Throughout the year I've been keeping ranks on the top 10 QB's at the present moment. I have been inspired to *try* and rank all 32 teams. I can't make it the top 32 QB's as some of the lousier teams have quarterback situations. If there is a team on the list where I legitimately have to evaluate the backup quarterback then chances are you are in the bottom third of the league.
Some of the questions I asked myself were:
Can he drag a sorry team to be competitive by himself?
Can you at least win with him even if he's a caretaker?
With the game on the line would I be stunned if he came through?
With the right team, no extremes - we aren't talking about 85 Bears or 2000 Ravens defense, could you win a Super Bowl with him?
What's the future for this team at QB?
The last question didn't factor into my right now rankings but will give you a sense of what direction that team is headed. You will also see that 1st and 2nd year starting QB teams aren't very high yet. It doesn't mean I think they suck, we just have to wait and see since there is not a large sample size of games to go on.
I made a list, confined in a few opinions and have tweaked the list to a point where I feel good about it for now.
32. Kansas City Chiefs - The Chiefs quarterback situation is absolutely positively wretched. Matt Cassell is not a starting caliber quarterback and will be released following this season. Brady Quinn is nothing more than a mediocre backup. How they didn't make a play for Peyton Manning is stunning. I doubt Manning would have gone there but for gahd sake give it a try. The arrow here can't go any lower but Matt Barkley or Geno Smith will more than likely be a Chief in 2013.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars - Blaine Gabbert's abysmal pocket presence doesn't give much hope to the Jags having a long term answer at quarterback. He does have a very strong arm unfortunately on the list of must haves for a quarterback this simply isn't that critical. Jeff George, Drew Bledsoe, and Billy Joe Tolliver had hoses. Chad Henne is nothing more than an average backup. I want to say the Jaguars needle can only go up but they should think about drafting a quarterback early if they get a chance to compete with Gabbert in 2013.
30. Cleveland Browns - Brandon Weeden has had a couple of ok moments and he definitely has a very strong arm, but what the hell are the Browns doing drafting a 29 year old rookie when the team is very very far from contending? Colt McCoy proved the past two seasons that he is not a starting caliber quarterback. The Browns have recently changed owners and GM so I really have no idea what direction they are going in. Like the Jags and Chiefs I'd suggest snagging a QB early in the draft if the right guy is there.
29. New York Jets - Coming into the season I would have given Sanchez more respect for his past success. However, Sanchez is regressing in a big way. At this point I'd suggest Rex Ryan turns the season over to Tim Tebow. I would expect ridiculously ugly games similar to the Broncos last year but you'd turn a 6-10 year into maybe an 8-8 one. The Jets need to ditch Tebow if they aren't going to go to him and bring in some serious competition for Sanchez.
28. Arizona Cardinals - This is the slightly less poor man's version of Kansas City. Kevin Kolb and John Skelton are marginally better than Brady Quinn and Matt Cassell. Kolb has poor pocket presence and has been historically brittle. Skelton nuts up a bit more but is simply not very talented. The needle here is pretty much status quo until Kolb emerges as what the Cardinals think they traded for two years ago or they acquire a new quarterback.
26. Tennessee Titans - If Matt Hasselbeck wants to hang around another few years then in my mind that is an excellent BACKUP quarterback to have. I was certainly intrigued by Jake Locker last year but his poor accuracy and inability to stay healthy thus far are reasons for concern. The Titans should absolutely stick with him and the arrow should be pointing up as he gets more experience in the league.
25. St Louis Rams - After a very strong rookie season where Sam Bradford was rookie of the year, it's been mostly turd salads since. The Rams did get a HAUL in trading last year's #2 pick to the Redskins but I think the argument can at least be made that they should have just drafted Robert Griffin. The argument for Bradford is that he has NOTHING around him. The next two or so years where the Rams cash in all these draft picks will be telling if Bradford is the solution. Right now the arrow isn't really pointing up or down.
24. Miami Dolphins - Before Dolphins fans have a conniption the arrow is more than likely pointing up. Thus far Ryan Tannehill has been pretty good for a rookie. They've been in every game thus far this season except for the Texans game week 1. I would have argued that Matt Moore should have started the year while Tannehill learned for a season. I can say with confidence that Moore is the best backup quarterback in the league. Note: I can't say this with confidence but for the sake of this article I can.
23. Buffalo Bills - Ryan Fitzpatrick is the type of quarterback who can put up ok numbers, win you a few games, tantalize you into thinking playoffs is a possibility then crap all over himself in an ugly blowout loss. Fitzpatrick is simply a .500 quarterback at best unless he's surrounded with elite talent. The Bills love to draft 1st round running backs but one of these seasons they should throw their chips in on a quarterback. I give them credit for aggressively trying to build their team but under center they need to get better.
