*FAN SUBMISSION by Dan Canova from New Jersey. This is Dan’s first submission, follow him on Twitter @DanCanova or friend him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/
Define elite: A group of people considered to be the absolute best in a particular society or category, especially because of their power, talent or wealth.
In the National Football League, there is way too many quarterbacks being thrown into that category. To be considered “elite,” you also need to be in the conversation as one of the best ever. NFL Network, ESPN and other sports websites are already penciling in Joe Flacco as an “elite” quarterback. Come on now, give me a break.
There are four, yes FOUR elite quarterbacks in the National Football League. These four quarterbacks perform at a high level consistently, year in and year out. Not only are they the reason their team wins football games, but without them, their teams would have three or fewer wins. Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan and Ben Roethlisberger are all great quarterbacks. However, it’s hard to judge Cam Newton, Andy Dalton, Russell Wilson, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III because they’ve only been in the league for a few years. With them, I believe you need to give it some time. I’m sorry Giant fans, but I would even consider Eli Manning just as a great quarterback.
Courtesy: NY Daily News
Great? Yes. Top 10 in the NFL? Certainly. Elite? I don’t think so. Not yet.
Eli Manning is a two-time Super Bowl champion and two-time Super Bowl MVP, yes I get it. However, I believe Manning hasn’t hit the elite status yet, even with the two Super Bowl titles.
Eli Manning steps up in big moments, and he is a clutch quarterback, I do understand he wins football games. On the other hand, Ben Roethlisberger played in three Super Bowls, won two of them, but not many people consider him “elite.” They both have two rings and put up very similar numbers. I think Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger are in the same category when judging quarterbacks. Other than his two Super Bowl wins, Manning has nothing else to show for himself on a personal level. Product of the team? Maybe. More likely than unlikely.
Manning never won an MVP award outside of his Super Bowl appearances. He never surpassed 30 touchdowns in a season. He only has three Pro Bowl appearances (one as a fill in), and he only topped 4,000 yards three times in his career. Isn’t it easier to pass in the NFL nowadays? With all the new rules protecting offensive players, the majority of quarterbacks throw for over 4,000 yards in today’s era with ease. In Manning’s case, to only do it three times in nine seasons? Eh.
Other than the Super Bowl wins, which by the way takes a team effort to accomplish, Manning has nothing else to show for. Take away his rings, Manning’s resume as an NFL quarterback is very average. Eli Manning’s career record is 78-57. Only 21 games above .500. Manning has had two 8-8, two 9-7 and two 10-6 seasons. He only won 12 or more games once in his career. In nine years, he’s had six seasons with 10 or less wins. Sorry Giant fans, don’t take offense to it, it’s just my opinion.
Now let’s talk elite; Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers.
Tom Brady’s been to five Super Bowls. He has 4 total MVPs (2 regular season and 2 Super Bowl MVPs), and he is a consistent winner. Brady has only had one 9-7 season in his career; his 2nd year as a starter. Other than that, Brady has piled up wins of: 14, 14, 10, 12, 16, 10, 14, 13 and 12 in each of his years as a starting quarterback. Brady’s career record stands at 136-39, only three wins away from being 100 games over .500. That’s elite; that’s consistency.
Peyton Manning has one Super Bowl title to go along with 5 total MVPs and an overall record of 154-70. Manning has had winning seasons of: 13, 10, 10, 12, 12, 14, 12, 13, 12, 14, 10, and 13. Seven seasons of 30+ touchdowns, including touchdown seasons of 26, 27, 28 and 29 are also on his resume. That’s elite.
Drew Brees is a Super Bowl champion and MVP. He’s had five straight years of 30-plus touchdowns, to go along with three 5,000 yard seasons in his career, the most of any quarterback in NFL History. Some of Brees’ best single-season win/loss totals include: 11-5, 10-6, 13-3, 11-5 and 13-3. Elite at its finest.
Courtesy: Yahoo Sports
Aaron Rodgers is also a Super Bowl champion and MVP. Rodgers is a five-year starter whose thrown for 4,000-plus yards in four of his five seasons. He has a 52-26 record. Rodgers’ first season as a starter, he went 6-10, followed by 11-5, 10-5 (missed a game due to injury), 14-1 (sat the last game of the year) and 11-5 seasons. Rodgers has also had touchdown seasons of 30, 39, and 45. He’s still early on in his career, but he is most definitely an elite quarterback in the NFL today.
I would take every single one of these quarterbacks over Eli Manning. These four quarterbacks are elite. Eli Manning has had two elite seasons in the playoffs, which have led to Super Bowl titles. Other than that, career wise, thus far, I’m really not sold. Before you take shots at me Giant fans, look Eli Manning’s seasons up on the Pro-Football-Reference website. Take away the Super Bowl rings, you have an average quarterback.
Take away the rings Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers have won, they still remain in the elite class.
