Brees isn't next gen. The guy is less than 3 years younger than Manning and a year and a half younger than Brady. His career stepped up later, but he's certainly not in the same group as Rodgers, Rivers, and Sanchez. When Manning and Brady hang it up, Brees will likely be shortly behind them. He's in the same class as them now. Rodgers, Rivers, and Sanchez, et al are the future.
I noticed today that his pulling still needs work. Plenty of work. Every aspect is good or better than Faneca was last year, and he's only going to get better.
............................... I'd like to come to a pride-saving-mistake-changing compromise and say Brees is the "Transitional QB, Bridging the Eras"... That works. The Saints are going to be a problem for a while, considering there aren't other NFC teams that seem to want to be dominant this season. The Bears aren't even in my top 10. I consider them the Broncos of last year. Its all going to come down soon. I actually felt like arguing this until the bitter end, but then I compared Manning, Brees, and Brady, and realized Brees is a part of their era.
transitional QB's is another good component. Both Brees and Schaub came on late in their careers, and are damn good in Brady and Manning's era. Both will likely be the class of the league the year Brady and Manning leave, and then will retire a year or two later. For those keeping track Schaub is 29, so assuming Brady and Manning retire two years from now, and both Brees and Schaub play until they are 35, that gives Brees 2 years as the best in the game, while Schaub has 4 years as a cream of the crop guy. About 3 years from now Sanchez and co. (mentioned previously) will join their ranks.
I heard a thing on the radio the other day, I think it was Cowherd, saying that Ryan and Sanchez are the clear cut best young QB's He said this was because of their ability to bounce back after bad games. They are 8-0 after bad games or something like that.
if you notice, i'm the only one who really made a list. And no I don't have Matt Ryan, or Joe Flacco for that matter, on my list. I see both guys being similar to Carson Palmer type careers. Very Good early on, but unable to make the leap into the truly elite QB's of their era. Doesn't mean neither guy will win a title, both teams are being developed very nicely, but I don't think either one will be among the top 3-4 QB's in the league.
Sanchez, Rodgers, Ryan, Bradford, Stafford, Flacco... nice generation, but I can't believe no one has mentioned Favre in that group.
anyways back on the topic of Slauson, I think next week is a tough challenge for him against the Williams wall. If he can come away from next week without getting any penalties, and or beaten too badly (ala Haloti Ngata, swat week 1) its proof the man has arrived and is ready to be our long term starter at LG.
I wrote 3 paragraphs explaining "immediate threats" and the strength of the NFC and how it all plays into Brees being apart of their era. Then I thought, "i'll be pulling a junc to really get my way.... fuck it" glad we could find a way for everyone to be right. Now let's go get a goddamn snack.
I think singling out any O-lineman this week is completely ridiculous. The Oline was fantastic today, all five. It would be akin to picking out a Chicago Olineman to say "geez that guy sucks". It was just a good old fashioned ass kicking today. It was a thing of beauty to watch...... Btw, I am not shitting on Slauson, far from it, just saying it was a dominant performance by all five of them. I got a question....As daunting as the Williams wall is, they are not very good pass rushers are they?
So, is Ducasse being developed as our RT of the future now? If he's ready next year, we'll have 4/5ths of our OL under 30, with Brandon Moore at 31. That's tremendous. And with Mangold and D-Brick signed long-term, plus Ducasse and Slauson (?) on rookie deals, we could have a young, really good line in place for the next few years. It's a beautiful thing to feel like you (reasonably potentially) have your QB + O-line is place for several years to come.
I don't think Rodgers and Rivers are in Sanchez generation, they're several years older. The guys I equate Sanchez with generationally are Ryan, Flacco, Stafford and now Bradford. Those are his best comps in terms of career span. Oh, and I left out Josh Freeman who is in there also.
Yeah. I think he just meant it in terms of the guys who are looking to take over the league when Brady and Manning retire. My point was that Brees is already there. He has the stats, he has the rings, he has the tenure. Rodgers and Rivers, as shorter term starters (although Rivers is now on his, what, 5th year as a starter?) without quite the same accolades, are in that same rising class. It'll be interesting to see who eventually shakes out as the most successful. This season very well could be the first step and earn a younger QB a ring.
Yeah, I was glad we didn't see Slauson making big mistakes, but the OL was having their way with the Bills all day. The Bills are not a good team. If Slauson keeps his nose clean against the Vikes, that will mean more than yesterday.
