Aaron Rodgers Close To, Not yet at Level of Brady & Manning

You don't have to tell me about the greatness of Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers. I've been praising Rodgers since Hollywood Brett threw what I thought was his last professional pass. I understand that many in the country are jumping on the bandwagon now that Rodgers has won a Super Bowl and MVP award. Let's wait just a little longer, however, before we crown him.

Rodgers is without question the best quarterback in the NFC. He's the current king in waiting with one hand on the mountaintop, pulling himself up to the peak. Standing on top with their flags already planted, however, are Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Rodgers will likely be standing with them one year from the writing of this sentence. Rodgers isn't there yet, however, and that's not a knock on the Green Bay QB.

When debating the best "________" in sports, you have to put the discussion into context. Pretend that there's a real life fantasy draft taking place, and that the draft is only for the upcoming season (the 2011 season in this case. You have the first pick and, by rule, are forced to take a quarterback. Are you taking Tom Brady, Peyton Manning or Aaron Rodgers?

Be honest.

Peyton Manning is the most durable quarterback currently playing in the league, and probably the smartest offensive mind to ever play the position. Despite the fact that every single one of his offensive weapons not named Reggie Wayne went down to injury at some point during the 2010 season (most notably Dallas Clark) Manning's Colts managed to win the division. In 2010, Tom Brady proved he could win without a Hall of Fame wide receiver, leading the Patriots to the best record in football during the regular season and breaking an NFL record along the way. I've argued that this past season was Brady's best performance of his career.

Manning is a Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP, four-time regular season MVP, six time AFC Player of the Year and an 11-time Pro Bowl selection. Brady has won three rings, been named Super Bowl MVP twice, has won two regular season MVP and offensive player of the year awards and was the unanimous 2010 MVP (thanks, Wikipedia).

I'm not discounting what Rodgers has been able to achieve over the past three seasons; an average QB rating of 99.4, higher than Manning or Brady. Rodgers has thrown fewer interceptions than Manning over the past three seasons and his scrambling ability, while not Vick-esque, is something Manning and Brady would love to have.

Rodgers, undeniably great, has yet to have that definitive season, one that makes even the biggest doubter take notice. If playing behind a healthy offensive line this coming fall, 2011 could just be that season for Rodgers. As of now, his crowning achievement is lighting up an overrated Pittsburgh secondary in Super Bowl XLV. Impressive, absolutely, but not the career defining season/moment Rodgers still requires to be at the top of the mountain alongside Brady and Manning.

Barring a significant setback, Rodgers will once again be a sexy MVP pick this August. For possibly the last time, however, give me Brady or Manning ahead of the current Super Bowl MVP. We'll see Mr. Rodgers standing on top of the mountain alongside the two Hall of Fame QBs next February.

Maybe with another belt around his waist.