To those who've been around the Packers in recent years, this represents a departure for how things were when "you know who" was there.
As Greg Bedard writes: "Rodgers said he's just being himself in respect to the off-season gatherings. But it's easy to see that Rodgers' living room is where Favre's reign ends and the Rodgers era - whatever it will ultimately be - has begun."
And later:
"Team pizza parties were never Favre's kind of thing, and that's not necessarily bad. Some players are rah-rah team players. Others prefer to do their job and let the rest take care of itself.
But it's no secret that Favre, at least later in his career, didn't do a lot of off-field bonding with his teammates, especially Rodgers. The two had a distant relationship - at best - after Rodgers was taken in the first round of the 2005 draft."
Rodgers is determined to take a different approach with rookies Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn, but acknowledges that the two situations are quite different."It was a different situation," said Rodgers, who has traded voicemails with Favre since his retirement. "(Favre) was 36, I was 21. We were 15 years apart. I'm 24 and these guys are 22 so as far as age goes, there's a little more connection there. But I'm just doing things the way I've always done them."
Another area the two situations are different is that Favre knew he wouldn't be pulled for Rodgers during the latter's rookie season.
Despite the assertions by Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson that he's "the guy", with the highly touted Brian Brohm on the roster, and only 59 pass attempts on his resume, Rodgers won't be afforded the same slack Favre received when he struggled in 2005 because the Packers are expected to make a return trip to the playoffs this year.
NFL News and Notes
Albert Breer of the Dallas Morning News writes that when the Dallas Cowboys entered free agency, running back and cornerback were the shakiest positions on the roster. After reaching contracts with Terence Newman and Marion Barber, they're now the healthiest positions on the roster. Suspended Cowboys cornerback Pacman Jones passed his physical.
New York Giants guard Chris Snee, who is married to head coach Tom Coughlin's daughter, would like a new long-term contract from the team, but isn't going to skip the team's voluntary off-season workout program.
Former Washington Redskins players Art Monk and Darrell Green will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame by their only sons.
How did Philadelphia Eagles rookie Andy Studebaker, a linebacker from Division III Wheaton College (Ill.) who missed half of his senior season with a Lisfranc fracture in his right foot, become a 6th round draft pick? A solid Pro Day workout 8 days before the draft and YouTube. Eagles general manager Tom Heckert disputes the notion that running backs Lorenzo Booker and Tony Hunt are competing for the same roster spot. While growing up in a Minneapolis suburb, Eagles rookie defensive tackle Trevor Laws tried to emulate John Randle, right down to the face paint.
In Lori Nickels' Packers notebook, offensive linemen Daryn Colledge and Allen Barbre are rotating at left guard, injuries continue to plague 2007 first-round pick Justin Harrell, and Ryan Grant comments on long-term contract talks.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has had the swagger of a starter during the team's OTA's this week. After missing the first two days of the team's OTA's (due to the NCAA's archaic rules), Vikings brothers/linebackers E.J. and Erin Henderson were on the field together. As a repeat offender, Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie faces a suspension this season.
From the sounds of it, Detroit Lions quarterback Drew Stanton is starting from square one this off-season. (Kudos to Mike Martz!)
Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson appears to be aware that his career is at a crossroads, writes David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune. At the bottom of this Tribune article about Benson, there's word that Bears wide receiver Mark Bradley had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and is questionable for the start of training camp.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Kevin Carter has quarterback Jeff Garcia's back. Buccaneers wide receiver Michael Clayton wants a genuine opportunity to have an increased role in the offense.
New Orleans Saints defensive end Charles Grant, indicted for involuntary manslaughter on Tuesday, practiced on Wednesday before heading to Georgia to turn himself in. Saints head coach Sean Payton addressed the media on Wednesday.
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Jamaal Anderson is committed to helping the deaf community. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Terence Moore still insists the Falcons made a mistake in drafting Matt Ryan, who must now prove that the Falcons were justified in drafting him and paying him that much money.
Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune isn't buying the notion that NFL owners aren't making enough money.
After struggling at cornerback for three years, Arizona Cardinals defensive back Antrell Rolle will play free safety in the base defense and cornerback in nickel situations. Steve Breaston could move into the #3 wide receiver role this season.
San Francisco 49ers defensive linemen Ron Fields and Isaac Sopoaga are switching positions to maximize their strengths.
Bernie Miklasz spoke to St. Louis Rams owner Chip Rosenbloom about the rumors of a possible sale, and shares what he thinks he knows based on their discussion.
New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker uses soccer as part of his training regimen, and it's even rubbed off on Randy Moss.
Buffalo Bills All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters has outperformed the contract extension he signed in 2006, writes Mark Gaughan.
The Jason Taylor-Miami Dolphins issue is getting ugly, writes Ethan Skolnick.
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round running back Rashard Mendenhall practiced with the team for the first time since straining his hamstring earlier this month. Members of the Steelers and Pirates have caught Penguins Phever this Spring.
With Daven Holly likely out for the season after injuring his knee during the OTA's, Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage will be looking for a veteran free agent cornerback, preferably one who can be one of their top three.
Courtesy of head coach Marvin Lewis, each player on the Cincinnati Bengals received an orange t-shirt this week that read "NOW" in block letters on the back. (National Organization for Women?) Bengals fifth-round defensive tackle Jason Shirley was not at practice on Wednesday. Shirley was in a Fresno, California courthouse, where he's facing DUI charges.
Baltimore Ravens rookie safety Haruki Nakamura has graduated and will be able to participate in the team's mini-camp.
If you want season tickets to the Indianapolis Colts, you'll be waiting a very long time.
Jacksonville Jaguars undrafted rookie quarterback Paul Smith wants to make it hard for the team to not keep him on the active roster.
The Tennessee Titans nickel cornerback job is Vincent Fuller's to lose. Former Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne will visit the Titans today.
Houston Texans second-year linebacker Zac Diles is out to prove he deserved to be named the team's starting strong-side linebacker. Texans guard Fred Weary is looking noticeably thinner this off-season.
Denver Broncos tight end Tony Scheffler aggravated the left foot he broke last season and will miss four weeks. The Broncos would like to extend back-up quarterback Patrick Ramsey's contract.
Kansas City Chiefs cornerbacks Patrick Surtain and Brandon Flowers are related and will be the starting opposite one another this season. Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez is attending the OTA's to work on the chemistry with quarterback Brodie Croyle.
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