Quote:Well, you're getting technical there.  Obviously, a great QB like Brady can't win every single game, which is why this game is the ultimate team sport.  However, a great QB will consistently (key word) make his team (with less than stellar supporting casts) a SB contender for as long as he can quarterback at a high level (Brady/Manning/Rodgers).

 

Compare the consistent successes of the Patriots/Colts/Saints of this decade to the early 2000's Ravens, Bucs and Raiders.  Yes, those three teams have won a SB/got to play in the SB with great defenses, but what did they do after that?

 

This is pretty much the premise of the whole franchise QB > every other position on the field.  IMO, it's not even a close debate.

 

By no means am I dismissing the importance of a franchise QB.  You make good points but in the case of the Ravens and Bucs,  they were Super Bowl contenders often when they had a high caliber Defense.  The Raiders didn't have a Defense in that era of that caliber, which caused their decline quickly.

 

Basically what I was trying to convey is the importance of having a strong pass rush.   And that when Tom Brady had a chance at a perfect 19-0 record,  the one thing that truly prevented it from happening was the Giants Defensive Line causing havoc against the Patriots Offensive Line.   If a team is going to draft what they consider a franchise QB,  they absolutely need a plan to surround him with an Offensive Line that's highly skilled at pass blocking.   Depending on a QB's quick release,  pocket presence,  and receivers getting open consistently isn't enough.

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