How Much Better is the 2004 top 3 QBs than the 1983 top 3 QBs?

[Shaner021]

Its pretty clear the 2004 class blows the 1983 class away at the same stage in their careers:

http://sports-kings.com/?p=10102

Shane

[steelfury02]

4 SBs in 8 seasons (Looking at you Rivers . . .) I'd say yes - blows it out of the water

Unfortunately Rivers has the Carson Palmer string of bad luck and bad ownership/coaching - only to an even higher degree because he is far and away that much better than Palmer, has had even better weapons in terms of productivity and personalities that click - He has been much closer to a SB more often than Palmer

They should have gotten rid of Norv a few seasons ago - someone should have paid a little more dearly on that coaching staff for that many early season struggles. Also - how in the H_E double hockey stick do you let Sproles go like that? A few key cogs on both lines would have made a huge difference.

[OX1947]

I would take Elway, marino or kelly over big ben, eli or rivers any day. Big ben and eli may have the rings, but not better qbs then 3 first ballet hall of famers.

[MDSteel15]

Originally Posted by OX1947

I would take Elway, marino or kelly over big ben, eli or rivers any day. Big ben and eli may have the rings, but not better qbs then 3 first ballet hall of famers.

The book is still open on 1st ballet! 5 SB appearances and 4 victories so far... They had 3 victories in 10 appearances! Not good odds but hey, they were there!

And yes, Rivers needs to get his ass in gear if he is so special!

[Fire Arians]

Originally Posted by OX1947

I would take Elway, marino or kelly over big ben, eli or rivers any day. Big ben and eli may have the rings, but not better qbs then 3 first ballet hall of famers.

marino on the steelers would have been crazy as hell, we'd be trying for our 10th trophy right now if that happened

[Shaner021]

Remember I specifically targeted only the first 8 seasons of the Hall of Famers; if they never played another snap, would they have done enough to be Hall of Famers?
Im not so sure its a slam dunk for all three.

These articles are always subjective, and I am not trying to diminish the careers of 3 of the All-Time Greats. After looking at the evidence, at this point in their careers, I think the modern-day QBs are outshining their counterparts. Appreciate the feedback though!

You should see some of the Broncos' fans feedback Im getting though lol. Not very happy with the article at all!

[steelfury02]

Marino over Ben? maybe as far as getting the ball out more quickly- and he was very close to being the Steelers QB

However, as much as Ben is at fault for taking sacks/hits - half the blame has to go to protection issues on not just o-line - but blocking assignments by WRs and RBs - Marino or Kelly would N_O_T survive what Ben has - that has to be said

Neither of those guys were as tough and frankly - without the SB wins, regardless of who was responsible for the win or loss in comparison - is hard to say that I would take them over Ben

Now - Marino and Kelley over everyone the Steelers had at QB from 1983-2004 - HECK YES! Can you imagine either one of those guys playing under Cowher? Cowher would have retired with at least 1 more ring, if not 2 - that was the biggest piece Cowher was missing - a great franchise QB - and they would have actually had the line to fling that pigskin all over the place - even with mediocre WRs

[Fire Arians]

Originally Posted by steelfury02

Marino over Ben? maybe as far as getting the ball out more quickly- and he was very close to being the Steelers QB

However, as much as Ben is at fault for taking sacks/hits - half the blame has to go to protection issues on not just o-line - but blocking assignments by WRs and RBs - Marino or Kelly would N_O_T survive what Ben has - that has to be said

Neither of those guys were as tough and frankly - without the SB wins, regardless of who was responsible for the win or loss in comparison - is hard to say that I would take them over Ben

Now - Marino and Kelley over everyone the Steelers had at QB from 1983-2004 - HECK YES! Can you imagine either one of those guys playing under Cowher? Cowher would have retired with at least 1 more ring, if not 2 - that was the biggest piece Cowher was missing - a great franchise QB - and they would have actually had the line to fling that pigskin all over the place - even with mediocre WRs

dan marino playing in cowher = dynasty. he would have had 2-3 more rings. marino + the steelers running game and defense would have been almost unfair. hell we were a super bowl team with a slightly better than average qb (o'donnell), imagine what we would have been with a hall of famer at the helm. not only a hall of famer but one of the best ever.

QB was the only position holding us back in the cowher era. when he finally got a franchise qb, we won it all.

[MDSteel15]

Here compare the 2 draft classes! Each had the same amount of QBs taken...
In order of being drafted:

1983
John Elway
Todd Blackledge
Jim Kelly
Tony Eason
Ken O’Brien
Dan Marino
Jeff Christensen
Reggie Collier
Babe Laufenberg
Gary Kubiak
Tom Ramsey
Bruce Mathison
Jim Bob Taylor
Clete Casper
David Mangrum
Scott Lindquist

vs

2004
Eli Manning
Philip Rivers
Ben Roethlisberger
JP Losman
Matt Schaub
Luke McCown
Craig Krenzel
Andy Hall
Jim Sorgi
Jeff Smoker
John Navarre
Cody Pickett
Casey Bramlet
Matt Mauck
BJ Symons
Brad Van Pelt

[Shaner021]

Ha! Most of the QBs are not even worth the webspace to analyze them. Took me about 2-3 hours to put together this article!