The last time we saw Brett Favre on a football field was in the NFC Championship Game. He dropped back, let the ball go for Donald Driver and instead of leading the Packers to the Super Bowl, Favre was intercepted in overtime by Giants' defensive back Corey Webster.
You know the rest. And by now you know Favre has called it a career, with his final pass sending him off to a football afterlife of fishing and hunting in Mississippi.
Favre, 38, retired Tuesday in a surprise announcement, ending his 17-year career that will eventually land him in the Hall of Fame. Favre owns nearly every NFL passing record, including yards (61,655), touchdowns (442) and interceptions (288).
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Aaron Rodgers showed glimpses in his brief performance in Dallas last season.
(US Presswire)
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Favre played well in leading the Packers to the NFC Championship Game, and he was still a viable Fantasy option heading into 2008. In his final season, Favre passed for 4,155 yards, 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
He was expected to return for one final run at the Super Bowl since he had a talented supporting cast in place, but now the job in leading Green Bay belongs to Aaron Rodgers. And Rodgers will have lofty expectations placed upon him.
The Packers have established a solid corps of wide receivers in Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones and tight end Donald Lee. They also have an excellent running game led by Ryan Grant and a stout offensive line.
Since Favre never missed much time (he had the quarterback-record streak of consecutive games played at 275, including the playoffs), Rodgers is unproven in three seasons. His most extensive action came this past year in Week 13 against Dallas when Favre hurt his elbow.
Rodgers was 18-of-26 passing for 201 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions against the Cowboys. He displayed a strong arm and poise in the pocket.
But now he will have to show his skills for a full 16 games and prove to Fantasy owners he can be successful. As of now, you should go into the season with Rodgers as a No. 2 Fantasy quarterback with the chance to see his value rise -- quickly.
Jennings has developed into a top-flight wide receiver, and he is entering his third NFL season, which is typically when wide receivers have a breakout year. Jennings should still be considered a No. 1 Fantasy wide receiver even with the change to Rodgers.
Driver, who will enter the final year of his contract in 2008, has lost a step at 33, but remains a great source of catches and yards. He should still be viewed as a No. 2 Fantasy option.
Jones played well as a rookie and is worth using in deeper Fantasy leagues in 2008. And Lee has emerged as a quality tight end and can be considered a starting Fantasy option. Inexperienced quarterbacks like Rodgers usually depend on their tight ends when they face trouble in the pocket.
At running back, Grant may see the biggest boost with Favre's retirement because coach Mike McCarthy may favor a more run-oriented attack. Last year, Grant emerged as one of the best running backs in the NFL, and he could increase his stock with more touches.
Favre's retirement is a shock, and he will be missed. But he left behind a very good football team, which is full of outstanding Fantasy options in 2008.
How they play without the first-ballot Hall of Famer remains to be seen. It's now up to Rodgers to lead the way and keep Green Bay's stars from falling apart.
And if he plays even close to the level he showed against Dallas in his brief outing, the Packers should be fine. They might even make it back to the NFC Championship Game with a chance at redemption.
