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| The future right here. |
Last year we did a two-part series making hysterical comparisons of high-profile QBs to high-profile rappers, well the game has changed, QBs have improved, degressed and new rappers have emerged. So now we unveil our second version of our QB-to-Rappers comparison.
Aaron Rodgers-Jay-Z
Arguably you could say both Aaron Rodgers and HOV are the two best in their respective games. Rodgers might have only one title but he's become a personality outside of the sport (State Farm?) and rose out of the ashes of Brett Favre pretty nicely. Hova has numerous titles and is a straight business mogul, plus he rose out of the ashes of Biggie in New York and did so in appropriate fashion. Both of them have the swagger yet only flaunt it when truly necessarily. Rodgers throws on the belt, Jay throws up the ROC.
Peyton Manning-Jadakiss
Manning has went through some tough times over the past two years, going from one of the league's best to potentially never playing again to a pariah in Indianapolis to the savior in Denver. Jadakiss hasn't really been in the spotlight since his D-Block days, but he has made quite a revival making impressive appearances on a couple G.O.O.D Music tracks, and some Young Money Cash Money tracks. Both of these guys are methodical in their approaches, Manning dominating with his precise execution of an offense, and Jada beating you down with punch line after punch line. Peyton is a little bit more reserved than Jadakiss, but you could say that Jada enjoys being out of the limelight.
Robert Griffin III-Kendrick Lamar
Both burst onto the scene in the last year and have only gotten better since they were first recognized. Kendrick's debut album Section 80 was a major hit and RGIII's Heisman campaign was equally impressive. Matching early success is difficult in anything, but especially as a rapper trying to handle his hype and a QB being dubbed the savior of a franchise. Good Kid, M.a.a.D City was a solid album out the newest west coast rapper, but it certainly could have been better. RGIII's first seven NFL games have had their moments and their nightmares. It doesn't hurt that these guys have their own styles. Kendrick likes to change up his voice and RG III has handled his early hype with humility, something many hyped up rookie QBs have a hard time doing.
Matt Ryan-Big Sean
There's little doubt that Matty Ice and Big Sean are talented. But they haven't really put it together when it's mattered. So far in 2012, both have been extremely successful, though some of their success could be atoned to their teammates. Sean has spit some awesome verses over G.O.O.D Music songs, and Matt Ryan has had the luxury of Roddy White, Julio Jones (who might be the best wideout duo in the league) and an impressive defense. Either way you could argue that both their squads are on top of their respective games.
Ben Roethlisberger-Styles P
Roethlisberger has sort of fallen to the backdrop of NFL QBs, probably because his off-the-field antics and alright play has downgraded his status in many-an-observer's eyes. Like Big Ben, Styles P isn't everyone's style. Obviously both are extremely talented, but things are getting old here. It's a natural progression for both of these dudes careers to be on the decline, but don't sleep on a hit from Phantom or a playoff run from Roethlisberger. Coincidence both of these guys slowly slide off the radar at the same time?
Tom Brady-Nas
Last time we compared Tom Brady to a rapper it was Jay-Z. Kind of ironic that he has now morphed into Jay-Z's old nemesis. Nas is still one of the Top 5 lyricists and can still produce a quality album (Life is Good), but he's lost something. Brady won his fifth AFC Championship game last year. Yet just like Brady, Nas has lost his "It" factor. Everyone still gives Nas and Brady credit for being the best, but it seems more and more that it's a lifetime achievement award than an accurate description. Nas has fallen out of the mainstream and Brady isn't ESPN-24-7 like he was a few years ago. Both guys are on the other end of their career mountains and a lot of people are in denial about it.
Drew Brees-Drake
Brees isn't Charmin soft like Drake is, but there are some comparison points that are fair. For one, Drake produces all types of music and while most of it is pure gold, some of it falls under the "Do Less" category. Brees has had magical seasons lately, but every once and a while he gets that gunslinger attitude and it turns out to be a 50 attempt 4 INT game in which he costs his Saints a win. Two, they both don't care about how their public perception, Drake because he is still singing his choruses despite multiple pleas for him to stop and Brees because of the way he handled this whole bounty disaster. Three, because I hate the fact that I thoroughly enjoy both of them.
Alex Smith-2 Chainz
Alex Smith was the poster boy for a bad quarterback on a bad team in a bad organization only two years ago. 2 Chainz probably only owned two fake chains two years ago. Now both of them have jumped on the main stage in direct result because of the squads they play for. Alex Smith isn't a good quarterback, having thrown for more than 300 yards less times than I have fingers on my right hand. 2 Chainz makes Waka Flocka look like a lyrical genius. Smith plays with the luxury of arguably the league's best defense while 2 Chainz is signed to the best record label in the game. Harbaugh made Smith. Kanye made 2 Chainz. Without their squads they're gonners.
Eli Manning-Kanye West
Probably my most out-there comparison, but hear me out. Manning and Kanye both displayed talent early in their careers and had early success. Yet both struggled to assume the kind of wide spread respect that they're now starting to receive. Manning had a hard time finding consistency, throwing far too many INTs and coming up short too many times in the win-hungry New York, albeit his 2007 Super Bowl was impressive. Kanye was up on stage stealing VMAs and making himself out as a serious outlaw. But now Yeezy is in full control of the best record label in the rap game and Eli is the fourth quarter genius behind arguably the NFC's best team. Eli might not have the bravado that Kanye has, but there's no arguing these guys are talented as hell.
Ryan Fitzpatrick-Machine Gun Kelly
This is where the comparisons get hilarious. Fitz and MGK most importantly rep some of the most ridiculous places in America. Fitz's connection to Harvard football makes him unique in the fact he graduated to play football instead of going on to some degree-laden profession. MGK is from Cleveland, a place known for horrendous winters, bad sports teams and very little else. This white boy sensation (ehhhh not really) reps this place as if it had some deep rap history. But the real comparison is their wild styles. Fitzpatrick loves to sling it like Brett Favre, yet he's equipped with Chad Pennington's arm. MGK's best song is titled, "Wild Boy." Each has produced impressive products, but too many times they leave you scratching your head in disbelief.
Kevin Kolb-Tyga
Left field comparison here with Tyga not really being mainstream, but I guess you could say the same about MGK. Kolb and Tyga were both products of their system. Kolb playing under a great backup program with Andy Reid and Tyga riding the coattails of Lil' Wayne and Young Money. Kolb got paid and Tyga got paid, but both haven't lived up to expectations. "Faded" might be a Tyga hit, but is it really good? No, absolutely not. Kolb, on the other hand, just isn't good period.
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