Top Five Quarterbacks In The NFL - Brendan Darr's Blog

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Brendan Darr's Blog

Top Five Quarterbacks In The NFL Stuck

Posted on August 8, 2012 at 11:39 AM.

(26)

This is my first post as one of the new Operation Sports bloggers covering the NFL, and I wanted to get started right away before they reconsidered the hire after all.

So my first task: List the top five Quarterbacks in the NFL. Sounds easy, right?

Wrong.

We aren't talking just fantasy football or guys to start a Madden dynasty with. I am talking top five, no questions asked.

So to get the top five, I have to list a couple of guys who missed the cut.

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Off-the-field issues aside, once he puts on that helmet he knows how to win. He makes plays in the pocket that a guy his size should not make. He has a cannon for an arm, and if he ever improved his TD:INT ratio he could crack the top five.

Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

I just don't know which Vick to expect in 2012. If it is the 2010 version that torched the Redskins for 59 points, then he deserves to be in the top five. However, if it is the 2011 version that struggled, then I made the right call keeping him out.

Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

Sure, he's not clutch. And yes, with the cast of characters around him there's no excuse for him not to be a top five guy. He's probably the toughest omission from the top five except for...

Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos

Is he healthy? That's really the only question.

Before I reconsider and add Romo, here is the Top Five:

#5 Eli Manning, New York Giants

True, he's probably a little goofy, and people think he is a mush-mouthed dolt (whether or not that is true is irrelevant), but the guy knows how to lead a team. He's the anti-Romo in the clutch department. We'll have to see how he does without Mario Manningham and potentially Hakeem Nicks.

#4 Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

2011 was the tip of the iceberg with this kid, he is just 24 after all. He finished top five in most major statistical categories except for yards per attempt. I could be wrong, but I think having Calvin Johnson helps.

#3 Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Tom Terrific. Tom Bundchen. Three-time Super Bowl Champion. Whatever you want to call him, just know he now has Brandon Lloyd to add to an already potent attack with the two great Tight Ends. Number three may be too low.

#2 Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

Tough to break the single-season passing mark and finish second on the list, but unfortunately he did. As amazing as his season was last year -- and it was amazing -- he is just slightly behind number one. Out of curiosity, did anyone think he would not re-sign in New Orleans?

#1 Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

The reigning MVP, and only a year removed from a Super Bowl MVP. Rodgers commands one of the most, if not the most, dangerous offensive units in the league. His combination of arm strength, accuracy and mobility is unparalleled right now (Maybe Newton or Griffin III can match in the future).

Who is in your top five? List them here!

Comments

# 16 Aurabolt127 @ Aug 9

Big Ben should have been above Eli. He's too clutch, and I'm sorry Eli loses as many games late as he wins...wandering around looking all dopey as his team loses... Secondly, you can't count any team accomplishments like winning a Super Bowl when ranking QBs. You don't it for safeties or punters or kickers - you can't do it here. You have to base this list off their stats for last year, or maybe the last 2 or 3. For that reason, fine, put Stafford at 5, Ben at 4, Brees at 3, Brady at 2 and Rodgers at 1. Brees may have set the yardage record, but Brady has the TD record and helped Moss set the TD by a receiver record. He's also better in bad weather.

# 17 Bmore Irish @ Aug 9

way to lose all of your "creditability" by using something that's not even a word. try credibility. or what you were likely aiming for was to say he wasn't creditable. you combined the two words

# 18 yougo1000 @ Aug 9

Personally I would add Peyton and remove Stafford

# 19 ANDROMADA 1 @ Aug 11

No way is stafford in the top five imo. I'd pull him and put Manning or Vick.

# 20 TomZ85 @ Aug 11

Not sure I'd have Stafford in there. To replace him.. either Peyton or Romo. If Peyton is still as sharp as ever, him definitely.

The endless debate over Eli never ceases to amuse me. What are a QB's responsibilities? Winning games by controlling the ball, checking to the right plays at the LOS, making the right reads and throws, and when push comes to shove being able to put the team on your back in game-critical situations. At the end of the day you have to be able to win the game. Unless it's a blowout, chances are the score will be close enough that a game can go either way in the 4th quarter and someone has to step up. That's why the 4th quarter clutch factor is IMO huge.

This isn't a question of who were the top 5 a year ago, or two years ago. It's a question of now. For his first several years Eli was hit or miss, certainly... but he has stepped up his game and consistency to an incredible level. I'd argue you can certainly factor in team accomplishments to evaluating player talent when said player was a, or the major contributing factor to the win. The Giants last season had WR's in and out, a shaky secondary much of the season, and no run game. If not for Eli, a lot of those games would not have been won.

Back to the original question of how things will be without Manningham.. I'd say they have the potential to be as good or better. Nicks and Cruz are huge play makers - Mario is not. He's most effective when he's a compliment to those two, but I didn't see him being a standout as a #1 or #2 threat. Plenty of key drops, breaking the wrong way on option routes, etc. I think Hixon, Randle, or Barden could just as easily fill his spot.