Why is there a double-standard for trash talk by QB's?

So, let me get this straight: Philip Rivers does some veeeeeeeeery low level jaw-jacking at the Broncos' completely ineffectual quarterback Jay Cutler, and it's still being talked about 4 days later?

Why?

Football players on both sides of the ball are constantly shit-talking during (and usually, before and after, too) games, and it's by no means a new phenomenon.

I seem to remember stories about Jack Lambert and Dick Butkus running their mouths back in the day to get a psychological advantage over any poor saps who were unfortunate enough to line up across from them.

Hell, the picture to your right shows Chuck Bednarik whooping it up after almost killing the future Mr. Kathie Lee Gifford back in 1960, for God's sake!

So why, 47 years later, is it a problem when a young quarterback verbally smacks down another young quarterback?

Is it because QB's are supposed to be the "thinkers" of the gridiron? Are they somehow expected to be more dignified than the rest of the rabble that rounds out a 45-man roster?

Bullshit.

QB's are football players just like any of the monsters throwing blocks in front of them, or the muscleheads looking to plant them in the turf on every single down.

It's only fair that they join in some reindeer games every now and again...
- posted by Brian @ 1:19 PM