I just took a Philip Rivers

[Smed1065]

It was bloated, full of hot air and talked about on the ESPN.

It sunk as well!

Go Chiefs~

It was hard to flush but it got FLUSHED.

[TLO]

It's that time of year again!

[TLO]

Seriously though - as Simply Red said in another thread, there's some concern over Smed's health. Anyone been in contact with him lately?

[rico]

There was an article that came out today about Patrick Mahomes being the next Phillip Rivers. No joke.

http://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/n...g13v4z29q9rc5d

Why Patrick Mahomes is the Next Phillip Rivers

As several Hall of Fame quarterbacks approach the end of their illustrious careers, it begs the question: Who will fill the void left by some of the game's best signal-callers? It is one we have tried to answer by identifying which age-25-or-under QB will enjoy similar success to each of these quarterbacks — Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers and Eli Manning.

***


Philip Rivers has been nothing but consistent.

The 36-year-old is entering his 15th year with the Chargers, and until 2014 had all but one winning season. His resume is littered with accolades from Comeback Player of the Year in 2013 to seven consecutive Pro Bowl selections.

Since becoming the Chargers’ starter in 2006 — his third NFL season — Rivers has yet to finish to a season under the 3,000 passing yard mark. He’s maxed out at 4,710 in 2010, as he lead the NFL’s best offense that year and holds the fourth longest all-time consecutive start streaks with 201 (and counting) for the team.

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The San Diego gunslinger may be missing a Super Bowl ring, but the absences of the NFL’s biggest victory should not take his name out of the running for the league’s highest honor.

Touted as a true competitor by his peers, it’s not a question of if Rivers will get a gold jacket, but his five-year Hall of Fame clock starts upon retiring. Another question that looms, who will be the NFL’s next iron man.


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Patrick Mahomes II, who will control the rock for the back-to-back AFC West champion Kansas City with just one start under his belt, steps into a starting role with a wildly similar backstory and skill set as Rivers at the onset of his career. Nearly everyone believes Mahomes can handle the NFL game, but can he rise to the same prowess as Rivers and maximize his uncanny talent.

The Study
Major similarity indicators: Succession plan and stacked roster
A gunslinger in his own right, Mahomes not only embodies the qualities as Rivers, but has all the necessary tools to be as reliable for the Chiefs as Rivers has been for the Chargers.

There a few stats to back this up (for now), but situationally, Mahomes' start in the NFL is almost identical to Rivers’.

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After three years at Texas Tech, Mahomes was said to one of the top picks in the 2017 draft and rounded out the top 10 that year to play backup to Kansas City’s Alex Smith. Rivers, who played four years at NC State, was drafted fourth overall and served as the No. 2 behind Drew Brees in San Diego.

Both Mahomes and Rivers took over after their peers best years with their former teams — leaving questions of whether they were ready for the bright lights of the NFL.

Patrick Mahomes

Mahomes will start his first full season with Kansas City as a starter alongside some of the league’s best — literally. Kareem Hunt led the NFL as a rookie with 1,327 yards rushing, while Travis Kelce led all tight ends in 2017 with 83 receptions for 1,038 yards.

In Rivers’ first full 16-game season with San Diego, 2006, stars like LaDainian Tomlinson led the NFL with 1,815 rushing yards and 186 points. Rivers also developed his rapport with tight end Antonio Gates that season with nine touchdown connections. The Chargers had more Pro Bowl players that season than any other team with 11, including Rivers, Tomlinson and Gates.

Mahomes will also enjoy the talents of Spencer Ware, Sammy Watkins and Tyreek Hill. While it's too soon to crown Hunt as the next Tomlinson or Kelce the next Gates, Mahomes has all the tools he needs to lead the Chiefs to what could be their third consecutive division title.

Film room
College highlights show the ability of both Rivers and Mahomes to read a defense, while also keeping eyes downfield to find receivers, but film also shows their power even when it comes of an unbalanced step or in the eyes of their opponent’s line.

Rivers capped of his college career in his third Tangerine Bowl appearance in 2003 and showed an ounce of what we will get in the future in the 56-26 win over Kansas. Once he opened up the offense, he sent the ball flying down field and also wasn’t afraid to carry the ball for a first down on foot. In his second touchdown throw to go up 14-7, Rivers found a hole and facing pressure threw a one legged pass to a receiver open near the end zone.


