Front and Center: Under Center

-
I was inspired for this one when my buddies and I were watching football last week and we got to arguing about the top quarterbacks in the NFL. I was arguing my case for Ben Roethlisberger (shortly before he fumbled in the redzone and the Steelers remained winless on the season, but that's beside the point). So I sat down, and like any reasonable person would do, went to ranking all 32 starting NFL quarterbacks. Again, this is starters based on last week, pre-injuries in last Thursday's games to Manuel and Hoyer. Don't judge me. Do feel free to judge my rankings, though.

*1. Peyton Manning
Watch a Broncos game sometime.

2. Aaron Rodgers
The next three in this Holy Quartet of QBs are always shuffled depending on the individual ranking them. I’ll take the more well-liked of the two A-Rods here based on his ability to both fling it and move really, really well.

3. Drew Brees
This guy’s arm is legendary. He makes smart decisions more than he doesn’t and the numbers he’s put up since becoming a starter for the Saints have been pretty ridiculous. Plus, his career has been all about making a name for his receivers. Lance Moore? Maques Colston? Devery Henderson? Nowhere without Easy Breesy.

4. Tom Brady
I’m a little biased here in that I’ve never been a fan of the Greatest Living American. He’s undeniably talented though and like Brees has really made the receivers around him better. His pinpoint accuracy is supreme and very rarely does the guy make mistakes.

5. Matt Ryan
Just your basic, solid quarterback. Nothing to write home about here; he just gets the job done. Not yet in the playoffs, but he’ll get there.

6. Andrew Luck
I’ve been very impressed with Luck’s play in his short NFL career. He’s super intelligent for a young guy and has the skill set to be a great player for a long time. He also has a little mobility to him, which I’m a big fan of.

7. Ben Roethlisberger
I’ve got two Big Ben jerseys hanging in my closet so I’m undoubtedly a little subjective in this category. But I’ve really loved Ben’s ability to escape heavy pressure over his career. He’s an extremely tough guy to take down.

8. Eli Manning
I think Eli gets too much slack for his bad games and not enough credit for his good ones. Like Big Brother he’s got a high football IQ and shown he has the ability to make the big plays when they count (see, Super Bowl XLVI).

9. Jay Cutler
I’m not even a big Cutler fan, but I think he’s got an above-average arm and can move reasonably well. He might get more points in my book if he smiled every now and again.

10. Matt Stafford
Taller, second coming of Drew Brees if you ask me. Great arm and therefore can sling it like no other. It helps that he's got Calvin Johnson on the other end, but I think you stick him on most other teams and he makes things happen, too.

11. Colin Kapernick
Excellent runner on top of being a dependable passer. Should get better with more experience.

12. Russell Wilson
Outside of Peyton, maybe the smartest guy on this list, or at least he's got that potential  He’s got tremendous upside with his ball control and elusiveness.

13. Cam Newton
The raw talent shines through every once in a while.

14. Tony Romo
A la Eli, I think this guy gets ripped too often. Sure he makes plenty of dumb decisions, but he’s still an above-average QB in this league.

15. Philip Rivers
A quality QB, but takes a page out of Matt Ryan’s “hasn’t shown me anything in the playoffs.” Has gotten away with simply flinging the ball around for a long time but hasn’t shown that he’s getting smarter with each new season.

16. Andy Dalton
Opposite of Rivers; keeps getting better with each year in the league. Like Stafford, really helped in his development by the fact that he’s got an unbelievably talented #1 receiver to count on.

17. Michael Vick
Highest injury-prone guy on this list, even more so than the next guy. Always seems to throws the perfect spiral, but that doesn’t correlate with the perfect throw. Running ability still there, but seems to be dwindling each year.

18. Robert Griffin III
Fitting how I put him one spot behind his predecessor. The knee injury is the big question mark so far in RGIII’s career.  Really powerful arm and another high intelligence player.

19. Matt Schaub
Has had all the tools around him to do great things for the Texans but hasn't utilized them to the fullest. A good quarterback, but nothing special. Solid arm and decent game manager, but sometimes lacks ability to make good decisions.

20. Joe Flacco
Boring. Can win games, but no elite skills. Has had the advantage of playing with great players early in his career, like a Ben Roethlisberger, but doesn’t have Big Ben’s ability to escape. Or move at all, quite frankly.

