I'm saying that the chargers spent a #1 draft pick on Rivers (granted there was also a trade). They also paid him as a VERY high draft pick.

Brees did NOTHING his first years until Rivers was drafted (why do you think they took a QB?). Does Brees only compete when he has actual competition? Brees will never be more than what he is, a younger Rodney Peete.

Rivers has huge upside, will not be under pressure to perform in that offense. If the Charges are smart (long term) he is your guy.

Marty always wins with the way he coaches, but he never gets over the hump. Hell he got washington to 8 wins.

Imagine how much BETTER his team would be with a franchise QB.

Whenever discussing Brees/Harrington one must always point out to stop looking at the pretty picture and be realistic with what is best for the team...

This is an AFC team i have no rooting interest either way.

Admit it, you're just stalking pro athletes. wink

I thought you were defining a franchise QB as one who could win the championship. Rivers clearly is not that QB. Not at this point. Otherwise, he would be starting already. He might have potential to be that, someday. But if the Chargers think he's better than Brees at this point, then he would be playing.

If, however, you're defining a franchise QB as a high draft pick and a lot of money, then Rivers would be a franchise QB. But that doesn't seem to connect to your earlier assessment that a franchise QB leading them to championships.

You ask "does Brees only compete when he has actual competition?" Can't address that. Except to ask if that is really the right question. What was/is his learning curve for the pro game? Is it just because there was competition, or because he also began to put things together as a pro QB? How many QBs other than Marino and Big Ben last year really did anything their first year? And it is pro football...as long as he competes when there is competition, what's the problem with that?

Appreciate that you are not affected by a player's appearance when making your assessments. Neither am I. Again, don't attribute things or thinking to me as fact that is only bad assumption on your part.

Could a Shottenheimer team actually have or benefit from a franchise QB? Do you think he'd actually be able to utilize such a QB's talent and ability? Interesting thought.

Watched part of the Monday night game. I think even I got a flag on a play. And I was reminded how chilling it is to see a player on the field not moving.

LXN

Glad I didn't shut the game off. A great Packers comeback that fell short, but a highly entertaining 4th quarter.

Well the Packers did all that and then stupidly rushed that 4th down play. Why? I was never much on Favre's jock the way some people are and I see them either 0-9, 1-8, or 2-7 over the next 5 games. They've got the Saints, Vikings, Bengals, Steelers, and Falcons coming up. My prediction: They'll either beat the Saints or the Vikings but not both. I don't think they will beat the Bengals, Steelers or Falcons so 1-8 is my prediction after the next 5. Enjoy sitting home for the playoffs PACK!!!!!!! Will Brett Favre come back for another year? I don't think he wants to end his NFL career having not made it to the playoffs.

I watched the last play in slo-mo and there is a Packer receiver wide open (someone must have blown an assignment) about 5 yards past the first down but Favre did rush the throw to the other side; had he waited another second he has the first down and who knows.

The Chargers spent the number one overall pick on Rivers via a trade with the gints....

Does that make him a franchise QB? dunno. Should that make him the future over Brees, YES. If SD didnt feel they needed a QB at the time, they would not have taken Eli and then aquired Rivers.

Anytime you get a QB that high, it's a crap shoot. It's a chance you have to take because if you trade him to say.. the jets... and becomes the next cast off Favre... well the chargers are the idiots.

Brees is a nice system QB, is he anything more than that? He's had years to prove he's not, and has not... why not go with Rivers and not take the huge cap hit and let your personell guys do their jobs of getting the best QB in the draft?????

Shotty has never had a franchise QB, but i'd guess that even he could tear up teams with one. Cleveland.. Washington.. dont think the guy ever had one. He's had franchise RB's and you see what he can do with them. I'd think in that system with a all pro, they might be top 3 in the league.

Oh i have more...

Look at JP in Buffalo. As an informed NFL fan, i have no problems with them sticking with the kid and seeing how he does and how he improves this season. Dont pay attention to to "writers" who pretend to be hacks like peter king, looking at some kids stats and saying "what a boring game". I'd actually watch the game and say... how are his read? is he getting close? That tells you more than bitching about 75 yards in passing from a team who lost the best MLB in football.

The Chargers are a great young team, Rivers might give you the next 12 years of an all pro (maybe)... Brees gives you 10 wins and out in round 1 or 2 of the playoffs.