Madden 12: What makes a quarterback 'Elite'? - Gritblitzer's Blog

Gritblitzer's Blog

Madden 12: What makes a quarterback 'Elite'?

Posted on August 22, 2011 at 01:03 PM.

With the vote for the "Madden 100Club" going on currently, I thought this would be a good time to cover what makes quarterbacks in the NFL "elite".

So, the past few weeks, there have been three quarterbacks now I've heard on ESPN that have been called 'Elite'. One of them called HIMSELF that.

It seems these days, that EA Sports' Madden series has been defining the "Elite" category for years now. And I just don't think that's right. Are we really putting the words "Elite Quarterback" on the shoulders of EA Sports game developers?

Question for this thread: What makes an NFL quarterback truly Elite?

Is it their single seasons passing stats? Their ability to be clutch in big situations? Is it their ability to get out of trouble on a single play and make a big throw? Or is it their consistency? To me, there's really no standard here.

Eli Manning two weeks ago said he was in the same class as Tom Brady and felt like he was an elite quarterback in the league. Three weeks ago Rex Ryan said that Mark Sanchez was elite, followed up by Skip Bayless saying that he thinks Sanchez will be elite this year. And then, just two nights ago, Peter King says Matt Ryan will improve on his already elite status. What gives?

Look, I'm a Falcons fan, and one of the biggest fans of Matt Ryan, and even I don't feel he's elite. The guy posts average stats, 3 years in a row now (Although it could be argued that 2009 he could have put up huge numbers without injury.). So I'm trying to figure out why they say he's elite. He hasn't won a playoff game. In fact, he's thrown for 3 TD and 4 INTs in the two he's played. I know it took Peyton 6 seasons to win one, but come on man! Matt Ryan isn't elite. Not yet. He has potential.

Eli Manning? Get real. That's all I'm saying there.

Mark Sanchez? The guy can't hit the broad side of a barn consistently, much less his own receivers. Everyone knocks on a guy down in Miami named, um, lets see. . . Chad Henne. Well, Mark Sanchez is the same exact quarterback as Henne. The difference? Chad Henne actually has a rocket arm. No offense, but not only do I not think Sanchez elite, I think he's the most over-rated quarterback in the last 10 years. He has had weapons, and does nothing with them.

So, without getting away from the original question, are there really any standards on what makes an NFL quarterback elite? If so, what do you think they are?

Comments

# 1 xblake16x @ Aug 22

I love this!

# 2 bigmarc757 @ Aug 22

winning!!!

# 3 Drix10 @ Aug 22

I remember when passing for 4000 yards was an outstanding achievement (which is what Eli did last year), along with 30 + Touchdowns. But it's a pass happy league now, so all you have to do is throw on most downs and you'll get numbers. I even heard someone say once Joe Montana completed 70% of his passes because he was a "system" QB ... I've heard all kinds of crazy stuff with regards to who's great and who's not. I think you just have to watch a player play and see how he runs his team, what kind of reads he makes, and how many third downs he converts. An elite QB is the total package. I don't think stats matter anymore.
Sanchez is not close to Elite, nor is Eli, even though I like Eli alot. Matt Ryan is a good QB but has much to prove to me. When talking Elite, I have TWO guys on my mind. Peyton and Brady. Because the very word has no meaning if you have too many with that distinction. Which is why I would have to exclude the likes of Brees, and Rivers (my pick for most overrated in the NFL). I'm probably gonna take heat for that last one.
Don't get me wrong, I'll take Brees any day, but he's had a lot more bad games than Brady has.

# 4 Elgin2311 @ Aug 23

these days everyone seems to be pegged with being a elite QB. If every QB that has a good season becomes tabbed as elite doesnt the catagory cease to exist? i would say that some QBs can be in the elitist group without being elite because the are privileged to be in a good situation. as good as aaron rodgers is i cant tab him as elite because he is in a situation that allows him to be great. there are only 2 elite QBs in the nfl Mr. Brady and Mr Manning. the only reason manning doesnt have more rings is because he plays brady every year, and brady is a surgeon.

# 5 BlackRome @ Aug 24

To me there are only two elite QB's in this league.

Manning and Brady. That's it.

They are the only two QB's that can carry a team without a running game and with out a defense.

Brees. Way overrated to me. The Saints run was predicated on their defense getting turnovers. 1st in the league and they had the 8th best running game that year. Last year none of that happened and all you need to see is the Seattle game. Defense scored in the Superbowl.

Rogers. He had one nice run. His defense is the reason they won that Superbowl. They got big turnover after turnover on their run. Eagles. They picked Vick at the end of the game. Ryan they had the pick before the end of the half. Cutler. Knocked him out the game and caused multiple turnovers.

Rogers was stinking up the place and couldn't complete a pass for two quarters in the SB. I swear that was one of the worst Super Bowls ever. It just was terrible football.

His defense also scored in the Super Bowl and then came up with the last turnover to save the win.

The way Ben was playing they should have blew out Pitt.

# 6 tbbucsfan001 @ Aug 25

1. A winning record
2. TD/INT Ratio
3. Yards/Attempt

# 7 stlstudios189 @ Aug 26

true elite QB's are rare ESPN would make you think that there are 8-10 top tier QB's in the league but, for me it takes more than one good season to make you elite. Mike Vick is NOT elite, Eli, Rodgers, and Brees are not elite.
Brady and Peyton Manning are elite, Big Ben is becoming elite (as a Browns fan I hate saying this) and thats it.