ya know, i really don't understand all of the chargers' fans feelings for rivers. i think he's a whiner and he's an upper-mediocre quarterback. he has good receivers, but still makes plenty of mistakes. i think he's a punk, good quarterback, but NO WAY can he be put in the ssame sentence as brees.

however, i know he was nowhere NEAR the quarterback in SD that he is in NO...but to say they're close now is just preposterous. but it appears that everyone in SD wants to blow rivers. he's good...but he's no franchise player IMO. maybe i just don't like him b/c he's a baby, but i dunno. i just know i'd be happier to root for the chargers if rivers wasn't on the team :P

Man... I'm glad that didn't happen.
IMO, Eli is average at best and it's a joke that he got Super Bowl MVP. If it wasn't for his last name, he wouldn't have been a #1 draft pick. Probably not even top 10.

Not only did we get the better QB but we also got Merriman and Keading out of this. Imagine where Giants could be now had they kept Rivers?

Honestly... if we had Eli, I think we'd suck. Rivers is the reason we are where we are right now. He carried the team on his back for at least 7 games. I don't believe Eli could have done that.

If Eli is average, there are a boatload of below average QBs in the league. But back to the OP, of course things would have been different. Without Brees we would have never had the magical 2006 season and probably still be looking for a franchise QB and not on this unbelieveable undefeated run.

If his last name was not Manning, do you think he would have been a #1 draft pick? I don't.
If his last name was not Manning, do you think ESPN would still have a hefty man crush on him? I don't.
If his last name was not Manning, do you think he would have got Super Bowl MVP with the same stats? I don't?

Now for the bigger question... is he better than Brees or Rivers?
I say "HELL NO!!!"

Like said... the QB situation in San Diego benefited both teams.
You know what was really funny? Raiders fans taking smack when Brooks came to their team and ending up at 2-14!!! LOL!!!

Don't want to get in an argument here but based on Eli's college stats, yes he was worthy of a number 1 pick. On a local level he broke most of Peyton's high school records so yes he was highly recruited. He is in the top 10 in a lot of the SEC records including yards, tds and passer rating. Now with all that said I'm glad we have Brees but back in 2006 if I would have been given a choice (if I could have either one) it would have been tough not taking Eli based on the fact of not knowing how healthy Brees' shoulder would be.

Charger fans are as good about turning a thread into an Eli Manning thread as we are a Brooks thread...

Once Rivers wins you a SB I think you can debate it until then Eli has a ring and you don't.

All this talk about Rivers being a punk and a whiner just goes to show that you base all of your knowledge around ESPN. They didn't like Rivers because he owns their little darling, Cutler. Well look at Cutler now!!!

I have now need for discussions with ignorance.

If his last name was not Manning, do you think he would have been a #1 draft pick? I don't.
If his last name was not Manning, do you think ESPN would still have a hefty man crush on him? I don't.
If his last name was not Manning, do you think he would have got Super Bowl MVP with the same stats? I don't?

I have to say - I think it worked out best for the both the Chargers and the Saints. Saints got one hell of a QB and the Chargers got a franchise QB as well. Might not have the eye popping stats Brees does but the dude does bring game.