Do We See Phillip Rivers On Saturday?

[RhymesayersDU]

We've all been debating on whether or not our AFC West Champion Broncos (that has a nice ring to it) should sit guys altogether, play them for a limited amount of time, or have them play the whole game. However, what hasn't been brought up, at least from what I've read, is the quarterback situation with the Chargers.

Although the Chargers won't be going to the playoffs, from what I've seen, Drew Brees has played pretty well. I don't think SD dumps him because they didn't make the postseason. Although with that said, something does have to be done this off-season to solve this problem, because Rivers wants to play, and hell, and who can blame him?

Problem is, Brees hasn't done anything, IMO, to warrant a benching, and I think trying to trade Rivers might be tricky because nobody has seen him play.

Do the Chargers sit Brees this week? They could take a look at Rivers themselves, and perhaps they do in fact decide to let Brees go. Or, alternatively, they can at least kind of showcase Rivers in a real NFL game to other teams in the market for a young QB. Obviously, 1 game does not a great NFL QB make, but nontheless, it seems like teams might be weary to trade for a guy who hasn't played a real down.

Anywho, thoughts?

[watermock]

Brees will be re-signed and Rivers will be traded. SD will have to eat what remains of the bonus...once the heat is off...lets see how Brees plays. I like BVP, but I'm not against sending a second for Rivers, but his contract will be going up now. Dunno what it is tho.

[RhymesayersDU]

Mock, I basically think you're right, that they trade Rivers. But the problem still remains, who is going to give Rivers the keys to the castle without even playing an NFL down? I think that issue could make any potential trades really interesting.

[kappys]

Originally Posted by watermock

Brees will be re-signed and Rivers will be traded. SD will have to eat what remains of the bonus...once the heat is off...lets see how Brees plays. I like BVP, but I'm not against sending a second for Rivers, but his contract will be going up now. Dunno what it is tho.

After what the Snake did this year I don't see how why we would bring in another QB in the offseason. That said, I would also be shocked to see SD trade Rivers within the division. I think he will end up going to a team like the Lions for their early 2nd rounder or some similar scenario. Maybe Millen can ruin his career too.

[Hulamau]

Id like to see Rivers vs BVP. I want us to win but I dont want to give KC entry to the playoffs.

[Clockwork Orange]

Originally Posted by Hulamau

Id like to see Rivers vs BVP. I want us to win but I dont want to give KC entry to the playoffs.

No worries. All that has to happen is the Steelers take care of the Lions.....in Pittsburgh.

What the Broncos do in San Diego will be irrelevant.

[elsid13]

Will LT play? his ankle is be bothering him and he has nothing to play for at this point.

[Ratboy]

I'd still love to have Philip Rivers in Denver.

I would easily give a first for him. San Diego is ruining the guys career by letting him play behind Drew Brees.

Ofcoarse if he came here, He would probably sit behind Plummer.

[bronco_diesel]

Originally Posted by Ratboy

Ofcoarse if he came here, He would probably sit behind Plummer.

i doubt we would get him, for that reason...but it would be nice.

[B-Love]

Originally Posted by Ratboy

I'd still love to have Philip Rivers in Denver.

I would easily give a first for him. San Diego is ruining the guys career by letting him play behind Drew Brees.

Ofcoarse if he came here, He would probably sit behind Plummer.

Plummer may have 8 years of football left in him, which makes me question "easily give up a first for him". We are 12-3 but we are a soft 12-3, if there is such a thing. We are a 12-3 team in a 10-5 teams body. The point being we have other needs to use a number 1 on.

Plus I don't like side arm deliveries or even 3/4 deliveries. I am biased against Rivers to begin with. I never liked Archie Manning to nearly the same degree as everyone else. He got the lovable loser tag because of all the lean years in New Orleans, and he wowed some people with his athletic skills. But he had alot of balls batted down and threw alot of Interceptions because of that 3/4, sometimes sidearm delivery.

[theodnixon]

Rivers possibly going to Baltimore

It def too dangerous to play rivers because that could diminish his value if he throws 6 picks (playing 2nd team d) and prob wont increase his value if he throws 6 tds

[theodnixon]

Originally Posted by Ratboy

I'd still love to have Philip Rivers in Denver.

I would easily give a first for him. San Diego is ruining the guys career by letting him play behind Drew Brees.

