Is Rivers a Tier 1, HOF QB

[BoltBacker]

For those of us that have followed his career how many feel this is the season for him to show he is that level. This year, more the any other, is the time to show that with the tools he will elevate the team. The biggest factor for me is the O-line, with above average OL play which he hasn't had in along time he will produce at Brees/Brady level.

Both of those QB's being older age is not a factor. PR has his arguably best surrounding cast of his career. You have to go back to Gates/LT years to be at a similar level. For the Chargers this is a no excuses year to show they are at Superbowl competing level.

Key for PR is to keep interceptions down while not changing his attacking mentality. He sets the the tone for the entire offense. This year is huge, a Superbowl run would move Rivers for being on the HOF fringe to an automatic yes.

[Bolt-O]

He needs to win it all. That said, he's a HOF QB, maybe not 1st ballot, unless he does win at least 1 SB. Even then, I think Fouts may have been a first ballot, maybe because of his class.

[foreigner]

yep, thats what I think too.

[UtahBolt]

Unfortunately, I think he needs to at least get to one (maybe not win it, but be there) before he will get serious consideration.

[MasterOfPuppets]

He'll have 60,000+ yards and 400+ TDs, so he'll be a HOF, first ballot only if he wins a SB

[SDFan]

Dan Marino-esque stats there. Did he get into HOF on 1st ballot?

[MasterOfPuppets]

different era I guess, a lot of HOF caliber QBs coming up

[Screeme]

I think his stats say HOF, and I'll be surprised if he doesn't make it eventually. But he REALLY needs a SB to ensure a first ballot entry.

Put it this way, I am sure his draft classmates, Roethlesberger and Manning are in the HOF... and I don't think anybody would say that Rivers isn't as good as or even better than those two. But those two also have SB wins. If Rivers had one, I don't think this is a question at all. Like it or not, those SB wins round out a QB's HOF credentials.

[RTPbolt]

Definitely in the HOF. Its a media biased voting however and with so many years not in the playoffs im sure that hurts him. He still has been top 5 and had big numbers year over year consistently. Winning a SB takes a defense to go with the offense and frankly we just havent been near good enough to get close. This year maybe so but we need to seriously kick our game up a notch to get to the playoffs and find a way to dominate consistently against the good teams. TT has done his part so its up to the staff and team to get serious on Sundays to put Rivers into a bowl to earn his rightful place. He is special.

When he retires im sure he wants to coach but damn i would love to hear him in the booth. He is just golly gee whiz hilarious and infectious but damn smart. He would be great to hear breaking down plays.

Not to start a war but it occurred to me Brees probably has earned that first ballot. He sure blossomed in a different offense and his numbers are ridiculous year after year. Throw the SB win in and he to me will get in first chance. As much as it pains me given his asshat exit he has earned it.

[Screeme]

I don't think there's any question Brees is a first ballot HOF'er. Probably one of 3 guys nobody will argue with (Brady and Rodgers).

I didn't think of his exit as particularly "asshatish". He was hurt, just had shoulder surgery, we just drafted Rivers and parted ways. The Saints really took a chance given the shoulder surgery.

[RTPbolt]

I recall Brees felt quite hurt and had to use the media to push buttons. Granted not like the idiot Safety but he definitely irked me a bit.

[Rugger05]

I always wonder what Brees career would of been if Miami singed him over New Orleans. New Orleans was the only team to offer him a contract because of how wrecked his shoulder was. The Dolphins doctor told the team not to sign him so they singed Culpepper instead.

[Maverick]

In my mind he is a HoF'er, but agree with those of you who say it probably hinges on the Chargers winning a SB with him....& that's a shame.
If he does win one, I would bet on him being a first-ballot selection.
Sure hope we see it happen that way....

[Boltaction]

The Chief's defensive coordinator says he has found a weakness in Rivers. What the Chiefs do is study the run blocking schemes of the Chargers. They then are able to stop the run game of the Chargers making Rivers throw the ball and throw he will. They say Rivers is a HOF QB in the pocket when not bothered. But it you can get him to move, even run Rivers is then a subpar QB running the ball, but Rivers will still throw the ball .They know Rivers will still throw so they tell their DBs to cut the routes because Rivers underthrows on the run. Consequently they score many interceptions on Rivers because of this flaw.

So until Rivers figures out how to beat the Chiefs and then go on to beat the Patriots and Steelers to advance into a Super bowl. Then win a Super Bowl, he won't be voted into the HOF by his fellow players. Because the better teams know this.

[Budsman]

That sounds like every quarterback. Most are worse when harassed hense the emphasis on pass rush and most aren’t as accurate when flushed out of the pocket (not the same as a designed roll out).

[richpjr]

Every DC in the league wants to stop the run and pressure the QB. We have all watched for years how Rivers isn't as effective when he can't step up and his getting hit. Someone posted that 5 of the 6 interceptions against the Chiefs last year were on plays when he got hit. This is one of the reasons why Pouncy in the middle is so big, IMO. Defenders won't have the free run up the middle on him like in years past.

He should be a first ballet HOF, but as has been mentioned a ring would make it a slam dunk. Otherwise he'll likely have to wait.

[BoltBacker]

Phil Simms just said he is picking Rivers to be the NFL MVP this year. Nice to get some good pub

[Heatmiser]

Rivers is one of the best QB in a contested, congested pocket that I have ever seen. In fact, I remember Simms or some other former QB doing some cut ups and breakdowns of it one year. On the run, he is not so great.

TG

[BlazingBolt]

[oneinchpunch]

Seriously...

Peyton Manning	539	1998-2015	2TM
Brett Favre+	508	1991-2010	4TM
Tom Brady	491	2000-2018	nwe
Drew Brees	491	2001-2018	2TM
Dan Marino+	420	1983-1999	mia
Philip Rivers	345	2004-2018	sdg
Fran Tarkenton+	342	1961-1978	2TM
Eli Manning	339	2004-2018	nyg
Ben Roethlisberger	330	2004-2018	pit
Aaron Rodgers	316	2005-2018	gnb
John Elway+	300	1983-1998	den
Carson Palmer	294	2004-2017	3TM
Warren Moon+	291	1984-2000	4TM
Johnny Unitas+	290	1956-1973	2TM
Vinny Testaverde	275	1987-2007	7TM
Joe Montana+	273	1979-1994	2TM
Dave Krieg