On Wednesday the Giants made Eli Manning one of the league's highest-paid players. It's a long way from April 2004, when the Chargers selected him first overall, even though the Mannings specifically warned the team not to.But everything has worked out: the Giants made a draft-day trade for Manning, sending Philip Rivers (and draft picks that would become Shawne Merriman and Nate Kaeding) to San Diego. And after a rocky first three years in the league, it all came together for Eli midway through the 2007 season ... all the way through the Super Bowl.
Now, some 18 months later, he's $97.5 million richer. A year ago, the Steelers extended Ben Roethlisberger, two-time Super Bowl champ, which means that Rivers is the only quarterback from the top of the 2004 draft class who has yet to cash in. (Just so there's no confusion: "top of the 2004 draft class" includes the first 11 selections. So, right, when the Bills traded back into the first round to take J.P. Losman with the 22nd pick, that doesn't count. Just in case it wasn't obvious.) He's also the only one without a Super Bowl ring.
But hardware aside, Rivers was the best quarterback of the three in 2008, at least according to Football Outsiders' advanced stats. Last season, Rivers ranked third in the league in total value and second in terms of value per play. (Eli was ninth and ninth, and Big Ben was 23rd and 27th). Even if Rivers has been more consistent, though, Manning and Roethlisberger have seminal moments in their careers that define them professionally. For Eli, it was David Tyree's one-hand-against-his-helmet grab that set up the Super Bowl-winning score. For Big Ben, it was the back-of-the-end-zone "that's definitely an intercep--- ohmygodsantonio caught it" touchdown pass. For Rivers? Jawing at Jay Cutler? That's not entirely his fault, but right or wrong, it might have something to do with the fact that he hasn't yet gotten a contract extension.
Championships aside, though, that will change. In a column for Football Outsiders, J.I. Halsell writes that, "... Rivers' 33-15 record as a starter shows that he's not just putting up numbers but also leading his team to victories, just like his quarterback peers of the 2004 draft class. Given the contracts given to Manning and Roethlisberger and given Rivers' statistics and win-loss record, it would not be unreasonable for a Rivers contract to approach $40 million guaranteed and $100 million in new money."
I can't imagine San Diego wouldn't pay Rivers, but if the two sides can't come to an agreement, he will have very little trouble finding work. And that would pave the way for the Chargers to usher in the Will Nunn era. So there's that.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-06-2009 @ 2:10PM
mcpatrick said...
Rivers is surrounded by more talent than either Manning or Roethlisberger and plays in moderate pressure environment. Where are his rings?
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8-06-2009 @ 7:31PM
fsharpe9 said...
Eli and Ben have all the rings they will ever be fortunate enough to obtain...
Rivers will have at least 3 when it is all said and done...and that will be more than Eli and Ben...
Of "The 3 from '04"...Rivers is superior in every category...without a doubt...
8-06-2009 @ 9:59PM
cawleye said...
fsharpe,
u must be high. while I really like rivers as a qb you cannot be counting more rings for him then ben and eli. chargers have had a great rb and a really good defense since rivers and have won nothing!!! so to predict that he is going to win more sb than eli and ben is ridiculous. i think ben will win at least one more and eli one more. the only thing rivers will out do them in is psych bills!!
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8-09-2009 @ 12:05PM
samm said...
i think rivers is definitly the most skilled out of the bunch but ben is going to win more than any of them...eli will b lucky 2 win 1 more and i think rivers will get at least 2...its safe to say tho that rivers is the best pure qb out of all of them
8-07-2009 @ 12:08AM
hehe alright.... said...
eli knew from draft day that the giants were going to be a better team overall. sure the chargers have an amazing pro bowl filled squad , but he wanted to take the new york city pressure, something rivers would never be able to handle. i have to admit though, is any player worth that much money . who has the money to pay for a $10 hot dog at the stadium these days?
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8-11-2009 @ 10:15AM
Chris said...
Rivers is no where near the QB that Eli or Ben are.. he's good at finding recievers and following play calls.
Eli and Ben are playing at different levels in the game and have proven themselves by conducting two legendary playoff runs that led to super bowl wins. Rivers has failed to A. lead is team in boith regular season and post season big game wins. and B. Not shown maturity in playing, he's hit a ceiling that last 2 years and hasn't shown much growth as a player or a leader. Tomlinson is the offensive game changer on this team, when he's healthy, Gates follows
He's a long way from being a $100 million QB. No comparison what-so-ever to Ben or Eli, which is why the Steelers drafted Ben over Philip in the first place.
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8-11-2009 @ 5:57PM
Will said...
@ Chris:
Pretty much everything you said there is bogus.
Hit the ceiling? Last season was his THIRD as a starter - while the other two have been starting since their first season - and he put up numbers the likes of which Eli Manning will NEVER see.
Hasn't shown growth as a player or leader?? You clearly don't watch much football...
And your last comment just further proves my point - Rivers was the player scouted most by the Steelers. However, he had already been selected 7 picks earlier when there pick came around, so they settled on Roethlisberger.
The only thing I'll agree on is that there is truly is "no comparison whatsoever", as Rivers has proven that he can win without a suffocating D and offensive injuries. The other two have not yet...
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8-12-2009 @ 10:54AM
Chris said...
Will,
Rivers has not won a big game. He's had oppurtunites the last two years and has failed DESPITE having the number 1 running back in the league and arguably the best tight end in the game today. The SD offense is overall a great squad. He lost in Pittsburgh last year because he couldn't overcome the defense and has been outplayed by Eli and Ben regardless of when they or he started in their career. He lost at Indi the year before that... Eli won in Pittsburgh last year even though the Pittsburgh D shut down NY for most of the game. Great players find ways to win.
Pittsburgh has had multiple injuries over the last few years on both sides of the ball, including Ben himself. Rivers couldn't take the abuse that Ben does and still manage to win the games hes won. He doesn't manage the game like Eli does either..... even though he's got the tools with the players around him.
He was scouted by Pittsburgh and picked before Ben, good point, but mute none the less.
Regardeless of stats, he hasn't won when it counts most, in January.
Rivers has talent, he's def among the better QB's in the league but for sure not on the tier of either Manning or Roethlisberger. He's not $100 million player, although he'll prob get big money thats my point.
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8-12-2009 @ 5:42PM
samm said...
yea uno playing with a torn acl in the playffs not that impressive right...i mabye wud expect tht from ben but eli is a bitch and his bro will always b betterand so will rivers and ben
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8-13-2009 @ 9:28AM
IronCity4ever said...
Samm- first try and leave the urban slang and lousy spelling on the " special needs" sports blogs.
Eli pulled some influence from daddy, I agree that makes him a whiner to a degree. BUT he's backed is mouth with some great play and he's got a ring.
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8-13-2009 @ 3:40PM
samm said...
B*** i can talk howevr the f*** i want and i guarentee any1 except giants fans wud pick ben or phil b4 eli and u will c that this yr withoout plax that eli wont be n e wher above an average qb
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