The fictional “Elite Quarterback” label

[Redball Express]

Here’s what DallasCowboys.com writers David Helman and Jonny Auping have to say about you idiots who toss that term about around here. And I fully agree.


What is the difference between an elite quarterback and a good quarterback? Does it come down to having a signature win like a Super Bowl win? What must Dak Prescott do to move from a good quarterback to an elite quarterback? Are their specific skills that he must develop, or does he simply need to lead the Dallas Cowboys to a Super Bowl win?— MARTY MONFORTE/ENDICOTT, NY

David: If I could become the tzar of football for a day, the first thing I'd do is outlaw the word "elite" from football conversations. It's a completely subjective, borderline meaningless word that people throw around to win arguments without using facts. The truth of the matter is that quarterbacks from all over the spectrum have helped their teams win Super Bowls — and for a variety of different reasons. For all his talent and accolades, Aaron Rodgers has as many Super Bowl wins as Joe Flacco. Peyton Manning has the same number of championship rings as his little brother, and I think we'd all agree that Peyton was the much better player than Eli. Dak is a top-tier NFL quarterback, and all evidence indicates that his arrow is still pointing upward. Who on Earth can say if he'll actually deliver the championship Cowboys fans have been waiting for, but he's done enough to deserve a new contract in my opinion.

Jonny: Honestly, there are a lot of hard rules to the game of football, but anybody with a definitive list of who is or isn't "elite" just wants to sound like an expert. The line between "really good" and "elite" is thin. I don't think Patrick Mahomes became elite when he won the Super Bowl. But ultimately quarterbacks are judged by wins. I certainly wouldn't put last season's 8-8 record on Dak, but the best quarterbacks tend to manage to overcome a lot of their teammates' mistakes and pull out wins. That said, many of them acquired that attribute after some tough losses. Dak isn't on Mahomes level, and maybe he never will be. But there aren't many quarterbacks I'd confidently say could be the highest paid player on a Super Bowl team. I think Dak is that guy.

Another Dak Thread.

Disguised as Not a Dak Thread.

Reminds me of the Geico motorcycle insurance commercial.

You know the one..the guy is half man..half motorcycle.

He calls himself..

"Mo-taur

Half man half bike.

He asks somebody asks him..

"Does it ever bother you being half man half bike.?"

The motaur says " no. Does it bother you that you are not?"

Same thing here.

Does it bother Cowboy fans if they do not have an elite QB?

Or better question..is it worthy for us if Dak gets paid like one but really isn't one..elite QB.

I have to think on it.

If he is legit elite he should be paid like one.

If not then what?

To me elite indicates winning. Anything more, stats, Pro Bowls, MVP is just gravy.

Winning is the meat of the question Against top drawer talent.

Not division 1A talent.

From that point you have to have contentious agreement.

I think that about sums it up.

 

[keysersoze]

Nothing to see here - just a couple of Dak Prescott jock strap sniffers running their mouth.

We are Dallas Cowboys quarterback supporters. As we all should be. Unless you have other reasons not to be. Why the disrespectful label towards those who choose the support the team’s quarterback? What’s that all about? Is there something else on your chest you’d like to get off?

 

[keysersoze]

Another Dak Thread.

Disguised as Not a Dak Thread.

Reminds me of the Geico motorcycle insurance commercial.

You know the one..the guy is half man..half motorcycle.

He calls himself..

"Mo-taur

Half man half bike.

He asks somebody asks him..

"Does it ever bother you being half man half bike.?"

The motaur says " no. Does it bother you that you are not?"

Same thing here.

Does it bother Cowboy fans if they do not have an elite QB?

Or better question..is it worthy for us if Dak gets paid like one but really isn't one..elite QB.

I have to think on it.

If he is legit elite he should be paid like one.

If not then what?

To me elite indicates winning. Anything more, stats, Pro Bowls, MVP is just gravy.

Winning is the meat of the question Against top drawer talent.

Not division 1A talent.

From that point you have to have contentious agreement.

I think that about sums it up.

