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What you want from the former star, when he talks about the current star of your team, is generosity, grace, clarity and genuine admiration.

What you get from Brett Favre, when he talked about Aaron Rodgers during a radio on Tuesday, is a dash of generosity, a dearth of grace, an absence of clarity and an admiration couched in backhanded compliments.

Talk about a passive-aggressive expression of praise for your successor.

In the interview the former Packers quarterback did with a radio station in Atlanta, WQXI-AM (790), Favre was asked what his thoughts were as he watched Rodgers and the Packers during their championship run last season.

"I’m going to be honest, I was not surprised," Favre said. "The biggest surprise to me would be that he didn’t do it sooner."

Sooner? Sooner than what? Sooner than Rodgers’ third season as a starter?

Favre said the last season in Green Bay (2007) proved what he had said at the beginning of that run – it was the most talented team he had ever played on.

"I could see the talent pool across the board was outstanding," Favre said. "Now our season kind of ended up being a reflection of that. We came close, and I think we took a lot of people by surprise, but guys emerged rather quickly."

So Rodgers takes over in 2008 and the team Favre called the most talented he ever played on went 6-10.

Is that the implication?

Let’s go on.

"Aaron had a chance . . . even though the last couple years it’s seemed like he’s almost a rookie, he’s been around awhile," Favre said. "And I’d like to think that he watched, he learned, and then when he got a chance to play, he brought in his ability which is obviously very good or they wouldn’t have drafted him in the first round. He’s got tremendous talent, he’s very bright and he got a chance to watch and see successful teams do it right. And so he just kind of fell into a good situation. On top of that, he’s a good player. I don’t think anyone would question now the talent around him is even better than when I was there. So I’m really kind of surprised it took him so long. Really, the early part of last year season, it hadn’t quite clicked yet and I didn’t know if it would. I just kind of figured when they hit their stride, they’re going to be hard to beat. And that’s what happened."

Been around awhile. Fell into a good situation. Really kind of surprised. Hadn’t quite clicked.

Now if you consider that genuine praise of your successor and his abilities, then you think Lady Gaga needs to make more flamboyant clothing choices for her concerts.

And, oh yes.

Favre just got done saying the 2007 team was the most talented he ever played on. But now the 2010 or ’11 Rodgers’ teams have more talent than when he was there? Which is it?

Bart Starr was unflagging and unambiguous in his praise of Favre when No. 4 was behind center in Green Bay.

Favre apparently has not yet located the same kind of generosity when talking about Rodgers.