Athlon Sports QB Power Rankings

[Quesadilla Joe]

2012 NFL Quarterbacks: Ranking the Best and Worst Starters

Ranking NFL quarterbacks is difficult and the criterion endless.

Montana versus Johnny-U versus Elway versus Favre? Is winning championships all that matters? What about statistical production and re-writing the record books? What about pure, raw, God-given athletic ability (looking at you Elway)? Or are intangibles and leadership ability more important?

To truly and objectively rank quarterbacks all of the above must be used to evaluate a player. I have attempted to rank all 32 starting quarterbacks in the NFL season for the 2012 year. This means, I don’t get a 22-year-old Peyton Manning or a 32-year-old Cam Newton.

So I put my general manager's hat on and asked this question:

If my goal is to win the Lombardi Trophy in 2012, who do I want running my offense?

Note: Age is at time of start of 2012 season

1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay (Age: 28, Record: 41-21)
2011 Stats: 4,643 yards, 45 TD, 6 INT, 257 rush yards, 3 TD

There is little debate on who is the best quarterback on the planet right now. Rodgers came close to multiple single-season NFL records in 2011 until sitting out the final game of the year. Nevertheless, his 122.5 QB rating broke an NFL record and his career 104.1 QB rating is the highest in the history of the sport. He has the arm strength, the athleticism, the leadership, the championship ring and is only 28 years old.

2. Tom Brady, New England (Age: 35, Record: 124-35)
2011 Stats: 5,235 yards, 39 TD, 12 INT, 109 rush yards, 3 TD

The starting record is staggering as Mr. GQ enters his 13th NFL season. He has led the Patriots to five Super Bowls, an undefeated regular season and has turned plenty of also-ran wide receivers into Super Bowl MVPs. He would have shattered Dan Marino’s single-season passing yards record last fall had it not been for Drew Brees, and is the only QB to ever throw 50 touchdowns in a season (2007). Needless to say, Brady still has what it takes to be the best despite turning 35 in August.

3. Drew Brees, New Orleans (Age: 33, Record: 92-61)
2011 Stats: 5,476 yards, 46 TD, 14 INT, 86 rush yards, TD

His yardage total from last year speaks for itself. The Austin (Texas) Westlake product has led the NFL in completion percentage three years running and the has led the league in yards and touchdowns three times each. He has the championship ring and leadership skills to overcome his overall lack of raw physical skills (he is listed generously at 6-foot).

4. Eli Manning, New York Giants (Age: 31, Record: 69-50)
2011 Stats: 4,933 yards, 29 TD, 16 INT, 15 rush yards, TD

He has not been doing it as long or at high a level as his older brother, but Eli is the defending Super Bowl champion – for a second time. He set a career high in yards last fall by nearly 1,000 yards and has proven to be as clutch as any player in the playoffs. When he finally learns to cut down on his interceptions, he could easily find himself atop this list. Additionally, he hasn’t missed a start since taking over as the Giants starter in Week 10 of 2004 — that is 119 straight regular-season starts if you are counting at home.

5. Peyton Manning, Denver (Age: 36, Record: 141-67)
2011 Stats: None

If not for four (that we know of) neck surgeries and a new area code, the elder Manning would be no lower than No. 2 on this list. But there are still question marks surrounding No. 18’s ability to return to his Hall of Fame effectiveness. If he returns to full health, even at 36 years old, he is securely in the Top 3.

6. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh (Age: 30, Record: 80-33)
2011 Stats: 4,077 yards, 21 TD, 14 INT, 70 rush yards

Big Ben is an interesting case study as there feels like a clear drop-off after the Top 5. Statistically, he has never been one of the league’s elite passers, topping 20 touchdowns only three times with only one season of at least 30 scoring strikes. He has also missed five games over the last three years and has only started all 16 games in a year one time (2008). That said, he also is as tough a customer as there is in the game today and has two World Championships to prove it. Oh yeah, he also has won more than 70 percent of his games to this point.

7. Matthew Stafford, Detroit (Age: 24, Record: 13-16)
2011 Stats: 5,038 yards, 41 TD, 16 INT, 78 rush yards

The word projection comes to mind when trying to place Stafford. There are few quarterbacks with as much physical talent as the former Georgia Bulldog and he likely has the biggest arm in the game today. He also has played one full season as a starter — one that saw the Lions make the playoffs for the first time since 1999 and was littered with passing and receiving team records. Health is really the only issue surrounding the Lions passer, as he played only 13 of his first 32 possible games before last year's breakout performance.

