Elite quarterbacks. Who is and who isn't.

Elite. By definition elite means the best or most skilled members of a group. That means to be an elite quarterback, you have to be considered the best or one of the best. They're are 32 teams in the NFL, meaning that there is 32 starting quarterbacks in the NFL. To me, the top 4 quarterbacks in the NFL are the only true "elite" qb's in the league right now. These 4 quarterbacks have accomplished almost everything there is to accomplish in the game. A Super Bowl victory, which is most important, along with individual success. These 4 quarterbacks are Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Ben Roethlisberger.

I'm hard on Peyton Manning sometimes because of his post-season failures, including his game-losing pick against the Saints in last years Super Bowl. That being said, Peyton is giving Dan Marino a run for his money as the best regular season quarterback of all-time. That plus his Super Bowl ring definitely makes him an elite qb in this game.

Tom Brady became elite by winning three Super Bowls in four years. The wrap on him was his regular season stats. Well, he got some real weapons and threw 50 touchdowns in one year. He's also won 4 AFC Championships and continues to play at a high level. Not only is Brady elite, he's going to go down as one of the greatest qb's of all-time.

Drew Brees was a decent quarterback when he was a San Diego Charger, but far from elite. In 2006, he went to the New Orleans Saints. From there he hooked with head coach Sean Peyton to form a system that was more suitable for Bree's talents. Brees put up ridiculous, video-game stats that were very impressive. However, Brees had just won 1 playoff game in his career going into last year. That all changed as Brees lead the New Orleans Saints to the franchises 1st ever Super Bowl win last year. He had 8 touchdowns and no picks in three playoff games. Elite

 As for Big Ben Roethlisberger, only knowledgeable, honest sports fans admit that he is elite. He is. Most people say he isn't because of the following; fantasy football, his off the field actions, and stupidity. The biggest argument that I hear about Ben is that he's on a better team. So Ben chooses who he plays with.? What they don't realize is Ben has actually been held back by his team and coaches at points of his career. In 2005, Ben was throwing the ball as well as any other qb in the league, but Bill Cowher ran a run 1st offense. Ben also didn't have great receivers. Hines Ward is great, but Heath Miller was a rookie, and the other two main option were Antwaan Randle-El  and Cedric Wilson. Throughout his career, Ben's receivers have also been prone to drops. I'm talking about Plaxico Burress, Nate Washington, and Limas Sweed.

Furthermore, Ben has also played behind a mediocre at best offensive line. Some say he holds on to the ball to long, but that's how most of the Steelers big plays have come about. It's also because the Steelers askr their receivers to run longer then usual routes, taking more time for the play to develop. Why? Because it plays to Roethlisberger's strengths. The funnies argument I hear about Ben is that he is a "system quarterback". This argument is made by "ignorant" people. People who don't know what they are watching or what they are talking about. Every player plays in a system. Ben actually plays outside of the system most of the time. There's been countless reports of Ben calling a play and instead of doing the pass, he holds on to the ball and tries to go deep or make a big play. Ben is the opposite of a system. Ben plays old school, backyard football.

So what's my point. Well it's that fantasy football and stat geeks have ruined the opinion of what an "elite" qb is. I read a column by ESPN's John Clayton who ranked all the starting qb's in the NFL. Good article, but laughable of saying that there are 14 elite qb's in the NFL right now. That's almost half. Matt Ryan? Joe Flacco? Carson Palmer? Hilarious to call these guys elite. Donovan McNabb? Yes, despite his age. I have McNabb at five.

Then it brings me to these three. I call them the three could-be's. They are Aaron Rodgers, Tony Romo, and Philip Rivers. The only thing elite about them is their stats.

Why do people think they are elite? Why do people think that they are better then proven quarterbacks like Big Ben or Drew Brees? Because they throw for 4,000 yards every year? Well, Jon Kitna threw for 4,000 yards before, and he even played for the Lions the year he did it. Not to mention that Ben threw for well over 4,000 yards last year, despite missing a game.

Well it must be because of their quarterback ratings. Well Romo and Rivers do have a better rating then both Ben and Brees but all four are in the top 10 in all-time qb rating. Not to mention that Romo and Rivers get to play in nice weather and nice conditions far more often then Ben, but I hate excuses so I'll move on.


The biggest difference between Rodgers, Romo, and Rivers is their lack of clutch games. Rivers has won two playoff games in his career, despite playing for one of the most talented teams in the NFL over the last 4 years. Yet, fans of Rivers refuse to blame him. Here's a fun fact. Rivers has thrown at least 1 interception in every playoff game he's every played in. Is it crazy to think that might be a reason why the Chargers haven't won more games. Rivers has been borderline great in the regular season but he even manages to choke during it from time to time. This week the Chargers had the ball at the Raiders 33 and all they needed was a field goal to win the game. Here's what happened.


Aaron Rodgers has lit the league up the past two years. Throwing for over 4,000 yards in each of his 1st two seasons in the league. That's great. However, he has a 20-17 record as a starting qb. Hardly elite. Is he talented? Hell yes? He has all the tools and can run if he has to. However, I need more wins. Don't tell me he doesn't play for a good team. The Packers had the defensive player of they year last year in Charles Woodson, along with pass-rushing sensation Clay Matthews. Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, and Jeremichael Finley aren't bad receivers either. The Packers were also 13-3 and made it to the NFC Championship game the year before Rodgers took over for Brett Favre. Rodgers got his team to the playoffs last year and this was the how the game ended.


Lastly we have Tony Romo. The king of choking. Again Romo apologists will say, "Romo doesn't have a good defense. Romo's offensive line stinks". And again I don't want to hear it. Since Romo has been the starter, the Cowboys have a top 10 defense all but one year. Romo also has a bunch of weapons like Jason Witten, Miles Austin, Roy Williams, Terrell Owens, Marion Barber, etc... Romo is good but when the games on the line this is what happens.


Alright that's against the Steelers. How about against the Titans in the regular season at home?


Alright, well he can't possibly mess up a hold for an extra point in the playoffs. Can he?


Wow!

Bottom line, it should take more then just individual stats to make a quarterback elite. Saying that these three shmucks are better then Roethlisberger is insane. Ben has made a living, doing what these guys consistently fail at. Being Clutch.