Ofcoarse if he came here, He would probably sit behind Plummer.

I would hate to see a first rounder go after the success we had last draft in the early rounds. Plus no one has ever seen him play.

[BroncoBuff]

Originally Posted by RhymesayersDU

Do the Chargers sit Brees this week? They could take a look at Rivers themselves, and perhaps they do in fact decide to let Brees go. Or, alternatively, they can at least kind of showcase Rivers in a real NFL game to other teams in the market for a young QB.

EXCELLENT observation. I've often wondered how this kid just sits there, watching Roethlisberger and Eli Manning play so much. He should raise HOLY HELL if he doesn't start and play the whole game.

Why the heck not?!

[ludo21]

if i was the Chargers id take a long hard look at Rivers.

I know its not Brees fault they missed the playoffs, but the fact remains that they are out. Rivers could be the difference?? who knows, but will they take a look at them, who knows??

But with a win the Chuggers can knock the Chefs out of the playoffs, so you know that they will have that in mind after the beating they took last week.

[B-Love]

Originally Posted by BroncoBuff1

EXCELLENT observation. I've often wondered how this kid just sits there, watching Roethlisberger and Eli Manning play so much. He should raise HOLY HELL if he doesn't start and play the whole game.

Why the heck not?!

Dan Reeves gave Mark Hermann the last 6 quarters of the disastrous 1982 Broncos campaign.

Hermann played mediocre but did show some flashes, which was important in helping land John Elway from Irsay Hell Land.

There is history to this stuff; good observation indeed.

[The Big E]

Rivers will not go anywhere to hold a clipboard, but he should play so the Chargers and others can get a better evaluation. It should be interesting to see what they decide to do. I think they should keep Brees, who is a known quantity, but he has been more mistake-prone this year than last.

We should be using our picks to shore up the D (speed rusher and safety) and add pieces around Jake. On O this team is less talented across the board as compared to the SB teams, and it is much more important to maintain good balance. I think we'd benefit greatly by adding another reliable, go-to guy for 3rd down and redzone situations. Can we throw Sharpe into a time machine?

[Clockwork Orange]

Originally Posted by The Big E

We should be using our picks to shore up the D (speed rusher and safety) and add pieces around Jake. On O this team is less talented across the board as compared to the SB teams, and it is much more important to maintain good balance. I think we'd benefit greatly by adding another reliable, go-to guy for 3rd down and redzone situations. Can we throw Sharpe into a time machine?

The good thing is that the Broncos are going to have a lot of picks to work with in the coming draft. 2 1sts, a 2nd, a 3rd, 2 4ths as well as 2 likely comp picks for the loss of Hayward and Kennedy in the offseason. They're going to have the luxury of using the picks to fill needs or trading up for someone they really like, they've got the ammo to make that happen.

Shanahan deserves a world of credit for the job he's done setting up this team for the short and long term.

[The Big E]

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

The good thing is that the Broncos are going to have a lot of picks to work with in the coming draft. 2 1sts, a 2nd, a 3rd, 2 4ths as well as 2 likely comp picks for the loss of Hayward and Kennedy in the offseason. They're going to have the luxury of using the picks to fill needs or trading up for someone they really like, they've got the ammo to make that happen.

Shanahan deserves a world of credit for the job he's done setting up this team for the short and long term.

We're going to be in a strong position in the off-season, even drafting from the 32nd spot. We should be able to keep ourselves in postion to be a strong team for years to come. I really really want a gamebreaking WR, like a TO w/o the tude. Someone who can take a pass on a crossing pattern and make a huge play on it consistently.

[orange crusher]

In his press conference today, Marty said they would not play Rivers on Saturday unless Brees got injured.

[SoCalBronco]

I believe SD will end up eating about 10 million with this impending trade which is nice. They are well under the cap though so it wont be killer or anything. They will definitely play the guy probably the entire game, so that potential suitors can get some more regular season game film on the guy in addition to last year's finale against the Chiefs. He'll probably look pretty good too since we will probably start subbing guys out in masse at the end of the quarter or so.

