National Football League

Packers' Rodgers readies for playoff debut

Published Jan. 6, 2010 6:51 p.m. ET

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It took nearly 10 minutes, but Aaron Rodgers finally acknowledged that there's something special about starting in the postseason.

The Packers' quarterback has made sure he's so focused that his playoff debut is just another game. He said Wednesday that he was ``excited,'' though his face certainly didn't show it.

When Rodgers leads Green Bay against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, the Pro Bowler who had a rocky beginning simply by being the man who replaced Brett Favre will get his first crack on the playoff stage.

A lot of the questions about filling Favre's shoes have vanished, but there are new, higher expectations.

``I dreamt about playing in Super Bowls, but obviously you've got to win these playoff games to get there,'' Rodgers said. ``Like I said, often the quarterback, fair or unfair, is given credit or given blame for the win or the loss. I've never seen a quarterback win a game all by himself.

``It's going to take a great effort by all of our guys this week and hopefully this can be the beginning of a great playoff run.''

Rodgers has already had a great run in his career as a starter in Green Bay with consecutive seasons of throwing for more than 4,000 yards and 58 TDs total in the span. But postseason success is what's remembered, and Rodgers singled out Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana and Tom Brady for their success in January and February.

``At some point you'd love to be mentioned in the same breath of guys like that that have won multiple Super Bowls,'' Rodgers said. ``But we stay focused ... this is just another game. It has more meaning, obviously, because it's one and done in the playoffs, but it's still 11 on 11, it's still 60 minutes and we're going to go out there and try and put our best product on the field.''

Rodgers has been one of the best products for the Packers since the day he took over for No. 4, whose presence still looms large. But Favre clearly isn't on the minds of Rodgers or anyone else around the Packers these days.

``We aren't going to talk about '07,'' receiver Donald Driver said when asked if the Packers were mentally tougher than in their last playoff appearance with Favre at the helm. ``This is 2010. Let's talk about that.''

A year ago, Rodgers' first year as the starter, he proved he could play, working through a shoulder injury after being jeered in training camp simply because management decided to trade Favre to the New York Jets. He threw for more than 4,000 yards and kept his emotions almost entirely in check despite a disappointing 6-10 mark.

This year, he's proven he can win by leading the Packers to an 11-5 record with eight of those wins coming by more than a touchdown. He's leading an offensive juggernaut that includes two 1,000-yard receivers (Greg Jennings and Driver) and a 1,200-yard running back (Ryan Grant).

``It always falls on the quarterback's shoulders,'' Jennings said. ``We had a losing season and he performed at a high level last year. Had we been winning last year, everybody would've seen this already.''

Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner said he's impressed with how Rodgers handles ``everything.''

``From the beginning and how it started with the whole saga with Brett and all of that and continually being consistently the same guy, (he's) very even-keeled. I'm impressed with the way that he's handled the success and the way that he's handled the position. On top of that, he's as physically gifted as anybody I've seen,'' Warner said. ``When we were talking, I asked if I could have just a little bit of that arm, because I don't know what that feels like to be able to throw it like he can.''

Defensive tackle Ryan Pickett said the fact that Rodgers has never had a playoff start doesn't even cross his teammates' minds.

``He's been through so much. There ain't even no question, man, he's going to handle it,'' Pickett said. ``Nobody questions that. He's going to be fine. He's going to be smiling, enjoying the moment.''

It's a smile that Rodgers doesn't often show in the days leading up to any game, but his work ethic and desire to lead has built respect in the Packers' locker room.

Jennings calls Rodgers the ``ultimate leader'' and Driver said the quarterback is unique.

``His character, his leadership, it shows. It shows on the field, it shows off the field,'' Driver said. ``He's one of those guys that you love to be around. He's the focus. We know that he's going to have to take us where we want to go.''

Even though the Packers will return to Arizona one week after routing the Cardinals 33-7, Rodgers does anticipate one small change in the routine - a different atmosphere.

``Everything's going to happen probably a half-step faster once you get into the playoffs,'' he said. ``I've been around playoff games - I haven't started, obviously - but been around and seen what it was like when we played Seattle and then when the Giants came in here in '07. It's going to be a big game and we're going to be ready for it.''

It seems like he already is.

``This is his opportunity to say, 'Hey, I'm the starting quarterback in the playoffs.' It's going to be big for him, but he's laid back and that's what you want,'' Driver said. ``You don't want a quarterback going into this thing nervous. He's laid back, he's ready to play and that's all that matters.''

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