Younger QBs ready to carry torch

In fact, the two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks are awaiting new contracts that could mark the last major extensions of their careers. But while it’s uncertain as to how many years they each have left, there’s no longer a fear of nfl throwback jerseys what the league will look like when Manning and Brady retire. “Five years ago, when you talked about the National Football League, everyone was nervous where the quarterbacks were,” former Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets coach, and current ESPN analyst Herm Edwards said at the NFL 101 event last week. Now, younger quarterbacks like Philip Rivers(notes), Eli Manning(notes) and Aaron Rodgers(notes) are among the passers ready to carry on the legacy of the sport’s premier position.
“I’m a fan of all of ‘em,” said former Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick, now an analyst with Fox. “Philip Rivers, when you see him live, he’s such an incredible talent. Aaron Rodgers, he’s clearly established himself among the elite quarterbacks. It’s tough for Eli really to get his proper due, but the first six, seven games last year, was there anybody playing better than Eli Manning?”
Back when Billick won his Super Bowl with the 2000 Ravens, the NFL was in a time of transition. John Elway (1998), Dan Marino (1999) and Steve Young (1999) had retired, and Peyton Manning and Brady hadn’t yet turned into superstars. The dearth of consistent quarterback play allowed defensive teams like the Ravens and the Buccaneers (2002) to win Super Bowls with mediocre quarterbacks.
Now the landscape of the league has changed. A pair of quarterbacks from the 2004 draft, Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger(notes), has won two of the past three Super Bowls. While Roethlisberger’s career has hit a speed bump because of off-field incidents, Manning has been steadily improving.
“Oh man, he’s a big-time leader,” Giants receiver Steve Smith said. “Guys obviously are following him, and he’s done a great job of leading us – especially with his work ethic.”
Rivers has enjoyed almost equal success. Since taking the reins from Drew Brees(notes) in 2006, the Chargers have made the playoffs in every season. And as LaDainian Tomlinson’s(notes) offensive impact diminished, the Chargers learned to rely more on Rivers. He’s advanced from a 60-percent passer in his first two seasons as a starter to a 65-percent passer while throwing for more than 4,000 yards in his past two. Last season, he had a higher passer rating (104.4) than either four-time MVP Peyton Manning (99.9) or three-time Super Bowl winner Brady (96.2).
Still, he is chasing two other members of his draft class in Super Bowl rings.
While he doesn’t keep track of Super Bowl XLIII jersey Roethlisberger and Eli Manning on a game-to-game basis, he admitted to following their careers and competing against them. He also knows that his competition comes from quarterbacks outside of his class as well.
“Quarterback play has improved a ton in the last three or four years,” Rivers said. “We’ve got a lot of guys who are game-changing type guys – guys that can beat you in a heartbeat or make a play in a heartbeat.”
Though talent has certainly contributed to the proliferation of the passing attack, the league also has more offensive-minded rules and teams are increasingly using three- and four-wide receiver sets and the shotgun.
One beneficiary is Aaron Rodgers, who has emerged from the long shadow of Brett Favre(notes) in Green Bay to become one of the league’s premier playmakers. He is praised for his passing, mostly, as he has started his career with consecutive 4,000-yard seasons. But he is also known for his athleticism and his ability to make plays with his feet – he ran for 316 yards (5.4 yards per carry) last year.
Teammate Charles Woodson(notes), who has played against a lot of great quarterbacks, considers Rodgers the best in the league. And Rodgers has drawn the praise of opponents as well.
“Rodgers, he really comes to mind,” Smith, the Giants receiver, said. “He works so hard, and he’s got so much talent. I think that’s what separates guys, when they’re already good and then they work hard to improve.”
Quarterback play across the league has improved. Five years ago, there were two quarterbacks (Brady and Trent Green(notes)) who threw for more than 4,000 yards. Last season, there were 10. Whereas quarterbacks generally were held back from the starting lineup for two or three years (like Rodgers and Rivers), quarterbacks now are starting roles as rookies.
Matt Ryan(notes), Joe Flacco(notes), and Mark Sanchez(notes) each took their lumps as first-year starters, but they each helped their teams reach the playoffs.
“Mark had a great supporting cast last year, so he was able to grow and mature as the season went along,” Jets receiver Jerricho Cotchery(notes) said. “And then he took it up to another notch in the playoffs. … I think you have to have a quarterback that can beat you nowadays. You have to have a quarterback who can take over the game and put everything on his shoulders and win the game.”
As a result, Ryan, Flacco and Sanchez are among a group of even younger starters who are ahead of the traditional curve for quarterbacks.
“You used to be a little more hesitant, hold back, take a couple of St. Louis Rams jersey years,” Billick said. “It’s now throw ‘em in, sink or swim. Let’s find out about ‘em.”
What the league found out is that they’re ready. Their development means there won’t be another void of top-tier passers for the foreseeable future.
“That’s what you want,” Edwards said. “You really do. You need good quarterback play in the NFL. When the quarterbacks are playing well in the league –and there’s more than one or two of them – fans have hope. And so, all these kids have stepped up to the plate, they’re good quarterbacks. They’re the future stars of the league.”
For Rivers, Rodgers and Eli Manning, the word “future” can be taken out of the conversation. They’re already stars.