I’ve had this debate so many ti
I don’t want to turn this into a Russ being elite thread because it’s off topic but I’m baffled people don’t think he was elite and question by what barometer you guys are using. Did it look different than how a Brady or Manning did it? Yep. So does Lamar and he’s elite. Honestly this conversation makes me uncomfortable at times because I think some people are motivated by other factors in this debate. Not saying anyone here but it’s often the case online.
Why does there have to be another factor??
Nobody said he wasn't outstanding, and a phenomenal playmaker. And it's not about 'doing it like Brady or Manning'. Do you honestly think that there are a dozen more elite qbs that have as divided a perception as to whether they are deserving of the elite label? How about 2? 1? Eli Manning ... maybe. But the dude was the opposite of Russ. Playoffs started and he was a different player. Who else? There were coaches who in 2020 were off the record describing Russell as 'not even "good" '. Did they just hate him as well?
You'd think that after Payton stripped away his magic sauce and made him play straight up, that folks would finally see what others have - that if you make him run an offense and make the harder reads and tight window throws, he struggles mightily. Notice, I didn't say that he was forced to do some extraordinary task at the position. Just fundamental QBing. And he was so unimpressive, his coach wants to dump him and the talk around the league is whether he'd get a gig as a bridge on a team with a younger QB in the wings ... BECAUSE RUSS CANT TEACH HIM ANYTHING. That's not the haters talking. That was pelisero or palantonio or one of them offering his opinion on where Russ might end up.
What other elite QB in the history of the league wouldn't be seen as a solid mentor in the twilight of his career? Mayne one who can't teach what he doesn't know.
Name me one other qb who is / was elite who has shown beyond any reasonable doubt that he can't read defense. Anyone.
And Lamar is far more a dynamic athlete and playmaker than Russ or for that matter any other non traditional qb has ever been. When he decides to run the ball defenses literally can't stop the Ravens. It's why he's probably going to win his 2nd MVP award. There's a reason Russ never got a vote. Lamar is on thr verge of 2 trophies.
Russ is the basketball player that can hit a half court shot blindfolded, finishes top 3 in the slam dunk comp every year, has regular highlight real worthy plays, but can't dribble with his left, shoots 50% from the free-throw line, and hogs the ball and won't pass until he's 'ready' everytime there's a set play.
It didn't have to be as hard as he made it look. Said another way, he shouldn't have missed so many elementary plays.
Elite players destroy you if you give them the easy stuff.