On the NFL: Packers' Rodgers deserves a chance

GREEN BAY, WIS. - The last time the NFL sent the Vikings to Green Bay for a celebrated season opener was 2003.

Lambeau Field had just received a $295 million makeover. A fancy rededication ceremony was planned. A good time would be had by all. Then Mike Tice's team -- 6-10 the year before -- would be served up as the main dish.

Then-NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue was there. So was Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle. And a bunch of kids from nearby Vince Lombardi Middle School, too.

A record crowd of 70,505 was having a ball in 71-degree sunshine. Fighter jets zoomed by overhead as the national anthem came to a close.

Joy to the world ... right up until Brett Favre threw three first-half interceptions and put the Packers in a 20-3 hole from which they couldn't climb out. He threw a fourth pick in the second half.

Just Brett being Brett. The gunslinger didn't get 'em that day. But he'd live to sling it another day.

Author's note to angry Favre fans: Your guy was, is and always will be one of the best quarterbacks to play the game. But that 2003 season-opening stinkaroo comes to mind when looking ahead to the unrealistic scrutiny that Aaron Rodgers will face from the first snap of his first NFL start in a huge "Monday Night Football" game against, naturally, the Vikings. And, oh my goodness, heaven help poor Aaron if Favre plays well in Miami in his Jets debut today.

Even the most loyal Favre fan has to consider it at least a tad ironic that Favre's 24-year-old replacement will get no leeway when it comes to throwing interceptions. Each mistake will be compared to Favre's Greatest Hits, not Favre's Greatest Picks -- of which there is an NFL record to choose from.

Yes, Favre earned the right to miss a few and throw some others to the wrong team. He did, after all, win a Super Bowl and set a record for most victories by a quarterback. But in a year in which so many young QBs are making their debut or still trying to prove themselves in the NFL, Rodgers should be given the same opportunity to develop before being torched week to week as a guy who can't measure up to Favre.

Will that happen? What are you, nuts? Of course it won't happen. If Favre throws a touchdown in Miami, people will expect Rodgers to darn well throw one in Lambeau. If Favre throws two interceptions, people will expect Rodgers to manage the game and not throw any interceptions.

At least Rodgers has had three years to prepare himself for what he's about to be thrown into. He's either a mature young man who is ready for it, or he's a darn good actor.

"I know that comes with the territory of playing quarterback for Green Bay," he said. "I knew that even if Brett had stayed retired, there would still be that comparison to my career. Hopefully, it's a long career, but we wish Brett well and we're focused on what we got to do."

Packers coach Mike McCarthy has praised Rodgers all summer for the way he has handled a difficult situation. He doesn't expect that to change once the games start to count.

"Brett Favre had a great career here, and that's well-documented," McCarthy said. "We're excited about Aaron Rodgers and the opportunity now. I'm sure he'll be judged accordingly, step by step."

McCarthy said that with a knowing tone of the intense scrutiny and comparisons that are sure to come.

Rodgers was asked if he and his teammates will be watching Favre play when they can. "A lot of guys still have strong feelings about Brett," Rodgers said. "I'm sure they'll keep up with him. And I'm sure the media will keep us informed on what's going on with him."

Rodgers was asked if he expects to experience the typical struggles of a first-year NFL starting QB. He said he knows there will be "bumps in the road," but, again, he sounded confident.

"I'm not expecting to fail," he said. "No, sir. Not at all."

Before he fails -- if he fails -- let's at least give him time to succeed.

Mark Craig • mcraig@startribune.com