I’m not sayin Dak is elite but I believe we can win with him as the quarterback. I don’t believe in the elite label unless you’re a perennial winner regardless to what you have as coaching and teammates. And personally I’ve never seen a quarterback defy all odds to stay in championship contention due to his talents alone. This is the reason why football is the ultimate team sport.

 

[Redball Express]

I’m not sayin Dak is elite but I believe we can win with him as the quarterback. I don’t believe in the elite label unless you’re a perennial winner regardless to what you have as coaching and teammates. And personally I’ve never seen a quarterback defy all odds to stay in championship contention due to his talents alone. This is the reading why football is the ultimate team sport.

If you would have seen Staubach play..you would have seen elite.

At first he was freakish winning games late.

Then he did it week after week.

Captain Comeback.

The Cardiac Kid.

We began to see as fans the other team had no idea how to stop him.

Never seen anybody except Montana and Mahomes play like that.

Dak played like that in 2016. But he lost the touch.

It was good days for sure.

 

[big dog cowboy]

David: Dak is a top-tier NFL quarterback, and all evidence indicates that his arrow is still pointing upward.

Jonny: I certainly wouldn't put last season's 8-8 record on Dak

OK. Glad we cleared that up.

 

[Super_Kazuya]

Dak isn’t even close to an elite quarterback. He has been a game manager for the vast majority of his career and was a game manager last year except against the Giants and Commanders. He’s the exact same guy he’s always been... tier 3 or 4.
With that said I do agree the elite quarterback label is mostly useless and is generally applied with hindsight, not foresight.

 

[big dog cowboy]

If you would have seen Staubach play..you would have seen elite.

At first he was freakish winning games late.

Then he did it week after week.

Captain Comeback.

The Cardiac Kid.

We began to see as fans the other team had no idea how to stop him.

 

[keysersoze]

If you would have seen Staubach play..you would have seen elite.

At first he was freakish winning games late.

Then he did it week after week.

Captain Comeback.

The Cardiac Kid.

We began to see as fans the other team had no idea how to stop him.

Never seen anybody except Montana play like that.

Dak played like that in 2016. But he lost the touch.

It was good days for sure.

I’m almost 52 years old. Staubach is the reason I’m a fan. I’ve seen him play. Lol
Even he or Montana couldn’t win based on their talents alone.
Elway is one of the best ever and he couldn’t win it all until he had the running back and defense to assist. Marino was one of the best arms in history. No rings tho. So to me the term ELITE is bs and I’d rather use the word great or legendary. I haven’t witnessed an Elite quarterback yet.

 

[keysersoze]

Dak isn’t even close to an elite quarterback. He has been a game manager for the vast majority of his career and was a game manager last year except against the Giants and Commanders. He’s the exact same guy he’s always been... tier 3 or 4.
With that said I do agree the elite quarterback label is mostly useless and is generally applied with hindsight, not foresight.

Although I disagree and think Dak is more than a game manager. I respect your opinion because it’s fair and unbiased.
We agree on the part that’s in bold though.

 

[Redball Express]

I’m almost 52 years old. Staubach is the reason I’m a fan. I’ve seen him play. Lol
Even he or Montana could win based on their talents alone.
Elway is one of the best ever and he couldn’t win it all until he had the running back and defense to assist. Marino was one of the best arms in history. No rings tho. So to me the term ELITE is bs and I’d rather use the word great or legendary. I haven’t witnessed an Elite quarterback yet.

As Spock used to say..

"Live long and prosper"

This too shall pass. We'll have another one day.

Hopefully before we die, huh?

 

[blueblood70]

Moderator Edit: https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/mailbag-can-tony-pollard-play-in-the-slot

Here’s what DallasCowboys.com writers David Helman and Jonny Auping have to say about those who toss that term about around here. And I fully agree.


