David Moore

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IRVING – Forget about Brett Favre for a moment. Aaron Rodgers is in danger of being reduced to the chalk outline that was David Carr's rookie season.

Fail Sunday, and the Green Bay quarterback will also become lost in the shadow of one of Wisconsin's favorite sons.

Rodgers and the Cowboys' Tony Romo are similar. Both have Favre's improvisational flair. Both are mobile quarterbacks who buy time with their feet to make plays with their arm. Both followed legends.

The difference is that Rodgers replaced a legend that resurfaced in the same division and has already beaten the Packers twice this season. Romo started his first game for the Cowboys more than six years after Troy Aikman retired.

Still, Romo can sympathize with the pressure Rodgers faces.

"I'm not looking for any sympathy," Rodgers said. "That's the first thing.

"Tony and I have become friends. I have a lot of respect for him, and I think he's a phenomenal player. I enjoy watching him play when I get the chance. We've had some good conversations over the years."

Romo and Rodgers have gotten to know each other a bit during off-season golf tournaments the last few years. A reflective conversation about the difficulties of following the face of the franchise never gets much traction.

"His situation is completely different," Romo said. "I came years after Troy.

"No matter what, any organization usually has a guy who at some point has played at a high, high level. But coming right after a Brett or a John Elway, even coming right after Aikman the next year or two, that's a whole other beast that I don't know."

This much is certain. It's easier to follow Favre as a child growing up in Burlington, Wis., than it is to serve an apprenticeship under the Packers star, then take over for him.

It would be easier for Rodgers if Favre didn't come out of retirement to play – and play well – for Minnesota. That has to impact the Packers quarterback.

"I haven't seen any evidence of that, no," Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said.

He must not be looking.

Argue the Favre Affect if you want. What can't be argued is the ineffectiveness of the Packers' offensive line. That's where Carr replaces Favre in the conversation.

Rodgers has been sacked 37 times this season. That puts him on pace to challenge the league record of 76 sacks that Carr suffered with the Houston Texans in 2002.

Not all of the sacks can be put at the cleats of the offensive line. Rodgers holds onto the ball too long at times in his attempt to hit the deep pass.

Still, 37 sacks? Is Rodgers concerned that he will threaten Carr's unwanted record in the second half?

"No," he said.

Does he know Carr?

"I do," Rodgers said.

Have the two talked about what it was like for Carr that season?

"Nope," he said.

OK, moving on...

Rodgers finds it impossible to escape Favre's brilliance and at the same time is being pulled toward a record every quarterback wants to avoid.

Now here comes Romo. He's already beaten Green Bay twice as the Cowboys' starting quarterback. Pick up a third Sunday, and fans could adopt Romo over Rodgers out of spite.

Lose Sunday, and Aaron Rodgers will have bigger worries than following Brett Favre.