If winning is the most important thing a quarterback can do, then Philip Rivers has been a success at the college and pro levels. Now that he's shown the ability to put up big numbers too, hobby stardom could be just a matter of time for the San Diego Chargers quarterback.
Rivers was certainly a winner playing college football at N.C. State, where he was a four-year starter and broke scores of school and conference records. His accuracy and moxie were unquestioned, but his unorthodox throwing motion left just a little doubt in the minds of some scouts as the 2004 NFL Draft approached.
The New York Giants took Rivers fourth overall, but they turned around and traded him and a package of draft picks to San Diego for disgruntled No. 1 overall pick Eli Manning. Rivers found himself sitting for a few seasons behind a resurgent Drew Brees, but he took over full time as the starter in 2006.
Rivers spent two seasons overseeing an offense built around running back LaDainian Tomlinson, efficiently doing his part to help win games. But it was in 2008 that he really broke out. With LT slowed by injury, Rivers took over as the focal point of the offense, leading the NFL in touchdown passes and passer rating.
The quarterback class of 2004 is already a hobby favorite thanks to Super Bowl winners Manning and Ben Roethlisberger, but Rivers certainly has the talent and competitive drive to earn a spot right alongside both of them. If he continues to find success, expect low-numbered autographed rookie cards like his Playoff Prime Signatures # 142 and Ultimate Collection # 128 to be subject to increasingly high demand.
2004 Philip Rivers Rookie Cards
- Absolute Memorabilia # 228 - jersey card #'d to 750
- Bazooka # 170
- Bowman # 113
- Bowman Chrome # 223 - autographed, #'d to 199
- Bowman's Best # 129 - autographed, #'d to 199
- Donruss Classics # 229 - #'d to 500
- Donruss Elite # 179 - #'d to 500
- E-X # 42 - autographed jersey card #'d to 90
- Finest # 109 - autographed, #'d to 399
- Flair # 75 - #'d to 799
- Fleer Authentix # 111 - #'d to 750
- Fleer Genuine # 78 - #'d to 500
- Fleer Inscribed # 78 - #'d to 750
- Fleer Platinum # 143 - #'d to 299
- Fleer Showcase # 112 - #'d to 599
- Fleer Sweet Sigs # 86 - #'d to 999
- Fleer Tradition # 337
- Greats of the Game # 72 - #'d to 999
- Hot Prospects # 85 - autographed jersey card #'d to 350
- Leaf Certified Materials # 228 - jersey card #'d to 1250
- Leaf Limited # 228 - autographed jersey card #'d to 150
- Leaf Rookies and Stars # 278 - jersey card #'d to 750
- Leaf Rookies and Stars Longevity # 278 - jersey card #'d to 299
- Playoff Contenders # 162 - autographed w/ announced print run of 556
- Playoff Hogg Heaven # 175 - jersey card #'d to 750
- Playoff Honors # 228 - jersey card #'d to 750
- Playoff Prestige # 153
- Playoff Prime Signatures # 142 - autographed, #'d to 99
- Reflections # 178 - #'d to 450
- Score # 374
- SkyBox LE # 64 - #'d to 99
- SP Authentic # 214 - autographed jersey card #'d to 299
- SP Game Used # 108 - #'d to 425
- SPx # 218 - autographed jersey card #'d to 375
- Sweet Spot # 288 - autographed, #'d to 199
- Topps # 375
- Topps Chrome # 230
- Topps Collection # 375
- Topps Draft picks and Prospects # 161
- Topps Pristine # 129
- Topps Signature # 80 - autographed, #'d to 299
- Topps Total # 331
- UD Diamond All-Star # 111
- UD Diamond Pro Sigs # 111
- Ultimate Collection # 128 - autographed, #'d to 150
- Ultra # 202 - #'d to 500
- Upper Deck # 205
- Upper Deck Finite HG # 267 - #'d to 99
- Upper Deck Foundations # 261 - jersey card #'d to 499
- Upper Deck Legends # 182 - #'d to 650