I just want to start off by saying i don't see how anyone can call Stafford a franchise qb just like how can you call Rodgers a franchise qb.
But as far as the bolded comment how can you say that Zombie. The Packers and Bears o-lines suck according to most on here so what is the difference. Cutler is on the verge of becoming a franchise qb because he has a few years in the league but i won't even call him that yet.

---

Good point. about the line thing DH.

Stafford nor Rodgers at this time are franchise QB's. Cutler is someone the Bears gave up a ton for. I think we all know his potential. I would say Cutler IS a franchise QB.

---

Anybody have the stats on how many sacks the Bears and Packers O-lines gave up in 08?

---

I guess I have a different notion of a franchise QB than the consensus. Perhaps I am a bit lenient in crowning QBs as franchise players.

In my opinion, a player constitutes a franchise QB if they meet the following criteria (not exhaustive and not necessarily in this order):

1. Significant outlay to attract or retain the player. (Considerable vested interest)

2. Incumbent starter or back up in a position to learn from veteran QB.

3. Potential to excel.

4. Physical and/or mental ability surpassing that of a typical player.

5. Foreseeable long term career with current team.

I don't believe players need to be proven already to be a franchise QB, but I do believe players will need to prove themselves to a reasonable degree, over a reasonable amount of time in order to retain the tag of being the franchise QB. I wouldn't hesitate to call Matt Ryan the franchise QB of the Falcons, although I would argue that he has proven little in his career so far.

I guess I'd sum up my stance on them as franchise QBs until proven otherwise, rather than the other way around.

But this is all a matter of opinion. What I'm alluding to in my first post, is the fact that there is the potential for the NFC North to have one of the strongest QB rivalries, and possibly the youngest too. We may not be the best this season, or even next season, but playing against stronger interdivisional rivals will make this team even better.

---

Rodgers can be considered as a franchise QB as of now even if he won't pan out ... He was drafted by the Packs. It's what his 4th year with the team?

---

Neither was Ryan: 16 TDs, 11 INTs, 3,440 YDs, 87.7 RTG doesn't qualify as greatness, nor even goodness, in my book. It's barely mediocre, and I think that's being charitable.

If anyone ever rode the back of an awesome running back (376 CAR for 1,699 YDs [4.5 ypc] and 17 TDs), it was Matt Ryan.

---

I agree to a certain extent. I mean, he wasn't one of the league's top players, but, especially for a rookie, he did a good job.

Had it been a random QB like Harrington, this offense would've been all about Turner and no one would've noticed they actually had anyone under center. Now that it's the Nr. 3 overall pick in a rookie season, he had a great year. He's really overrated.

Like I said, nothing special when looking at it objectively, but still, pretty good.

Joey Harrington would have given his right n_t for those numbers...or was it his left!

---

I agree about the OL. That's been my #2 complaint about Ted Thompson - he needs to build an OL. (My #1 is our DL).

I have faith in Rodgers. But he can't continue to take the hits he's taking. Ted Thompson needs to give the kid a line.

---

I think he is, or at least was, able to put up these numbers, but just look at the teams he has played for.

4 Years with the Lions, who just threw him out there. They had no supporting cast for him what so-ever. And not just in his 1st year, but also in all the other ones.

After that, a year with the Dolphins who pretty much sucked aswell. He had to start alot of games because of Culpepper's injury, while they had no O-line, no WRs and a decent RB.

Then, a year with the crappy Falcons, before they made some amazing trades, great draft picks and the emerging of plyers like Roddy White.

Now he's with the Saints, but hasn't started, or even played, in a regular season game.

He has just been slapped in the face by the league it seems. He has had nothing but bad luck upon joining the league. He might not've been Peyton, but still, I think he could've done a solid job on a solid team. Especially with a year of Grooming, like I hope the Lions will do this time if they draft Stafford.

Erm, Battle of the young QBs... right....