Photos: Associated Press
- Adam ParkerWe all know about the Tom Bradys, Peyton and Eli Mannings, Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisbergers and Drew Brees' of the world.
Combined, they have won a grand total of ten Super Bowls. Ten.
These guys are the masters of their domain. The cream of the crop. The best at what they do.
They're indispensable to their respective franchises, especially in today's NFL, when the aerial attack has taken center stage.
But what about the quarterbacks in that next tier?
Are any of the young, up-and-coming gunslingers ready to take that all-important next step?
We here at Beard and Stache have four signal callers that we believe are ready to 'make the jump' to the next stages of their careers.
We begin with San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. This guy has done virtually everything to have his name put in the conversation for elite status. He's consistently filling up the stat sheets and lighting up the scoreboard. And if you think his stats are impressive, then you obviously haven't heard Rivers trash talk. I mean, his trash talking is almost on par with that of Bart Scott and Ray Lewis...okay maybe we're getting a little ahead of ourselves here, but you get the idea.
Not to mention he's a vocal leader and a quarterback that's not afraid to hold his guys accountable. The only thing missing from Rivers' trophy case is that elusive Super Bowl. Can he take the next step and reach the big game? With all the moving pieces in San Diego, I don't like his immediate chances, but Rivers still has time. This guy is one of the best, and it would be a shame if he retires before getting to hoist that Lombardi Trophy.
Next up is Chicago Bears gunslinger Jay Cutler. This guy has a cannon arm, a great running game to support him, and is complemented by a stout defense led by Brian Urlacher and Julius Peppers. The only thing Cutler didn't have was that reliable No.1 target in the passing game.
However, Chicago remedied that when they went out and traded for Jay's good friend and former Denver teammate Brandon Marshall. If the Bears can make Matt Forte happy and Cutler and Marshall can rekindle that lethal chemistry, the NFC North is likely to have three playoff teams in 2012.
What about Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan? He already has all the skill players on offense I think any quarterback could need to be successful after the Dirty Birds pulled a Mike Ditka for Ricky Williams-esque trade to add Julio Jones to the mix.
The only potential pitfalls I see on Ryan's journey towards greatness are an average offensive line and a depleted defense. That being said, the Falcons might still be in position to win the NFC South thanks to the offseason troubles of New Orleans and the relative youth and inexperience of the Buccaneers and Panthers.
Speaking of the Buccaneers, can Josh Freeman bounce back from a terrible 2011? The inking of veteran wide receiver Vincent Jackson to pair with Mike Williams, Arrellious Benn, and tight end Kellen Winslow in the passing game will certainly help.
Hopefully, running back LeGarrette Blount can help shoulder the load and hang onto the rock this season. I'm taking the glass half full approach on this one. I think new coach Greg Schiano could have the same effect on Freeman that Jim Harbaugh had on Alex Smith in his first season coaching the 49ers. If that happens, these young swashbucklers will be in good shape moving forward.
And last but certainly not least, our favorite candidate to 'make the jump' from good to great status -- Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. The No. 1 overall pick in 2009, this former Georgia Bulldog is arguably the best young quarterback in the league today.
He battled his way back from countless injuries and finally made it through his first full 16-game season in 2011. And what did he do? Oh, not much. Just became one of only four quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for over 5,000 yards en-route to leading Detroit to its first playoff berth since 1999. The inking of freakishly talented wide receiver Calvin Johnson to a long-term extension ensures that Stafford and the Lions will be in the conversation for years to come.
I don't want to get ahead of myself, but Detroit can somehow get something, anything, that even remotely resembles an actual running game and continue to retool the offensive line to help keep Stafford off his back, I see a Super Bowl Championship and Lombardi Trophy in Stafford's future before it's all said and done.
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