Top five current NFL QBs

Peyton Manning
Drew Brees
Donovan Mcnabb
Tom Brady
Jay Cutler!!!!

over 3 years ago Jeremy Bolander 16 comments 2 recs |

Comments

I was inspired to say something in Phantom’s madden post, but I didn’t want to derail it. Here is a little explanation of my list, which I am pretty open to changing, so I can’t wait to hear what everyone else ahs to say on teh subject:

1. Manning is a no brainer to me. He is the ultimate pocket passer, with the ability to pull something special out of his wazoo and raise the play of everyone around him. It is more than talent and more than team with him, which isn’t something a lot of QBs can say. Manning has “IT.”

2. Brees may not be popular here, or as a #2, but he is healthy, a pure QB with all the tools, and the ability to do special things by himself. he would be productiv eon any team because he is a great QB who makes other players better.

3. Mcnabb is my real choice at #2 but he has to prove he is healthy or he will be off this list completely. When healthy (and even when injured) he rivals peyton manning for pure talent and ability. His intangible ability to “create” when there is nothing makes him great in my book.

4. Brady isn’t the most popular player, and I can understand that some could take issue with an almost prima-donna type of face that gets shown to the world. I’m not sure if he belongs on this list or not, but I didn’t feel like I could ignore him. I think he is truly a good football player and very mature and centered, but he has played behind some great offensive lines, which can do wonders for a QBs stats. And last I checked super bowl rings were awarded to teams, so… If anyone could give some good examples of him SINGLE-HANDEDLY clutching victory from the jaws of defeat as the above 3 have demonstrated, than I would feel a lot better about having him on the list.

5. Lots of names could be #5, but I put Cutler because I am a complete Broncos Homer. He hasn’t played enough for serious consideration in this kind of list, BUT I will say that I feel he has a REAL shot of being on it someday, unlike a lot of QBs in the league….

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by Jeremy Bolander on Jun 3, 2008 2:06 PM MDT reply actions

As someone who grew up in the Philly area...

I’ve seen a lot of McNabb…the best AND the worst. Right now, the guy’s getting older and I think he’s shown he’s susceptible to pressure. I definitely HAVE to put Brady above McNabb. I know how much the world hates the guy, but I don’t hate him or the Patriots. I like your point about him being overrated though. Just like in the madden post I’d put him in the top five and I’d have him in the top three as well. I know a lot of people don’t like it, but I think he’s earned it…say what you want about the teams he’s been on.

Still, Brady’s been able to do things without a guy like Randy Moss at the helm. I also am not sold on Brees either (although I am a fan). He’s top five material, but I even think Brady bests even him. I’m also a fan of Carson Palmer, but he hasn’t proven anything of yet. It’s okay if you didn’t post in the Virtual Bronco thread…thanks a lot for reading it in the first place. I wanted to be as realistic as possible and objective as possible as well. As much as I’d like to see JC in the top five, I don’t think it’s happening right now. However, I agree he has a GREAT chance to be there someday. A lot of the QBs are on the decline. I also think Roethlisberger has shown flashes of brilliance as a younger guy.

Thanks for the post. I know this is something that everyone will have different opinions on and there’s no right or wrong answer, although a specific discussion/debate is always great.

by phantom818 on Jun 3, 2008 5:04 PM MDT up reply actions

I'm surprised

to see Brady so low. In my opinion he’s the best QB in the league. There was an article a year or two ago, which I haven’t been able to find, unfortunately, which rated quarterbacks on how mistake-free they were. It used a formula which took into account the costliness of mistakes and spit out a final result which was better the lower it was. Brady wasn’t just the best in the league. He was the best by a wide margin over the second best, Manning.

