Has Parity Really Worked In The NFL?

[Schneed10]

I think the idea is that there should be a good deal of change each year in the NFL. I'm not sure why you're saying the same teams are always bad, 12th. The Lions have been the most atrocious NFL team for a long time, and they're in the thick of the playoff hunt. Whisenhunt has the Cards fighting for a spot. Last year the Saints jump up out of absolutely nowhere and go to the playoffs. This year the Bears were coming off a super bowl appearance, and now suck balls. At the same time, the Pack were coming off mediocre season after mediocre season, and now look great. The Eagles, a model of consistency for so long, now don't look so hot.

There's plenty of parity. But if you've got a Tom Brady or a Peyton Manning, no wonder you're consistently winning. That's the name of the game, find yourself a franchise, HOF type QB and build the rest of the team around them. That's the key to long term success. If guys like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning can't be consistent winners, then that's a league I don't want any part of.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

I think the idea is that there should be a good deal of change each year in the NFL. I'm not sure why you're saying the same teams are always bad, 12th. The Lions have been the most atrocious NFL team for a long time, and they're in the thick of the playoff hunt. Whisenhunt has the Cards fighting for a spot. Last year the Saints jump up out of absolutely nowhere and go to the playoffs. This year the Bears were coming off a super bowl appearance, and now suck balls. At the same time, the Pack were coming off mediocre season after mediocre season, and now look great. The Eagles, a model of consistency for so long, now don't look so hot.

There's plenty of parity. But if you've got a Tom Brady or a Peyton Manning, no wonder you're consistently winning. That's the name of the game, find yourself a franchise, HOF type QB and build the rest of the team around them. That's the key to long term success. If guys like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning can't be consistent winners, then that's a league I don't want any part of.

Just to add, the NFL is definitely a QB driven league. The old cliche might be defense wins championships, but the reality doesn't seem to agree with that. I'll admit, I'm stealing this from Mike Greenberg this morning, I thought he made this great point.

Look at the 2 most dominant defenses from the modern era. The '85 Bears and the '00 Ravens. How many Super Bowls did they win combined? Two.

Now look at how many Super Bowls were won by teams led by the likes of Bradshaw, Aikman, Montana, and now Brady. Too many to even count on two hands.

QBs win championships in this league. It's no coincidence that when you have a team that juggles QB's year in and year out you're typically talking about a bad team.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Just to add, the NFL is definitely a QB driven league. The old cliche might be defense wins championships, but the reality doesn't seem to agree with that. I'll admit, I'm stealing this from Mike Greenberg this morning, I thought he made this great point.

Look at the 2 most dominant defenses from the modern era. The '85 Bears and the '00 Ravens. How many Super Bowls did they win combined? Two.

Now look at how many Super Bowls were won by teams led by the likes of Bradshaw, Aikman, Montana, and now Brady. Too many to even count on two hands.

QBs win championships in this league. It's no coincidence that when you have a team that juggles QB's year in and year out you're typically talking about a bad team.

This point further amplifies Joe Gibbs' Super Bowl championships winning with three different Qbs.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

This point further amplifies Joe Gibbs' Super Bowl championships winning with three different Qbs.

You know, that's a mark that may never be topped.

3 SB wins in 10 years with 3 different QB's. It's really quite remarkable when you think about it.

Parcells came close though. If the Patriots could have beat the Packers he would have had 3.

[CrazyCanuck]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Look at the 2 most dominant defenses from the modern era. The '85 Bears and the '00 Ravens. How many Super Bowls did they win combined? Two.

We know who to thank in the '85 Bears case. That Bears team was still great for a few more years, but Gibbs and co. knocked them out of the playoffs back-to-back years at Soldier Field.

[CrazyCanuck]

As for the parity, I think it's a good thing overall, although I do kind of miss the olden days. When a team like Arizona went into SF to play the Niners, their chances of winning the game were practically nil. If they didn't get totally blown out it was a minor miracle. Now it's more of a "any given sunday" mentality.

I think they've reached a good medium. You still have a few dynasty-like teams, but for everyone else each year brings promise.

[724Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Just to add, the NFL is definitely a QB driven league. The old cliche might be defense wins championships, but the reality doesn't seem to agree with that. I'll admit, I'm stealing this from Mike Greenberg this morning, I thought he made this great point.

Look at the 2 most dominant defenses from the modern era. The '85 Bears and the '00 Ravens. How many Super Bowls did they win combined? Two.

Now look at how many Super Bowls were won by teams led by the likes of Bradshaw, Aikman, Montana, and now Brady. Too many to even count on two hands.

QBs win championships in this league. It's no coincidence that when you have a team that juggles QB's year in and year out you're typically talking about a bad team.

I wonder how many of these great QB's had very stable and consistent o-lines? I know Aikmen had a some great linemen protecting him and opening up holes for Emmitt. Same with Young/Montanna. Gibbs' Hogs are the very definition of successful teams that were heavily dependent on offensive line cohesion, talent and stability.

[irish]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Just to add, the NFL is definitely a QB driven league. The old cliche might be defense wins championships, but the reality doesn't seem to agree with that. I'll admit, I'm stealing this from Mike Greenberg this morning, I thought he made this great point.

Look at the 2 most dominant defenses from the modern era. The '85 Bears and the '00 Ravens. How many Super Bowls did they win combined? Two.

Now look at how many Super Bowls were won by teams led by the likes of Bradshaw, Aikman, Montana, and now Brady. Too many to even count on two hands.

QBs win championships in this league. It's no coincidence that when you have a team that juggles QB's year in and year out you're typically talking about a bad team.

I agree its a QB driven league and by virtue of that fact the NFL is a passing game. There is so much talk about running the ball (and a team has to be able to do it) but in today's game its passing that wins.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I'll admit, I'm stealing this from Mike Greenberg this morning, I thought he made this great point.

Look at the 2 most dominant defenses from the modern era. The '85 Bears and the '00 Ravens. How many Super Bowls did they win combined? Two.

Now look at how many Super Bowls were won by teams led by the likes of Bradshaw, Aikman, Montana, and now Brady. Too many to even count on two hands.

QBs win championships in this league. It's no coincidence that when you have a team that juggles QB's year in and year out you're typically talking about a bad team.

Case in point: The 2004 Redskins. #3 overall defense -- they stopped the run, the pass, and they were tough to score against.

Results? A 6-10 season. Even the greatest defenses won't stop a good or above average offense all day. At some point, there will be a breakdown somewhere, and when your offense can't score, it can take as little as 10-13 points to beat you.

Defense wins championships is the biggest myth out there.