"But the expectations people put on me are not going to be able to exceed the ones I put on myself. I'm a perfectionist and I expect to play well.” (Aaron Rodgers)
The playoff loss still stings, but Rodgers should take heart. The Packers picked well on NFL Draft Day, repairing the defensive flaws that all-but guaranteed last year’s early exit from the playoffs.
In the meantime, jersey #12 appears poised to write some legends of his own. Over 7 professional seasons, Rodgers owns a career passer rating of 104.2, the highest in the history of all NFL quarterbacks and beating second-ranked Tony Romo by 7.2 points. It’s worth noting that the difference separating Rodgers and Romo is greater than between #2 Romo (96.9) and #12 Chad Pennington (90.1).
According to many analysts, quarterbacks who are “game managers” are the key to winning seasons and Super Bowls these days. Teams aren’t just looking for the guy who can launch footballs like cannons, but a thinks-on-his feet strategist with a talent for seeing how a play will develop before the ball is snapped.
If this theory holds true, then no quarterback is more suited to the football-as-chess-match style of play than Rodgers. With a near-photographic memory, years of scouting opponents, and his ability to turn visualizations in his head into 1st-and-10 gains on field, Rodgers has all the right tools. Best of all, Rodgers won’t turn 30 years old until mid-season in 2012.
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