The term elite is handed out in the NFL to quarterbacks these days like rolls are at a soup kitchen. Apparently, if you've managed to muster even the most mediocre of numbers you're now automatically deemed "elite." According to Webster (the dictionary, not the dwarfish, 80's child star), elite means "the best of a class." That would lead me to believe that means a select group of players, not just anyone.
As I see it, following this definition, there are roughly four QBs that would fall along these lines: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers. THAT'S IT.
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I'm sure the biggest argument of all will be: "How can Roethlisberger have two titles and not be considered elite?" Simple, a Super Bowl title makes not a good quarterback. Just ask Trent Dilfer. It's the same reason why Roethlisberger has two rings but no MVP trophies. It wasn't what HE did as much as what the rest of the team did in those two games.
I'm sure as the season progresses we'll hear each and every starting QBs name end up on this so-called "elite" list, meaning about 95% of them are wrong.
Roethlisberger has led the Steelers to THREE Super Bowls. That makes him elite.
ReplyDeleteDisagree, Robert. Roethlisberger QUARTERBACKED the Steelers to 3 Super Bowls. There is a massive difference in leading a team and quarterbacking a team.
ReplyDeleteYou guys act like Roethlisberger wasn't a contributing factor to the Steelers getting to three Super Bowls. HE WAS. He's elite. Also, Vick is Elite. No other QB on the planet has his skill set.
ReplyDeleteRoethlisberger drove the Steelers downfield in the final minutes in the Super Bowl against the Cardinals and threw the game winning td pass. He doesn't put up big numbers mainly because he doesn't HAVE TO. The Steelers run the ball very well. When he has to put up big numbers though, he can. Roethlisberger qualifies as elite.
ReplyDeleteLove the Roethlisraper lovers, the DEFENSE led the Steelers to 3 Super Bowls. Not him. Ben isn't elite, he's game manager. He does enough to get by. This season you're seeing what happens when the defense is playing poorly and he's forced to do more.
ReplyDeleteThat ALLEGED rape stuff was like 3 years ago. Get over it already.
ReplyDeleteAlleged infers that it may not have occurred. The police have said they have no doubts that it happened. Perhaps he should have fought pitbulls instead? Because apparently that makes you enemy #1 but being a creep is okay.
ReplyDeleteAnd speaking of Vick, having an explosive skill set doesn't make you elite. It makes you, well, explosive. I highly dislike the guy, but Cam Newton has a similar skill set, I wouldn't call him elite.
Annnnd, on the subject of Newton, before everyone goes blowing smoke up his skirt, I remember hearing the same things about Vince Young his rookie season. He went on to win offensive ROY, which I'm pretty sure Newton has already locked up, and proceeded to do bubkus after that.
Totally agree w/ Brian and Todd on this one.
ReplyDeleteRoethlisberger isn't elite. He's to the Steelers now what Terry Bradshaw was to them back in the 70's. A game manager who rides his defense most of the time.
Bradshaw has FOUR Super Bowl rings, and I think most people would agree he wasn't elite either.