Let's say for a moment that the NFL randomly decided to hold a fantasy draft and you're the GM with the first overall pick? Who would you choose?
The Quarterback is the most important position in any sport. With the Brady-Manning-Bree's era fading away we are seeing the likes of Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Colin Kaepernick, Cam Newton, Robert Griffin III, and Matt Ryan come into their own and bloom into the league. I feel we are seeing the next generation of QB's and there is no greater time to be excited for football. The question then arises, who will be great and who will win Super Bowls? Who is the next "Montana, Brady, Manning, etc?" I put on this list Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan because I don't think we've truly seen their full potential. Of course both Aaron Rodgers and Russ Wilson both have Super Bowls under their belts and Kaepernick has been to the big game already but which of these QBs is destined for greatness beyond not just a few great seasons but great careers? Each has his own skill set and certain swagger. Each has great potential and outstanding abilities. But who would you choose today for the FUTURE?
My choice would be Andrew Luck! There is no other quarterback I feel of the ones I mentioned that is so ready to be the next face of the NFL. Not since his predecessors Peyton Manning and John Elway, no other QB has been so hyped up coming into the league and then actaully living up to and exceeding expectations. He's already breaking Peyton's records in Indy. His first year alone he broke Peyton's single season rookie yards mark. Andrew Luck is the cream of the crop! He's got the arm. He's got the accuracy. He can run. He's athletic. He's the smartest player on the field. He's the guy you want to have the ball with 2 minutes left and you're down by 6. He's got the attitude. Not only does he have the skill set to be one of the greatest but he's also a great guy off the field. Recently, I was listening to a radio talk show host speaking with Jon Gruden about his camp he runs for college quarterbacks and he was asked out of all the QBs that have come thru his annual quarterback camp since it's inception 5 years ago and of those which one did he feel would be a for sure Hall of Famer? Jon responded by saying, "only one... Andrew Luck". He went on to say that he is, "the greatest QB I've ever studied".
Before Luck hangs up his cleats he'll have a shelf of trophies and a few Super Bowls. I've loved this guy ever since college and he's lived up to his hype just as Elway and Manning did. He's got a good head on his shoulders and obviously has work to do. He hasn't won anything yet but trust me... He will. It took Elway his whole career to finally win 2 superbowls and Peyton could possibily win one more if Andrew Luck doesn't have anything to say about it. Manning and Elway didn't immediately become elite and raved about as all time greats. They put work into their game and have become some of the greatest quarterbacks ever. Deep deep down I still feel Peyton is the greatest of all time up to now but only time will tell if Luck can continue to exceed expectations and cement his image on the Mount Rushmore of Quarterbacks with Montana, Brady, Elway, and Peyton. Who's to say we can't fit one more on that mountain?
Now before you go crazy on me disregarding the other quarterbacks I mentioned please remember that they weren't as hyped as Andrew Luck. You and I both knew he would be great in the NFL and that he would make an immediate impact. But did you ever think he is the next "Montana"? In the next 3-4 years Manning, Brady, Brees, etc will be long past their primes. This is the new age and the question arises, who will take the reigns as the new face of the NFL? I am confident it will be Andrew Luck. We are seeing the beginning of a future legend.
I am by no means an NFL scout or "expert" of the game but I do have 12 plus years experience of my 23 years of life in the wonderful game of football. I consider myself a sports nerd. I am a self proclaimed statistican and student of the game which I love oh so much! I hope to hear feedback or who you think will be the next great QB. Thanks for tuning in.
I really like Andrew Luck, ever since college he has been one of my favorite quarterbacks to watch. However I feel like he may not end up being the face of the NFL. Fans want a quarterback that can run around, make plays by himself. I think the NFL knows this and that's why they are trying to push players like Collin Kaepernick, Russel Wilson, RGIII, and Cam Newton as leaders in the league. They want to get rid of that "boring" drop back and pass quarterback. Andrew Luck will win and he'll do it right but in a changing league I see him being like a Tim Duncan in basketball, an excellent player but is pushed to the side because of his lack of flashy play.
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