There has been a lot of debate as to whether certain quarterbacks deserve credit as being among the best in the NFL. This is a subjective ranking, but I think it is pretty accuarate. Let's start the debate:
1. Tom Brady: Even before his record breaking 50-touchdown season in 2007, Brady was the poster boy for consistency as well as plain old-fashioned winning. With three Super Bowl victories in four appearances, Brady is the guy you want leading your team in the final two minutes. It's as simple as that.
2. Peyton Manning: Add his Super Bowl win, combined with a slew of 12-4 or 13-3 seasons, and you have yourself the second best quarterback playing the game. Manning has the release of a young Dan Marino, and is the most cerebral quarterback we have ever seen, and has an active start streak second only to Brett Favre as a quarterback.
3. Drew Brees: He has become one of the most prolific quarterbacks ever since his trade to the Saints. Since arriving in the "Big Easy," he's thrown for at least 24 touchdowns and 4,400 yards in three straight seasons. The guy isn't the most physically gifted QB, but his understanding of the game elevates him to another level.
4. Ben Roethlisberger: Big Ben is evidence you can win two Super Bowls and not be considered great. Both seasons in his career that he attempted more than 400 passes, he threw for at least 15 interceptions, including 23 in 2006. This goes to show that "Big Ben" can't always be trusted to carry his team, but the guy is a winner.
5. Philip Rivers: Rivers is on his way to a promising career, leading his team into the pit of the defense every game and never backing down. Rivers has evolved from a rookie-esque game manager, to a true gamer. His comeback against the Giants on Sunday was impressive and that type of performance is to be expected from him.
6. Donovan McNabb: Despite nagging injuries throughout his career, McNabb has thrown, scrambled, and ran his team through postseason after postseason, compiling five trips to the NFC Championship and one trip to the Super Bowl. Yes, I'm an Eagles fan, but you can't argue with his stats. He is a future hall of fame QB. His inconsistant play keeps him out of the top 5.
7. Aaron Rodgers: The Cal product threw for 4038 yards and 28 TD's in his first year as a starter. If he had a better O-Line, he would be even better than he is right now. The only problem with Rodgers was that he went 0-8 when it mattered most.
8. Tony Romo: He's got a fire in him that is reminiscent of a young Favre and an unorthodox release like we have never seen. The only true knock on Romo is his inability so far in his young career to win in big games (he's winless in the postseason). Another thing that keeps Romo out of the top 5 is that he is inconsistant, the last month notwithstanding.
9. Eli Manning: Despite his success in 2007, as well as his great leadership in 2008, I am still not convinced he has become a great quarterback. He still needs to clear that last hurdle of consistency before joining the big boys.
10. Jay Cutler: In his first two seasons as a starter, Cutler tossed for more than 20 touchdowns and 3,000 yards, not to mention more than 4,500 in 2008. Cutler combines solid arm strength and accuracy with timely mobility to keep his team in every game. The guy might be a cry baby, but he is a damn good QB and will be for a long time.
Honorable Mention: Kurt Warner: The guy is a 2-time Super Bowl MVP and he lead the Cardinals to the big dance last year. I think it should be mentioned that Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Bolden make him look even better.
That's a pretty solid list, Daniel. I think 5-10 will be debated, but 1-4 are hard to argue. Believe Romo is better than Rodgers, but that's just opinion, and probably biased a bit.
Probably won't be too long til you have some turd-burgling rectalpirate of a Vikings fan come on and complain that his new main squeeze, Brett Favre isn't up on your list.
By putting Tom Brady over the Peyton Manning, you've eliminated the rest of the QB's in the debate. I personally don't think Brady is better than Manning, simply because he has more rings. Winning a ring is a team accomplishment and doesn't mean he should be given more credit when the players are compared individually. Individually compared to each other, Peyton wins easily. Brady is a great QB that played on some pretty complete teams, that's why he has more rings. When Peyton's defense deicided to join the party, he won a championship.
Are you that much of a homer that you are blinded by Favre's stats?
I call it selective memory. I don't like Brett Favre; that's why I left him off of this list. He was a great QB, but I don't think he is top 10 right now.
I still have Tony Romo in my top five even though some may think he isn't a top ten. I'm willing to bet by the end of the season he'll be in everyones top 10 should he shore up the woes of December and January. Just a hunch...
Probably won't be too long til you have some turd-burgling rectalpirate of a Vikings fan come on and complain that his new main squeeze, Brett Favre isn't up on your list.
You hit the nail on the head. Got one Vikings fan to bite.
I still have Tony Romo in my top five even though some may think he isn't a top ten. I'm willing to bet by the end of the season he'll be in everyones top 10 should he shore up the woes of December and January.
I think the top five is a stretch, but top 10 for sure. I can't stand the Cowboys, but the guy is a good QB. He has a great future ahead of him.
Brett Favre should be on the list as well. He has been on the winning side twice against Aaron Rodgers and made the deciding play that determined the outcome. I would have to bump Jay Cutler and Aaron to add the old timers Kurt Warner and Brett, but if your talking about building then the list is right on with the exception of my previous post...
9. Eli Manning: Despite his success in 2007, as well as his great leadership in 2008, I am still not convinced he has become a great quarterback. He still needs to clear that last hurdle of consistency before joining the big boys.
I'm not conviced he's great either. So how does he make 10 best active? Don't say it's because he went to or won a superbowl or I'll throw Rex Grossman, Trent dilfer and Brad Johnson at you.
Matt Schaub ? Favre? Joe Flacco ? Matt Schaub - We need a full season from this 6 year guy. Interestingly enough, he is part of that 2004 draft. That draft may go down as the best QB draft in history.
Bret Favre - He owns every record, so he should be on this list.
Joe Flacco - Like Schaub, he is going to need to turn in a full season to make this list.
If this is any kind of list with accuracy Brett Favre, Kurt Warner need to be on it and probably Carson Palmer too.Eli Manning should not even be mentioned on a best quarterbacks list... he barely deserves the word quarterback in any sentence referring to him
