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Quarterback Philip Rivers surpasses the Football Hall of Fame

By Dennis J. Hassell

Sep 20, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) celebrates the win over the Minnesota Vikings after the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) celebrates the win over the Minnesota Vikings after the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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CRITIQUE:

“Okay, Rivers put up great numbers in 15 straight regular seasons, and never missed a start — but he never won a Super Bowl. It’s not the Hall of Statistics, it’s the Hall of Fame.”

CONTEXT:

Exactly.  Fame is not the W-L of the team, but the performance of the individual.

So answer this: 

Why did Eli Manning, when drafted, refuse to play for the San Diego Chargers?

Eli jumped to the Giants, sticking Rivers with the Chargers, for one huge, compelling reason:

The Chargers’ ownership are historically chronic under-achievers. And that dumpster fire largely continued for  Rivers’ 15 years as a starter.  For example, after a 14-2 season, ownership fired head coach Marty Schottenheimer.

And do you think that in 2020, Justin Herbert (statistically the best rookie quarterback ever) is responsible for the Chargers’ eight late-game losses by one score or less in 2020?  Fatal ineptitude! The closest parallel to Rivers in the NFL today is the toothless Lions QB Matt Stafford.

If Matt goes to the Colts, with a great O-line, strong Defense, and blooming run game, it will be a win-win for the Colts and the quarterback.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 01: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions throws a pass against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter at Ford Field on November 01, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 01: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions throws a pass against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter at Ford Field on November 01, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

In Rivers’ 15-season tenure as starter, the Chargers’ defense ranked in the top ten only twice, and averaged a ranking of 15th, middle of the pack. The first year Eli (was on the team that) won the Super Bowl, the Giants’ D was ranked fifth (2008).

Surely you’ll agree that if Philip Rivers had gone to the Giants, and Eli to San Diego, both their playoff records would be different?

Eli Manning played extremely well in two Super Bowls, with a great defense, a great offensive line, and some great receivers.

In Pittsburgh/Roethlisberger’s Super Bowl years of 2010, 2008, 2005, the Steelers D ranked No. 1, No. 1 and No. 4 (they lost that one).

Q: Do you think that quarterbacks actually win and lose playoff games, or do teams?

Would you vote linebackers, cornerbacks, receivers etc. into the Hall of Fame only if their teams won Super Bowls?

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