Zero2Cool
14 years ago
Web Page Name 

[img_r]http://www.espnmilwaukee.com/includes/news_items/40/2126/rodgersravens2.jpg[/img_r]GREEN BAY Joe Philbin doesnt even remember it. Aaron Rodgers would like to forget it, but he cant and in a way, thats a good thing.



You know, Rodgers said, its all about the journey.



And what a journey its been for the Green Bay Packers quarterback, from that cold December Monday night in Baltimore his rookie year of 2005 when he saw his first extended NFL action in mop-up duty in a humiliating 48-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens to now, as he prepares to face the Ravens again on Monday Night Football in a game crucial to the Packers postseason aspirations.



Looking back, as Rodgers did earlier this week, you may not have predicted based on his performance that night that Rodgers would be where he is now. He enters Monday nights game with the kind of numbers 625 completions in 975 attempts, 7,503 yards, 51 touchdowns, 19 interceptions that would make him the NFLs highest all-time rated passer if he qualified. Rodgers career rating is 96.88; Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young is officially the all-time leader at 96.81. (The NFL requires 1,500 pass attempts to qualify.)



That night in Baltimore, Rodgers rating was, oh, only about 60 points lower. Entering the game with 11 seconds left in the third quarter and the Packers trailing 34-3, Rodgers first play was a handoff to Noah Herron. The quarter ended after that play.



I remember I had probably one of (my) top 10 sports moments as I walked from the third quarter to the fourth quarter, Rodgers recalled. We switched ends and I came up alongside (then-Ravens cornerback) Deion Sanders, whod been one of my top 10 players when I was growing up as a kid. And I just got to talk with him and walk with him the entire length of the field. That was a pretty special moment for me.



And then I went out and played like dog dog Rodgers paused, censoring himself. Trash.



That he did. On the next play, Rodgers was promptly sacked on his first drop-back by Adalius Thomas and fumbled, with the Ravens Bart Scott recovering to set up a Jamal Lewis touchdown run that made it 41-3. By the time the night was over, Rodgers had gone 8-for-15 for 65 yards with no touchdowns and one interception (36.8 rating).



(Talking to Sanders) was the highlight of the game. Unfortunately. Not any plays that I made, Rodgers said. It was my first extended play. I took my lumps and learned from it. Id like to say it got better, but my next opportunity to play I didnt play very well either.



His night ended much like it began, with him losing a fumble although the second one was returned for a touchdown with 17 seconds left in the game, sealing the 3-11 Packers most lopsided loss since a 61-7 defeat at Chicago in 1980.



That game, that season completely unraveled on us, veteran right tackle Mark Tauscher recalled Saturday. But I wasnt thinking anything about Aaron (that night). When Aaron got here, getting a chance to watch him practice, I knew right away he was going to be good. And even though he didnt play well, it was probably great for him to go through that.



Rodgers, who had made his NFL debut during an early-season blowout of New Orleans (he threw one pass) and made a brief relief appearance in the regular-season finale in what was thought at the time to possibly be Brett Favres final game in Green Bay, didnt see extended action again until Nov. 19, 2006, when he took over for an injured Favre (elbow) in another blowout a 35-0 loss to the New England Patriots.



In that game, Rodgers played the final two snaps of the first half and all of the second half despite breaking his foot early in the third quarter and finished 4-for-12 for 32 yards (42.4 rating).



It wasnt until Nov. 29, 2007, when he was thrust into a key late-season game at Dallas after Favre suffered second-quarter elbow and shoulder injuries that Rodgers finally showed how good he could be. Trailing 27-10, Rodgers came in with 9:53 left until halftime and nearly rallied the Packers to victory. As it was, he pulled them to within 27-24 and had the ball early in the fourth quarter with a chance to tie or take the lead. He finished 18-for-26 for 201 yards and a touchdown (104.8 rating).



You know, I dont even remember (that Baltimore game). If you had asked me what (his first game was), I would think of Dallas in 07. Thats when I think about him playing, said Philbin, the Packers offensive coordinator now but the teams tight ends coach in 05. That night (in Baltimore) was such a nightmare, I wouldnt have even known that (he played).



But he did, and hes come a long way since. He enters Monday night having completed 249 of 380 passes (65.5 percent) for 3,136 yards, 22 touchdowns and only five interceptions (104.9 rating) a long ways from that night in Baltimore.



It does seem like a long time ago, Rodgers said. Everything was moving so fast for me, I felt like I was stuck in cement. There were guys coming from all over the place. It was a tough game. We got thrashed on Monday Night Football. But it definitely was a stepping stone in my journey to where I am now.