8. Tony Romo, Dallas (Age: 32, Record: 47-30)
2011 Stats: 4,184 yards, 31 TD, 10 INT, 46 rush yards, TD

Few players are more scrutinized in football than Romo. But after missing most of the 2010 season, he did his best to lead a team that lacked depth and had changed coaches to within one win of the NFC East crown. He posted his best statistical year last fall and feels like a young 32 — having begun his starting career at age 26 back in 2006. He is a classic overachiever, but is as tough as they come and is a quality leader. He needs to add to his one career playoff win to move up this list, however.

9. Philip Rivers, San Diego (Age: 30, Record: 63-33)
2011 Stats: 4,624 yards, 27 TD, 20 INT, 36 rush yards, TD

The word knucklehead quickly crops up when talking about Mr. Rivers. He constantly runs his mouth and sometimes his temper can get the best of him. But he also produces big numbers — four straight seasons above 4,000 yards — and wins a lot of games — he made the playoffs in each of his first four seasons as the starter. Yet, he has never been able to get his very talented teams into the big game and turned the ball over 25 times last fall. A return to the postseason this fall cements Rivers as one of the league’s top 10 signal callers.

10. Matt Ryan, Atlanta (Age: 27, Record: 43-19)
2011 Stats: 4,177 yards, 29 TD, 12 INT, 84 rush yards, 2 TD

When it comes to the NFL’s best it feels like Ryan is consistently overlooked. But his numbers play on any roster and his win-loss record is pristine. He has never had a losing season and has only missed the postseason once (at 10-6 nonetheless). He has improved his touchdown total four straight seasons (16, 22, 28, 29) and has increased his yards three straight years. He is a consummate professional who quietly accounted for 31 total touchdowns a year ago. Ryan has missed two games in his career and is about to enter his prime.


15. Carson Palmer, Oakland (Age: 32, Record: 50-56)
2011 Stats: 2,753 yards, 13 TD, 16 INT, 20 rush yards, TD (9 games)

Not just anyone could walk into Cincinnati and turn the Bengals into a perennial playoff contender but that is essentially what the No. 1 overall pick did in 2003. Cincy lost at least 10 games in five straight seasons before drafting Palmer. By 2005, the Bengals had their first winning season since 1988. In fact, Cincy has three postseason appearances since 1990 and two have come on the strong right arm of Palmer. After a brief six-game hiatus, all he did last year in Oakland (for a lame duck coach) was post his highest yards-per-game total of his career (275.3 ypg). At 32 years old, he still has plenty left in the 6-foot-5, 235-pound tank.



31. Matt Cassel, Kansas City (Age: 30, Record: 28-26)
2011 Stats: 1,713 yards, 10 TD, 9 INT, 99 rush yards (9 games)

The story is well-known: Cassel didn’t start a game at USC, sat behind Brady, went 10-5 when called upon in New England and parlayed one year into a big contract. Yet, he is a career 59.0 percent passer, is 18-21 as the Chiefs' starter with 32 interceptions and 22 fumbles over that span and has had major injury issues. Cassel has one more year to prove he is the franchise quarterback in KC

http://www.athlonsports.com/nfl/rank...rterbacks-2012

The rest is at the link, too many characters to post the entire thing.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

You would consider him even with his stint in NY? That didn't end well there even tho he made a hell of a comback for the Cards. Maybe that's what will put him in?

There's this perception that Warner didn't play all that well for the Giants.

That's a myth.

He was a bad fit for thier system, and the Giant fans were antsy to see Eli play, but Warner started 9 or 10 games and put up numbers in those games comparable to what he put up for the Cardinals.

He belongs in the HoF because he was a dynamic playmaker that was a difference maker for two franchises that were woeful before his arrival, and since his departure.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by milkman

There's this perception that Warner didn't play all that well for the Giants.

That's a myth.

He was a bad fit for thier system, and the Giant fans were antsy to see Eli play, but Warner started 9 or 10 games and put up numbers in those games comparable to what he put up for the Cardinals.

He belongs in the HoF because he was a dynamic playmaker that was a difference maker for two franchises that were woeful before his arrival, and since his departure.

