How is Philip Rivers Done?
 

I see a narrative on another forum that Philip Rivers is not worth a look and gives us nothing over Hill, Semien, Book, Savage, or Weurffel.

Then I see statistics: Philip Rivers 2020 Colts: 4169 yards passing, 24 TDs, 11 interceptions, 2 fumbles, 68% completion percentage. These seem like decent stats, not elite franchise QB stats, but still like B grade decent game manager who can win with an elite defense. I don't think he racked them up with any world beater receivers either, though basically any receiving squad is better than what we have now without Thomas.

I also hear that Rivers could barely get himself on the field. Then I see he started all 16 games last year, and in fact started 16 games every year for 15 straight years. So limp as he might, he seems very durable.

I see that in 4 QB starts last year, Taysom Hill passed for 834 yards, 4 TDs, and 2 INTs which for a full season projects to 3,736 yards, 16 TDs, and 8 INTs which is a little less but close. The problem I see is that in those 4 games Hill rushed for 4 TDs but fumbled 6 times, so overall Hill accounted for 8 TDs and 8 turnovers in 4 games, a 1:1 ratio of scoring to turnovers. And Hill is coming off a concussion. And Hill is useful as a target on the offense if he is not a QB.

I don't know if we can afford Rivers. I don't know if he can pick up our offense fast enough. But his 2020 stats seem to indicate he is a good B grade starting QB, on a similar stage in his career to a Matt Ryan for example. I think there is a reasonable argument that he is better than Trevor Semiens resume beyond half of one game, that he was a bit better in 2020 than Taysom Hill, and that Hill is more valuable as a gadget player. I think Rivers is good enough to win a championship with an elite defense if that elite defense performs in the playoffs, he is better than Dilfer and comparable to a late career Eli Manning, probably better than Peyton Manning's final season of being benched for Osweiler. I don't know that we can say that Hill or Semien are better than those guys.

For reference, Cam Newton threw for 2,657 yards last year, while Drew Brees threw for just under 3,000 yards the past two seasons, and we have to go back to 2017 for Brees to top Rivers 2020 yardage of 4,169 yards. Yes, Rivers never won a ring. But did Brees win a ring on the Chargers? Are the Chargers winning a ring now with a new great QB? Did any of their coaches win rings elsewhere. Rivers could gut out one more solid season and give us a chance if our defense peaks at the right time.

Re: How is Philip Rivers Done?
 

Philip Rivers says he’ll listen if Saints want to call

Former Chargers and Colts quarterback Philip Rivers retired after the end of the 2020 season and took over as a high school football coach in his native Alabama this fall, but told Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times that he would listen if the Saints gave him a call. Rivers said he has not heard anything from the team at this point.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-want-to-call/

Re: How is Philip Rivers Done?
 

You are making a lot of sense and I agree with a lot of your points. The big downside is this - even if we assume Rivers gives a bit better chance than Hill/Siemian/Book - he probably walks goes back into retirement to be with his family and coach his kid after his short-lived run with us, win or lose. Do you want to lose that time developing one or a mix of the other 3 guys, who could help us long-term (especially Book)?

And this leads into the upside about Book no one has been talking about. If he is the real deal - not necessarily Montana/Brady/Brees level, but at least a winner that fits our system - and we find our QB of the long-term future, we have a huge leg up on our competition because we have a franchise QB with youth/contract advantage. Hill and Siemian are a bit older (especially Hill), even if they surprise us, wouldn't potentially be viable for as long. That has to be factored in at least a little, especially for Loomis.

They didn't think Book would start at Notre Dame but once he got a chance he was a mainstay. None of this Spencer Rattler flash-in-the-pan stuff. I would argue the Brian Kelly is one of the top 5 coaches in the college game and did a great job getting Book ready.

Not saying it's for sure the right call or it would/should happen, but Book should be on our minds a little bit more.

Re: How is Philip Rivers Done?
 

Phillip Rivers like to throw them picks, but he know the game.

Re: How is Philip Rivers Done?
 

I'm just wondering what happens if Taysom gets injured again, he runs like a freight train but he is susceptible to hard knocks.
That leaves Siemian and Book, kinda limited depth I'm thinking.

Re: How is Philip Rivers Done?
 

Ian Book did break all of Joe Montana's records at ND. He might be good enough.

Re: How is Philip Rivers Done?
 

I think it might be good if Rivers is one and done. I dont think Semian can be developed into a long term solution. I question Hills ability as a QB and durability, plus he is valuable as a TE gadget player. As to Book, a rookie 4th rounder, even if he is the long term solution, that does not mean he would benefit by being thrown into the fire as a rookie with no receivers. Book might learn something studying under Rivers. We dont sabotage Books development by not starting him as a rookie under high pressure.

Re: How is Philip Rivers Done?
 

Well it's up to the almighty Offense Guru now, he saw potential in Jameis and that was starting to work out.
Strangely enough when the word came that the Saints signed Jameis it was like news from Fungo Land.
But time goes by like it always does and I was totally on board with #2 behind center.
When Jameis got injured going out on the cart I was totally devastated. When they say Not For Long they aren't kidding.

Re: How is Philip Rivers Done?
 

Rivers gives the team a legit shot at a championship with the defense in place. His arm isn't close to as good as it was but he is accurate and can do what Brees did the past few years and probably a bit more. Not like Hill or Siemian have a great arm or close to the accuracy he has.

Honestly not sure what anyone sees in Book as a long term option. Doesn't have a big arm, you don't want a 6'1 QB trying to tough out runs to win games like he could in college.

Strange position to be in now.
If the team can't win regularly without Winston winning games costs you better picks especially in R2, but who wants to lose. And 60ml over the estimated cap next year, Hill,Winston,Armstead and M Williams hitting FA. Plenty of big calls to make on Michael Thomas, Cam etc next year so why not bring Rivers in for a possible last run before they need to make changes

Re: How is Philip Rivers Done?
 

I’m wondering if finances would even allow Rivers to be brought in. I’ve heard there isn’t much spare cap room left for the Saints. Under a million I heard from one source.