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Back in August of 2011, New York Giants' quarterback Eli Manning, on an interview with Michael Kay on WEPN-AM 1050 in New York, said that he believed he was "in the same class" as the elite NFL quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and his brother Peyton. And most people's reactions were very similar to the ones you had when you heard of this statement back then: "lol at Eli", "dude's a scrub", "smh eli". But Eli during that year absolutely backed up his comments, which included leading the Giants to another Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium. Manning took the team, and won the final six games of the season to host the Lombardi Trophy. Eli was exceptionally good during those final six games.
Then about two months after Manning's Super Bowl victory, an even more shocking statement came out of Baltimore. Ravens QB Joe Flacco went out and said the he believes he is "the best quarterback in the NFL". This statement was definitely more farfetched than Eli's statement, as Eli had already won a Super Bowl back in 2007, while Flacco hadn't even made the Super Bowl in his career (although weren't it for DB Sterling Moore breaking up Flacco's pass to WR Lee Evans, they might have). Also, Eli said he was in he same class, the same consideration, as Tom Brady. Flacco one-upped Manning, by saying he was better than every other QB in the National Football League. But Flacco did what every elite QB is asked to do: perform at an extremely high level in the playoffs. Flacco led his Ravens past the Colts, Broncos, and Patriots to defeat the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl, including throwing for a 95.1 QBR out in the big game.
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
Having Roethlisberger on this list may be considered a stretch, knowing he is a two time Super Bowl champion, who has made it to the big game 3 times. But for some reason, Big Ben never seems to get the reputation that, while by most is considered a Top 6 guy, he is an elite player. But with another Super Bowl victory, maybe he goes back into that elite company. The Steelers were decimated with injuries last year at every position: QB, OL, S, RB, etc, and yet the Steelers narrowly missed out on the playoffs last year. They had a good draft too, landing OLB Jarvis Jones, RB Le'Veon Bell, and S Shamarko Thomas, whom will all help out this year. But if the Steelers want to win a title, Roethlisberger will need to play at an elite level.
Matt Schaub, Houston Texans
The Texans were 11-1 at one point in the season last year, and looked like the favorites to win it all. But due to injuries at LB, and a huge confidence blow in a blowout loss to the Patriots in Week 14, the Texans couldn't finish out the season. But can they do it over again, except win the Super Bowl this time? They drafted WR DeAndre Hopkins in the 1st round, and signed S Ed Reed in Free Agency. They have Andre Johnson and Arian Foster as offensive weapons, but Schaub is the Wild Card. Manning and Flacco weren't the stars of their team, but they stepped up enough to become Super Bowl MVPs. Schaub will have to do the same if Houston will get their title.
One of the most talked about QBs in the National Football League, Romo is definitely one of the most talented out there. He was recently just given a 6 year, $108 million contract, which most people believe to be unwarranted. Despite having a 21-4 career record in November, which is phenomenal, he is a career 1-6 in "do-or-die" games, with the latest being a Week 17 loss versus the Redskins last season. A notable mess-up for Romo was when he fumbled the hold for a field goal in the playoffs, which lost them the game. But maybe this new contract, an addition in receivers (rookies WR Terrence Williams and TE Gavin Escobar), and a defensive scheme change to a 4-3 defense will change the Cowboys fortunes. But Romo will definitely need to be the November Romo rather than the normal December-January Romo for that to happen.
Eli was drafted in 2004, and Flacco was drafted in 2008. So does Cutler being drafted in 2006 have any significance? No, not really. But the mobile Cutler was a promising looking kid with the Broncos, before being shipped out to Chicago due to a difference with then-Head Coach Josh McDaniels. And Cutler's skills haven't diminished at all, but the offensive line for the Bears haven't let Cutler do anything except for getting sacked. Hopefully 2013 first round lineman Kyle Long will help out that blocking. But also new HC Marc Trestman will help out Cutler due to a scheme change on offense. They will run a more spread offense with some read option plays added in there, which they can definitely run, since Cutler has tons of mobility. If that Bears line can protect Cutler, he can and will be very successful out there, which can make the Bears a legitimate contender for the Super Bowl.
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan is the guy who, in my opinion, would be the most likely player to pull it off. Matt Ryan was one of the best QBs in the NFL last year, leading the Falcons to the #1 seed. He has arguably the best WR duo in the NFL with Julio Jones and Roddy White, along with the great Tony Gonzalez at TE. He can easily duplicate a year like last years, maybe even a better one. And a statistic that helps the cause for the Falcons: Since 2006, the NFC division that faces the AFC East makes it to the Super Bowl. The NFC South has that honor for 2013. Matt is a fairly humble guy, so I doubt he would go out publicly with a statement saying he was elite. But Ryan's the type of QB that can win a Super Bowl, or at least if Flacco can so can Ryan.