I tell you what Milk Man, I agree he belongs in the HOF. However I have a prejudice bias against the guy and it has nothing to do with his accomplishments. I hate it that he wasn't drafted for his teams for say a high rounder with opportunity given to him. The reason is that for Chiefs True Fans to hang on the notion that we don't have to draft a high round QB to get our guy. This maybe all pretentious on my part but it's how I feel.

I do admire Kurt Warner for all he has done & he earned every bit of his success. I just don't like retread QBs that's what we get and we fail time and time again year after year with them. It sickens my stomach that we don't go out of our way in the draft to snag the best prospect possible and if by chance we do draft albeit later rounds, a prospect he sits and waits his turn holding a clipboard. It's just so rair we get the opportunity to watch a player at QB grow with the team and aspire for Super Bowl glory.

Kind of wanted to vent a rant there. I don't believe we will ever see another Super Bowl (past 40 years ago) as long as we don't develop our own untainted QB.

[BigMeatballDave]

While we're on HOF QBs, can someone explain to me why Joe Namath is in.

His numbers are atrocious.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

I tell you what Milk Man, I agree he belongs in the HOF. However I have a prejudice bias against the guy and it has nothing to do with his accomplishments. I hate it that he wasn't drafted for his teams for say a high rounder with opportunity given to him. The reason is that for Chiefs True Fans to hang on the notion that we don't have to draft a high round QB to get our guy. This maybe all pretentious on my part but it's how I feel.

I do admire Kurt Warner for all he has done & he earned every bit of his success. I just don't like retread QBs that's what we get and we fail time and time again year after year with them. It sickens my stomach that we don't go out of our way in the draft to snag the best prospect possible and if by chance we do draft albeit later rounds, a prospect he sits and waits his turn holding a clipboard. It's just so rair we get the opportunity to watch a player at QB grow with the team and aspire for Super Bowl glory.

Kind of wanted to vent a rant there. I don't believe we will ever see another Super Bowl (past 40 years ago) as long as we don't develop our own untainted QB.

History tells us your best chance is to draft a first round QB, and I have been banging that drum for years.

However, history also tells us you can succeed with retread QBs, as Steve Young for the 9ers and Kurt Warner for both the Rams and Cardinals illustrate.

Johnny Unitas and Len Dawson were retreads, as was Rich Gannon for the Raiders.

Originally Posted by Dave

While we're on HOF QBs, can someone explain to me why Joe Namath is in.

His numbers are atrocious.

While Namath's numbers really are pretty pedestrian, his impact on the game was huge.

He's in because of that impact, and because of his personality.

[Backwards Masking]

Originally Posted by milkman

I was not, nor have I ever been a fan of Steve Young.

However, too many people place too much emphasis on numbers and not enough emphasis on the player's impact, regardless of numbers.

It took Steve Young 3 or 4 years after replacing Montana to learn that you win SBs from the pocket, but for the entirety of his career as the QB for the 9ers, he was a dynamic playmaker, and that's why he's in the Hall.

Kurt Warner was also a dynamic playmaker, which is why he belongs in the Hall.

Marshall faulk was a dynamic playmaker, as well, which is why he's in the Hall.

Willie Roaf was an impact player at a position which is more difficult for people to really measure his impact, which is why he had to wait a year longer than he should have.

i never argued any of those guys shouldnt be there, simply the order with which they were selected.

As far your Roaf comment, it wasn't difficult for me, other Chiefs fans, or anybody that wasn't legally blind to see the dynamic impact he had on the Chiefs offense, just as great or more so than any of the above mentioned.

It's kind and generous of you to make piss poor excuses for the Hall Committee for snubbing Raof first ballot, but I think deep down you know very well that's exactly what they are - piss poor excuses. His lack of First Ballot Nomination will forever speak volumes about how imcompetent the Hall Of Fame committee and their selection process both are. And no excuses or future decisions can be made to undo the embarrassing light they shone themselves in with their first ballot snub in my mind.

Greatest run blocking LT of all time - there's no excuse...

[Ace Gunner]

Originally Posted by Dave

While we're on HOF QBs, can someone explain to me why Joe Namath is in.

His numbers are atrocious.

Go straighten them out -- you have the stats to prove it

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Backwards Masking

i never argued any of those guys shouldnt be there, simply the order with which they were selected.

As far your Roaf comment, it wasn't difficult for me, other Chiefs fans, or anybody that wasn't legally blind to see the dynamic impact he had on the Chiefs offense, just as great or more so than any of the above mentioned.

