Analysis: He won the MVP despite a slow start due to knee troubles. He's still at the top of his game.
1. Peyton Manning, Colts Comment: Manning does it all. He is a fantastic quarterback, who has the physical capabilities to throw the ball accurately, with the knowledge to be a coach. He takes charge and leads the team to victory. By the way, he does all this without something that most other quarterbacks have... a running game. He wasn’t MVP for nothing.
Analysis: He's right there with Manning, but missing last season drops him down to the second spot. He's said to be all the way back.
2. Drew Brees, Saints Comment: What this guy did last year was nothing short of amazing, and his career before that isn’t half bad either. If Brees was on a better team, he would probably get more credit. Last season, Brees threw for more yards in a season than any other player currently in the NFL, and second in all time. Now, I doubt he’ll be able to do it again this season, but I’ll bet the house that he’ll get close.
Analysis: It's too bad he plays in an era with those two. He's had an amazing three-year run in New Orleans.
3. Tom Brady, Patriots Comment: Before the start of last season, I would have put him at either No. 1 or No. 2. The guy is great, but I just can’t with a clean conscious put him higher when I haven’t seen him play in a year. He has to prove to me that he is still the Brady that led his team to an undefeated regular season, three super bowl victories and numerous playoff appearances.
Analysis: Two Super Bowl titles in five seasons is amazing. He seems to grow as a passer each season.
4. Kurt Warner, Cardinals Comment: Most people wouldn’t have him this high on the list, but I think he deserves it. His career has been great, and what he did for the Cardinals last year was outstanding. Yes, he is getting up there in age, but I’d bet that he can duplicate his impressive 2008 numbers again in 2009.
Analysis: He carried the Chargers last season. They are now his team, not L.T.'s team anymore. Rivers really elevated his game last season. He's a tough guy.
5. Philip Rivers, Chargers Comment: I feel that this guy is a little underrated. He makes throwing touchdowns look easy. I also like that he’s tough. He plays through injuries, and still performs at a high level, which is something a lot of players don’t do these days. I can’t even imagine what he’d do with an elite receiver on his team.
Analysis: Coming off shoulder problems, he's back throwing again, which is why he's this high. When he's healthy, he might be even higher.
6. Donovan McNabb, Eagles Comment: A seasoned veteran who knows the game inside and out. I know he had a few rough patches last year, but the guy can play and he proved it towards the end of last season. The Eagles have made some offseason moves that should help give his game a positive boost; I expect a good season from him in 2009.
Analysis: At his age, he remains a big-time passer. His ability to stand in against the rush is as good as any.
7. Aaron Rodgers, Packers Comment: I would love to put this kid higher up on the list, but I’m going to play it safe. I loved watching him last year. He played great, and filled some big shoes in Green Bay. If he pulls off another season like the previous one, he will be a lot higher on the list next year.
Analysis: After his benching last season, he really responded. With a bigger line and more weapons he should be even better in 2009.
8. Jay Cutler, Bears Comment: Too bad the situation in Denver didn’t work out for him. The lack of elite receivers in Chicago will hurt his numbers. Luckily for him (and the Bears) he does have some natural talent that will most likely help him remain one of the best young QB’s in the league.
Analysis: The inconstancy still shows at times, but that was due in large part to a lack of a big-play receiver. He'll bounce back this season with more help.
9. Carson Palmer, Bengals Comment: Palmer is in the same boat as Brady. He would have been higher on the list a year ago, but he needs to prove to me that he is still a great quarterback. If he is back to his old form, the AFC North will be much more competitive.
Analysis: His rookie year was outstanding and he said he didn't even understand coverage. That will change this season. Look for him to put up bigger numbers.
10. Tony Romo, Cowboys Comment: I am extremely hesitant to even put Romo in the top ten. He is surrounded by a good team and has had every opportunity to excel, but he always comes up short in the big games. He fumbles, he gets sacked, his accuracy decreases, and he makes poor decisions often resulting in interceptions. If he blows it again this year he won’t just be out of my top ten, but probably out of Dallas.