Then about two months after Manning's Super Bowl victory, an even more shocking statement came out of Baltimore. Ravens QB Joe Flacco went out and said the he believes he is "the best quarterback in the NFL". This statement was definitely more farfetched than Eli's statement, as Eli had already won a Super Bowl back in 2007, while Flacco hadn't even made the Super Bowl in his career (although weren't it for DB Sterling Moore breaking up Flacco's pass to WR Lee Evans, they might have). Also, Eli said he was in he same class, the same consideration, as Tom Brady. Flacco one-upped Manning, by saying he was better than every other QB in the National Football League. But Flacco did what every elite QB is asked to do: perform at an extremely high level in the playoffs. Flacco led his Ravens past the Colts, Broncos, and Patriots to defeat the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl, including throwing for a 95.1 QBR out in the big game.
Now does that mean Eli Manning or Joe Flacco are "elite" quarterbacks? No, not at all. I might consider Manning to be an elite QB, but not Flacco. But it was the same scenario for these two guys, that they both said they were elite QBs, and hoisted the Lombardi Trophy at the end. And while no current QB has said the "elite" comment yet, which player would have the best shot of winning a Super Bowl if they called themselves an Elite QB. For the sake of this argument, all first and second year QBs were excluded, since they haven't proven much yet. And the four elite (Brady, Brees, Rodgers, and Peyton), along with Flacco and Eli, were excluded as well. So here are 5 guys who I feel would be most likely to have this happen to them.Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
Having Roethlisberger on this list may be considered a stretch, knowing he is a two time Super Bowl champion, who has made it to the big game 3 times. But for some reason, Big Ben never seems to get the reputation that, while by most is considered a Top 6 guy, he is an elite player. But with another Super Bowl victory, maybe he goes back into that elite company. The Steelers were decimated with injuries last year at every position: QB, OL, S, RB, etc, and yet the Steelers narrowly missed out on the playoffs last year. They had a good draft too, landing OLB Jarvis Jones, RB Le'Veon Bell, and S Shamarko Thomas, whom will all help out this year. But if the Steelers want to win a title, Roethlisberger will need to play at an elite level.
Matt Schaub, Houston Texans
The Texans were 11-1 at one point in the season last year, and looked like the favorites to win it all. But due to injuries at LB, and a huge confidence blow in a blowout loss to the Patriots in Week 14, the Texans couldn't finish out the season. But can they do it over again, except win the Super Bowl this time? They drafted WR DeAndre Hopkins in the 1st round, and signed S Ed Reed in Free Agency. They have Andre Johnson and Arian Foster as offensive weapons, but Schaub is the Wild Card. Manning and Flacco weren't the stars of their team, but they stepped up enough to become Super Bowl MVPs. Schaub will have to do the same if Houston will get their title.
Tony Romo, Dallas CowboysOne of the most talked about QBs in the National Football League, Romo is definitely one of the most talented out there. He was recently just given a 6 year, $108 million contract, which most people believe to be unwarranted. Despite having a 21-4 career record in November, which is phenomenal, he is a career 1-6 in "do-or-die" games, with the latest being a Week 17 loss versus the Redskins last season. A notable mess-up for Romo was when he fumbled the hold for a field goal in the playoffs, which lost them the game. But maybe this new contract, an addition in receivers (rookies WR Terrence Williams and TE Gavin Escobar), and a defensive scheme change to a 4-3 defense will change the Cowboys fortunes. But Romo will definitely need to be the November Romo rather than the normal December-January Romo for that to happen.
Jay Cutler, Chicago BearsEli was drafted in 2004, and Flacco was drafted in 2008. So does Cutler being drafted in 2006 have any significance? No, not really. But the mobile Cutler was a promising looking kid with the Broncos, before being shipped out to Chicago due to a difference with then-Head Coach Josh McDaniels. And Cutler's skills haven't diminished at all, but the offensive line for the Bears haven't let Cutler do anything except for getting sacked. Hopefully 2013 first round lineman Kyle Long will help out that blocking. But also new HC Marc Trestman will help out Cutler due to a scheme change on offense. They will run a more spread offense with some read option plays added in there, which they can definitely run, since Cutler has tons of mobility. If that Bears line can protect Cutler, he can and will be very successful out there, which can make the Bears a legitimate contender for the Super Bowl.
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan is the guy who, in my opinion, would be the most likely player to pull it off. Matt Ryan was one of the best QBs in the NFL last year, leading the Falcons to the #1 seed. He has arguably the best WR duo in the NFL with Julio Jones and Roddy White, along with the great Tony Gonzalez at TE. He can easily duplicate a year like last years, maybe even a better one. And a statistic that helps the cause for the Falcons: Since 2006, the NFC division that faces the AFC East makes it to the Super Bowl. The NFC South has that honor for 2013. Matt is a fairly humble guy, so I doubt he would go out publicly with a statement saying he was elite. But Ryan's the type of QB that can win a Super Bowl, or at least if Flacco can so can Ryan.