In the 2015 Texas Bowl, Mahomes similarly utilized the short and long game in Texas Tech's eventual 56-27 loss to LSU. He was about to enter his best year out but not before he mirrored plays from Rivers over a decade later. After continuing the Red Raiders' first scoring drive with an impressive throw against the grain, Mahomes sent the ball flying 46 yards for their first touchdown to pull within one. He opened the second half in a similar fashion with a 31-yarder to cut the deficit to 21-20.


Mahomes' strong arm was again on display in his only rookie showing during Week 17 against the Broncos. The first few plays aren't noteworthy and including consecutive incompletions, but once he was more comfortable Mahomes took advantage of Kansas City's talent to finish the game 22 for 35 with 284 yards, which included plays like this — a straight shot through the middle with defenders in toe.


Opta breakdown
A look into the numbers, and well, Mahomes outperformed Rivers in his lone rookie appearance than the Chargers quarterback’s first two years combined.

In Mahomes first time out, he went 22-of-35 passing, good for a 62.9 completion percentage. Although he didn’t have a touchdown, he racked up 284 yards with just one interception.

In Rivers first two years combined, he went 17 for 30 with only one touchdown and a meager 148 yards.

Mahomes did have quarterback-whisperer Andy Reid coaching him through his first start, but that one appearance was promising enough to see Smith out and secure the starting spot for the second-year gunslinger.

Rivers, Mahomes Opta

Before the pros, Mahomes and Rivers both had record setting seasons in college. Rivers, of course, had more playing time staying at NC State all four years while Mahomes left Texas Tech after three. Each still managed to make an impact with their ability to snake around the pocket and find targets down field.


Wild card: Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson has the arm strength, the awareness and all the tools needed to continue a successful career after rehabbing an ACL tear.

Like Rivers and Mahomes, the 12th overall pick in the 2017 draft also started his rookie season on the bench. Watson became a starter in Week 2 and quickly made noise. He was on his way to a potential Rookie of the Year season when a knee injury cut his season short, but he returns this year and is right where he needs to be.


Watson’s production across seven games showed promise — lots of it. He completed 62 percent of his passes for 1,699 yards and 19 touchdowns. He only threw eight interceptions and rushed for 269 yards and two touchdowns. He moved gracefully down the field and was fearless in the pocket.

Rivers suffered from his own ACL woes, playing through the injury in the 2008 playoffs and returning the next season to have one of his best records to date. He was back on the field for minicamp just three months after surgery and led the Chargers to a 13-3 record with upwards of 4,200 passing yards and 28 scores. Watson could enjoy the same comeback as a truly special talent.

[Sofa King]

Calling it here, Rivers plays less than 10 games this year.

[Eleazar]

Did it come out with a bolo tie on?

[The Nose]

Originally Posted by Sofa King

Calling it here, Rivers plays less than 10 games this year.

Yeah he has a penchant for missing games due to durability

[rabblerouser]

Originally Posted by Smed1065

It was bloated, full of hot air and talked about on the ESPN.

It sunk as well!

Go Chiefs~

It was hard to flush but it got FLUSHED.

Hope you wiped your Gates!

[CrazyPhuD]

If you take a Mahomes does that mean it flew 70 yards in the air while on your knees?

[TimBone]

Originally Posted by Buck

I just came 6 ounces of Matt Cassel.

Buck done won the thread.

[rabblerouser]

Originally Posted by CrazyPhuD

If you take a Mahomes does that mean it flew 70 yards in the air while on your knees?

Well...if you take a Mahomes, it means the Washington Redskins will give you everything they've got to take an Alex Smith.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Did you wipe with Bucks hat?

[WhiteWhale]

I love Rivers.

He's such a choke artist that he actually chokes during 'win and you're in' regular seasons games. He doesn't even wait until the playoffs.

[rico]

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

I love Rivers.

He's such a choke artist that he actually chokes during 'win and you're in' regular seasons games. He doesn't even wait until the playoffs.

Plus he throws fits that are funny to watch. Like when he was caught on the sideline saying to himself, “worst day ever!” It was after he fumbled that snap vs. the Chiefs that lost the game. I’ll miss Rivers when he’s gone because he’s funny.

[ModSocks]

Lets just hope Philip Rivers doesn't take a Philip Rivers on our D.

[redfan]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Lets just hope Philip Rivers doesn't take a Philip Rivers on our D.

He will, but it won't matter. WBF