Editorial: Give Aaron Rodgers chance to succeed

Sheboygan Press - Sheboygan, WI, USA - Whether the Aaron Rodgers era has already begun in Green Bay or we'll have to wait for it until he starts his first game for the Packers, one thing is certain — he's not the second coming of Brett Favre.

As much as we loved what Brett Favre did on the football field and what he meant to Wisconsin, it would be completely unfair to Aaron Rodgers to expect him to be the same player and person.

In his first news conference with state media at Fan Fest in Green Bay, Rodgers came across as someone who is ready to blaze his own trail and create his own legacy.

That's a good first step.

Rodgers no doubt will test that old adage that it takes time to mature as a quarterback in the NFL. The experts say that given that time the 24-year-old Rodgers has the tools it takes to be a good quarterback.

The question is whether fans will give the new No. 1 time. Will Rodgers get a long leash, time to prove himself a leader, or will the faithful clamor for his lengthy locks if losses outnumber wins?

Successors to a legend have not always fared well, especially in Green Bay. Phil Bengston, Bart Starr and Forrest Gregg found out how hard it was to follow Vince Lombardi. The Miami Dolphins are still looking for someone to come close to being what Dan Marino was. It would be wonderful indeed if Rodgers turned out to be as good as Steve Young did following San Francisco legend Joe Montana.

We hope fans remember that Favre — although he pulled out a victory in his first game in relief of Don Majkowski — was still a rough and unpolished gem through his first couple of years as the starting guy. What would have happened had Mike Holmgren not had that extra ounce of patience to let Brett be Brett?

Whether Rodgers is the answer in Green Bay is not on his shoulders (or arm) alone.

Don't forget the team's chief executive officer, Mark Murphy, has only a few weeks on the job and there's a new man, Russ Ball, in charge of managing the salary cap.

These two jobs may not have the same high profile as does the quarterback, but mistakes made at this level can be as devastating to the organization as an interception or a fumble is in an individual game.

With three years as Favre's backup, Rodgers knows full well that his task is daunting. But that California "cool" we saw at Fan Fest should help him handle the pressure that comes from following a legend and a sure Hall-of-Famer.