Top 10 Quarterbacks in the N.F.L.-Eli Manning Number 1?
#5 Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
Big Ben is admittedly not my favorite player and I think that there can be arguments made about how he can be overrated in his ability to run an offense, but there is no denying he is very talented–despite of what you think of personally. He’s also won a lot of big football games and put up some big numbers to boot. Big Ben was really banged up last year, but still had 21 touchdowns (to 14) interceptions–not his best year,but I expect a big bounce back year with how good his WR corps is and again the Steelers will be competing for the Superbowl like clockwork.
#4 Eli Manning, New York Giants
IF, this is a big if. Eli Manning plays the entire season the way he plays in the playoffs he would be the number one quarteback in the league. In the playoffs against better defenses and better quarterbacks Eli Manning doesn’t make so many big mistakes. Since the start of 2007, in 9 games Eli Manning has thrown 15 Touchdowns and 4 interceptions. It is this regular season consistency that keeps Eli Manning from being a top 2 or three quarterback–Tom Brady and Peyton Manning for years win 12 games no matter what happens during the regular season Eli has always been a step below. However, I also don’t think his ability to consistently have the Giants near the top teams in the league in points scored, and his ability to stay on the field game after game year after year can’t be over-looked. The New York Giants has not had a losing season since he became the full time starter in 2005, but the Giants have only won 12 games once…when Eli reaches that point where he wins 11 or 12 games a year he should be considered a Hall of Famer, I’m not there yet.
#3 Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
Brees is also excellent. He’s won a superbowl. He puts up huge numbers and is difficult to sack. Brees makes quarterbacking an art. I believe he also benefits a little bit from an offensive genius, but I don’t believe anyone could come in and replicate the success Brees has had either. Brees makes the Saints a Superbowl contender at the beginning of every year. This year seems like bad luck will follow them because they are hosting the Superbowl and that might be worse than the Madden curse, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Brees were to win another one or even two superbowls before he was done.
#2 Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Rodgers is a guy who rubs me a little bit of the wrong way and I want to be able to say that its the coaching and talent around him that makes him so good, but that would be completely unfair. Rodgers can do everything you want to see your quarterback do on the field, makes smart decisions, gets rid of the ball quick and racks up touchdowns while rarely turning the ball over. Regardless of how much benefit it might be playing in that offensive system–you can’t knock the quarterback for that. I hate to admit it, but Rodgers is excellent.
#1 Tom Brady, New England Patriots
How could you not put this guy first. Do you know who Tom Brady was throwing to last year at wide receiver? Tom Brady makes every single player, other than Chad Ochocinco, who steps onto the field a better player. We saw Deion Branch try his luck elsewhere without Brady and he didn’t look like quite the Wide receiver. Wes Welker wasn’t much until Tom Brady got his hands on him. Rob Gronkowski would be good players anywhere, but if Brady has five more good years he’s going to put Gonkowski in the Hall of fame. Brandon Llyod is poised for a huge year with Tom Brady, and above all else regardless of how bad the defense plays or how tough the schedule is Tom Brady covers up all of the Patriots short-comings and they win 12 games like clockwork. So what, finally the league found Tom Brady’s kryptonite, we always knew it would be a Manning–we just thought it would have been the other one. Do you realize if not for two last minute drives in the Superbowl Tom Brady would have five Superbowl rings.