Aaron Rodgers is putting up crazy numbers this preseason. Scary crazy. Jaw-dropping crazy. Out-of-this world crazy.

See a photo gallery from Friday night’s game.

Just ask receiver Donald Driver.

“He’s been exciting to watch,” Driver said after the Packers’ 44-37 victory over the Arizona Cardinals Friday night. “It’s crazy, when you go out there and see this guy execute the way he has done. I guess you could go back to minicamps and training camp and OTAs, this guy has made plays in those practices and it’s showing on the field.”

Rodgers has been nothing short of phenomenal, with a 151.1 quarterback rating, six touchdown passes, no interceptions and a 71% completion percentage.

Although he has started just 16 NFL games, Rodgers has the appearance of not just a seasoned veteran but one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

Rodgers has been blessed with a strong supporting cast, including a starting line that hasn’t allowed a sack, a revitalized running game and a cast of receiving weapons that give opposing defenses the shakes.

But make no mistake, Rodgers is at the controls of this high-powered machine that has scored on 10 of 12 possessions in the Packers’ 3-0 exhibition season start.

It’s only the preseason and nothing that happens on the field in August is for keeps. Still, it’s hard to ignore Rodgers’ eye-popping success.

How many NFL general managers are kicking themselves today for ignoring Rodgers in the 2005 draft? He was mentioned as a potential No. 1 overall pick, but inexplicably slid all the way to No. 24 and into the Packers’ lap.

In retrospect, what could the San Francisco 49ers have been thinking when they drafted quarterback Alex Smith over Rodgers with that No. 1 selection? Smith is scuffling to avoid third-string status with the 49ers, while Rodgers’ career is rocketing skyward.

Packers General Manager Ted Thompson has been chastised in some circles for trading an aging Brett Favre last year and moving on with Rodgers. The wisdom of that decision is becoming more evident with each passing week.

Rodgers has answered the critics who questioned his durability, arm strength and throwing mechanics.

He has been a model student in coach Mike McCarthy’s quarterback school. He knows the offense inside and out, makes intelligent decisions under pressure, and has seemingly the perfect temperament to handle the enormous burden of following a legend.

What’s not to like about Rodgers?

He has been embraced as a leader by his teammates, including Driver, who formerly had a strong working relationship with Favre.

“He knows that he has to be the one that leads this team,” said Driver of Rodgers. “If he doesn’t do it, then we can’t ride anyone else. We have to ride his back and right now we are riding it.”

Here’s the best part. When doubters point to the Packers’ 6-10 record last season under Rodgers, and the quarterback’s inability to win close games, his response speaks volumes.

Rodgers steps forward and willingly takes the blame, even though any objective observer knows the Packers’ problems in 2008 had very little to do with their quarterback.

That’s crazy, but then, there’s no better way to describe Rodgers.

Mike Vandermause is sports editor of the Press-Gazette.