Both have been helped by their defenses a lot. Flacco has had a much better running game though, and unless you can come back with a good stat showing they both throw downfield the same amount/comp%, I’m not gonna buy this.

He’s had a somewhat better running game for a few years. That seems to disappear in the postseason, partly because Rice fumbles a lot and partly because they happen to run into the Steelers all the damn time.

I’m not sure where to find the deep ball stat. Flacco leads the NFL in deep attempts but I’m not sure what his completion percentage is.

What if the Red Sox put a package together of Andrew Bailey, Jackie Bradley Jr., Ryan Kalish and Ryan Lavarnway for Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins.

For those unfamilier, Kalish and Lavarnway are two of the most overrated prospects the Sox have had in recent years. 4th OF, backup C/DH potential for the two.

there is a whiny segment

“Ellsbury and Lackey for Gianocarlo Stanton!”

there is a whiny segment

Fixed

then again that doesn’t stop Boston media types (and some Pats fans, it seems) from thinking that Brady has “gone soft” and “doesn’t care as much” in recent years.

I live in Boston and can tell you that there is a vocal segment of Pats fans who think he’s not “one of them” but you only hear that when they lose in the playoffs.

Eli is like Roethlisberger for me, definitely very good and someone who I’d worry about facing in a big game, but just flawed enough to not be “elite.” they also get far too much credit for their teams’ first Super Bowl run.

I like this a lot. Both sucked in the first Superbowls, and had a much bigger role and played far better in the second one. The 2007 Eli SB MVP still pisses me off.

/Justin Tuck

then again that doesn’t stop Boston media types (and some Pats fans, it seems) from thinking that Brady has “gone soft” and “doesn’t care as much” in recent years.

I think Brady cares way more than when he was younger, and I didn’t think that was in doubt. He really wants another SB win. And just hasn’t had the mobility he had when he was younger, which really helped avoid hits, and steal a few first downs. Also don’t like the tendency to have an offense that can go three/out too easily on downfield passes.

Assuming the reg season has been practice/experiment though as to play-calling, I think they will figure it out in the playoffs.

I hate the “elite quarterback” argument because it’s very nebulous and changes all the time,

Yeah, remember those “Is Phillip Rivers elite?” discussions?

Brees won a Super Bowl and then got lumped in with those other three, for some reason.

I hate the “elite quarterback” argument because it’s very nebulous and changes all the time, but if I had to answer I’d say Manning, Rodgers, Brady. maybe Brees.

Eli is like Roethlisberger for me, definitely very good and someone who I’d worry about facing in a big game, but just flawed enough to not be “elite.” they also get far too much credit for their teams’ first Super Bowl run.

Eli is in the 5-10 range IMO. It’s splitting hairs to get any more specific.

Of all the current QBs, I think Eli is the closest Flacco comparison. Similar stat lines, similar teams, similar streakiness. They’re awfully alike.

Both have been helped by their defenses a lot. Flacco has had a much better running game though, and unless you can come back with a good stat showing they both throw downfield the same amount/comp%, I’m not gonna buy this.

Nah it doesnt work that way, once clutch always clutch. Derek Jeter could go 0-20 with 10 errors in the postseason and they’d still find a way to blame A-Rod. Likewise once people started calling Chauncey Billups “Mr. Big Shot” only his made shots counted as “big shots.”

well, I was being sarcastic.

then again that doesn’t stop Boston media types (and some Pats fans, it seems) from thinking that Brady has “gone soft” and “doesn’t care as much” in recent years.

Again, how many qbs are elite?

I hate the “elite quarterback” argument because it’s very nebulous and changes all the time, but if I had to answer I’d say Manning, Rodgers, Brady. maybe Brees.

Eli is like Roethlisberger for me, definitely very good and someone who I’d worry about facing in a big game, but just flawed enough to not be “elite.” they also get far too much credit for their teams’ first Super Bowl run.

Of all the current QBs, I think Eli is the closest Flacco comparison. Similar stat lines, similar teams, similar streakiness. They’re awfully alike.

Except for those two pesky Super Bowls

Incidentally, Flacco in outdoor road playoff games: 6.2 YPA. Almost Manning-like.

So does the dome thing hurt Manning’s legacy? It’s rarely talked about. I suppose it will be talked about even less if he wins this year.

E. Manning: 58.6 career completion percentage, 82.7 career QB rating, 230 YPG, 1.46: TD/INT ratio, 7.1 YPA
Flacco: 60.5 career completion percentage, 86.3 career QB rating, 220.4 YPG, 1.96:1 TD/INT ratio, 7.1 YPA

But yeah, Flacco fails the stats argument when compared to an “elite” QB.

You fail to acknowledge the shared letters between Manning’s first name and the word “elite”.

Just like you can’t spell “Flaccid” without “Flacco”. It’s a lot easier than coming up with cogent arguments.

Incidentally, Flacco in outdoor road playoff games: 6.2 YPA. Almost Manning-like.

Wonder what the average YPA in outdoor playoff games is?

Of all the current QBs, I think Eli is the closest Flacco comparison. Similar stat lines, similar teams, similar streakiness. They’re awfully alike.

how many people who aren’t Giants fans or ESPN pundits think Eli is an elite quarterback, though? honest question.

Completely subjective, but I’d wager a majority. He and Rothelisberger are considered elite QBs because of Rings Bitch. Some of that is probably because of the ESPN narrative. Regardless, I think a majority consider Eli a HOFer.

Point is, there are four guys — Brady, Manning, Brees, Rogers — clearly better than Flacco. Maybe a few guys — Eli, Ben, Ryan — as good, and the rest below. Flacco isn’t elite. But he’s a whole lot better than OK, both in terms of stats and results. Just because he’s not in the Big Four doesn’t mean he sucks.

So going 4/10 with 34 yards and a pick, but getting the win over one of those three would have been good? That’s what annoys me.

No. Flacco was terrible in that game. He was also a second year QB on the road.

Last three years (so far) in the playoffs: 9 TDs, 2 INTs, 98.9 QB rating

Yet all anyone talks about is the 4/10 game, and they label him a fraud. The numbers tell a completely different story.

how many people who aren’t Giants fans or ESPN pundits think Eli is an elite quarterback, though? honest question.

Again, how many qbs are elite?