Next week, we may possibly see for one of the last times a meeting between two prototypical, drop pack, read the defenses passers. I am absolutely stoked about this game.
Brady is a legend. All the superlatives about him has been earned and deserved. He is 41. His play, to me slipped by a decent margin this year. His best weapon looks to be done in Gronkowski. There has been some tension between him and BB in the last couple years as well.
Rivers has had a wonderful career. He gets put in the background of the other 2 QBs from the 2004 draft because of his lack of playoff success. But his regular seasons and his toughness cannot be denied. Will soon be 2nd all time in consecutive games started by a QB - which to me is an amazing feat. With that being said, he is 37. And even though the Chargers are progressing, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL.
So all in all, this may be one of the final battles between these two teams. With Big Ben looking older and older by the day and his team in turmoil constantly, Eli playing out his final days, Brees getting near 40s..... we are quickly closing upon my favorite era of NFL. The dropback, read the defense, stand in the pocket type QBs. And even though there are debates and arguments who are better, and who you rather have, and who belongs in the HOF..... all these guys have left everything on the field and played the position who I grew up playing it.
These guys are grand masters of the game like grand masters of chess. The fact that they try to break you down, anticipate a blitz, read coverages, anticipate throws, and try to deceit with dummy calls - is something that seems to be happening less and less. These QBs play the game within the game.
The new age of QBs and mobility may be the new trend and important in the NFL. I get it, its more exciting. It gives you more options. It gives the defense another area in which to defend. Guys like Mahomes are fun to watch with his escapability and howitzer for an arm. Deshaun Watson and his movement running around to create longer stretches for his WRs to get open. Lamar Jackson looking like his playing tecmo bowl at Lawrence Taylor speed. I can understand why people enjoy it. Its fun to watch.
Me? I am old school. I like the guys who stand in the pocket and read defenses and step in and make big time throw after big time throw. Some of these QBs will continue to play and have success. But I am not sure how often we will see a playoff matchup with two throw backs playing in their final years....
I, for one, cant wait to watch Brady vs. Rivers for perhaps one final time.
Not in the playoffs, but barring some possible but drastic personnel moves that's the plan right now.
not to take away from this matchup, which I am also looking forward to - more to see the SD vs NE offense, but just as an FYI...
While far more mobile then the trio + Brady/Brees, Russel Wilson is a pocket passer first, runner 2nd and can read and pick apart Ds. And why can't any of the younger guys develop into that type of QB? Mayfield, Rosen, Darnold all had varying amounts of success this year and are passers first. Ditto Mahomes, Goff, Watson, Wentz, etc. Seems a little premature to assume none of these young QBs with <3 years experience can develop into top pocket passes capable of reading Ds and picking them apart. They're all much more athletic than Eli/Rivers/Ben/Brady/Brees, but these guys aren't Lamar Jackson type QBs...
I wonder too, how much going cross country two weeks in a row versus a well rested Pats team will come into play.
Has any team treked 3K miles twice in 2 weeks, and won both?
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Rivers has been vs Brady and the Pat's 0-7 . This will definitely be his best chance to make it 1-7
I wonder too, how much going cross country two weeks in a row versus a well rested Pats team will come into play.
Has any team treked 3K miles twice in 2 weeks, and won both?
The giants did it in 3 weeks :)
It’s really changing the game.
While far more mobile then the trio + Brady/Brees, Russel Wilson is a pocket passer first, runner 2nd and can read and pick apart Ds. And why can't any of the younger guys develop into that type of QB? Mayfield, Rosen, Darnold all had varying amounts of success this year and are passers first. Ditto Mahomes, Goff, Watson, Wentz, etc. Seems a little premature to assume none of these young QBs with <3 years experience can develop into top pocket passes capable of reading Ds and picking them apart. They're all much more athletic than Eli/Rivers/Ben/Brady/Brees, but these guys aren't Lamar Jackson type QBs...
