Do you agree with this (DR Z, CNN)

[Aske]

http://sportsillustrated....ers/dr_z/09/26/qbs/1.html

I often like this guy's writing, especially his 'anecdote' type stuff, but he seems too wrapped up in pining for the past, and the last few years, IIRC (maybe I'm wrong)  his  He/She Said pickem against the model he either just barely won at all, or flat out lost.     I don't know you can even compare the NFL 20 years ago to today, with the advent of systems/WCO , and the whole quantum leap in average player speed, let alone skill position speed.

[Fuzzy]

I've read his stuff for a number of years. My thoughts:

1. Completely agree with your assessment of his love of the NFL "in the old days"
2. Seems very knowledgeable due to the fact he actually pays attention to the details (line play, hang time of punts/kickoffs, etc.) when assessing players. Something that is a lost art with today's media.
3. It seemed to me his editors wanted him in the pick'em contest with the model and the curmudgeon went along with it. You need to him out though.
4. IMO you can't compare players (in almost any sport) separated by >10 years. So many changes in skills, rules, blah blah blah.

And he picked the Vikes in the SB this year. 

[JDerion]

I went down the list and came up with 18-10 in favor of 1988. The game is different without question, but among their peers I think there were more quality QB's back then.

Interestingly, I had 2008 going 4-0 in the NFC East, and that is surprising when you consider how good the NFC East was 20 years ago. I was never a big Simms fan, and he was really a guy whose true job was to hand off and not screw up. He would throw very few balls, and they would always be safe. He really rode a great defense and running game to the Superbowl.

I sort of see Big Ben as a modern day Simms. He's a bit better going down the field than Simms, more physical, maybe a bit less heady, but they are used similarly. Not sure what you P-burgh fans think of that statement.

[Spanky]

I would trade Big Ben over Bradshaw.