22. Philadelphia Eagles - We've hit our first team with a quarterback whose arrow is pointing straight the eff down. Mike Vick's days in Philly are officially numbered and perhaps his career as a starting quarterback is as well. With Vick's contract bonus that kick in this offseason, it basically assures that he will be released following this year. The Nick Foles era will soon be starting which most likely means the Eagles have not yet bottomed out in these rankings.
21. Minnesota Vikings - Christian Ponder intrigues me but I wonder if his ceiling is that of Alex Smith, caretaker extraordinaire. Ponder is a sneaky good athlete and is surrounded by some intriguing young talent in Harvin, Peterson, and Rudolph. I do think you can compete with Ponder on his current growth rate but with good coaching I expect more from him than middle of the line quarterback play. His arrow should continue to point up.
20. Carolina Panthers - This season Cam Newton has been a complete and utter mess. In his career as a starter he is 7-16. I know as a fantasy football player Newton has immense value but this is real life. Newton's tremendous athletic ability will only carry him so far. Until he improves his crappy attitude and leadership skills, a porous win/loss record will more than likely follow him. HOWEVER, I do think this is rock bottom for Newton. With a stronger, disciplinary coach and skilled offensive coaches, Cam Newton can guide the Panthers to success for years to come. The needle has crashed and burned in my opinion so now we will see if he can dust himself off and get better.
19. San Diego Chargers - For all his career we've watched Philip Rivers throw a football like he's tossing a shot put. Nonetheless year after year he threw arguably the best deep ball in the NFL and enjoyed a good measure of success. The past two seasons Rivers arm strength seems to have dipped noticeably. Those deep shot put tosses are now being underthrown and picked off. He's only 30 years old but I certainly am beginning to think we've seen the best of Rivers. At the very least, if he can't throw the deep ball as well anymore then Rivers will need to reinvent himself in some capacity. The needle has probably bottomed out but I don't think Rivers will reach top 10 QB status again either.
18. Oakland Raiders - Carson Palmer was arguably the toughest quarterback for me to rank. I certainly don't think he's worth all the draft picks the Raiders forked up for him but at the same time, that steamy mess that is the Raiders clouds one's vision of what Palmer is as a quarterback. Palmer is absolutely positively mediocre. I would expect many of the younger quarterbacks on this list to leap frog him in the next year or two. That being said, with the right team around him, Palmer could lead the Raiders into the playoffs. Moving forward the Raiders will want to address their quarterback position pretty soon. Maybe instead of drafting blazing fast wide receivers with early picks they will go QB.
17. Cincinnati Bengals - Raise your hand if you predicted Dalton to be the most successful of the 2011 rookie quarterbacks thus far.... (crickets chirping). The Red Rifle may not have the most natural talent of this bunch but his maturity and leadership should be commended this early in his career. I also think it will help him tremendously that he's began his career winning games and reaching the playoffs. I'm not sure if Dalton will ever be a top 10 quarterback but he should become a consistent starter for many years. The arrow points a little bit up.
16. Dallas Cowboys - Tony Romo is the ultimate trick or treat quarterback. I'm getting the sense that the national opinion on Romo is that he's a bum/choker and that the Cowboys are going to need to move on from him. I would argue that the problem in Dallas is Jerry Jones. Jones likes to meddle and run his team. This includes hiring a soft coach he can beat around and drafting players to create a buzz. As a result he has a coach who can't lead men while making brutal coaching gaffes, and has a soft team incapable of closing games. Both Wade Philips and Jason Garrett have been a disservice to Romo. I'm no Romo fan or backer, but I feel his talent level could have been maximized better away from the circus that is the Cowboys. All that being said, if the Cowboys continue to flop again this year there will be changes. We know Jerry Jones isn't going to fire himself or back off. The reality is that in Dallas you can't win consistently with Romo's up and down play. This arrow points down.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Josh Freeman's career through four seasons has been a bit of a roller coaster ride. In 2010 he turned in a gem of a stat line with 25 td's to just 6 int's yet in 2011 he played like a used ball bag throwing 22 interceptions. Like many of these guys I've commented on, coaching has a great deal to do with realizing their potential. Under Greg Schiano thus far Freeman has looked much more like the 2010 version. With the right team around him Freeman can lead a team to the playoffs and his arrow points up. I would say his ceiling is that of a borderline top 10 QB.