Manning has had the advantage of having a first-class offense built around him, with an excellent line, good running backs (great when James was there), and outstanding receivers. Brady hasn’t had as good an o-line as Manning, usually an average to weak ground game, and before last year a pretty ordinary corps of receivers. Belichick is a defensive whiz for whom offense seems an afterthought. Brady has made his offenses a lot better than they should have been. Primarily Brady handles pressure – both the pass-rushing and tight collar varieties – better than Manning. Brady hasn’t had the tools Manning has had, and when he finally got them he had a lights-out season. I think Brady is able to think faster and see more during a play than Manning (or anybody else).

Cutler’s exciting because he’s been so good so early. For many young quarterbacks a season as good as Cutler had last year, even without the obstacles he faced, would be considered a breakout year. But for him it’s just a prelude. If he makes a jump not only from his second to his third year, but also from being sick to being healthy, how good can he be? We’re all looking forward to finding out.

"In the empty spaces - lacunae, vacuums, pauses, voids, black holes - new things begin. We are born anew from the unexplored space, the badlands, the outlaw territory." - Sam Keen

by spock on Jun 20, 2008 9:16 PM MDT up reply actions

Ironic . . .

It’s a relief to see a realistic view of Brady. Would the Pats have won those Super Bowls with any other quarterbacks? I can think of at least a half dozen active QBs and a bunch of past ones who would have flourished on that team. Would Brady have won those two Super Bowls with the Broncos? No way, in my mind. Favre might have. Even Manning or a healthy McNabb. But not Brady. In short, that is the best analysis of Brady I’ve seen lately, IMO.

Cutler indeed has to be a homer pick for now at #5. I love it! But we both know he would not be there on that list for anyone who is not a Broncos fan.

Still, Cutler has natural tools that exceed every one of the others on your list. He has the strongest arm, is accurate, mobile, and tough. I haven’t, for a long time, seen another QB who can run to one side of the field and throw across his body to the other side and put it on a rope as Elway did. Cutler has done it. In addition, Cutler has Manning’s work ethic . . . he eats and sleeps football, apparently.

I think Cutler will one day not only realistically belong on that list, but I expect him to be #1.

by AZDynamics on Jun 3, 2008 2:39 PM MDT reply actions

My Top 5:

1. Peyton Manning
2. Tom Brady
3. Brett Favre, opps, I mean Tony Romo
4. Jay Cutler (He’ll be 3rd by 2009)
5. Donovan McNabb

I am not sold on Drew Brees, didn’t he start with 0TD and 11 INT last season? lol McNabb barely beat out Eli…I think if McNabb has another so-so year he proves that his stock and career is declining. I will not consider Phyllis since he would be an Alex Smith without the talent around him.

If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
The Quest ~ TSG 5/19/08

by Tim Lynch on Jun 3, 2008 3:38 PM MDT reply actions

TOP 5

1) Peyton Manning (he is the clear number 1)
2) Favre (is he really retired yet)
3) Brady (I’m not a fan but the guy knows how to win)
4) Brees (I like brees I think he is a solid quarterback)
5) Jay (next year he will be on everyone’s list) (and we’ll all throw-up as the announcers & analysts pretend they called it)

by ThorpeBroncosfan on Jun 4, 2008 4:42 AM MDT reply actions

This might be an interesting Post?

by ThorpeBroncosfan on Jun 4, 2008 4:43 AM MDT reply actions

By passer rating Cutler ranked #12 for 2007

I expect him to go higher on that list for 08

"If Denver beats us, I'll walk back to Detroit"

Alex Karras

by Denver Diehard on Jun 4, 2008 5:30 AM MDT reply actions

Interesting

Many sites list Brady as #1. Even SB Nation’s Mocking the Draft has Brady #1 in their QB rating system.

Of course, I agree with many of you that Peyton is the clear #1 QB in this league. I just find it interesting (and encouraging) that Broncos fans agree.

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by Brad Wells on Jun 4, 2008 3:51 PM MDT reply actions

I think Broncos fans

tend to factor in the whole enchilada rather than letting the MSM speak for them on something like this, and I think that because of the whole “Elway vs. Montana” charade. To Broncos fans there is no comparison, but in order to make a clear, objective argument, we really had to dig deep to understand the QB position and the nature of a FOOTBALL PLAYER.

