Redo the 2004 QB draft

Jayman · 01-16-2008, 10:06 AM

In 2004, we had 3 big QB names come out of the draft, and they were drafted this order:

- Eli Manning was picked at #1 by the Chargers (but ultimately traded to the Giants)
- Philip Rivers was taken at #4 by the Giants (traded to SD)
- Ben Roethlisberger was taken by the Steelers at #11

If the draft were redone, who would you take 1st, 2nd, and 3rd if you were a GM? Knowing what we know now, has Eli lived up to the #1 QB of the 2004 draftees? Ben has won a Championship, would you feel confident now picking him at #1?

Slim · 01-16-2008, 10:40 AM

I think this is still tough cause its hard to tell, Eli seems to be coming into his own now. And of course Big Ben has already won a championship. And I think you could say the same about rivers that I did with Eli.

But I would say..

1) Ben
2) Eli
3) Rivers

Brandon · 01-16-2008, 05:28 PM

Ben Roesthisberger is the obvious choice for me. He's shown a lot of ability, won a championship although he played poorly in the game, and he's shown a lot of grit, heart, determination even when he team was riddled with injuries earlier this year.

Eli and Rivers are just now coming into their own.. We'll see what happens with them. Right now the giants trade doesn't look awesome but it looks a lot better than when Eli looked lost..

Twist of lEMOn · 01-16-2008, 05:35 PM

#1 Big Ben
#2 Philip Rivers
#3 Eli Manning

I don't know how anyone can justify putting Rivers over Manning even with both of there coming out partys in the last few weeks. Eli has been doing in the playoffs what he should have been doing since he first got the start, not cranking it down field like he was. Rivers on the other hand finally got some good O line play though he has the same amount of TDs as Eli he has almost twice the yards with one less quater played. Lets not forget this isn't the first time Rivers has played well either unlike Mannning, he made the probowl last year people.

Toaster Oven · 01-16-2008, 05:38 PM

The difference is though, look at what Big Ben had to begin with. Ben got on a good team who had a bad year, the defense was already pretty solid, and all they were missing was a QB. At this point, it's still a toss-up to me. Roethlisberger definitely has the talent, but it'd be hard for me to circumstantially say that I'd definitively take Roethlisberger at #1. I don't think Ben would've been blowing us away in New York, or San Diego, it's a tough call. But it'll be interesting a little bit later to try and figure it out.

Another thing that's not really said about these is the coaching, Cowher was the coach of Pittsburgh and he runs the ball a lot more(I would think no research was totally done). I don't know how Roethlisberger would've responded in Schottenheimers system or in Coughlin's system. So it's def hard to tell.

Now if you want to go with who's been more successful, probably Roethlisberger. Especially with his Super Bowl ring.

Brandon · 01-16-2008, 05:44 PM

1. San Diego now.. has more talent than Pittsburgh then.

2. Ben played very well in the playoffs and most of this year without half his team including Willie Parker.

Toaster Oven · 01-16-2008, 05:48 PM

That's one year without him, plus, Pittsburgh had an excellent offensive line, I don't know if I can say the same for San Diego at this point, and you'd take San Diego's WR's over Hines Ward and co? Again, I think it's a tough call. Plus can you really call out Phillip Rivers after a staff overhaul? He's learning a new offense is he not? Eli's just Eli >.>

Brandon · 01-16-2008, 05:51 PM

I'm not calling out Rivers at all. I like Rivers and the way he's played. I'm talking about Ben. The guy wasn't a product of his team, he's made countless plays.. he's had countless game-winning drives. What do you want him to do.. have no receivers at all? Every great QB needs some solid or great receivers.

Toaster Oven · 01-16-2008, 06:01 PM

No what I'm saying is, if he had played with Plaxico and co, instead of Ward and co, can we expect the same results. Can you compare the pressures of playing in New York to those of Pittsburgh? Also not saying Pittsburgh doesn't have pressure, but does it compare to the pressure of playing in New York? There's more factors that go into these things than just on the field play.

And I said, if all we're judging is on the field play, Roethlisberger would be the first QB.

Also where would you put 3rd round pick Matt Schaub? When he's been healthy he looked good has he not? Unfortunately, we don't have much to go off of... but in the future do you think he'd be in this 2004 discussion?