14. San Francisco 49ers - Alex Smith is the ultimate caretaker quarterback. Surrounded by an excellent team, Smith was an overtime away from going to the Super Bowl last season. While some may argue that many to most of the quarterbacks below Smith could have done the same with this team, I would like to remind you that he led the 49ers to not one but TWO game winning drives against the Saints last January. Having an excellent coach in Jim Harbaugh allows Smith to get the most out of his ability. More than likely we've seen the best Alex Smith can do making his arrow flat lined for now.
13. Chicago Bears - Smokin' Jay Cutler is 23-9 as a starter the past three seasons. Although his body language is epicly poor, the Bears do play hard for Cutler. He has an absolute cannon and can make any throw you require. Even if Cutler will never be a top five quarterback you can win with him and the Bears nearly made the Super Bowl in 2010. I'm not sure if Cutler's pouting will always be overlooked by his teammates but for now he is more than viable to remain starter in the windy city.
12. Baltimore Ravens - I go back and forth on Joe Flacco just about every week. However the fact of the matter is Flacco has won five playoff games and was a Lee Evans dropped pass away from reaching last season's Super Bowl. Although I think Flacco will never truly be elite you can absolutely win with him. I'm not sure though if Cam Cameron is the coach to lead the Ravens offense to its highest level of success. I think Flacco has the ability to crack the top 10 but for now his arrow will continue to meander week to week.
12. Baltimore Ravens - I go back and forth on Joe Flacco just about every week. However the fact of the matter is Flacco has won five playoff games and was a Lee Evans dropped pass away from reaching last season's Super Bowl. Although I think Flacco will never truly be elite you can absolutely win with him. I'm not sure though if Cam Cameron is the coach to lead the Ravens offense to its highest level of success. I think Flacco has the ability to crack the top 10 but for now his arrow will continue to meander week to week.
11. Indianapolis Colts - Having watched the Colts through the first half of the season you can totally understand why they sucked so hard for Luck last season. As excellent as Manning is do you want to surround a previously injured 36 year old quarterback with an aging, hole filled roster or turn the keys over to a 23 year old stud who has the tools to be your next Manning? It was a no brainer and Luck may reward the Colts with a wild card berth in season one. This is besides the point though as Luck should enjoy a great career where his potential is to become a top five quarterback in the NFL.
10. Detroit Lions - Matt Stafford has all the tools to be an elite quarterback. I'd argue that the only quarterback with more physical gifts is Aaron Rodgers. Stafford throws ropes and has the tightest spiral you'll see. However early in his career he was extremely injury prone. Additionally he's off to a rough start in 2012. While he probably opened the season as the #6 or 7 QB, Stafford does remain in the top 10. His arrow is flat lined for now with the ability to move back up to that 7ish area or meander back into middle of the road territory. Nonetheless the Lions have their man for the foreseeable future.
9. Washington Redskins - The Redskins swapped their first round pick in 2012 with the Rams in addition to giving them two more first rounders and another 2nd round pick. All this was given up in order to draft Robert Griffin. Although they paid out the ass, I feel that the Redskins won this trade. The NFL has simply turned into a quarterback league. After years of Jason Campbell, Mark Brunell, Gus Frerotte, Patrick Ramsey, and many others, the Redskins had simply had enough. Griffin has thus far demonstrated the athletic ability of both Mike Vick and Cam Newton but with much more guile, poise, and maturity. RG3, like Andrew Luck, is destined for perennial top five status. In the nation's capital they could give a shit about who gets elected president, they get to watch Griffin play the next 12+ years!
8. Houston Texans - Matt Schaub has very quietly turned into an upper echelon quarterback. For those who think he's simply a better version of Alex Smith I do remind you that he threw for a league leading 4700+ yards in 2009. Schaub doesn't put up the gaudy numbers anymore because the Texans don't ask him to. Remember, football is about winning, even if it's at the expense of us fantasy owners. The Texans formula to win is great defense, an excellent running game, and Matt Schaub's ability to strike downfield in play action. For the Texans' fan sake I would have liked to have seen Schaub get his playoff legs last year but injuries will delay that until this year where we'll find out if he can meet their Super Bowl aspirations. Schaub should be plenty good for the next three to five seasons.
7. Atlanta Falcons - Even though my contemporary David Glassman doesn't believe in Matt Ryan nearly as much as me, I do have to point out that Ryan is 50-19 in his NFL career. The Falcons had never been over .500 in consecutive years in their franchise history. This year they are on their way to doing that for a fifth straight year. The red flag on Ryan's resume is his 0-3 playoff record where his teams have been outscored 102-47. His career passer rating is 90.1 while his playoff rating is 71.2. In addition, two of his three losses were home games. However, this is the first year where the Falcons aren't going to rely on a fat, old, worn down RB come playoff time. They have turned the keys 100% over to Matt Ryan and the passing game. I do think this is the year he wins a playoff game but until that happens and happens consistently, Ryan can't get much higher than his current position.
