Ranking the NFL Quarterbacks

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

http://fannation.com/blogs/post/14552?cnn=yes

Like all great sports arguments, this debate began at a bar, with a number of SI.com colleagues earlier this week. The challenge: rank the 32 projected starting quarterbacks. The criteria: how will they perform in 2007, factoring intangibles such as winning and leadership along with statistics. Marc Bulger may have better numbers than Tom Brady, but that doesn't make Bulger more valuable.

After No. 5, this gets very difficult, but if you disagree with any of my rankings, I'll gladly set you straight in a FanNation Throwdown at any time.

1 Peyton Manning
2 Tom Brady
3 Carson Palmer
4 Drew Brees
5 Philip Rivers
6 Donovan McNabb
7 Ben Roethlisberger
8 Marc Bulger
9 Matt Hasselbeck
10 Michael Vick
11 Tony Romo
12 Matt Leinart
13 Jay Cutler
14 Vince Young
15 Brett Favre
16 Steve McNair
17 Alex Smith
18Jeff Garcia
19 Jake Delhomme
20 Chad Pennington
21 Jon Kitna
22 Eli Manning
23 Damon Huard
24 Trent Green (assuming he's a Dolphin)
25 Jason Campbell
26 Rex Grossman
27 Byron Leftwich
28 J.P. Losman
29 Matt Schaub
30 Josh McCown
31 Tarvaris Jackson
32 Charlie Frye

Where's Croyle???

[Garcia Bronco]

Rivers is too high as well as Vick, Romo, and Bulger

[NaptownChief]

Rivers is too high as well as Vick, Romo, and Bulger



Agreed...and Favre is too low.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Agreed...and Favre is too low.He's too high, way too high, unless you're going by what he thinks of himself.

[Bronco LB 59]

Cutler is probably too high given his five game track record, but he shouldn't be ranked below Leinart.

[Smiling Assassin27]

Favre is a top 10 qb. top 12 at worst.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Favre is a top 10 qb. top 12 at worst.Why is that?

[Smiling Assassin27]

because all the rest of the qb's are marginal at best. it's not because he's stellar anymore but because the stable of starting qb's in this league is at a noticeable low.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

because all the rest of the qb's are marginal at best. it's not because he's stellar anymore but because the stable of starting qb's in this league is at a noticeable low.

Favre's QB rating last year was 72, something like 25th in the league. He is less than marginal these days.

EDIT: 29th last year.

[NaptownChief]

Why is that?



Because he is....Anybody outside of Denver and the natural hate he gets because he is challenging many of the Duke's records would mostly agree.

He isn't great anymore but after you get through the first few QB's the quality of QB falls off a cliff. Being the 4th or 5th best QB in the league these days just requires a decent arm and mild retardation.

[NaptownChief]

Favre's QB rating last year was 72, something like 25th in the league. He is less than marginal these days.



As all the Donkey fans remind us on a regular basis QB rating doesn't tell much of a story since Elway's wasn't that great.

[Smiling Assassin27]

Favre's QB rating last year was 72, something like 25th in the league. He is less than marginal these days.


qb rating is relative, really. favre had a poor running game and one real bonafide weapon to throw to, not to mention a middle of the road offensive line. it's the same argument as i'd make against joe montana being better than elway. if elway had montana's weapons, he'd have the rating joe cool has. couple that with the fact that he's better than young, cutler, leinart, romo, vick and hasselbeck (hass only did it for one year and fell back to earth last year) and favre is top 12 at worst.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Favre's QB rating last year was 72, something like 25th in the league. He is less than marginal these days.

EDIT: 29th last year.On the bright side, he outplayed Plummer, Frye and B. Johnson.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

qb rating is relative, really. favre had a poor running game and one real bonafide weapon to throw to, not to mention a middle of the road offensive line. it's the same argument as i'd make against joe montana being better than elway. if elway had montana's weapons, he'd have the rating joe cool has. couple that with the fact that he's better than young, cutler, leinart, romo, vick and hasselbeck (hass only did it for one year and fell back to earth last year) and favre is top 12 at worst.He's not in the top 20. Putting him ahead of Smith, Pennington, Delhomme, Green, Garcia, Huard, etc... is ridiculous! The guy is a pop gun duck artist.

[Rock Chalk]

Not all of Donk nation hates Favre.

I love the dude. Rather him beat the Duke than Manning.

[ward63]

Give me your top 32...

[DeuceOfClub]

I also love Favre. Yet, he passed his prime in 2003.

[Garcia Bronco]

I don't like Favre for several reasons.

[Northman]

Not all of Donk nation hates Favre.

I love the dude. Rather him beat the Duke than Manning.



Ditto.

[Inkana7]

I hate Favre because he's Emmitt Smithing his career, and I can't respect that. Yeah, its Elway's records he's threatenting, but I would hate him for that regardless.

