Aaron Rodgers rips favre?

[4th and 26]

Packers: Rodgers' first fumble followed by feeding frenzy
By JASON WILDE
608-252-6176
jwilde@madison.com
GREEN BAY — Since assuming the job as the Green Bay Packers' starting quarterback following the retirement of Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers had done everything right.
He had perfect attendance in the team's quarterback school, organized team activity practices and mandatory minicamp workouts. He'd invited teammates over to his house once a week and gotten 30 or so of them to show up for catered dinners. He'd said all the right things in the media.

Until now. In a story about quarterbacks following legends in this week's edition of Sports Illustrated, set to reach subscribers today and hit newsstands Thursday, Rodgers is quoted by author Chris Ballard saying something that likely won't play well among fans who are already unsure about Rodgers replacing Favre.
"I don't feel I need to sell myself to the fans," Rodgers is quoted as saying in the story. "They need to get on board now or keep their mouths shut."
As a result, Rodgers spent Tuesday in the center of controversy, with the remark dominating the talk-radio airwaves, Internet blogs and comment sections and several local TV sportscasts after Sports Illustrated released an advance copy of the story to the media.
By day's end, his voicemail was full and could no longer accept new messages.
"I love playing in Green Bay. I love the city of Green Bay. I love playing in a city that expects greatness, expects its players to play at a high level. I love my interaction with the fans, I love being in the community and spending time with them. That's my only regret with this story breaking, that anyone would take offense to what I said," Rodgers said Tuesday night. "Anything that makes it look like I don't care about what the fans think about me is off base. That's the biggest disappointment."
Rodgers wouldn't say whether he was misquoted or if the quote was taken out of context.
"The hardest thing today — and I've been pretty bummed out, to be honest — is that I honestly care about the fans. I do. They make the team go," Rodgers said. "Hopefully our fans know how I really feel about them. Hopefully they think about the interactions I've had with them. I can't think of a single time where I've had a negative experience with a fan. That's my biggest fear — that people look at (the quote) and say, 'The guy's arrogant, he hasn't done anything yet.' I realize that I haven't done anything yet. I've played one good game in the NFL in three years, and otherwise I've been a backup. I don't expect anyone to give me anything. I just don't want this quote to come off arrogant or as negative towards our fans.
"I'm going to let each individual search their own heart and let them decide what they think the question was or what questions were asked (to lead to the quote). To break down the quote as best as I can, the message I wanted to get out was, 'Let's move past myself, because it's not about me. Let's get on board with the Green Bay Packers of 2008.' I know the fans will cheer me or boo me depending on how I play. But let's not make it (only) about me, even though I'm at the most scrutinized position on field."
Told of Rodgers' comment on his weekly radio appearance on WTLX 100.5 FM, Packers right tackle Mark Tauscher, one of Rodgers' closest friends on the team, was surprised by it.
"With Aaron, obviously this is a unique situation. No question about it. Whenever you replace a guy like Brett, there's a lot of (pressure) on you, and I'm sure you get sick of answering questions," Tauscher said. "I don't know the context or how (the interview) played out. I haven't read the article, and I don't plan to. It's a non-issue. What it's going to come down to is how the guy goes out and plays. If I was him, I probably would not have said that. ... That quote is something I'm sure some people will take offense to."




http://www.madison.com/wsj/mad/sports/294213

[GSH-30]

it probably needed to be said. but who cares

[Dagan81]

I agree with you, GSH, that something has to be said. Everything is Brett Favre this or Brett Favre, and now with rumors and speculation that Favre is coming out of retirement, well, I think that justifies his feelings.

If I were Rodgers and Favre pulls this stunt, I'd demand a trade out of Green Bay.

[Berdoo's Dark Knight]

I think Rodgers knows the only way people will forget Brett is if he wins a SB in Green Bay, and that is not going to happen anytime soon.

[Guitarzan-54]

"I don't feel I need to sell myself to the fans," Rodgers is quoted as saying in the story. "They need to get on board now or keep their mouths shut."

You can sugarcoat it all he wants...after the initial statement, but

....it sure sounds pretty arrogant to me.



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[de_real_deal]

Originally Posted by Guitarzan-54

"I don't feel I need to sell myself to the fans," Rodgers is quoted as saying in the story. "They need to get on board now or keep their mouths shut."

You can sugarcoat it all he wants...after the initial statement, but

....it sure sounds pretty arrogant to me.



..... .......



.

Quote from anonymous member @ a packer forum.............. ahemm

"The guys has played one decent half of pro football in his career. A half where the other team didnt even gameplan for him. I think he is the one who should keep his mouth shut until he proves he can play a full game without getting hurt or at least until he gets his first victory under his belt. I cant remember one instance where Favre publicly said to the fans "shut up and get on board". Its something i would expect Ryan Leaf to say."

Message to Mr. Rodgers

[JD67]

The Aaron Rodgers/Ryan Leaf comparison is spot on.

[motownbear]

i think he is just frustrated he got drafted by a team he might never really get to play a down for lol

If they do end up getting Favre for the upcoming season this is my suggestion=

you drafted two young guys who can play behind Favre this season and by next season one should emerge as a starter if Favre ever retires

then just trade Rodgers. If you can get a 2 rounder for him why not. He wont hurt the cap in a trade cause he was a late first rounder and already played 3/5 years hitting no bonuses