6. New Orleans Saints - Drew Brees will help owners win many fantasy leagues nationwide but unfortunately it isn't going to be a great year in New Orleans. Bountygate and Goodell's sanctions have cost Brees his head coach/offensive guru for the entire 2012 season in Sean Payton. As a result Brees, although putting up gaudy numbers, hasn't been as sharp particularly in late games. Nonetheless Brees is only 33 years old, plays in a dome, and should be very effective for another five plus seasons. I'd expect that he won't fall much further than this in 2012 but that he can reclaim top three status in future seasons.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers - Shhhhh, we need to be very quiet. Nobody can know that Roethlisberger is sporting a 14-3 TD/Int rate and a rating of 101.4. Although the Steelers defense may be aging a bit, its quarterback has been outstanding. Roethlisberger has always played above his raw numbers by extending plays and throwing the best deep ball in football (now that Rivers stinks). I also feel pretty dirty having used the words 'raw', 'extending', and 'deep ball' to describe Roethlisberger. I'm not sure if nationally Roethlisberger will ever get his due as a top two or three quarterback but another Super Bowl win coupled with strong playoff performances would put him there for me. At 30 years old Roethlisberger will continue to be a great quarterback another five plus years.
4. Denver Broncos - Peyton Manning is completely back. Quite frankly I no longer care if his arm strength returns as Manning has proved he doesn't need it to have success. He leads the league in passer rating at 109.0 and provided his health holds up should break many of that cock smoker Brett Favre's records. I'm certainly pulling for him to do so. I can definitively say that Peyton Manning is the greatest regular season quarterback in NFL history... I can, Patriots fans. Unfortunately his post season resume doesn't match his regular season brilliance. Manning, though, has motivation out the arse. In no particular order, the Colts traded him, many suggested he should retire, most said his arm was too weak when he came back, his brother has one upped him in Super Bowl titles, and Brady separated himself further in the all time rankings with another Super Bowl appearance. I think Manning will be effective another two or three years and the NFL is better off for it.
3. New England Patriots - If you include the playoffs Tom Brady's career record is 145-44. Until Brady came along Bill Belichick was nothing more than a borderline head coach more than likely a lifetime defensive coordinator. Until Tom Brady came along the New England Patriots were an up and down but mostly bungling franchise. At this juncture, even at 35 years old, Brady is still in his prime (even if it's possibly the end of his prime). If his skills were to deteriorate some, Brady relies on his noggin more than anything else and is a player I do think could be effective into his early 40's. Some of you may think I'm hard on him but the reason is simply this... The 2001-present New England Patriots are in the neighborhood of greatest team runs in NFL history. Tom Brady is in the neighborhood of the greatest QB in NFL history. The Brady-Belichick duo is in the neighborhood of top duos in NFL history. As a fan, I'm a selfish cock sucker. I don't want in the neighborhood, I want the best. I hold these Patriots against the 60's Packers, 70's Steelers, and 80's 49ers. I hold Tom Brady against Joe Montana, Otto Graham, Johnny Unitas, and Bart Starr. I hold the duo against Montana-Walsh, Starr-Lombardi. There is work to do for him to reach that. So if some of you get pissy that I don't tongue his balls at every turn, well sue me.
2. New York Giants - If the ball is on your own 8 yard line with 2:51 remaining in the game down by 4 in a playoff or must win game I absolutely want Eli Manning over any other quarterback in that situation. The reason is that with him I don't have to say, well, is it outdoors and crappy out? Are you playing at home or on the road? Is the defense he's playing against elite? How has he played the previous 57+ minutes? These questions do not matter whatsoever with Eli. You are going to get a completely unphased, unafraid, stupid but for his own good quarterback. Eli may have the occasional regular season stinker where the Giants get smoked at home by some shmuck team but when stakes are high he is at his best. Manning is 31 years old and I'd argue just now hitting his prime. He should be plenty good the next seven plus years.
1. Green Bay Packers - Talent-wise Aaron Rodgers is so much better than the rest of the league it isn't funny. The Packers dumbness in coaching and Rodgers toeing the assured/arrogant line are the only things that could hold him back. I would bet anything that Rodgers will retire a top 10 and probably top 5 all time QB. He should win a few more MVP's. I believe Rodgers will reach a couple more Super Bowls while winning at least one more. He's only 28 years old and will remain the class of league for atleast five to seven more years if not longer.
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