What is the difference between an elite quarterback and a good quarterback? Does it come down to having a signature win like a Super Bowl win? What must Dak Prescott do to move from a good quarterback to an elite quarterback? Are their specific skills that he must develop, or does he simply need to lead the Dallas Cowboys to a Super Bowl win?— MARTY MONFORTE/ENDICOTT, NY

David: If I could become the tzar of football for a day, the first thing I'd do is outlaw the word "elite" from football conversations. It's a completely subjective, borderline meaningless word that people throw around to win arguments without using facts. The truth of the matter is that quarterbacks from all over the spectrum have helped their teams win Super Bowls — and for a variety of different reasons. For all his talent and accolades, Aaron Rodgers has as many Super Bowl wins as Joe Flacco. Peyton Manning has the same number of championship rings as his little brother, and I think we'd all agree that Peyton was the much better player than Eli. Dak is a top-tier NFL quarterback, and all evidence indicates that his arrow is still pointing upward. Who on Earth can say if he'll actually deliver the championship Cowboys fans have been waiting for, but he's done enough to deserve a new contract in my opinion.

Jonny: Honestly, there are a lot of hard rules to the game of football, but anybody with a definitive list of who is or isn't "elite" just wants to sound like an expert. The line between "really good" and "elite" is thin. I don't think Patrick Mahomes became elite when he won the Super Bowl. But ultimately quarterbacks are judged by wins. I certainly wouldn't put last season's 8-8 record on Dak, but the best quarterbacks tend to manage to overcome a lot of their teammates' mistakes and pull out wins. That said, many of them acquired that attribute after some tough losses. Dak isn't on Mahomes level, and maybe he never will be. But there aren't many quarterbacks I'd confidently say could be the highest paid player on a Super Bowl team. I think Dak is that guy.

nah if you dot like the word then use tiers all players are not alike in fact there are starters on all levels not the depth chart but just the Starting 22 on every team is mad eup of many Tiers.. Tier one is referred to as elite , that label and saved for players who are obviously better then their peers and most likely headed to the HOF if they maintain production paired with longevity....

easy players of past and present at QB over last 10years,

Elite- Rogers, Pmanning, Brees, and Brady.

Elite if they maintain a few more years RWilson, Big Ben

possible Elite with more time Mahomes, watson

on their way to Elite but injury forced them out early or on the bubble Luck, Rivers


then you have tier two guys you can argue who better then the other but dak, wentz, Goff, Jackson, Ryan, cousins, and Stafford. on the bubble Garoppolo and maybe Carr

so then the rest can be argued below that line..

too bad writers and fans cant debate this because they dont want to admit Daks not élite, never will be , and is a tier 2 player..

these are opinions obviously orders can be argued nut most who talk about those I listed as Elite would agree they are better then the tier 2 counterparts in some way or another..

so yes being elite is a thing and being paid more should be thing, those that fall below that line would be paid less, *** all the market talk..be the best or get paid less then the best

 

[keysersoze]

As Spock used to say..

"Live long and prosper"

This too shall pass. We'll have another one day.

Hopefully before we die, huh?

Yes. Please!!! Lol

 

[Williamsboys]

I will say this one time only, I dread that the Cowboys are investing so much money in Prescott, Elliot and Cooper to lead this team to contending for a Super Bowl. I have seen all three Disappear at times , and really struggle on the road against the better teams..And Jets. lol.
In the "90's Dallas had the "Triplets" of Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Irving. Those players were winners. This season will tell us all alot, the team has a new set of coaches, they are trying to fix holes on the defense. Now it's time for these players to start earning their money by leading the way.

 

[keysersoze]

nah if you dot like the word then use tiers all players are not alike in fact there are starters on all levels not the depth chart but just the Starting 22 on every team is mad eup of many Tiers.. Tier one is referred to as elite , that label and saved for players who are obviously better then their peers and most likely headed to the HOF if they maintain production paired with longevity....

easy players of past and present at QB over last 10years,

Elite- Rogers, Pmanning, Brees, and Brady.

Elite if they maintain a few more years RWilson, Big Ben

possible Elite with more time Mahomes, watson

on their way to Elite but injury forced them out early or on the bubble Luck, Rivers


then you have tier two guys you can argue who better then the other but dak, wentz, Goff, Jackson, Ryan, cousins, and Stafford. on the bubble Garoppolo and maybe Carr

so then the rest can be argued below that line..

too bad writers and fans cant debate this because they dont want to admit Daks not élite, never will be , and is a tier 2 player..

these are opinions obviously orders can be argued nut most who talk about those I listed as Elite would agree they are better then the tier 2 counterparts in some way or another..

so yes being elite is a thing and being paid more should be thing, those that fall below that line would be paid less, *** all the market talk..be the best or get paid less then the best

Like you said!!!! This is opinion. I respectfully disagree

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

Dak is not a top tier NFL quarterback. Nor is the line between 'really good' and 'elite' thin.