That being said, I don’t put a lot of praise or blame on rankings like this, as a player has to play in the situation he has got. I definitely don’t blame Brady for being a Patriot, just like I don’t praise Manning for being drafted by Polian. But when I see a QB become the single most important player on the field, that raises their status in my eyes. I have seen Manning do this numerous times, Brady not so much. As AZ says above, lots of QBs can do what Brady does when and where Brady does it. It is impressive as a collection of metrics, but not so much as an individual play. Manning impresses me routinely in a play by play kind of way.

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by Jeremy Bolander on Jun 4, 2008 9:29 PM MDT up reply actions

I understand that, but I think Brady still deserves solid credibility. If not one than at least at two.

Winning a Super Bowl with Branch, Brown, and Givens to throw to? Along with Antowain Smith at running back? Manning has had Harrison, Wayne, Stokely, and Clark recently to throw to. Now I know Brady has Moss now, but remember, he still put up good numbers with Reche Caldwell like guys leading the pack there. It’s probably a lost cause to try and defend the man in a nation of Pat-haters/Brady-haters, but I feel he deserves the props.

Then again, everyone’s going to have their personal opinions and in the end, all that matters is on the field play and all the field statistics, not what fans or the media think about who’s the best. Manning certainly is that cerebral QB, as the great audibling he’s done for a few years now has indicated along with his decision making on the field. I guess this is another case of the horses in the NFL sticking together: I could only hope Colts fans would give Elway the respect he is due as well :P

by phantom818 on Jun 5, 2008 2:15 PM MDT up reply actions

Agree, Brady is the new Montana...

No way I take Brees over Brady. Ever.

Look at it this way: Say you’re the GM of an NFL franchise and you have a solid team, good special teams, good O-line, good defense, strong running game, and good wideouts. All of the starting QB’s in the NFL are pooled, and you have to draft one. Now, assume that you’re drafting as of today, based on what we know about each player. Take into account youth, injuries, past experiences, and future potential.

What would the mock draft look like?

Mine would go:

1) Peyton Manning – No question about what he brings to your team, great leader and competitor, playmaker
2) Tom Brady – hard to justify him here, but plays mistake free, with poise, and has the most big-game experience on the list, great leader and competitor, more reliant on play calling than Peyton, average-plus arm
3) Ben Rothlisberger – Big arm, performs well in big games, tough guy, great leader, only knock is that he may be already as good as he’s going to get, playmaker. Strill very young in his career.
4) Jay Cutler – All of the physical and mental tools, good leadership demonstrated so far, huge arm, tough guy, playmaker, needs to cut down on youthful errors, but has #1 or #2 level upside, playmaker, highest potential on the list other than Payton and Brady
5) Tony Romo – May be as good as he’ll get already too, good leader, but has the stigma of poor performance versus elite teams, more reliant on playcalling than Rothlisberger or Cutler
6) Drew Brees – Consistent and accurate, has an average arm, at best. Has injury problems, somewhat mobile, good leader, hasn’t played in big games from the amount of experience he has, better with a wide-open attack,more reliant on play calling
7) Donovan McNabb – has fallen a few spots over the past few years, playmaker with a strong arm, but very inconsistent, has games where he looks awful and still makes way too many mistakes for the level of experience that he has, he’s not getting any better at this point in his career
8) Eli Manning – Has more upside than most give him credit for, but can’t be much better than he was last January. Can be very inconsistent. Strong, but not huge arm. Very streaky. Questions remain about his leadership ability. Can be a playmaker at times.
9) Carson Palmer - Huge arm, can make every throw, not mobile at all, more reliant on WR’s than some of the other QB’s listed here, not a playmaker unless his line is very strong. Just can’t seem to get over the hump. Bad knees.
10) Matt Hasselbeck – No upside from present day talent level, but can make almost every throw, is a leader in the huddle. Is more reliant on the playcalling, but can make plays when things break down. Consistent and accurate, shows poise and has experience.