[Popps]

I've made a couple of updates to his rankings....

1. Jay Cutler
2 through 32: Some pussy who's not Jay Cutler.

[Pendejo]

Not all of Donk nation hates Favre.

I love the dude. Rather him beat the Duke than Manning.

I agree...although Manning will pass The Great John Elway as well as Favre in pretty much every statistical category at some point. (TD's, Yards, Wins...etc.)

[watermock]

Favre has been knobslobbered by Madden he actually thinks he's a Rhodes Scholar now.

[ward63]

I hate Favre because he's Emmitt Smithing his career, and I can't respect that. Yeah, its Elway's records he's threatenting, but I would hate him for that regardless.

I told my buddy that the other day. How can you want to keep coming back when your team wins like 4 games a season? Sure you could say "b/c I want to go out on my terms or w/a winning record", but if he said that, I'd sure not believe it. He wants records and stats, that's all.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Damon Huard was a top 10 quarterback according to DPAR ratings last year:

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/qb.php

[Flex Gunmetal]

Damon Huard was a top 10 quarterback according to DPAR ratings last year:

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/qb.php

Once again, you bring up last year in a thread about next year...

[Flex Gunmetal]

Damn, sorry for quoting bob, guys.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Once again, you bring up last year in a thread about next year...

The only reason some of these quarterbacks are being ranked so highly is because of what they did last year.

[Inkana7]

Damon Huard was a top 10 quarterback according to DPAR ratings last year:

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/qb.php

And yet he was benched. What's this say about ol' Sperm Edwards?

[Rock Chalk]

518 posts Inkana.

Thats what your count is up to.

Thats 418 posts beyond the basic knowledge to NOT QUOTE BOB. You have no excuse :P

[azbroncfan]

Favre has been knobslobbered by Madden he actually thinks he's a Rhodes Scholar now.

Just like Jay has been by you.

[Kaylore]

518 posts Inkana.

Thats what your count is up to.

Thats 418 posts beyond the basic knowledge to NOT QUOTE BOB. You have no excuse :P

Rep.

Back on topic, I find it odd that Leinert wasn't as prolific as Cutler and didn't win as many games as Vince Young and yet he's ranked ahead of both. That seems stupid. Ben Roethlisberger at seven is a joke. Same with Delhomme so low. Not a good list.

[Rock Chalk]

Vince Young definately deserved to be ranked higher than the other QBs in his draft class based on last year. Cutler played decently in spurts, but other than against one of the worst teams in the league, didnt look all that spectacular on the whole. Leinart had a good game against Chicago, but really never did anything ti wow anyone. Vince Young may not have the sexy rating or the high passing numbers but you just cannot deny that the dude is a winner. He has the mentality of a winner and the heart of one. He simply will not be denied and while accuracy and smarts are good and well, they didnt do Brian Griese much good. Take the winner over the stats dude every day of the week.

I dont know that InVinceable will stay above the other two, but I do know that based on performances last year he was the best of the bunch.

[Kaylore]

Vince Young definately deserved to be ranked higher than the other QBs in his draft class based on last year. Cutler played decently in spurts, but other than against one of the worst teams in the league, didnt look all that spectacular on the whole. Leinart had a good game against Chicago, but really never did anything ti wow anyone. Vince Young may not have the sexy rating or the high passing numbers but you just cannot deny that the dude is a winner. He has the mentality of a winner and the heart of one. He simply will not be denied and while accuracy and smarts are good and well, they didnt do Brian Griese much good. Take the winner over the stats dude every day of the week.

I dont know that InVinceable will stay above the other two, but I do know that based on performances last year he was the best of the bunch.

In same number of starts, Cutler out performed both Leinert and Young. If you go game by game, Leinert started good and got worse, Young started slow and got better (also beating up on crap opponents like the Giants) and Cutler played the best out of all of them over each of their respective first five games.

[NYBronco]

My top 5...

1). Manning
2). Breese
Cutler :wave:
3). Rivers
4). Brady
5) Palmer

[Inkana7]

518 posts Inkana.

Thats what your count is up to.

Thats 418 posts beyond the basic knowledge to NOT QUOTE BOB. You have no excuse :P

Oh, I know, I know. But whenever I see an oppertunity to hit Bobo or the chiefs, I get the shakes, you know? It's a habit I'm REALLY trying to quit, but I'm havin' difficulties.

[maher_tyler]

qb rating is relative, really. favre had a poor running game and one real bonafide weapon to throw to, not to mention a middle of the road offensive line. it's the same argument as i'd make against joe montana being better than elway. if elway had montana's weapons, he'd have the rating joe cool has. couple that with the fact that he's better than young, cutler, leinart, romo, vick and hasselbeck (hass only did it for one year and fell back to earth last year) and favre is top 12 at worst.