These two guys are clowns. If they (or you) can't look at Mahomes and see that he's elite -- and much better than a 'really good' guy like Matt Ryan -- I don't know what to say.

This has the feel of a Dak apology thread.

LLLOOOLLL, I knew this would be good.

 

[Williamsboys]

"Elite". An individual or group that is superior to another.
Was Eli Manning an "Elite" quarterback because his team's won 2 Super Bowls??
Was Dan Marino Not an elite quarterback because his team never won a Super Bowl while he was there??

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

I do agree the elite quarterback label is mostly useless and is generally applied with hindsight, not foresight.

It would be odd if the label was generally applied without having first been earned through on-field performance. Saying that, it was pretty obvious more or less immediately in the case of guys like Rogers, Mahomes and Marino.

 

[Brax]

Moderator Edit: https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/mailbag-can-tony-pollard-play-in-the-slot

Here’s what DallasCowboys.com writers David Helman and Jonny Auping have to say about those who toss that term about around here. And I fully agree.


What is the difference between an elite quarterback and a good quarterback? Does it come down to having a signature win like a Super Bowl win? What must Dak Prescott do to move from a good quarterback to an elite quarterback? Are their specific skills that he must develop, or does he simply need to lead the Dallas Cowboys to a Super Bowl win?— MARTY MONFORTE/ENDICOTT, NY

David: If I could become the tzar of football for a day, the first thing I'd do is outlaw the word "elite" from football conversations. It's a completely subjective, borderline meaningless word that people throw around to win arguments without using facts. The truth of the matter is that quarterbacks from all over the spectrum have helped their teams win Super Bowls — and for a variety of different reasons. For all his talent and accolades, Aaron Rodgers has as many Super Bowl wins as Joe Flacco. Peyton Manning has the same number of championship rings as his little brother, and I think we'd all agree that Peyton was the much better player than Eli. Dak is a top-tier NFL quarterback, and all evidence indicates that his arrow is still pointing upward. Who on Earth can say if he'll actually deliver the championship Cowboys fans have been waiting for, but he's done enough to deserve a new contract in my opinion.

Jonny: Honestly, there are a lot of hard rules to the game of football, but anybody with a definitive list of who is or isn't "elite" just wants to sound like an expert. The line between "really good" and "elite" is thin. I don't think Patrick Mahomes became elite when he won the Super Bowl. But ultimately quarterbacks are judged by wins. I certainly wouldn't put last season's 8-8 record on Dak, but the best quarterbacks tend to manage to overcome a lot of their teammates' mistakes and pull out wins. That said, many of them acquired that attribute after some tough losses. Dak isn't on Mahomes level, and maybe he never will be. But there aren't many quarterbacks I'd confidently say could be the highest paid player on a Super Bowl team. I think Dak is that guy.

A fluff piece from Jerry’s propaganda machine, no two ways about it Dak isn’t elite and it is a wide gap between moderate / good to elite and Dak isn’t close. Dak’s pay should be in the good range no more, nowhere near top10 money.

 

[blueblood70]

Like you said!!!! This is opinion. I respectfully disagree

its a very accepted term used by fans because there are players who are in another tier on another level..same in all sports..

MJ=Elite
Howard =tier 2

Luka =elite
Seth Curry=tier 2

Steph Curry =elite
Seth curry =tier 2


its easy to see but fans blinded because they dont want to admit they a have 2nd rate qb..hey be blind be obvious to the natural pecking in order as sports accepts being tier 2 is not knock could be tier 3 or JAG theres always place to fall..

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

A fluff piece from Jerry’s propaganda machine, no two ways about it Dak isn’t elite and it is a wide gap between moderate / good to elite and Dak isn’t close. Dak’s pay should be in the good range no more, nowhere near top10 money.

Like I said before, I am in between on Dak but he will get paid top 10 money by the Jones boys.