In 2004, the San Diego Chargers drafted a franchise quarterback that went on to become a Super Bowl champion. Unfortunately, he was a member of the New York Giants . The Chargers coveted Eli Manning with the first pick of the 2004 draft; however, Manning had indicated prior to the draft that he would not sign with the Chargers.
Enter Philip Rivers…
No one disputed Rivers production as a four year starter at North Carolina State University, but his perceived lack of arm strength and unorthodox throwing motion scared more than a few NFL general managers. Then Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer ended up coaching the 2004 Senior Bowl and liked what he saw from the fiery Rivers. The Chargers then agreed to a trade with the New York Giants to send Eli Manning for Rivers and two other picks (future Charger Pro Bowlers Shawne Merriman and Nate Kaeding).
After a lengthy contract negotiation that went into the last week of the preseason, Rivers finally agreed to a contract worth $40.5 dollars.
The drama didn’t end there. Drew Brees, another college standout with whom scouts also had concerns about arm strength, was already drafted as a potential franchise QB. And in 2004, not only did Brees lead the Chargers to a 12-4 record and their first AFC West title in ten years, but he was also won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year Award. The Chargers then designated the free agent QB with the franchise tag in 2005. Brees continued his productive play until the last game of the year vs the Broncos when he tore his labrum.
Good-bye Drew Brees…
Replacing a QB that had thrown for over 3,500 yards in consecutive seasons is never easy, but Rivers never relented. His confidence (cockiness?) wouldn’t allow that. He entered 2006 as the Chargers starting QB for the first time.
Rivers responded by leading the Chargers to a franchise record 14 wins despite his leading receivers Antonio Gates and LaDainian being a tight end and a running back. In his first playoff game ever, Rivers was less than spectacular: completing 14 of 32 passes for 232 yards with 1 interception. 187 total yards from line of scrimmage by Tomlinson were not enough as the Chargers 4 turnovers and a muffed punt ultimately doomed them in a loss to the New England Patriots .
Goodbye Marty Schottenheimer…
Hello Norv Turner
That same season, after a surprising 1-3 start, San Diego rallied to finish the season 11-5. Rivers entered the post season searching for his first win. Rivers would go on to get his first playoff win vs the Tennessee Titans by a score of 17-6. Rivers struggled in the first half, including an interception in the end zone as the Chargers trailed 6-0 at halftime. The second half? Well, that was a different story. Rivers came out and led the Chargers to 17 points on three consecutive drives, including a 34 yard TD pass to Vincent Jackson. His final stats for the game were 19-30 for 292 yards, an impressive 9.7 yards per attempt.
Enter Peyton Manning …
Rivers first ever road playoff start would be against the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts . He dissected the Colts secondary for 3 TDs on 14 of 19 passing and 264 yards as he suffered a knee injury in the beginning of the 4th quarter. Billy Volek finished the game as the Chargers won 28-24.
After collecting his first two playoff wins ever, Rivers now not only had to deal with what was found out to be a slight tear in his knee, but a 17-0 New England Patriot team. Just one day after the Colts victory, Philip Rivers had arthroscopic surgery to repair his torn ACL. In a feat rivaled by few others in any sport, most notably Willis Reed, he returned to the field six days later for the AFC Championship game.
Enter New England…
This game alone should be enough to understand exactly how “tough” Rivers is, but it is also the core of the Philip Rivers debate. Rivers struggled with both his injury and his offense. With LaDainian Tomlinson on the sideline, Rivers was unable to muster any TD drives despite the Chargers defense forcing Brady into 3 INTs. Rivers had 2 INTs of his own and barely completed 50% of his passes on a blustery afternoon, as the Patriots won 21-12. The lasting image of that game being a dejected Rivers sitting on the bench as the final whistle blew.
Enter discussion…
So often in professional sports we use championships as a measure of how “great” someone is. Can they win the “big game”? Sometimes it is a valid argument, but does that make Trent Dilfer a better QB than Dan Marino because he has a Super Bowl title? Of course not, because we have statistics that quantify Marino’s greatness. In an era when so many statistically great QBs have won at least one Super Bowl (Brees, Brady, Manning, and Roethlisberger), Rivers is often neglected in the best QB discussion.
The notion that Rivers has a bad attitude surely doesn’t help his case either. After all, he does play the glamor position and is seen as the face of his franchise. Has there ever been a brash, cocky successful QB in the NFL? The closest example that I can think of is Terrell Owens and he’s a wide receiver, a position known to have diva-like qualities. Now I’m not saying that Rivers is a diva, but anytime that you get mentioned in the same breath as TO, it can’t be a good thing. Especially when there is video evidence backing it up.
Public perception can be a very dangerous thing and often skews other peoples’ opinions, just ask @ochocinco .
Just stick to the facts is what I say. Rivers is attempting to become only the 3rd QB ever to lead the NFL in yards per attempt for four consecutive years (others were Sid Luckman and Steve Young). His passer rating for the last 3 years is 103.8, superior to 3 time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady . Rivers ranks 3rd in the last 3 years behind Brees (14,007, 101) and Peyton Manning (13,202, 93) in total yards and TD passes, all while attempting 20% less passes. Not only does his accuracy lead to a higher percentage of TD tosses per attempt, but his INT rate is better as well. Brees throws an INT every 36 passes, Manning every 40, and Rivers only throws one every 46. With Rivers being only 29 years old and the youngest of the group, I can only see these numbers improving.
Enter 2011…
Behind an offensive line that retains 4 out of 5 starters, a healthy Ryan Mathews and Antonio Gates, plus a motivated Vincent Jackson, I see Philip Rivers putting up even better stats than he has over the last 3 years. Philip Rivers will win the NFL’s MVP and lead the San Diego Chargers to their first NFL Championship. Now the only question about him will be: “How many more Super Bowls can he win?”