Read the Bleacher Fan’s argument that Roddy White is worth resigning from the draft and Loyal Homer’s argument that DeMarcus Ware is.
The 2005 NFL draft. What a doozy! Er, snoozy. When San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith is the supposed “class of the draft” you know something is wrong. That “something” is a real dearth of talent. It is strange, looking back, to analyze what a truly terrible first round that was. Most NFL drafts have one or two redeeming players taken in the first, the kind of player that changes the complexion of a team, or the balance in a division, or proves to carry the burden of the franchise mantle for years to come. Instead NFL fans and teams were stuck with the likes of Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown (read: no consistency), Cleveland Browns wide “receiver” Braylon Edwards (every time a bell rings Edwards drops a pass), Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson (aye, aye, Cedric), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Cadillac Williams (too many blown tires) to round out the top five of that draft. Yikes.
But, continuing to read down the list of players taken in the first round of the draft, it’s hard not to stop and stare at the name Aaron Rodgers, starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. If quarterback’s are supposed to have patience, he has plenty to spare. Playing by semi/almost/perhaps/maybe retired quarterback Brett Favre isn’t easy, but he waited his turn with class. His prolonged debut in the NFL was not because of a lack of skill or experience, it was because he was following a beloved legend. Most young players like Rodgers would lose their patience or demand a trade. Rodgers kept his head down and, get this folks, WORKED. HARD. On one hand it is a shame that hard work is such an impressive trait, on the other hand his willingness to stick out tough circumstances proved he has the poise to lead – a skill matched only by his physical abilities.
Rodgers is also 1-1 against division rival Chicago. This is important for Green Bay. Though he has a way to go before matching his predecessor’s 22-8 record against the Monsters of the Midway, he held his own in his first season, drubbing the Bears at home 37-3 before losing a close one on the road in the second to last week of the season.
It’s clear that Aaron Rodgers is the best player taken in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, and was very deserving of the contract extension he already signed. It is easy to see why the Packers invested $66M in Rodgers, a 25 year-old up and coming leader with good decision making skills and a laser arm. He really is a franchise quarterback, at a franchise that LOVES franchise quarterbacks.
Despite the massive expectations heaved upon him by the stock-owning fans in Green Bay, Rodgers performed consistently behind an offensive line that was not always in the mood to protect him (sacked 34 times last season). Rodgers still managed to toss 28 touchdowns and throw for over 4,000 yards. Not bad for a first time starter.
All in all, very few first round picks from 2005 deserve to be resigned as their rookie contracts expire. The class was almost a complete bust. Rodgers, however, is an important exception. But, a low-key player like Rodgers is often under the radar, which is impressive for a guy who was good enough to make a once Favre-crazed city forget about #4.
