High Five

Name your top five NFL quarterbacks.  Most of us have – in some order – Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers and Aaron Rodgers.  Maybe you like Ben Roethlisberger better than Brees or Rivers.  Michael Vick?  Matt Ryan?  Okay.  Anybody got Eli Manning in their top five?  Show of hands?  No?

Manning the Lesser fed the machine with his comment earlier this week that he saw himself in the same class as Tom Brady. 

New England fans are hypersensitive to even the slightest of sleights against Tom Terrific, unless we’re talking about his hair, in which the best case scenario is to blame Giselle, but Manning the Lesser’s comments seemed to generate little more than a collective shrug from local media outlets.  Eli’s 25 interceptions in 2010 were added to quotes from Michael Kay’s radio show without further analysis.  That was it.

Unavoidable Digression

I saw “Bad Teacher” this summer and the “25 interceptions” comments reminded me of the “It’s the only argument I need, Shawn” scene.  Also, I like any movie where a guy who looks like Jason Segel winds up with a woman who looks like Cameron Diaz.

Where was I?

While New England tilted its collective head to one side in quizzical amusement for just a moment and then returned to their blueberry pancakes, the national media continued to gnaw on Manning the Lesser’s ankle.  I just watched Eli on SportsCenter, chatting with Linda Cohn about his elite status.  To his credit, I guess, he refused to back down.

25 interceptions, dude. 

It’s the only argument I need, Shawn!

My Top Five

1.   Tom Brady – Was Brady better in 2010 than 2007?  No, but his second year back from knee surgery was certainly MVP-worthy (36 TD/4 INT).  We’re past asking if Brady is better than Peyton Manning; the question now is whether he’s the best of all time.

2.   Peyton Manning – His 13-year career season averages are 4217 yards, 30 TD and 15 INT with a 64.7% completion rate and a 94.9 passer rating.  In 2010 he posted a 4700/33/17 completing 66.3% with a 91.9 rating so it doesn’t look like he’s slowing down.

3.   Aaron Rodgers – It’s hard not to wonder where Rodgers would be if the Packers had traded Brett Favre to the New York Jets two years earlier.  Like he cares when he’s spooning his blow up Lombardi Trophy at night.

4.   Drew Brees – Edges Rivers because he has a ring.  Also, he’s like 5’ 6”, 5’ 7” tops, right?

5.   Philip Rivers – Yards per Attempt the last three years: 8.4, 8.8, 8.7.  Edges Ben Roethlisberger even though he doesn’t have a ring.  Yeah, I’m moody-like.