Don't know if you had the chance to check it out, but ESPN.com has ranked the Top 64 Quarterbacks in the NFL, and while you might suspect who is #1 on the list, it is our own Jay Cutler that we are concerned with. I was actually quite content with where Cutty fell, and look forward to a follow-up piece the gang has forthcoming today.
Here is the Top-10 list, my thoughts, and the comments they made about Cutler. Also included are where some of Cutler's draft-mates rank as well as where Patrick Ramsey falls in --
1. Tom Brady -- Duh!!!
2. Peyton Manning -- Statistically "down" in '07 means nothing. Peyton is still 1a to Brady's 1.
3. Brett Favre -- Anyone who knows me knows I have a problem with this. Yes, the Packers are having a solid season, but Favre is NOT the 3rd best QB in the League. He just isn't.
4. Tony Romo -- Quite the ascent for Romo. I'll reserve judgment until he does it in the playoffs.
5. Ben Roethlisberger -- Ben still makes too many crucial mistakes, at crucial times, against solid competition, to be a big-time QB.
6. Carson Palmer -- Palmer has never been the same since the injury. Still as gifted physically as anyone, the problem with Palmer is upstairs, and frankly he may never get it back.
7. Matt Hasselbeck -- Probably the most under-rated, under-appreciated QB's in the League. You always get the sense that the bottom could fall out on Hasselbeck at any time.
8. Drew Brees -- I swallowed hard at first glance, but after further review Brees deserves to be in the Top-10, for now.
9. Donovan McNabb -- Absolutely NOT! McNabb has been mostly overrated his entire career, and this ranking takes the cake. The best thing for all parties involved would be for McNabb and the Eagles to go their separate ways.
10. David Garrard -- Are you kidding me? David Garrard is the 10th best QB in the NFL....ALREADY? That doesn't seem right. Don't get me wrong, Garrard has played well, but he is like Trent Dilfer to me, a guy that just manages the game.
11. Jay Cutler -- Not bad.. Cutler has a losing record as a starting QB, so putting him any higher would be tough, but the fact that he checks in ahead of guys like Bulger, Rivers and Eli Manning shows the respect he has already garnered. Scouts, Inc had the following thoughts --
Of course, Cutler will always be tied to the other QB's drafted in the 1st Round with him. Below are the rankings and ESPN's comments for some of his classmates --
15. Vince Young --
22. Matt Leinart --
26. Tarvaris Jackson --
27. Kellen Clemens --
47. Brodie Croyle --
Is anything worse than being a Kansas City Chiefs fan?? Brodie Croyle, the future of the Chiefs franchise, is ranked 47th. FORTY-SEVENTH!!! Behind tha likes of Alex Smith(29), Aaron Rodgers(30), JaMarcus Russell(36), Brady Quinn(37) and Billy Volek(39). Three of those guys have yet to start an NFL game. The future truly is bright in Kansas City.
As for Denver's backup?
62. Patrick Ramsey --
I personally have no problem with this. I have never been that high on Ramsey and this just seems to prove my bad feelings.
As for the piece the guys at Scouts, Inc. are releasing today? Here is the tease --
That's what I am talking about! When that stroy comes out, I'll be sure to talk about it here!