McNabb and Rothlesberger are both higher than Rivers...Vick should be lowered at least 2-3 spots...i agree with you on Favre..he had Donald Driver as his one and only weapon last year and with there 2nd and 3rd string running backs playing with Green hurt pretty much the last 2 years...and how can you hate a guy that played like 250 straight games or something in a row even when he's hurt..at the QB position at that..though i do agree it's time for him to retire because the packers aren't winning a SB anytime soon!!

[REB]

I've made a couple of updates to his rankings....

1. Jay Cutler
2 through 32: Some p***Y who's not Jay Cutler.


LOL Works for me ^5

[kappys]

Delhomme is ranked a bit low. Granted he had a bad season but I think he'll bounce back. Rivers is way too high.

[theAPAOps5]

For ****S sake, STOP QUOTING THE ASS CLOWN THAT IS BOB. Its really not that hard folks. In fact just ignore the little pathetic inbred so he loses interest.

[Willynowei]

That is a sh*tty list, even if they moved Cutler down some, no way the young unproven qbs should be so high. Pennington plays pretty damn good football, Farve's done poorly... but with an offense thats slightly better than Oakland's.

Farve should be a tad higher, Pennington should be much higher.

Bulger is not half the quarterback Hasselback is, why is he rated ahead?

Leinart last year played with a supporting cast that is better than Tennessee and Denver's combined... scared one team - the Bears, and finds himself rediculously high on that list. He belongs well below where he is.

Meanwhile McNabb, who throws to a widereceiving corps with hands covered in baby oil and still makes the probowl consistently fails to top a two year player who failed to lead the most talented NFL team to even one playoff win?

That entire list is just one big hype train on up and comers. Watch them all (except Cutler) fail miserably next year. :devil:

[Willynowei]

Obviously the best 5 QB's in the NFL are:

1.) Cutler
2.) Cutler
3.) Cutler
4.) Patrick Ramsey
5.) Rod Smith

[Rock Chalk]

In same number of starts, Cutler out performed both Leinert and Young. If you go game by game, Leinert started good and got worse, Young started slow and got better (also beating up on crap opponents like the Giants) and Cutler played the best out of all of them over each of their respective first five games.

Id have to disagree.

Cutler is directly responsible for losses against Seattle and San Francisco. He had TWO chances in OT to move the team in FG range and couldnt get it done. In Seattle, the defense folded in the end but he specifically gave them a giftwrap early in the game that makes their final effort pointless.

Young won games by himself. Now, if you want to compare passing numbers, I dont know who wins but Im certain Young doesnt come out on top. You want to compare winners and Cutler was the worst among them. 2-3 on a MUCH better team than Vince Young had.

Now how can you tell me that LAST year, Cutler outperformed Young? He led his team, by example, by sheer will. Cutler didnt have a chance to really get going and this upcoming year may be an entirely different story but what Young did what a team far far less talented than what Cutler was handed, well he wins the competition of the three last year.

Cutler was above Leinart though but I suspect had Leinart been playing for Denver and Cutler for Zona the roles would have been reversed. As rookies, all played mostly poorly with great plays interspersed between horrible mistakes. What set Young apart is that his great plays were game changers, period.

50 yard scramble in OT against his hometown team for a TD? COME ON MAN. By his arm or his feet, the dude willed his team to victories and unlike Cutler, had his team believing.

All bets are off this year though. Cutler has an opportunity to shine, much like Young did last year, lets hope he can do it.

[Kaylore]

Judging a player by wins and loses is stupid. However since you insist on doing so, in their first five starts Cutler and Young had the same record: 2-3.

As far as doing things to hurt their team, Young threw more ints and fumbled the ball more than Cutler did, and his total giveaways was higher than Cutler's, so it seems to me that his team was able to win those games in spite of his errors, whereas our defense vanished on us after they wore down in the last half of the year and our O-line was trashed - not to mention our running game wasn't happening. Cutler had to come back into that Niners game and play with a concussion because Foster sucks. I'd like to see Vince Young try and rally his team after a concussion in his fifth start - Young lost his fifth start.

Did Young make plays to help his team win? Yes, but Cutler made more. He scored more touchdowns in his first five games than Young did and he turned the ball over less. Both made errors that hurt their team, but in the same number of games Cutler made fewer and scored more points setting an NFL record for TD's in his first starts.

A more experienced Young is going to be better than a raw Cutler, especially one the didn't practice with the one's all season until the change at QB was made. Game for game, in same number of starts, Cutler is the superior QB. I believe that had Cutler been able to play in the same number of games as Young he would have had as many big plays.

