NFL Action - Is Aaron Rodgers capable of replacing Brett Favre
NFL betting lines have been released and sports bettors are already preparing their online sports betting picks. One of the bigger offseason questions for fans and internet sportsbook alike that remains unanswered is how the Green Bay Packers will fair in the absence of Brett Favre.
After making him the 24th overall pick in the 2005 draft, the Packers stashed quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the bench for the next three seasons. Finally, Rodgers will have a chance to prove Green Bay made a wise decision when selecting him.
Odds are the 24-year-old Cal product is ready for the challenge. Everything a young quarterback could ask for is in place: a good running back, a solid offensive line, dangerous receivers. But because the team is turning to a rookie starter to replace a Hall of Fame legend, many observers consider the Packers underdogs in the NFC North race this year.
No, Rodgers can't duplicate Favre's arm strength, but who can? He's still got a lot of juice in his right arm, more than enough to get the job done. More importantly, the Packers' West Coast offense doesn't rely on heaving the ball down field on every other play. Rather, it works on precision and timing.
Much of the damage comes from the receivers' ability to create yards after the catch, something Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and James Jones do very well. The team's depth at wide out?Ruvell Martin, rookie Jordy Nelson and tight end Donald Lee are also in the mix?allows Green Bay to spread the field and give Rodgers lots of options.
Some of Rodgers' critics point out he's a Jeff Tedford pupil. The California coach has groomed an incredible five first-rounders?four of whom are busts. Trent Dilfer, Akili Smith, Joey Harrington and Kyle Boller bombed as football picks, never achieving the lofty heights expected of them. I think Rodgers is a good bet to buck that trend, however, because he enjoyed an advantage the others never had: sitting and watching for a few years.
Most of Teford's quarterbacks were forced under center almost immediately. Rodgers took everything in from the sidelines to start his career: adjusting to the playbook, tweaking his mechanics and learning from Favre. Now, he's primed for the spotlight.
Don't bet against Aaron Rodgers this season. Admittedly, he faces an absurd amount of pressure in filling Favre's cleats. But with a few years to feel his way around, a deep group of elite receivers, and a wealth of talent on his side, Rodgers is good enough to ensure Green Bay remains the favorite to win the division and compete for a Super Bowl. Don't say we didn't tell you so when reviewing your NFL week 1 lines making your football picks this season.
Blake walked onto his college football team and had a brief stint as an assistant coach after he graduated. He brings a sharp mind to the world of sports handicapping. Blake understands the nuances of the game that only someone who has played would understand, and he was one of the few who gave the Giants a chance against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Thoughts or questions?
