rebuilding or FA frenzy?

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by drew54

Here are some statistics to add to this.

Drafted #1 Superbowl Winners

1970 (Steelers) -- Terry Bradshaw, Louisiana Tech
1983 (Colts) -- John Elway, Stanford *
1989 (Cowboys) -- Troy Aikman, UCLA
1993 (Patriots) -- Drew Bledsoe, Washington State **
1999 (Colts) -- Peyton Manning, Tennessee
2004 (Chargers) -- Eli Manning, Mississippi *

*Drafted #1 and then traded.
** Lost starting job due to injury.

I understand what skinster is trying to say, I agree with the broad premise (play youth, gain experience and better draft position for a run later), but I could never root for the Skins to lose or tank the season even it it was in their best interest long term. As others have said, too many variables that could derail the strategy, plus it's just wrong.

That all being said, Luck has the talent to be a multiple Pro Bowl level player who can carry a mediocre team to the playoffs and take a solid team to multiple SBs. That type of QB, that you can identify coming out of the NCAA, only comes along once every 11-13 years or so.

Luck - 2012
Manning - 1999
Elway - 1983
Bradshaw - 1970 (although I give more credit to the Steelers D and running game)
Len Dawson - 1957 (drafted 5th overall)
Otto Graham - 1948 (drafted 4th overall)
Sammy Baugh - 1937 (drafted 6th overall)

Are there other players drafted later who reached this level, absolutely. But Luck is a can't miss franchise QB as long as he doesn't go to a "turrible" and mismanaged team (Cincy/Oakland).