Average QB's vs. Great QB's.
 

There seems to be a belief that having a great QB is no longer the way to make it to the Super Bowl. Fans see a couple of average QB's make it to the Super Bowl and are SOLD this is the trend of the future. Well, let's examine that. Some like to look at the last 3-super bowls to prove their point. However in the last 3 years, I see only one QB that I'd call truly average and that's Trent Dilfer. Furthermore let's not just look at the super bowl winning QB's, let's look at all the QB's that made it. Kurt Warner was hardly average.


Game Date Result
XXXVII Jan. 26, 2003 Tampa Bay 48, Oakland 21 -- Brad Johnson vs. Rich Gannon
XXXVI Feb. 3, 2002 New England 20, St. Louis 17 -- Tom Brady vs. Kurt Warner
XXXV Jan. 28, 2001 Baltimore 34, N.Y. Giants 7 -- Trent Dilfer vs. Kerry Collins.

Now, if we are going to look at real trends and not look at the small picture, let's look at these QB's. Get the picture. History shows that having average QB's is not the way to go.


XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000 St. Louis 23, Tennessee 16 -- Kurt Warner vs. Steve McNair
XXXIII Jan. 31, 1999 Denver 34, Atlanta 19 -- John Elway vs. Chris Chandler
XXXII Jan. 25, 1998 Denver 31, Green Bay 24 -- John Elway vs. Brett Favre
XXXI Jan. 26, 1997 Green Bay 35, New England 21 -- Brett Favre vs. Drew Bledsoe
XXX Jan. 28, 1996 Dallas 27, Pittsburgh 17 -- Troy Aikman vs. Neil O'Donnell
XXIX Jan. 29, 1995 San Francisco 49, San Diego 26 -- Steve Young vs. Stan Humphries
XXVIII Jan. 30, 1994 Dallas 30, Buffalo 13 -- Troy Aikman vs. Jim Kelly
XXVII Jan. 31, 1993 Dallas 52, Buffalo 17 -- Troy Aikman vs. Jim Kelly

Average QB's vs. Great QB's.
 

Actually, I would say that over the history of the NFL, you are correct, a good to great QB has made a difference. However, over the last four seasons, teams have been more successful with an average QB and a better supporting cast (and defense). In fact, an \"average\" QB has been in the Super Bowl all of the last four seasons, and of the 8 QBs represented, only Kurt Warner was considered a top 5 or 10 QB when he played in the Super Bowl. This shows an emerging trend. Maybe you\'re right Billy, maybe this is a blip on the radar screen and things will change. I contend that a strong running game and good defense have always been more important than who you have at QB throughout the history of the league. That remains constant today. If you\'ve got money to spend, spend it elsewhere. That\'s just my position.

There are always expections as well. Certain players are just \"special\" Hall of Fame type talents. These guys have the ability to transform a team. You know their names - Favre, Manning, Young, Montana. If you get lucky enough to find one of those rare leaders, that can elevate your team with both play and character, you hold on to him. Otherwise, the difference between Pennington and Hassleback, is, as we see, meaningless. So pay a guy who is consistent, cheap, and has average NFL physical talent.