Let the Favre-Rodgers Comparisons Begin

Quarterback Brett Favre made his debut with the New York Jets Saturday night against the Washington Redskins, completing five of six passes for 48 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions. But, while he looked sharp, we really didn't learn a whole lot in the brief time he was in the game. Jets fans, I think, should be happy, though, with what they saw during the two drives in which the future Hall of Famer was in the game. Favre looked sharp and in control of the offense for the most part.

While the former Green Bay Packers QB was getting his start in The Meadowlands, current Packers starter Aaron Rodgers was going through an outing that was a little on the shaky side. (yes, it's a little early to compare performances, but you know it's inevitable, so why not start now?) Rodgers, who played the entire first half against the San Francisco 49ers, completed a respectable nine of 16 passes, but most were of the short-range variety which is reflected in his 6.4 yards per completion average as compared to Favre's 9.6. The Packers offense managed just three points while Rodgers was in the game, and those were set up when the team failed to punch the ball into the end zone following a fumble recovery on the 49ers 7-yard line.

In all fairness to Rodgers, though, his offensive line struggled in pass protection, giving up four sacks during the first half alone. Regardless, this obviously wasn't the performance head coach Mike McCarthy was looking for out of his offense in its second outing. The play from quarterback all the way around has to be a little unsettling considering Rodgers two backups, both rookies, combined for just 66 yards passing over the second half. All told, Green Bay produced an anemic 124 yards through the air and converted just two out of 14 third-down situations.

It's too early to panic in Green Bay, though. It is, after all, just the second preseason game of the year. But the loss certainly did nothing to take the pressure off Rodgers and the heat off McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson.

Something tells me it's going to be a roller coaster ride for those guys this year with Rodgers latest performance leading the current direction of travel.

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