Phillip Rivers (1 Viewer)

[LHUCKS]

The Chargers improved by four games and clinched the top spot in the postseason under Rivers with almost all the same players that missed the playoffs by a couple games with Brees. Sure, some of it was the schedule, but the difference in performance (remember this team was only two plays on the road from going undefeated) can't simply be chalked up to an easier slate of games.Based on the nothing but the results so far, any complaints about A.J.'s handling of the quarterback situation is either pointless arguing for argument's sake or spiteful nitpicking.

A) Do you believe the team would currently be better off with Drew Brees?B) Do you think the Chargers gave up too early on Brees?

 

[renesauz]

The Chargers improved by four games and clinched the top spot in the postseason under Rivers with almost all the same players that missed the playoffs by a couple games with Brees. Sure, some of it was the schedule, but the difference in performance (remember this team was only two plays on the road from going undefeated) can't simply be chalked up to an easier slate of games.Based on the nothing but the results so far, any complaints about A.J.'s handling of the quarterback situation is either pointless arguing for argument's sake or spiteful nitpicking.

A) Do you believe the team would currently be better off with Drew Brees?B) Do you think the Chargers gave up too early on Brees?

A: NO. Rivers was very good in his first starting year. It can easily be argued that he is Brees' equal now. His upside is almost certainly higher, and he's a couple of years younger.B: An emphatic no. No team can afford to invest that much money in the QB position. They had no choice but to let one of them go. (For those who say they could have kept bopth...realize then they would NOT have resigned many of their other young players) With Brees' shoulder a big obvious ???, letting Brees walk was a no-brainer decision. The fact that, in hindsight, they MIGHT have done a little bit better, is immaterial.

 

[Despyzer]

The Chargers improved by four games and clinched the top spot in the postseason under Rivers with almost all the same players that missed the playoffs by a couple games with Brees. Sure, some of it was the schedule, but the difference in performance (remember this team was only two plays on the road from going undefeated) can't simply be chalked up to an easier slate of games.Based on the nothing but the results so far, any complaints about A.J.'s handling of the quarterback situation is either pointless arguing for argument's sake or spiteful nitpicking.

A) Do you believe the team would currently be better off with Drew Brees?B) Do you think the Chargers gave up too early on Brees?

No to both.A). Considering his lack of experience, Rivers' season was every bit as impressive as Brees'. I'm tickled for Brees, and I truly hope he continues to have a great career. The fact is though that Rivers' potential is much greater than that of Brees. I have always been impressed with Brees' leadership, but Rivers seems to possess even more. Statistical success, wins on the field, and tremendous upside - what's not to like about Rivers?B). I assume you are talking about the draft three years ago when the Chargers selected Rivers. If so, I would have done the exact same thing. Brees had been given plenty of opportunities to step up, take over the team, and prove he could win games, but he never responded. After the draft, Brees himself said that he wished the club hadn't made that decision but that he admitted that the team had an obligation to try to improve itself wherever it could and that based on his previous performance, it made sense.Looking back at all Brees has achieved in the three years since that pick was made, do I wish they went in another direction with the #1 overall pick? Considering the next best option at the time was Robert Gallery, probably not. If we are still looking back in hindsight (in a perfect world), it would have been nice to have seen them trade down to get a pick in the next draft (so they could still draft Merriman) and maybe grab a DB.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

A) Do you believe the team would currently be better off with Drew Brees?

I don't think so, but it's a tough call. Both QBs are really good. Rivers has better accuracy, a quicker release, and a better ability to beat the blitz. Brees has more starting experience. They're both great leaders. Rivers had superior arm strength when they were both Chargers, but Brees looked like he had a better arm last year than he had in the past. (Probably all the rehab he did.) Brees has better mobility. Overall, I think Rivers is the better QB, but they're both very good.

B) Do you think the Chargers gave up too early on Brees?

At the time of the 2003 draft I thought so. I favored drafting Robert Gallery instead of a QB. Fortunately for the Chargers, AJ Smith was in charge instead of me.

 

[Despyzer]

A) Do you believe the team would currently be better off with Drew Brees?B) Do you think the Chargers gave up too early on Brees?

We're three for three so far. Any Chargers' fans out there care to answer "yes" to either of these questions and give a reason why?

 

[Tau837]

AJ used that money to re-sign a ton of current young players on their roster.

I took JWB's "roster needs" phrase to be filling spots on the rosters with better players as it fit amidst the other discussion in this thread.Continuity is a very good thing for an NFL team I could "see" that.

http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/8983740

It's important to point out the Chargers are scheduled to be roughly $25 million under the salary cap in 2006, so they can afford to do whatever they want with Brees.

Above is from October 05 but did their cap really change that much IN season from October 05 to Feb 06?So what players did they re-sign that had they not would have become free agents in 07? Who did they have to re-sign?

Well, you interpreted me incorrectly. If I had meant "sign free agents" I would have said "sign free agents". In reality, I meant sign free agents, sign draft picks, and/or lock up current players long term.

 

[Tau837]

The Chargers improved by four games and clinched the top spot in the postseason under Rivers with almost all the same players that missed the playoffs by a couple games with Brees. Sure, some of it was the schedule, but the difference in performance (remember this team was only two plays on the road from going undefeated) can't simply be chalked up to an easier slate of games.Based on the nothing but the results so far, any complaints about A.J.'s handling of the quarterback situation is either pointless arguing for argument's sake or spiteful nitpicking.

A) Do you believe the team would currently be better off with Drew Brees?B) Do you think the Chargers gave up too early on Brees?

A. NoB. NoFor the reasons I already gave and the even better reasons already cited by others. Really, I think this Brees topic has been beaten to death. There are perfectly legitimate reasons for the Chargers to have done what they did, and it worked out well for them. So there is no reason whatsoever for regret.This entire topic, and threads like this one, is going to be amusing in a few years after Rivers has been a consistent dominant NFL QB, and Brees has faded from his peak.

 

[Despyzer]

This entire topic, and threads like this one, is going to be amusing in a few years after Rivers has been a consistent dominant NFL QB, and Brees has faded from his peak.

Personally, I hope this never happens. From all indications, Brees is a stand-up guy who did everything he was capable of for the Chargers. I remember him saying something to the effect that his dream was to raise his children and some championship banners in San Diego. It's too bad that it didn't work out that way for him, but I hope he has crazy success wherever he goes (unless he ends up a Raider or Bronco).

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

This entire topic, and threads like this one, is going to be amusing in a few years after Rivers has been a consistent dominant NFL QB, and Brees has faded from his peak.

Personally, I hope this never happens. From all indications, Brees is a stand-up guy who did everything he was capable of for the Chargers. I remember him saying something to the effect that his dream was to raise his children and some championship banners in San Diego. It's too bad that it didn't work out that way for him, but I hope he has crazy success wherever he goes (unless he ends up a Raider or Bronco).

Yep. I've adopted the Saints as my second favorite team.

 

[Tau837]

This entire topic, and threads like this one, is going to be amusing in a few years after Rivers has been a consistent dominant NFL QB, and Brees has faded from his peak.

Personally, I hope this never happens. From all indications, Brees is a stand-up guy who did everything he was capable of for the Chargers. I remember him saying something to the effect that his dream was to raise his children and some championship banners in San Diego. It's too bad that it didn't work out that way for him, but I hope he has crazy success wherever he goes (unless he ends up a Raider or Bronco).

I agree. I like Brees. That doesn't change anything else I posted.

 

[PadresLakers]

I can't wait for another poorly informed LHUCKS thread about how the Chargers mishandled Micheal Turner "gave up" on him and got nothing in return in a couple of years.

 

[Kai's Hero]

Amidst the compensatory picks discussion I'm not seeing any key free agents they signed with this money.

Signing free agents is generally not a good way to spend money, IMO.Guys the Chargers have extended in the last few years: LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, Quentin Jammer, Shane Olivea, Nate Kaeding, Mike Scifres, Shaun Phillips, Kris Dielman, Lorenzo Neal, Nick Hardwick, Matt Wilhelm, Jamal Williams, Eric Parker.

I'm still hung up on Smith questioning his shoulder in a negative light and then it being worth so much money to the Saints just 22 days later AND Smith is the one that said he'd be throwing in May.

The Dolphins retracted their offer entirely after spending a day giving Brees a physical (one day before he signed with the Saints -- I doubt the Saints knew about it). The shoulder issue was real.

Great decision by the Dolphins. Saints get Brees and the NFC championship game and the Fins got Culpepper. Nuff said.