GREEN BAY // After a tumultuous summer, the Green Bay Packers officially begin the post-Brett Favre era tomorrow when they host the Minnesota Vikings in an NFC North contest. After spending the first three years of his career on the bench, the 24-year-old Aaron Rodgers was anointed the Packers' starting quarterback when Brett Favre retired in the off-season .
"You can't replace a legend and I know that going in," said Rodgers, who seemed unfazed by the turmoil at the beginning of Green Bay's training camp. "'All I can do is try to be the best quarterback I can be. I'm not going to let anyone outwork me and I'm going to be accountable to my coaches and teammates.'" Having played in only seven games, Rodgers is sure to experience some growing pains and faces a nearly impossible situation following the beloved Favre, but the Packers determined it was time to move in a different direction.
Last season, Favre led the Packers to a 13-3 record and the NFC championship game, where they lost in overtime to the New York Giants, 23-20. When the 38-year-old Favre decided to "un-retire", the Packers refused to give in to his demands and eventually traded him to the New York Jets after much posturing from both sides. While Rodgers learns on the job, the Packers will be looking for more production from running back Ryan Grant, who emerged as a serious threat last season.
Despite not starting until mid-season, Grant finished the season with 956 yards, then rushed for a team play-off record 201 yards in a 42-20 victory over Seattle. After an 8-8 campaign in 2007, the Vikings expect to contend for a play-off spot, but they need improved play from erratic quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, who was the league's 28th-ranked quarterback last season after throwing for just nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
The focal point of Minnesota's offence will again be running back Adrian Peterson, last season's NFL Rookie of the Year. Peterson rushed for an NFC-record 296 yards in the eighth game of his career, a 35-17 victory over the San Diego Chargers. However, Peterson suffered a knee injury the following week and was not the same when he returned three weeks later. * With agencies