This is off the cuff, so I’m sure as soon as I click on “POST” that I’ll want to change my top ten.

I think I’d want a guy who is at the top of his game and/or has tremendous upside.

I would want some combination or all of the following:
Leadership
The ability to make something positive happen in every scenario.
Poise
High Level of Physical Ability
Ability to understand and comprehend the game

Ask yourself this:
1) If you had the #4 pick, would you take Cutler, even though he only has 20 games of experience?
2) If you had the #6 pick, who would you wan to fall to you: Cutler, Romo, or Brees, or Rothlisberger

Remember, these are just my opinions and that I am a homer with a number 7 tattoo on my back.

What’s your top 10….

by super7 on Jun 6, 2008 11:57 AM MDT up reply actions

I can see where you are coming from

I guess my only question on Brady is what would he look like without 5 probowlers playing o-line in front of him? The flip side is, how much better is his offensive line because he is playing under center?

I like your list, I like the inclusion of the perenially forgotten Hasslebeck, and I like your comments about Palmer.

It is so hard to value these guys for the reason you mention, regarding Cutler. Who wouldn’t want Cutler, when you figure he is going into just his second full year as a full time starter and has shown such amazing flashes? On the other hand, if I need to win a game TODAY, he isn’t quite the ideal pick….OR IS HE? :)

Funny, these questions weren’t as fun to contemplate when Griese was at the helm…

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by Jeremy Bolander on Jun 6, 2008 6:20 PM MDT up reply actions

Agreed.

I hate to say it, but as much as I hate and wish ill onto Peyton Manning…I still consider him to be hands down the greatest quarterback ever to step onto the field. I know Super Bowl’s matter, but he did take the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS to a Championship. lol I wouldn’t even consider stats…Manning is the smartest, most complete quarterback to ever play the game. Which is probably why I hate the bahstard. ;)

If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
The Quest ~ TSG 5/19/08

by Tim Lynch on Jun 9, 2008 3:16 PM MDT up reply actions

Remember, last year Manning was #1 on all the fantasy boards...

Brady is #1 this year because of his performance last year. I will still pick the best QB on the board in the first round…RB are a dime a dozen. My board is Manning, Brady, then Cutler. Of course, I got Brady last year and he was the only reason I made the playoffs since my second and third round picks were Travis Henry and Javon Walker…we all know how well they played last year. lol

If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
The Quest ~ TSG 5/19/08

by Tim Lynch on Jun 9, 2008 3:14 PM MDT up reply actions

Brady

Brady, in 01, had Troy Brown and David Patten and Jermaine Wiggins at TE and Antowain Smith and Kevin Faulk at RB. Not great weapons, but underrated. And, he had a great defense that year that basically was the reason they won that SB. But, who gets the MVP? Mr. Overrated, Tom Brady!! I wasn’t a Brady hater yet, and even at the time I thought that was wrong. Take away the Tuck Rule and the cheating against the Steelers and they aren’t even there. And, in 03, Kasay handed them that SB with the kickoff out of bounds. I really believe that, if he didn’t do that, Carolina would have won that SB with a long pass from Delhomme to Steve Smith in OT. My top 5 going into 08.
1. Peyton Manning. The best in the NFL. Period.
2. Ben Roethlisberger: This is tenuous, but I think he had a better year than Brady and was more valuable to his team.
3. Tom Brady: Solid, but overrated QB. The new Joe Montana in the fact that he gets overrated because of the bling. Randy Moss was the true MVP last year, and Wes Welker should have been SB MVP if the Pats would have won the SB(Thank goodness they didn’t).
4. Drew Brees: Underrated QB. One of the most improved QB’s since 04.
5. Jay Cutler: Will be up in the top 2 in a few years.

by PABroncofan on Jun 6, 2008 7:11 PM MDT reply actions