Editor's note: This is an installment in a 10-part series asking "what if?" certain major events in Twin Cities sports history had turned out differently. This is purely an exercise in amusement. Nobody at the Star Tribune -- least of all the author -- has a DeLorean that goes 88 mph and has the ability to go back to change the past. Send any feedback or suggestions to mrand@startribune.com.

Today's suggestion and opening paragraph comes courtesy of RandBall blog commenter Scottie3234: "What If ... the 49ers drafted Aaron Rodgers instead of Alex Smith in 2005? Would the Gunslinger (Brett Favre) have ever been a Jet? Would he have become lonely in a New York apartment? Would a brilliant season as a Viking come crashing down after 12 men were in the huddle? Would Paul Allen be as filled with existential angst? Would Packer fans still be sanctimonious?" Excellent questions! Let's start from the beginning.

NO. 4 STAYS IN GREEN BAY

If the 49ers draft Rodgers, it is entirely possible the Packers still would have drafted a QB of the future. But if it ended up being Smith or someone similar -- for the sake of argument, let's say Smith took the same draft-day tumble Rodgers ended up taking -- perhaps that QB of the future isn't impressive enough to ever dislodge Favre from his Kingdom of Green Bay. Maybe the Packers and their fans continue to weather the infinite retirement storms, thus waiting for Brett again in 2008 (and 2009 and 2010 ... and 2011?) instead of taking him at his word and moving on. And as such, yes, the Favre texting fiasco probably never happens.

CUTLER, A VIKING INSTEAD OF A BEAR?

If Favre never leaves Green Bay to become a Jet, and eventually a Viking, 2009 never happens the way it happened. About 99 percent of that would have been a crying shame, Purple faithful, because that was a ridiculously fun year. Alas, there also would not have been 12 men in the huddle, the throw across the body, another gut-kicking field goal in an NFC title game. That would have been OK with most of us. Maybe Tarvaris Jackson is the starter in 2009. Maybe he fails and the Vikings draft Tim Tebow in 2010 instead of Christian Ponder in 2011. Or maybe Jay Cutler is acquired before the 2009 season and is a Viking now instead of a Bear?

BEST OF ALL, NO MORE MOSS ANTICS

There also would not have been 2010. No desperate return of Randy Moss. No sideshow. No post-Favre emergence from the Packers. We dare say the Packers don't win the Super Bowl if it's still Favre's team. But the Metrodome roof still collapses and Packers fans are certainly still sanctimonious. An NFL draft from several years back can influence a lot of things, but the weather in Minnesota and the attitude of Cheeseheads are not among them.

MICHAEL RAND