but there’s so many things that, opportunities and also temptations and then people trying to take advantage of you that you maybe didn’t see.”

On his achievements and if he still has the drive to succeed:

“I’d say it’s stronger now and I don’t say that to be cliché-ish. It’s just that when you win a Super Bowl, and I talked to other guys who feel the same way, when you win a Super Bowl, the next year you’re on such a high … Then last year losing in the first round of the playoffs, there’s just that empty feeling of regret that you’re not going to experience that same kind of high the Super Bowl was so I’d say personally that’s what I want.”

Aaron Rodgers stepped out from the shadows of Brett Favre and has brought a new enthusiasm to the Packers and the entire league. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

On his feelings toward those who didn’t believe in him when he took over for Brett Favre:

“Yeah, there were a bunch of people, whether they said it or not. That was a difficult time for the organization, our fans. I think the sentiment is that the Packers are doing pretty good now with that decision … But I don’t have any ill will towards other Packer fans or anything that happened that summer. It was such a character growing opportunity I think. It’s easier to say now than back then.”

On future contract talks:

“I think they’re an organization who is going to do what’s best for the organization. Obviously my representation, just like any representation, is trying to get the most money possible at times. I don’t see it being an issue. I want to be a Packer for life and I don’t see myself going anywhere else.”

On the potential for 2012:

“I think you’ve got to be, the kind of guys we’re going to add to the mix. The free agent guys. The rookie guys. Bringing a guy like Alex Green back into the mix. There’s a lot of young guys fighting for spots. I think Mike (McCarthy) has said it before about the talent level that we have. I’ll take this angle: This will be the most difficult cuts that we’ve had in eight years of me being here … The thing I look at is when I think of the schedule, I look at when we’re playing in Chicago, it’s a late game, so that will be a tough one late in the season. So it’s going to be a tough run. What we learned last year was you’ve got to be playing the right way at the end of the season, like we were in 2010 and the Giants were last year.”

And finally, one of the more interesting answers came when asked about the most difficult part of his job. His answer is very interesting. You would think it would be something like learning a new offense or studying a defensive scheme or getting his footwork down. No, it was none of that.

Here’s what he had to say about that:

“Turning it off. Finding ways to escape from being on all the time. Having to be in the mindset of that preparation and that focus when I’m at the facility, being able to turn that off. That doesn’t mean just when I get home at 4:30 or whatever. That’s being able to turn it off at midnight when I’m trying to fall asleep and I can’t. That’s probably the hardest part.”

It’s always good to hear from Aaron Rodgers and as we inch closer to the start of the NFL Training Camp, it’s even better to hear from him, especially when he provides such insight into his persona.

The hope of all Packers fans is that Aaron Rodgers will be winding up to throw bombs for years to come. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

There’s a reason Aaron Rodgers is a champion and the MVP of the league. Our hope is that he is around for many more seasons to come and that he stays injury-free. Packers fans, of course want Aaron Rodgers to walk away from the game a whole person without the problems so many others have experienced over the years.

And if you think Aaron Rodgers is ready for 2012, below are some highlights from 2011 that will surely get the juices flowing. No, the Packers didn’t repeat as Super Bowl champions last year, but the team went 15-2 on the season. There were plenty of highlights … enjoy …

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Chad Moriyama is  a blogger who writes mostly about the Los Angeles Dodgers, but admittedly strays toward other subjects when the need strikes him.

Such was the case when he posted a recent blog about the situation with Ryan Braun, the Milwaukee Brewers’ and Major League Baseball’s MVP.

Why talk about baseball here on a football site? It’s because Braun’s situation goes well beyond baseball and impacts all of sport, most importantly that of football.

Moriyama’s blog, “Ryan Braun: What you don’t know about his case is important,” strikes at the heart of the emotion surrounding the decision to rule his suspension null and void – a decision many said was because of a technicality. While on the surface that explanation may hold some water, when one looks deeper into the case it’s clear that there are plenty of holes and plant of leaking water.

Whether Braun is guilty of using banned substances or not is a moot point now. MLB and Bud Selig can cry in all the beers they want – it won’t change the decision. What baseball brass and NFL officials need to take away from this is the importance of getting it right. And even more important is that the media has to learn not to jump for the jugular without first studying an issue. There are too many people who form judgments based on skimpy information … those judgments blow up on the Twitter and Facebook platforms and leave a trail of destruction behind. That doesn’t do anybody any good.