Rivers is a good player. He has moxie and does a good job with coverage recognition. I dont care for the sidearm delivery but I dont think its a major flaw or anything. San Diego took a calculated risk last year not trading him and tagging Brees last offseason. Its alot of money at one position in one year It was understandable given their enviable amount of cap space and the need to see whether Brees was for real or not. He is for real....sort of. He's a good albeit not great QB and is worthy to be their guy for the future. But last year, I had read San Diego had some first round offers for him, which AJ Smith immediately shot down as being inadequate. Well....he wont get any first round offers this year. I just dont see it happening. He'll get some 2nds, but I dont think anyone is going to offer a first for him. I think the market dynamics are a little different. Smith has some bargaining chips. One is that this draft's QB crop is extremely poor. But there arent a whole lot of teams in the market for a young starting QB right now. I can think of Oakland, Miami and Arizona off the bat but not too many other people. Dallas has an aging Bledsoe, but he played pretty well this year and I dont think the Tuna is going to get hoodwinked into giving up a 1st for an unknown commodity so far as pro ball goes in Rivers. Oakland as a division rival is immediately crossed off as a potential bidder. Plus, they like Andrew Walter, who fits the old Raider QB style.

In the North, I dont believe Baltimore is willing to give up on Boller quite yet, especially given his game against the Packers. Cleveland loves the 2nd rounder, Frye. In the South, everyone is set for the future (assuming Houston keeps Carr which is likely) since Volek will take over for McNair. Same in the East, but for New York, who will be in a position to take whoever they want in the Top 5 and will also have the spring to evaluate Pennington. In the NFC, outside of Arizona, there is only really New Orleans who might cut the cord with Brooks. I just dont see a seller's market here for Rivers. I do not see anyone offering a 1. It most likely will be a conditional 2.

[SoCalBronco]

Originally Posted by orange crusher

In his press conference today, Marty said they would not play Rivers on Saturday unless Brees got injured.

Im sure after having a talk with AJ Smith, Marty will change his tune fairly soon. Even the Chargers arent stupid enough to play Brees. The only benefit the Chargers get in this game is showing off Rivers for trade suitors.

[RhymesayersDU]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

Im sure after having a talk with AJ Smith, Marty will change his tune fairly soon. Even the Chargers arent stupid enough to play Brees. The only benefit the Chargers get in this game is showing off Rivers for trade suitors.

Totally beat me to it. I was gunna post that the GM of the team has got to step in here and do something. They have to show off what the kid can do, even if our best guys won't be out there playing D. I mean, they're a step away from having a major problem on their hands.

Rivers has been cool about it, hasn't made a fuss or anything. I suppose he can't make a fuss, since it was his own hold-out that lost him the starting job he would have had, but nontheless he's been a good teamate in all this by not causing any drama. They have to play him and see if anybody wants him, or this will blow up, I think. Especially if the Chargers play poorly next year, don't make the playoffs again, etc.

[orange crusher]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

Im sure after having a talk with AJ Smith, Marty will change his tune fairly soon. Even the Chargers arent stupid enough to play Brees. The only benefit the Chargers get in this game is showing off Rivers for trade suitors.

Does a poor showing for Rivers Saturday do more damage than good though in terms of trade value? At this time, I wonder if his trade value wouldn't be higher not playing him at all. If he plays, I would think that Denver will blitz the **** out of him. I think they go with Brees and try to get the W. This will also keep ESPN talking about how great they are too...they beat Indy, NE, Den, blah blah blah.

[Sodak]

The Jets will need a QB. Pennington is done. Damaged goods, and a wuss arm.

[SoCalBronco]

Originally Posted by orange crusher

Does a poor showing for Rivers Saturday do more damage than good though in terms of trade value? At this time, I wonder if his trade value wouldn't be higher not playing him at all. If he plays, I would think that Denver will blitz the **** out of him. I think they go with Brees and try to get the W. This will also keep ESPN talking about how great they are too...they beat Indy, NE, Den, blah blah blah.

I dont think the Chargers are worried about the possibility that Rivers has a poor game. They know for all this talk about "keeping us rolling" from the Broncos, Denver is likely to play their guys no more than a quarter. They correctly believe that Rivers is likely to have a pretty good game against Denver's backups on defense, esp. with the rest of the starting Charger offense at his disposal.

It should be an interesting negotiation this summer between AJ Smith and a suitor GM.
"Let me tell ya, Phil is the real deal. He's definitely worth a first rounder. The games he has played in the regular season he has been on fire".
"...he played against the Broncos scrubs, AJ"
"Well....he had a stellar game at the end of the 2004 season against a starting defense"
"Yeah...but it was the Chiefs".