USA Today: Ranking the decision makers: Who is best at the NFL draft?

[Ebolapox]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

First, you don't need a "top" QB to win. Brady wasn't really a "top" QB in 2001. He was a game manager. Roethlisberger has won twice by being a very good (not great) QB with a very good or great running game and defense in support.

Eli Freaking Manning won by defense, as did the Ravens in 2000 and the Bucs in, err, whatever year they won it. '02 I guess.

But you do need an above-average QB. Average probably doesn't get it done unless you have an epic level defense.

unfortunately, average would've been an improvement last year. dude, you apparently didn't watch cassel much last year. horrific. oh, he flashed a few times last year; but not enough to make me any more than slightly optimistic (thanks to weis). and our defense is a ways away (unless ty-jack comes through, we find a nose tackle somewhere, dj steps up, and berry is all world. best case scenario is maybe 10th ranked defense). we'll be lucky if cassel can step up to slightly above average and the defense can step up.