Levi Lewis vs Jake Delhomme vs Brian Mitchell (Career)

[RaginDave]

I don’t think it’s fair to compare them. All played in completely different eras on completely different teams.

I think it is a bit of a stretch to say that Levi is a better thrower than Jake. When Jake was here the defenses could get away with assault on the receivers and QB.

Mitchell was one of the most dynamic players in the history of college football and that translated to the NFL but not as a QB.

They are all great in their own ways and I’m grateful to have been able to watch all 3.

This ^^^^^^^

100 times, this.......

One of the best posts of the year. I was at U(s)L from 88-93 and I have seen pretty much every game from 1987 until now without exception, either in person or on TV. Levi, Jake and Brian are/were special players. All different but all special, comparing them is unfair to any of them. We should be blessed to have all 3.

Thanks Levi, you will leave special memories for us to talk about 20 years and more from now. Just like we do with Jake and Brian.

[ManAboutTown]

Absolutely impossible to compare players across generations. None of the 3 played the same game. It’s like comparing darts to cricket.

[CharlieK]

Absolutely impossible to compare players across generations. None of the 3 played the same game. It’s like comparing darts to cricket.

Like trying to compare golfers across generations with leaps in technology and massive changes to courses. Impossible to normalize competition, game changes, fitness and nutrition advances, technology, etc.

It's impossible for me to think anyone could be a better UL football player than Brian Mitchell, it was as if he was a super hero...but I was like 15, his competition was different, the game was different, etc...so who knows.

[ManAboutTown]

Like trying to compare golfers across generations with leaps in technology and massive changes to courses. Impossible to normalize competition, game changes, fitness and nutrition advances, technology, etc.

It's impossible for me to think anyone could be a better UL football player than Brian Mitchell, it was as if he was a super hero...but I was like 15, his competition was different, the game was different, etc...so who knows.

Agreed. Persimmon shafts vs steel shafts with titanium club face the size of a cantaloupe.. Wonder who hits the ball further…

You have to compare the player to their contemporaries at the time and view it within the context of the rules of the day. Brian did some pretty insane things, when you consider that formula.

[Big Buds]

This is really tough due to the difference in eras…gotta go with Levi.

[CharlieK]

Agreed. Persimmon shafts vs steel shafts with titanium club face the size of a cantaloupe.. Wonder who hits the ball further…

You have to compare the player to their contemporaries at the time and view it within the context of the rules of the day. Brian did some pretty insane things, when you consider that formula.

Mitchell was the first football player in NCAA HISTORY to pass for 5K and run for 3K. By the yardstick of the times he was a freak of nature.

[fanof71]

Had a flashback to Brian Michell on the LL 50 yard run Sat and his 50 yard touchdown during CCG.

[FeelDaRage]

Had a flashback to Brian Michell on the LL 50 yard run Sat and his 50 yard touchdown during CCG.

How good was Mitchell as a passer? Because looking at his stats it seems he was basically Desormeaux before Desormeaux. Talented athlete and great runner but leaves a lot to be desired as a passer which limits the offense.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Levi Lewis was crazy good at taking care of the ball. I wish Hud,Napier, and Mike could claim it was due to their coaching, and maybe they helped.

I started paying attention to Levi when Destin Cajun, a great RP poster, told me about this outstanding kid from Scotlanville High. He had an almost blemish free senior season. He lost his championship game because of some untimely turnovers.

We signed him a couple months later. Destin and I were drunk with joy at the bash. Guess he recalled that in SBC CG & NOLA Bowl. All those great attributes culminated in the greatest two seasons in football history at UL.

[Bandwagon King]

I don’t think it’s fair to compare them. All played in completely different eras on completely different teams.

I think it is a bit of a stretch to say that Levi is a better thrower than Jake. When Jake was here the defenses could get away with assault on the receivers and QB.

Mitchell was one of the most dynamic players in the history of college football and that translated to the NFL but not as a QB.

They are all great in their own ways and I’m grateful to have been able to watch all 3.

You're right it's not fair. But it's what fans, analysts & talking heads do. They were all great reps of the U. But Levi has not been compared in a very unfavorable light on this board to most of his contemporaries, much less the UL greats of all time. This is an opportunity for those who have grown tired of those comparisons to get a little pay back & for those who think of themselves as objective to give the young man his due based on his performance. And his performance has been amazingly great. As many people as contributed to this special season, his contribution was what mattered most. And he was the difference, especially these last two most important games.