Top 20 NFL Quarterbacks

[TheReverend]

Arguing with charger fans over Phillip Rivers vs Drew Brees gave me an interesting idea... why not rank the top 20 NFL quarterbacks and then see the variation other posters have, including rival fans to see if we can some sort of concensus.

Might as well try and find something productive on Draft Eve...

1. Peyton Manning
2. Tom Brady
1 and 2 are obviously pretty interchangeable and I consider it a significant drop off to #3 where we find our next tier. This next tier is exactly where I expect to see Cutler finish the 2008 season in.
3. Drew Brees - I generally think of him as a top 5 QB, but after scanning the list... I can't find anyone that deserves the #3 spot more.
4. Tony Romo - Benefits greatly from tough running, great receiving options and solid protection, but also makes some great plays when he has to. At the moment, he seems to be the real deal.
5. Carson Palmer - Would've been interesting to see what he could do in a real franchise.
6. Big Ben - I'm also shocked I have him this high... but the guy can perform exactly what he's asked to do and extend the play when he needs to. 32 TDs and 11 picks is hard to argue with at this spot.
7. Donovan McNabb - Injuries have this solid talent this down this far and a continued pounding could send him into the world of mediocrity Steve McNair style.
8. Matt Hasslebeck - Benefit of a brillaintly coached Holmgren passing game? Regardless, the former Favre backup turned probowler Hasslebeck is the benefactor.
9. Eli Manning - Mediocre regular season followed by sheer brilliance in his role (along with the rest of the team) in the playoffs. Was Eli coming into his own and deserves higher ranking, or was it just a hot streak?
10. Jay Cutler - Injury depleted receiving corps, offensive line AND running back positions kept him from a probowl berth his first season starting. Using that excuse I could've placed him at #6, but preferred realism at this spot. I fully expect him to vault many spots.
11. Derek Anderson - Ranked below jay for several reasons. The guy has some remarkable talent in perimeter play and solid protection. Will he be able to continue his success or will a combination of NFL clubs with a years film and a looming Brady Quinn be able to shut him out?
12. Mark Bulger - In the top 5 cusp for the past several years, when healthy in 2007, Bulger showed he may very well have been a question in the ending of the greatest show on turf and not the answer.
13. Phillip Rivers - Genuine talent or a product of surrounding pro bowlers? Volek's success when stepping in for Rivers suggest the latter, yet River's did achieve a solid season in 06... but was it on LTs record breaking back? 2008 should show if Rivers belongs in the top ten or further down the list.
14. Vince Young - Garners credit for wins due to a great defense. Also garners credit for being a poor passer despite a complete neglect of perimeter players. Another intriguing player with much more upside but still many question marks enterring his third season.
15. Matt Schaub - Played solidly but unspectacularly when healthy in 2007. Every year in the system and every season under Gary Kubiak should spur exponential growth. I expect good things from Schaub in 2008.
16. Jon Kitna - When will the sun set on this guy?
17. Kurt Warner - (See #16)
18. Jason Campbell - Spent several years in the system on the sidelines before cracking the lineup and displaying exactly why he was on the sidelines... still showed growth as season progressed.
19. Matt Leinart - A fairly respectable rookie campaign was replaced with an injured 2007. Still, a 1:2 TD/Int ratio and splitting time with Kurt Warner spoke volumes about Matt's growth. Plenty of opportunity in 2008 for him to vault up the charts.
20. Rex Grossman - Even worse a case of NFL performance bipolar disorder than Plummer.

[Punisher]

Vince Young and Rex Grossman

[400HZ]

I'd say Grossman belongs solidly outside the top 30.

[400HZ]

And WTF, no Brody Croyle?

[Punisher]

Where's David Garrard put him on the list and he's better than Rivers.
David Garrard QB Rate 102.2
Philip Rivers QB Rate 82.4

[400HZ]

Jeff Garcia.

[cutthemdown]

Cutler isn't even top 20 yet IMO. He has potential to be top 10 but it's all about wins and losses.

