Good morning.

Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com compiled a list of “franchise quarterbacks,” the top category in his tiered ranking of the 32 projected starters this season.

Excluded was Philip Rivers from the franchise QBs, a tier that includes, in order, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger, Russell Wilson and Cam Newton.

La Canfora defines franchise quarterback as follows:


These are the men among men. They are the QBs who have an opportunity to be viewed as iconic figures when their careers are complete. They are individuals who lift a franchise by their very presence, who are tremendously accomplished on the field and have won huge games -- in many cases willing their team to do so. They tend to transcend their sport.

Rivers appears in La Canfora’s second category of “top pros, proven winners.”

They are “guys who most teams in the NFL would covet if given the chance to deal for them... .they are regulars in the postseason and accomplished leaders.”

Ranked fifth in the second group, Rivers is listed 10th overall.

He hasn’t been able to get over the hump in the postseason, and is starting to run out of time with San Diego seemingly rebuilding again. But he is one of the most prolific passers of his time and an absolute gamer who wrings every bit of talent from his body.


: I see franchise quarterbacks as reliable performers who, in particular, grasp the vast spectrum of game situations, move the chains on third down, protect the ball, stay in the lineup and fill the leadership role on and off the field. Do those things, and you’ll win more than you lose. By my count, about 15 quarterbacks check off most of those boxes. A few others show enough promise to be labeled young franchise QBs.

Rivers is a franchise quarterback. If the top quarterbacks mentioned above have certain traits that Rivers cannot match, such as dangerous outside-the-pocket mobility and very good arm strength, Rivers nonetheless is a scary opponent.

When he’s in a groove, few if any quarterbacks are better are getting the ball to the right place, with touch or the needed juice.

His rare durability earns him extra credit.

Until last season, the Chargers averaged 9.8 victories with Rivers as their starter and made the playoffs in five of nine seasons. He has missed no starts since he succeeded Drew Brees in 2006, and has ranked among the leaders in several statistical categories.


At 34, Rivers should be able maintain a high level of play for a few more years.

That the Chargers went 4-12 with Rivers starting every game last year was concerning. An organization should take a hard, long look at itself when it parlays a franchise quarterback into only four wins. The Chargers went 0-6 in their division and lost another six games. It would be a mistake to chalk up the failings to bad luck.

Because of the poor record, however, the Chargers drew their best draft slottings in over a decade.