Because all of the young QBs are essentially the same QB. Mobile, injury prone, with limitations or deficiencies as a passer.
When Brady/Brees etc retire, there might be 2 elite QBs as we understand the word with the rest of the league using essentially a carbon copy QB.
For starters, Rodgers and Luck are currently on that level and Wilson isn't far behind (certainly on the Eli/Rivers level).
Maybe Mahomes is a fluke, but he sure as hell looks like he'll be elite and he can certainly make every throw. Does it matter if he's not a statue?
Then there's the handwringing over the Giants taking a generational RB instead of one of the QBs, presumably because they have the talent to be at least Eli-level QBs. Who knows if they'll get there, but it seems a little early to be writing them off...
Mahomes could be elite, we’ll see after year 1.
All I see is Luck, Wilson, and maybe Mahomes as true difference makers at the position relative to the league from the younger guys.
For starters, Rodgers and Luck are currently on that level and Wilson isn't far behind (certainly on the Eli/Rivers level).
Maybe Mahomes is a fluke, but he sure as hell looks like he'll be elite and he can certainly make every throw. Does it matter if he's not a statue?
Then there's the handwringing over the Giants taking a generational RB instead of one of the QBs, presumably because they have the talent to be at least Eli-level QBs. Who knows if they'll get there, but it seems a little early to be writing them off...
Look at the classic drop back QBs..
Ryan, Eli, Rodgers, Ben, Flacco, Stafford - all missed the playoffs or were benched.
Brady's play slipped considerably.
Rivers team won yesterday despite him doing nothing.
Wilson I put in a different category. He can throw from the pocket but he is more dangerous as a scrambler. Same with Dak. The old dogs are a dying breed. Even Brees is relying on a strong defense and run game now.
Mahomes could be elite, we’ll see after year 1.
All I see is Luck, Wilson, and maybe Mahomes as true difference makers at the position relative to the league from the younger guys.
There was definitely a gap for a while. You had Ryan then Luck and then not much. But the last 3+ drafts have brought some significant talent:
Wentz - I'd argue he needs to run less; he can make all the throws
Mahomes
Watson
Goff - is he the QB from the first half of this season or the 2nd half?
And then this years trio that many wanted over Barkley: Mayfield/Darnold/Rosen. The former 2 have some escapability, but if they reach their ceilings it'll be as the traditional pocket passer type.
They won't all reach that "elite" level, but a few of them should develop into top level pocket passers with the ability to occasionally beat you with their legs.
Kinda have to disagree to some point.
New Orleans is still a score first/offensive team.
Good defense and running the ball just makes you a 13-3 team versus an 8-8 type team which New Orleans was stuck in for a number of years.
Takes a team, men.
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In comment 14251784 terz22 said:
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Rivers has been vs Brady and the Pat's 0-7 . This will definitely be his best chance to make it 1-7
I wonder too, how much going cross country two weeks in a row versus a well rested Pats team will come into play.
Has any team treked 3K miles twice in 2 weeks, and won both?
The giants did it in 3 weeks :)
Green Bay and San Fran? Not quite the same although still tough.
But SD is coming East and losing hours, which makes it tougher.
Green Bay and San Fran? Not quite the same although still tough.
But SD is coming East and losing hours, which makes it tougher.
Oh shit! I thought the SB that year was in Arizona. That was 2007. I had SF and Arizona. But I now realize the SF playoff win was followed by a trip to Indy. My mistake.
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Rivers has been vs Brady and the Pat's 0-7 . This will definitely be his best chance to make it 1-7
I wonder too, how much going cross country two weeks in a row versus a well rested Pats team will come into play.
Has any team treked 3K miles twice in 2 weeks, and won both?
The Rams in the 89 playoffs (January of 90 actually) did it when the beat the Green Slime in Philly and then the Giants at Giants Stadium.
They're going to have to drag him away, kicking & screaming.