I agree that all bets are off this season. Cutler has more weapons and our line will be back. Young lost his running back and has no one to throw to AND Young is on the Madden cover so he's screwed anyway. :flush:

[yavoon]

1.jay cutler
2.jay cutler's left nut
3.jay cutler's confidence
4.jay cutler's attraction to the ladies
5.jay cutler's spidey sense

[theAPAOps5]

Alec do you just not like Cutler or are you mad Plummer was cast aside. It seems like you knock Cutler every chance and you just don't have confidence in him. He played like a rookie in his 5 starts and it was just as good as Plummer who is a 10 year vet. The San Fransico pick was while he was playing with a concussion or do you forget that. Just curious as I continually see you slam Cutler.

[epicSocialism4tw]

1 Peyton Manning
2 Tom Brady
3 Carson Palmer
4 Drew Brees
5 Philip Rivers
6 Donovan McNabb

1 and 2 are obvious
3 would go to McNabb, IMO. I think McNabb is underrated.
4 Palmer
5 Brees

7 Ben Roethlisberger
8 Marc Bulger
9 Matt Hasselbeck
10 Michael Vick

This is where it just gets wierd.
7 is certainly not Benburger. I would go with Favre
8 Hasselbeck
9 McNair
10 Bulger

11 Tony Romo
12 Matt Leinart
13 Jay Cutler
14 Vince Young
15 Brett Favre

11 Rivers
12 Vince Young
13 Jay Cutler
14 Mike Vick
15 Jake Delhomme

[ton80]

Alec do you just not like Cutler or are you mad Plummer was cast aside. It seems like you knock Cutler every chance and you just don't have confidence in him. He played like a rookie in his 5 starts and it was just as good as Plummer who is a 10 year vet. The San Fransico pick was while he was playing with a concussion or do you forget that. Just curious as I continually see you slam Cutler.

Not that Alec can't defend himself, but he maintains an even keel when analyzing Cutler's past and future performances and does so using logic and reason. Unlike myself, who isn't even keeled, I think Cutler is going to go down as one of the greatest ever and he will do so by leading the Broncos to the SuperBowl this season.

I believe Cutler has the ability to sub-divide a second like no other althlete since Wayne Gretzky. What takes most qb's 1 second to analyze takes Cutler a half a second or less to analyze. I've never seen a young qb with such poise, calm feet, etc. Many on this board rave about the 2 bombs Cuter threw for TD passes last year. Both TD throws were incredibly impressive. However, the one play where my freaking jaw dropped was the 1-yarder to Scheffler against Cincinnati. That throw was a quick hitter and was over in a half a second. Cutler's pass cleared the outstretched fingertip of a cincy defender by a **** hair and scheffler caught the ball with ease in spite of the interference from the defender's arms/fingertips. At first I thought the pass was lucky not to get batted down, but after seeing cutler's "ho hum reaction" I knew Cutler had a 3-d image in his brain of the football just clearing the outstretched fingertip of the defender by a **** hair a fraction of a second before he even threw the freaking ball.

Trust me fellas. This guy is going to own this league real soon.

[Killericon]

Garcia is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too high.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

I believe Cutler has the ability to sub-divide a second like no other althlete since Wayne Gretzky.

I hardly think he's shown this ability. He's wowed you with his arm and accuracy but he's not Joe Montana. Need we bring up the interception thrown while pinwheeling backwards?

[Inkana7]

You mean the one on his 10th pass or something in his first NFL game ever? That one?

[BlaK-Argentina]

Rivers in the top 5? No way. Roethlisberger at 7 is a joke also, he should be more like 12.

For me:

1 - Manning
2 - Brady
3 - McNabb
4 - Brees
5 - Palmer
6 - Hasselbeck
7 - Rivers

Then I don't know... :P But that's my top 7. I'd put Cutler at 13... maybe 12 or 11. At the end of this season he may be in the top 5 though. (we're hoping!)

BTW, whoever said Rod Smith, that was brilliant.

[freak6]

Cutler is probably too high given his five game track record, but he shouldn't be ranked below Leinart.

In Cutler's last 4 games, there were only 4 QBs in the entire league ahead of him.

This ranking is a joke. Cutler will be a top 8 if not top 4 QB in the NFL next season. For 2007 I would rank them like this.

1. Manning
2. Brady
3. Cutler
4. Brees
5. Palmer

I think McNabb is going to just be so-so next year. Last year I knew he was going to go off, and he was the #1 QB until he tore his ACL.

[Los Broncos]

Cutler should get into the top five in a few years.

[RkyMtnThunder]

Great sign that our QB with only 5 starts under his belt is already considered in the top 1/2 of the league.

I'll take that any day.

And by the end of next season, he will arguably be top 5 material - at least, he is on pace for such discussion.

Good times to come!

[-Slap-]

Jay should be on the board in rounds 10-12 in non-Bronco fan fantasy drafts.

:)

[REB]

Jay should be on the board in rounds 10-12 in non-Bronco fan fantasy drafts.

:)

I look forward to that! :thumbs: