One day not long ago, I was at home watching the NFL Network's Top Ten show. One episode that caught my eye was the "Top Ten Draft Classes"

So, I'm watching the show and on the Top 10 list was the 1983 draft class, which featured Hall-of-Famers such as Eric Dickerson, Bruce Matthews and Darrell Green.

But those weren't the players that stood out to me. I had forgotten that QB's John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino all were drafted in the 1st round of the 1983 draft. I was only 4 years old in 1983, but even today I know who Marino, Elway and Kelly are. They are looked at by many as NFL icons. Some call the 1983 draft one of the best QB drafts in the history of the league.

However, there's another draft class that has had QB's in the 1st round flourish in today's NFL. The 2004 NFL Draft.

Can you say... Manning, Rivers, and... oh yeah... Roethlisberger???

While they still are young QB's and have some years ahead of them ( if they stay healthy), this class of QB's are trying to give the 1983 boys a run for their money.

There's no question what the old schoolers have showed the youngins how it's done. They are all first ballot HOFs and with no argument.

But will the 2004 QB class surpass this class as far as excellence and accomplishment is concerned??? It depends on how you look at the overall body of work. But I'm gonna give you some things to look at while making this decision.

C'mon... It's Thursday, it's the off season and you don't have nothing else to do.

I've taken the time to review the QB's from both classes and combined their numbers in the important categories, while combining their Pro Bowl and Super Bowl appearances/wins. Now keep in mind that these numbers are based on the first 5 seasons of each player, some of which did not play each year in it's entirety. Rivers was on the bench for about 2 seasons, and Manning didn't play a full season during his rookie year.

Let's take a look, going by draft class:

1983 First Round Quarterback Class- Elway, Marino and Kelly


Combined win-loss record: 134-73-1
Avg completion %: 58.0 (note- Both Marino and Kelly were 60% or higher, but Elway's 53.6 brought this down)
TD total: 358 (note: Dan Marino broke the TD record during this tenure)
INT total: 229
Avg QB rating: 84.5
Avg passing yards: 3332
Total fumbles: 98
Total Pro Bowl Appearances: 8
Total Super Bowl Appearances: 4
Total Super Bowl wins: 0


2004 First Round Quarterback Class- Manning, Roethlisberger and Rivers


Combined win-loss record: 125-65 (Note- Big Ben has the most wins with 51)
Avg completion %: 60.2
Total TD's: 277
Total INTs: 179
Avg QB rating: 86.1
Avg passing yards: 2686 yds
Total fumbles: 101
Pro Bowl Appearances- 3
Super Bowl Appearances- 3
Super Bowl Wins- 3

As you can see, the total amount of fumbles and the win-loss records for both classes are pretty close in avg. Clearly the TD total in the 1983 class blows the 2004 class out of the water, as well as the total Pro Bowl appearances. But the best stat of all are the total amounts of SB appearances and wins. The 1983 class reached the SB 4 times within their 5 years spans, yet none got the Lombardi trophy in the end (as most of you know, Marino and Kelly retired without a SB ring. Elways did get his 2 rings at the end of his career)

The 2004 class has done what the 1983 class did not- Win Super Bowls within their first 5 years of playing, going 3-for-3 in each trip (honorable mention- QB Rivers play in the 2007 AFC Championship with a knee injury). In my opinion, that trumps just about anything else on the list.

****************TV TIME OUT**************


As a Ravens fan... it makes me want to puke just a little, to talk about Ben and his two Super Bowls. So what if I sound bitter, or more like a hater. This is my blog! (j/k... I actually like Ben)


****Now Back To Your Regularly Scheduled Program****



A lot of folks will point out that today's NFL has more complex defenses than the ones of the 80's. But the 2004 QB's have so far shown that they are on their way to elite status by complementing the stingy defenses they played with. In addition, their average completion % and QB ratings are higher than their predecessors.

We know how the careers of the '83 class ended. Marino went out holding the record for TD passes in a season (which has since been broken by Manning and Brady). Kelly had taken the Bills to 4 straight Super Bowls. And Elway rode into the sunset, with 2 late SB wins after 3 failed attempts. Much of these are why they are in Canton today. But the '04 class has thrived almost from the beginning of their careers in the NFL, and they are just getting started.

The'83 class has some SERIOUS competition. The 2004 class is ready to take the crown of "Best QB Draft"!

So which class is better in your eyes??? You be the judge.