With the NFL attempting to institute HGH testing for players, they better take a close look at the Ryan Braun case and they also need to read this particular blog. They may learn a lesson or two.

I suggest you slide on over and read Moriyama’s blog and take a step back to reflect. That’s something we all need to do.

Clipped from: www.chadmoriyama.com (share this clip)

If tagged with the franchise designation, would Jermichael Finley be considered a tight end or wide receiver? Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Today was the first day NFL teams could apply the franchise tag to a player of their choosing. Not any were done right away but this is to be expected as teams would prefer to see how free agency falls out before they make any large financial commitments.

So how should the Pack use their franchise tag, if they even choose to do so?

The most probable candidate will be tight end Jermichael Finley. At the beginning of last season, it was surely expected that the Packers would apply the franchise tag once the off-season came around. But after a disappointing year by the young tight end, it has made Packers fans somewhat uncertain as to using the tag on Finley – is he even worth it?

It’s only a one year deal, but it pays the player as being one of the tops at that position. There is an issue with Finley about this though. There has been some speculation that Finley may argue that he is a wide receiver and, therefore, would make double the money if he were to be considered a tight end. To determine this, they will have to review how many times Finley lined up as a wide receiver and compare it to the tight end. This would surely determine if the Packers decide to use the tag on Finley or not. If he is considered a tight end, then the Pack will most likely use the tag on him but if he is considered a wide receiver, then it would be more likely that the Pack decide not to use the tag and may have to let him go.

Obviously Packers fans would be saddened if this should happen but there would still be the chance the Packers could work out a 1 or 2 year deal. This is unlikely, however, and the Pack will be faced with either giving him the tag or letting him walk.

Another scenario the Packers could opt for is franchising quarterback Matt Flynn. This probably will not happen because if they chose to do so, they would be paying Flynn more money than MVP Aaron Rodgers next season. The benefit of doing this would be to get good trade value for someone who is considered by many teams as a franchise quarterback.

Last year the Philadelphia Eagles had Kevin Kolb and ended up trading him to the Arizona Cardinals for lots of picks and valuable players. It would be nice for the Pack to be able to get some nice pieces for Flynn but I just cannot see the Pack doing this.

The most probable scenario will be the Pack either franchising Finley as a tight end or letting him walk and the Packers opting not to use the franchise tag this year.

Though today was the first day teams were able to place the franchise tag on one of their players, the Packers’ crucial decision will still probably be a few weeks away.

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour pardoned Brett Favre's brother, Scott, among dozens of others.

Brett Favre is back in the news – well kind of.

His brother, Earnest Scott Favre, according to a press release from the Associated Press this morning, has been pardoned by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour.

The pardon means that Favre’s record will be cleared.

You might remember that Favre’s brother pleaded guilty in 1997 and was sentenced to a year of house arrest followed by two years’ probation in the death of his best friend, Mark Haverty.

Haverty was killed when Favre drove in front of and was hit by a train in Pass Christian while driving drunk. The accident took place in 1996. That was right in the middle of Favre’s magical run on the football field with the Packers when he led his team to two straight Super Bowl, a title in Super Bowl XXXI, and the winning of three straight MVP titles.

It was also the start of a series of unfortunate circumstances for Favre – his wife having cancer, his father dying and other family issues that plagued him for years. Despite all that, of course, Favre continued playing with the Packers through the 2007 season … but everyone knows the history about him …

Even the great Vince Lombardi couldn't field a team with a perfect record, the ultimate for which all teams strive.

While the current perfect season has all Packers fans walking on clouds, the persistent question, “Can the Packers duplicate the ’72 Dolphins?” is complete nonsense.

Who cares?

The only truly important goal is winning the Super Bowl again.

Sure, Aaron Rodgers’ MVP-caliber season is incredible, and, sure, there are concerns about the defense, but the perfect season?

Irrelevant.

If the Packers do lose a game in the regular season, and hopefully they won’t, it simply won’t be the end of the world. The team will redouble efforts to fix errors and come out the next week ready to go again. Individual efforts and awards, points given up, yards gained, and yards allowed pale in comparison to winning the ultimate game.

For now, win the next game, finish on top of the North Division, secure home field advantage for the playoffs – those are relevant goals. Bring on the Lions, raise a turkey leg to the Packers, the Super Bowl is in sight.

Go Pack Go!

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