21. Alex Smith
Glad he’s getting his chance to start, and on the revived Chiefs too. In my opinion, the most boring, basic, standard quarterback in the NFL.

22. Sam Bradford
If we’re talking about pure throwing ability, he’s one of the best in the league. Highly accurate and can whip it. Can move a little bit too.

23. Jake Locker
If I was building a team today, I would be quite pleased with Locker under center. Smart, solid player who’s very shifty.

24. Carson Palmer
Been one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the League over his career, although he's already past his prime.

25. E.J Manuel
Holds the fort and will only get better. Just 3 INTs in first four career starts. 

26. Ryan Tannehill
Has showed potential in flashes.

27. Matt Cassell
Whether it’s Cassell or Christin Ponder starting for the Vikings, they’re both about here on this list. Decent QBs, but nothing to write home about.

28. Terrelle Pryor
Abilities are similar to Newton’s but he doesn’t quite have that kind of arm, plus his decision-making isn’t there.

29. Brian Hoyer
Has looked pretty good in three plus starts and I can't help but feel for the city of Cleveland. Just when it looked liked they'd found their guy, noooope. What a cruel joke.

30. Mike Glennon
Only one game into NFL career, but could be the next NC State signal-caller to make a name for himself in the League.

31. Geno Smith
So far in his NFL career has looked more “end-of-college-career-Geno” than “Heisman-candidate-Geno.”

32. Blaine Gabbert
Seriously, Jacksonville? You can’t find anybody better to start?

*All opinions are mine, and therefore irrelevant to your own beliefs. If you want to disagree, go ahead. I only feign the inside knowledge of a true NFL insider.

You should also know that as a Steelers fan, I was disappointed over the drafting and then starting of Ben Roethlisberger, so what do I know anyway?

Popular posts from this blog

Our Guy

-
Image
I didn't know how to feel when the Pirates traded away Nate McLouth mid-summer 2009. He was a homegrown Pittsburgh talent and he was coming off an All-Star appearance too. The Pirates were reportedly making room in the outfield for a speedy, dude with dreads named Andrew McCutchen. Even amidst all the talk and reports of this sensational talent coming up the minor league ranks, I wondered at the time, "who is this 23 year old kid, that has the GAUL to demand an occupied position, forcing the Pirates to trade away their lone star??" I was pissed at the Pirates. No matter the fact they traded McLouth to our local team in South Carolina in the Braves. It was the closest I've ever come to abandoning the team for which I'd always rooted. But then something amazing happened. The Pirates promoted and centered the direction of their franchise around this Andrew McCutchen fella. And he was good. Scratch that, he was great!! They didn't have a new centerfielder. ...
Read more

My Mission

-
I can remember the day when my brother and I thought we were getting a dog. We had just finished another round of "run around the house in our underwear" and our parents had called us to the dinner table for a quick conversation. No, this was not within the last handful of years. I believe I was about 7--making Dan 4 or so. Our parents called us to the dining room table and told us they had a surprise or a special treat, or whatever it was, for the both of us. We were hoping it was a dog, and much to our dismay were informed that we had a baby sister on the way. Baby Nothing as we would come to call her. Not sure where that name came from. Sorry, Beth. Anywho (literally) that's when we found out we were to become big brothers with a little sister on the way. Early on, whether I did it subconsciously or not, I became resolute in a mission within myself. I was determined to be the best example of a big brother I could be for younger brother and younger sister. I figur...
Read more

Thinking of Vegas

-
Each morning, I drive my car to school and I back into "my spot." My buddy and I both do this, parking next to each other, and my friends at school sometimes take notice when I'm not in my spot on any given day or at any given time during the day when they might look out at the parking lot. And each day when I get to "my spot," I put the car in park and say a little prayer to get my day started. It goes like this: Lord, help us to go forth with steady steps as we face the many days ahead. Help us to live certain that You provide faith in darkened hours, courage in despairing nights, and calm in depressing circumstances. Help us to revel in Your joy, recall Your blessings, and walk in the light. Help us to live, so that among days it were our last, it would represent in living our finest, in loving our Savior, in dying one benediction of noble character. And then I pray for other things (see: patience) when I'm about to go hang out with three 90-minute...
Read more