It was already rediculous that Prisco decided not to put Clinton Portis on his top 10 running backs list. But it is absolutely inexplicable for London Fletcher to not be on his top 10 ILB list. I believe that London Fletcher has the most tackles of anybody in the league since 2003, and his numbers have yet to drop off. He is a top ILB in the league, and I really don't understand
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Rothlisberger doesn't even warrant a top 10 place in your rankings? he has only won two superbowls and did it last year with the worst offensive line ever by a super bowl champion.
Yes Manning wins... in the regular season... but he is the king of the "one and done" in the playoffs, which happened again last year. Give the 2008 MVP to Warner, who was brilliant in the playoffs... and move Manning down to 4th on your list, with Brady, Warner, and Brees all moving up... and possibly Rivers too...
Tom Brady is still the best qb in the nfl. (PERIOD). I understand Peyton was the league's mvp last season, and I do believe that he deserved to be. However, Tom has proved since 2001 that their is nobody better. He did it without any star receivers, and now that he finally has them, he is showing the type of stats that he can put up on a yearly basis.
The Guru is back. Thanks to the over 115 people who responded to my last post, just 24 hours ago. I appreciate all comments, good and bad. Most people "get it". Most people see that Andre Johnson is all "potential" who has yet to put up an outstanding season. Herm Edwards said "You play to win the games". And you win the games by scoring more points t
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Prisco, you've got no credibility! How can you possibly leave Aaron Rodgers off your top-10 quarterback list? He throws for 4000 yards and almost 30 tds in '08 and you think Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger are going to out-perform him? Taking any bets, Pete? Rodgers has to be the most under-respected player in the NFL, mostly because he inherited the job amidst all this Favre mania, which
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For once I actually agree with Mr. Prisco on the majority of this list. P. Manning, Brady and Brees are exactly as I would have started out the top three and for once Prisco puts aside his love of Brady.
With this said I feel that Big Ben is much too high on this list. Yes, He has two rings, but he also plays for one of the most dominate teams in the NFL on defense every year. Why do
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I guess Jay Cutler is out of the Top 10 because he doesn't have any good wide receivers, right? I am not comparing Cutler to Favre. But I guess guys like Robert Brooks, Antonio Freeman and Donald Driver all would have had the same type of careers no matter who their QB's were. Point: QB's make the WR, not the other way around. But this is another thoug
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I smell a Browns/Ravens fan here. I guess Super Bowls don't matter in your rankings? Big Ben not even in the top ten? And losers/underacheivers like McNabb and Palmer (not to mention Cutler???) are in there. Incredible. Do you realize the Steelers couldn't even RUN the ball last year, and they STILL won the Super Bowl!!! Whose arm took them there? It sure as hell wasn't Romo, McNabb, Plamer, or Cu
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How can you not include Matt Cassell in the top 10 after what...
Ha, I can't even complete the sentence. Of course Cassell doesn't deserve the top 10, as a Chiefs fan, I am not all that sure about him anyways. I don't think he can excel at the same level as last year with the talent the Chiefs currently have.
Good list, I would still have Brady at least at
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Okay, its time to face the facts about everyone's darling, Drew Brees. He's a short QB with a slightly better than average arm. Most of his deep throws are don the middle of the field. His gaudy numbers are in part due to the type of offense this team runs. I think that he's a bit overrated, not a bad QB but there are definately guys I'd take before him. Notice how he never wins big games. I've se
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You've gotta be kidding me. Rodgers has started 1 year. ONE FREAKING YEAR !!!! Ahead of a 2 time SB winner ? Who is this clown ? Palmer ? C'mon. And for those of you who say he plays with a #1 D. Well, did yinz watch the SB ? Anybody on D throwing those last Q passes ? No That was Ben. Doing what he did 6 times last year. Leading the last drive to win it. Just ask any Ravens fan.