UserPostedImage
Fan Shout
dhazer (33m) : Steelers sign Patterson because of new kickoff rule interesting
Zero2Cool (3h) : Former #Packers TE Josiah Deguara is signing a 1-year deal with the Jaguars, per source.
Zero2Cool (4h) : They do not do it for "content sake".
dfosterf (14h) : For the record, I enjoy Beast and Mucky drafts
Zero2Cool (21h) : Haha
Mucky Tundra (22h) : No time for talking! Back to work beast!
beast (23h) : You saw only 4,201 of my mocks? 🥺 I think that means you missed more than half of them 😢
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Does anyone know what Lambeau field improvements got put on hold? My guess would be for the 2025 draft
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : It's like listen, you made 4,201 mocks, no shit.
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Cuz during the draft "I had them mocked there!" as if it's amazing.
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : They're fun to do once in awhile. It's people who think they are "content" that annoy me.
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Against tbd
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Answer to your question is yes, it's a Thursday, will be the Chiefs aga
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Luckily for all concerned, I don't post them. I did one, but that was like 25 mocks ago
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : NFL 2024 gonna start Sept 5th isn't it???
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Ugh... kids these days!
dfosterf (27-Mar) : I'm gonna go do some more mock draft hell instead 🤪
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Did we do one of those prediction threads yet for 2024 season?
dfosterf (27-Mar) : In my city, they are playing the nimby game, in order to keep some railroad tracks vs. 2 professional sports teams and a concert venue.
dfosterf (27-Mar) : And/Or a city council, of which I haven't seen a good one in a very long time
dfosterf (27-Mar) : That sounds like a Mayor, not a city.
buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers halt scheduled 80mil upgrade of stadium until lease agreement talks are restarted
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : City of Green Bay puts Packers' Lambeau Field lease talks on hold
buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers 1 of 3 teams to vote no on new kickoff rule.
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Packers sign another Kicker
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Lengthy explanation at PFF if you click the link
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Kickoff rules officially changed.ngthy explan
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : lol
Cheesey (26-Mar) : 2009? No thanks! One open heart surgery is enough!
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Good for you!
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Yes. That's the one.
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Is that "Lady Dugan" per chance?
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Crystal?
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Please refresh my memory
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Alan posts. Crystal back in my life. It's 2009 all over again! Lol
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : BAH GAWD! THAT'S CHEESEYS MUSIC!
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Gutekunst said early stages of Jordan Love contract being discussed.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Shouldn't be penalized cuz official screwed up
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Yeah, challenge until you are incorrect twice.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Fining them is the goal, per the people who made the rule anyway.
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still waiting on the kickoff rule changes. Did hear yesterday that the touchback proposal will now be the 30 yard line, not the 35
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Probably speed of game issues with your proposal
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Hopefully the refs don't get in the habit of throwing flags on this
beast (25-Mar) : I think when it comes to Challenges should get two strikes, so unlimited challenges as long as they keep winning them, but 2 wrong then done
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still subject to the fines etc
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Yes, I should have been more specific. Also, they are now saying it would be a 15 yard penalty. That makes more sense .
beast (25-Mar) : Simply fined in the week to follow
beast (25-Mar) : I agree with one NFL official, it'll probably be like some of the helmets hits, not really called by the refs on the field but simply fined
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Hip drop is not. Super confusing. Referees job is harder
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Swivel hip drop is banned
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2023 Packers Schedule
Sunday, Sep 10 @ 3:25 PM
Bears
Sunday, Sep 17 @ 12:00 PM
Falcons
Sunday, Sep 24 @ 12:00 PM
SAINTS
Thursday, Sep 28 @ 7:15 PM
LIONS
Monday, Oct 9 @ 7:15 PM
Raiders
Sunday, Oct 22 @ 3:25 PM
Broncos
Sunday, Oct 29 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Sunday, Nov 5 @ 12:00 PM
RAMS
Sunday, Nov 12 @ 12:00 PM
Steelers
Sunday, Nov 19 @ 12:00 PM
CHARGERS
Thursday, Nov 23 @ 11:30 AM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 3 @ 7:20 PM
CHIEFS
Monday, Dec 11 @ 7:15 PM
Giants
Sunday, Dec 17 @ 12:00 PM
BUCCANEERS
Sunday, Dec 24 @ 12:00 PM
Panthers
Sunday, Dec 31 @ 7:20 PM
Vikings
Sunday, Jan 7 @ 3:25 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Jan 14 @ 3:30 PM
Cowboys
Saturday, Jan 20 @ 7:15 PM
49ers
Recent Topics
14h / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

15h / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

15h / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

21h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

27-Mar / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

27-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

25-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

25-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

24-Mar / Around The NFL / dhazer

24-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

24-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

22-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2024 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.