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Rivers is the next Fouts

Or perhaps Philip Rivers is the next Rivers… Dare I say a step above Fouts?  Rivers being snubbed for the Pro Bowl really got me thinking.  Not to mention watching his performance Sunday, matched up against Pro Bowler Jay Cutler.

Fouts1_medium  Rivers_medium

Philip Rivers’ 2008 season is one of the greatest statistical feats by a Charger quarterback ever.  Philip Rivers threw 34 Touchdowns and for over 4000 yards.  In 1981 Dan Fouts threw  33 Touchdowns and almost 5000 yards, but by that time Fouts was in his 8th full season.   So let’s take a little look at how the two greatest Charger quarterbacks stack up against each other over their first three seasons as a starter.  As well as how each quarterback’s best seasons match up.

Rivers 

Now I know this comparison is not fair and might not mean anything, but it’s still interesting.  Fouts came into the league with a terrible team.  He inherited a Pinto, while Rivers was given the keys to a Ferrari.  But both teams were Run oriented.  Even though the Chargers of the mid ‘70’s put up terrible numbers almost half of the offense yardage came on the ground.  There wasn’t a feature back like LT, but in 1973 the Chargers rookie Running Back, Don Wood did rush for over a 1000 yards.

After 1976 the Chargers passing attack really started shaping up.  And when Air Coryell showed up it was just crazy.  We could very well be seeing a similar transition, with this year being the turning point to the passing game. 

In the years to come, the Chargers would look good using multiple Backs with a focus on the pass.  LT says he’ll only play three more years and his role is changing.  As with Fouts, I see Rivers having a long career with the Chargers.  He could very well be our star player until the 2020 season, surpassing all of Fouts’ numbers and just maybe Marino’s and Favre’s too.

My man crush for Philip is only growing stronger.  I’m ready to retire number 17 today.  And Justice would be served if Philip Rivers is named the 2008 NFL MVP.

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Spirals

Oh, and don’t forget your Grandmother can throw a tighter spiral than both Rivers and Fouts!

by Jonny Dub on Dec 29, 2008 9:21 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Also

Rivers is undefeated in December.

2009 San Diego Padres. Not as bad as Aztec Football!

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Dec 29, 2008 10:05 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Brees

I think Brees was a much better comparison to Fouts. Brees struggled through bad teams and finally came into his own after he learned some tough lessons. But, the Chargers kicked him out before he could reach a Fouts-like peak in San Diego. Rivers is like a Tom Brady, a guy who showed up at the right time on a team that had established itself, rode out some years with solid numbers and then began to peak just as his team needed him the most.

1-10-DEN 18 (9:52) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short right intended for 19-E.Royal INTERCEPTED by 93-L.Castillo (95-S.Phillips) at DEN 18. 93-L.Castillo to DEN 14 for 4 yards (62-C.Wiegmann). 6-J.Cutler pouts ob to DEN 25 for 11 yards.

by Wonko on Dec 30, 2008 1:20 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

You're Right

Brees was in a much more similar situation. And I hope he has a great career over there with the Saints. At least Rivers knows how to pick a better surgeon than Brady, and seems to heal better. Even though we lost Brees, I’m really looking foward to another decade of success with Philip.

by Jonny Dub on Dec 30, 2008 7:41 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

My man crush for Philip is only growing stronger. I’m ready to retire number 17 today. And Justice would be served if Philip Rivers is named the 2008 NFL MVP.

Justice for?

by KingRichard on Dec 30, 2008 8:53 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

Missing the Pro Bowl?

1-10-DEN 18 (9:52) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short right intended for 19-E.Royal INTERCEPTED by 93-L.Castillo (95-S.Phillips) at DEN 18. 93-L.Castillo to DEN 14 for 4 yards (62-C.Wiegmann). 6-J.Cutler pouts ob to DEN 25 for 11 yards.

by Wonko on Dec 30, 2008 10:31 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Justice For All

not to mention Truth and the American Way…
Missing the Pro Bowl, Every fan outside of SD hates him, He’s out of ritalin, He gets a bad wrap, etc. etc.

by Jonny Dub on Dec 30, 2008 12:57 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

LOL

Nice response.

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by BigBlueShoe on Dec 30, 2008 1:34 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I wonder if rule changes

like the “no pushouts” rule this year helped or harmed either QB’s stats.

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Uncommon Sportsman :: Absurdity in play

by Axion on Dec 30, 2008 2:14 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

It didn't seem like players took advantage of it

For most of the year I was excited to see the first DB to basically carry the offensive player out of bounds. The closest I saw to that was Chris Houston of Atlanta giving a real hard push to VJ to get him out of bounds. I was disappointed that the first one I saw was against my team, but I definitely gave some props to Mr. Houston.

1-10-DEN 18 (9:52) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short right intended for 19-E.Royal INTERCEPTED by 93-L.Castillo (95-S.Phillips) at DEN 18. 93-L.Castillo to DEN 14 for 4 yards (62-C.Wiegmann). 6-J.Cutler pouts ob to DEN 25 for 11 yards.

by Wonko on Dec 31, 2008 9:05 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

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