Alright - I'm over it.

The way that NFL quarterbacks are judged in this game is getting out of hand. Sure, we all know that QB's get too much of the glory when their teams win games, and take too much of the fall - when they fail. The problem is, the same people that will readily admit this - then turn around and use W-L records (or Super Bowl rings) as their measurements for (QB) success.

Quick - what's Demarcus Ware's record? Chris Johnson's? How about CALVIN Johnson's.  

You get the point. Are they great players? I'll bet you didn't even have to think about that one - and (if you did) - I'll bet their playoffs records didn't factor in to the decision.

The problem is - we can't let them judge themselves either. I mean, what the h#ll kind of horse-pucky, nonsense, is this:

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/302231-eli-im-in-bradys-class#add_comment_div

Oh (Eli), no you di'...'nt

You don't just get to be in the same class with the big boys just because you're related to them, or because you do - or don't - happen to have a couple of fancy rings. (I'm looking at you, too, Ben.)

Let's reiterate, TEAMS win rings.

The mark of a truly great player, QB or not, is not only that he can do it...but that he can do it for you, every time he steps out under the lights. That you (as a fan, coach, teammate, etc.) know which player you are going to get, almost (I'm reasonable) every single time you hit the field. (Or - walk on to the court...step into the ring...or just ease in, behind your hot dog stand.)

It's the reason that a certain, QB #13, can stare down at his naked fingers and know, in his soul, that he was a great quarterback. (And,  very few - if any - reasonable people will argue.)

You never heard: "Well...which Dan Marino do you think we're going to see today, Bob?"

You knew - if nothing else - Dan was going to come out firing lasers at you, every...single...time.

People won't call Emmitt Smith the greatest RB of all time, but guess what, statistically...he is. Do you know why...because - you NEVER had to worry about him. 95% of the time, he did his job 110%. Monster offensive line, or not, you are going to get pounded as RB in the NFL. That's (an automatic 100 yards, on the ground, always) not easy thing to do.  

The same holds true with Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Jerry Rice, and Michael Jordan (That is, If you want to just look at all-time great players, in general.), etc.

When those guys laced up their skates, you knew what you were going to get. As a coach...you could channel your stress elsewhere, knowing those guys would come to play.

That's the reason I hesitate to set my label maker to "great", and swipe it all over such current (instead of calling them, pretenders, let's call them...), not-quite-ready to accenders...such as: Michael Vick, Tony Romo, Josh Freeman and quite a few others.

It is why - I wince, every time I hear someone call Randy Moss the "greatest receiver of all time". Moss played on a different planet, when it struck his fancy. Unfortunately (and quite often), his mind would join him there - and you never knew what you were going to get, from play to play.

It also why you just need to relax, Eli. I know you get a lot sh(t playing in the "Rotten Apple". However, when (and if) you ever get in to that "elite-level" quarterback class - believe me - you won't need to announce your presence.

After all, when is the last time you heard your brother tell anyone that he belongs in the same sentence with guys like Tom Brady, Joe Montana, or Johnny Unitas?

That's right - you haven't. But guess what? He is...and he wears the same number of rings that you do.

Go figure.

-LD