[400HZ]

Originally Posted by Punisher

Where's David Garrard put him on the list and he's better than Rivers.
David Garrard QB Rate 102.2
Philip Rivers QB Rate 82.4

He's better than Cutler, too.

[TheReverend]

Originally Posted by 400HZ

Jeff Garcia.

Lots of QBs got left off... I tried to give a premium to young QBs that are still growing on their learning curve which made it more competitive. Garcia probably does deserve to be there... at his age I'd probably slot him outside the top 15 still.

That's a good catch as far as oversights go... David Garrard deserves a spot before Jason Campbell also.

And yes no Brodie. No tarvaris. Those two were not oversights.

[Punisher]

Originally Posted by 400HZ

He's better than Cutler, too.

He is better than Cutler

[TheReverend]

Originally Posted by 400HZ

He's better than Cutler, too.

A QB that's asked to throw the ball 20x per game is not on league with a QB asked to throw it 30x per game and carry an injury depleted team to wins, despite a playoff berth.

[Punisher]

Tony Romo is the most Overrated QB!!!...Hes not very Clutch either see the last two playoff games he was in.

[Punisher]

Originally Posted by TheReverend

A QB that's asked to throw the ball 20x per game is not on league with a QB asked to throw it 30x per game and carry an injury depleted team to wins, despite a playoff berth.

You make a good point but when DG makes a throw they're all good decisions.

[400HZ]

Originally Posted by TheReverend

A QB that's asked to throw the ball 20x per game is not on league with a QB asked to throw it 30x per game and carry an injury depleted team to wins, despite a playoff berth.

It's not Garrard's fault that he doesn't have to throw 30x a game. If it was my list, he'd be somewhere in 5-7 territory.

[Punisher]

Originally Posted by 400HZ

It's not Garrard's fault that he doesn't have to throw 30x a game. If it was my list, he'd be somewhere in 5-7 territory.

And where would Rivers land on your list?Number one?

[Rabb]

Originally Posted by Punisher

You make a good point but when DG makes a throw they're all good decisions.

if I remember correctly he (DG) was pretty efficient while they ran up and down our asses also this year

I am a Cutler fan, don't get me wrong...just saying, the score board don't lie

[TheReverend]

Originally Posted by 400HZ

It's not Garrard's fault that he doesn't have to throw 30x a game. If it was my list, he'd be somewhere in 5-7 territory.

The point of this thread is kinda so you will make your own list and we can all shoot for some sort of concensus...

IMO, until Garrard actually gets more of an opportunity to show what he can do, he stays just inside the top 20 and not higher.

Most great QBs open up the running game, not rely on the running game to open up the passing game.

[TheReverend]

Originally Posted by rabbmasterflash

if I remember correctly he (DG) was pretty efficient while they ran up and down our asses also this year

I am a Cutler fan, don't get me wrong...just saying, the score board don't lie

If Dan Graham could catch a ball... Whatever, how does this become a David Garrard thread?

[Punisher]

Originally Posted by rabbmasterflash

if I remember correctly he (DG) was pretty efficient while they ran up and down our asses also this year

I am a Cutler fan, don't get me wrong...just saying, the score board don't lie

I wish D-Gram would of caught that ball....

[Bronco Jamus]

David Gerrard is easily top ten.

[Rabb]

oh I agree, thanks for the blocking Mr. Graham now catch something

just playing Devil's advocate

and you know what they say about ifs...

if worms had machine guns the birds wouldn't **** with them

[Punisher]

Originally Posted by rabbmasterflash

oh I agree, thanks for the blocking Mr. Graham now catch something

just playing Devil's advocate

and you know what they say about ifs...

if worms had machine guns the birds wouldn't **** with them

Good one

[400HZ]

Originally Posted by Punisher

And where would Rivers land on your list?Number one?

There is already like 9 threads devoted to that debate.

[Punisher]

Originally Posted by 400HZ

There is already like 9 threads devoted to that debate.

Sorry but inlightin me i haven't read those threads..

[TheReverend]

Well this got hijacked quickly... glad I spent fifteen minutes typing that all out...