OT - Aaron Rodgers, elite QB

[Newz]

“I think he’s an elite quarterback right now,” said Packers cornerback Al Harris(notes). “He can make every single throw. He can put it on a line. He’s got touch. His decision making is good. He’s quick. He goes through his progressions really quickly. ”

Those are skills. That's ability. That's what can make him elite.

Once he wins a Super Bowl, I guess that’s maybe what changes that perception.”

Bingo. Perception. Not reality.

I have already said several times that he doesn't have to win a Super Bowl to be an elite QB. Why the hell do you keep bringing that up?

So is Derrick Rose already an elite NBA point guard because he has as much skill and ability as anyone else who plays that position in the NBA?

[Newz]

I honestly don't see why you guys have to argue with me about it.

It's pretty obvious we all agree that he is a really good young QB. I think out of all the guys that are less than 30 years old he would be one of the top 2 guys I pick.

I clearly just think you have to play well for more than one season and make the playoffs to be considered elite, where as you guys do not think that those are things that are requirements.

[humanrefutation]

I feel like you all are talking in circles. Can't we just agree that:

A. Rodgers is on a path towards becoming an elite QB.
B. Rodgers career will be lessened if he doesn't show some postseason success.

As for Super Bowls...there is no doubt that Marino, Kelly, and Tarkenton's legacies were inalterably lessed by their lack of rings. Elway and Young would've been in the same category if they didn't win those rings. Same for Manning and Brady. Does that mean they weren't great QBs? Absolutely not. But, their legacies will always have an addedum on the end that points out that they didn't succeed on the league's biggest stage.

Rodgers is a very good QB right now...definitely top 7 IMO. Best in the NFC North. But, if he doesn't take this team to the playoffs, and wins games, he'll always be viewed as below elite.

[crkone]

Wilbon just said Rodgers is his MVP prediction.

[humanrefutation]

Wilbon just said Rodgers is his MVP prediction.

Not a bad choice. I could see it happening. At least he didn't homer it up and say Cutler.

[Wade-A-Holic]

I'm almost tempted to pick Rodgers very early in the keeper league I'm starting in this season. He's going to be a stud in what will probably be a VERY good offense for a while.

[Sky High]

It's going to be a fun season of football. It's a good day to be a Packers fan. I haven't been this excited for a Football season in a long while. Coming off a 6 win season I'm sure that seems a bit absurd, but it's the truth.

[El Duderino]

I'm almost tempted to pick Rodgers very early in the keeper league I'm starting in this season. He's going to be a stud in what will probably be a VERY good offense for a while.

I don't play fantasy football anymore, but i think stats wise, Rodgers should produce like a top 5ish QB. Given the weapons available to him and that we likely won't have a great defense even if it's better this year, the Packers should score a lot of points.

[ReasonablySober]

I'm in two or three leagues every year but I'm not nearly as dedicated as a lot of the guys I know. I lose interest or forget after the first month. Three years ago I roomed with a guy who wouldn't let me watch Packer games because he had to check out everyone on his team. He lived on his Blackberry and constantly called other owners talking smack. It made me feel good about myself, a dude that spends hours on a message board every day.

[El Duderino]

I'm in two or three leagues every year but I'm not nearly as dedicated as a lot of the guys I know. I lose interest or forget after the first month. Three years ago I roomed with a guy who wouldn't let me watch Packer games because he had to check out everyone on his team. He lived on his Blackberry and constantly called other owners talking smack. It made me feel good about myself, a dude that spends hours on a message board every day.

I'm the same way, i lose interest after a few weeks. Plus, football is my favorite sport and love the Packers, so i simply can't cheer for any players on the Vikings or Bears. I also hate Jerry Jones and the Cowboys big time, so i won't draft any of there players either. Lastly, i don't go crazy studying things and usually by the time i notice some guy on waivers that's breaking out, that player is snatched up.

I'm a bit of a gambling fiend which might allow me to pay close attention to a league if it was for cash like this one league i played in for a number of years. It was 25 dollars a man in a 12 or 16 team league depending on the number of returning members. When it was 16 teams, first place was around 250 dollars, so it kept my interest. I still like fantasy baseball though because i don't care about grabbing players from teams i don't like, but in football, i'm just not going to cheer for say A. Peterson or Cutler to do well, especially in a league with no cash to be won. I want those guys to suck or get hurt.

[Siefer]

My perception of player and team loyalty has changed a bit over the years. I'm a die hard Packers fan, but after years of Madden franchises, and fantasy football drafts, I've come to appreciate the individual players somewhat separately of the teams. Inevitably, there will be conflicts of interest as the season goes on, but I've always found it rather obvious to cheer for the Packer's fortunes when the cards are on the table, simply because I'd rather they succeed, than any of my fantasy teams. One has to acknowledge that their "cheering on a player" does not actually impact the results on the field. It doesn't inherently contradict then, to play a game, based on predicting those results.

[ReasonablySober]

Well, not according to ESPN's Scouts Inc.

They have him ranked 18th, behind Flacco, Hasselbeck, and Campbell. Just ahead of Shaub and Vince Young, Bulger and Garrard.

Wow. Seriously.

[trwi7]

WTF? What's better about Flacco's 3,000 yards, 14 TD's, 12 INT's and 80.3 QB rating than Rodgers' 4,000 yards, 28 TD's, 13 INT's and 93.8 QB rating?

[Ayt]

Well, not according to ESPN's Scouts Inc.

They have him ranked 18th, behind Flacco, Hasselbeck, and Campbell. Just ahead of Shaub and Vince Young, Bulger and Garrard.

Wow. Seriously.

Could you post the write up? I don't have insider anymore.

[El Duderino]

The Chargers just gave Rivers a 6yr/92 million dollar deal with 38-39 million guaranteed

The Packers gave Rodgers a 6yr/66 million dollar deal with 20 million guaranteed

Rivers has a longer track record than Rodgers did when he signed his extension, but i think Aaron will be able to perform going forward in roughly the same class as Rivers.