2007-2008 vs. 2022-2023 - What's different what's the same?

[oldmansmell]

So I just read gunslinger (the book about Favre)) and it is crazy how similar the overall perception of the two situations are - down to the crushing playoff exit with a near(or actual) MVP candidate. What I wanted to sort of get out of this discussion is sort of how are these situations related to each and how are they not. To me there are a couple of key points. A) QB talent was different I think, Rodgers is much better suited for the next couple of years than Favre was, and this might also be the case for Love and Rodgers (ie the future with Love isn't as bright as it was with Rodgers). There is also the fact that COVID has probably caused a temporary cap reduction than otherwise would have been expected, so the cap situations between the two examples are different (although all of the future money we have pushed forward have nullified that possibly).

How is Gute and Lafleur different from Thompson and McCarthey? 

How has the NFL changed, and why is that important (or not important)?

Still, here are some things that are relevant I think:

1) There is no discernible difference between Love and Rodgers on-field performance prior to being starters. Rodgers first start went very badly and it took well into this third year for him to look like the player we see today.

2) Rodgers has been slightly less annoying than Favre (although that is definitely debatable), and has much less off the field baggage. 

3) I think, in a competition, Rodgers would have won, the following year - I'm not sold on that with Love yet.  

 

 

Edited February 12, 2022 by oldmansmell

[ThatJerkDave]

I think the perception of the 2007 team was that of an overachiever; while 2021 was first seed and a Super Bowl favorite.  I don't think that 07 had the cap issues either.  The cap issues with the Favre team were in 05 when we had to let Wahle, Rivera, Longwell, and Sharper go.  The Rodgers of 08 had a lot more gong for him than Love in 22 as well. 

 

I think that the competition in 08 between Rodgers and Favre would have been pretty interesting.  Favre finished the year with 22:22 TD:INT.  But he was getting early MVP consideration (IIRC), and at some point suffered a separated shoulder (which he probably shouldn't have played through).  I believe it must have happened in week 12, where his completion percentage plummets and a TD:INT of 2:9 and the Jets go 1-4 to miss the playoffs.  

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FavrBr00/gamelog/2008/

Not to poo-poo Rodgers either.  He had a good season as well, and it accomplished a couple of things.  First it got him much needed playing time.  The close losses and subsequent poor record allowed the Packers to get BJ Raji and Clay Matthews.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RodgAa00/gamelog/2008/

 

And we all know that Favre had a really good season in 2009 with the Purple guys.  I think that competition would have been pretty damn close.

[Sandy]

1 hour ago, oldmansmell said:

1) There is no discernible difference between Love and Rodgers on-field performance prior to being starters. Rodgers first start went very badly and it took well into this third year for him to look like the player we see today.

Actually, I'd argue this point having lived through it both times and seeing both of those players active. All of Rodgers' action in year three was in relief of a game Favre exited, and he looked far better in those instances during his third season than Love did now in his second. I would agree at no discernable difference between two season though.

While the situations are similar, I actually was on Team Rodgers both times. Here's why (all based on how I remember it):

1. Favre retired. He was done and the team moved on with Rodgers as the starter, and then suddenly Favre wants to come back about a week or two before training camp. It was after the offseason, after the draft, etc, when he decided to come back, putting the team in an awkward position.

2. Favre had been talking retirement since he was 32.  Rodgers always has been clear he wants to play until 40.

3. Favre had a couple really bad seasons as starter just a couple years before and was no longer a lock to lead a team to the playoffs, let alone have a realistic shot at a championship. At this point Rodgers is playing the best stretch of football in his career. (Frankly, his playoff stats are some of the greatest ever too, way better than famous "playoff QBs" like Big Ben or Russell Wilson, or even Tom Brady.)

4. Rodgers looked ready. So far Love does not. Tough to quantify besides the stats which don't even fully capture it so it's fair if people decide to dispute this, although I'd prefer you didn't if you weren't around both times.

5. There was no "fifth year option" for first rounders so Rodgers was going into his final year of control. For a player who, in the weeks leading up to his draft was still co-favorites with Alex Smith to be the first pick, that would have been a huge wasted opportunity to just let him go.

 

Edited February 13, 2022 by Sandy