It's kind and generous of you to make piss poor excuses for the Hall Committee for snubbing Raof first ballot, but I think deep down you know very well that's exactly what they are - piss poor excuses. His lack of First Ballot Nomination will forever speak volumes about how imcompetent the Hall Of Fame committee and their selection process both are. And no excuses or future decisions can be made to undo the embarrassing light they shone themselves in with their first ballot snub in my mind.

Greatest run blocking LT of all time - there's no excuse...

Explaining the stupidity of the voters is not making excuses.

I wholeheartedly agree that Roaf should have been a first ballot HoFer, but I'm fully aware of how the process works.

Roaf played for two essentially irrelevant franchises, and the voters didn't watch these teams and see the impact he had on the fortunes of both teams.

If he played on the east coast or in Dallas, he'd have lmost certily have been first ballot.

But it is what it is, and there isn't a damn thing I can do about it.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by milkman

History tells us your best chance is to draft a first round QB, and I have been banging that drum for years.

However, history also tells us you can succeed with retread QBs, as Steve Young for the 9ers and Kurt Warner for both the Rams and Cardinals illustrate.

Johnny Unitas and Len Dawson were retreads, as was Rich Gannon for the Raiders.




While Namath's numbers really are pretty pedestrian, his impact on the game was huge.

He's in because of that impact, and because of his personality.

Ya it can be done, but it's still a rair feet. Also the success of first rounders compared to retreads is astonishing. I didn't want Joe Montana then & all I've wanted was to watch our own guy his rookie year picked to be our franchise QB from the draft. I call it the Blackledge curse that we don't do this any more. I was around 7yo when we drafted him so I think 30 years later is high time to try again. I do want to see what Stanzi has to offer and hope he takes advantage of his opportunities this year & go into the offseason with knowing what we got in him and look into the draft for another prospect high on the totem pole.

There is absolutely nothing to suggest that Cassel resembles even a snitch that he could hold a jock strap to the QBs you mentioned either.

[milkman]

I always argued that DT should have been first ballot.

There were other players who were actually better, more rounded at his position, but no defensive other than LT in the previous 20 years had the impact on his team that DT had.

But voters didn't see that, so it took him, what was, 4 years(?) to get in.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by milkman

I always argued that DT should have been first ballot.

There were other players who were actually better, more rounded at his position, but no defensive other than LT in the previous 20 years had the impact on his team that DT had.

But voters didn't see that, so it took him, what was, 4 years(?) to get in.

There was an issue of Bob Gretz and his ability to present the case of DT being shrined to the voters as well, iirc.

[Ace Gunner]

Originally Posted by milkman

There's this perception that Warner didn't play all that well for the Giants.

That's a myth.

He was a bad fit for thier system, and the Giant fans were antsy to see Eli play, but Warner started 9 or 10 games and put up numbers in those games comparable to what he put up for the Cardinals.

He belongs in the HoF because he was a dynamic playmaker that was a difference maker for two franchises that were woeful before his arrival, and since his departure.

Not really true. Warner was on a bad NYG squad and Eli was just drafted, Coughlin was installing the new offense in his first season as well. Warner thrived in the same system when he was under Wisenhunt as a Cardinal, so it wasn't the system, but the NYG personnel in a new system and the fact he was getting pummeled from bad OL play. At some point Eli took over and he got pummeled.

Warner will be HOF, I agree.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by Bowser

There was an issue of Bob Gretz and his ability to present the case of DT being shrined to the voters as well, iirc.

I kind of recall this. Should of had Lenny the Cool present it & it would have been a done deal.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Bowser

There was an issue of Bob Gretz and his ability to present the case of DT being shrined to the voters as well, iirc.

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

I kind of recall this. Should of had Lenny the Cool present it & it would have been a done deal.

At the end of the day, I don't think the presentation matters one bit.

I think voters go into the process with their minds made up already, and only an act of God could sway them.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by chiefsfootballfan

Not really true. Warner was on a bad NYG squad and Eli was just drafted, Coughlin was installing the new offense in his first season as well. Warner thrived in the same system when he was under Wisenhunt as a Cardinal, so it wasn't the system, but the NYG personnel in a new system and the fact he was getting pummeled from bad OL play. At some point Eli took over and he got pummeled.

Warner will be HOF, I agree.

Every team uses one of two or three systems.

But those systems are fluid, each team uses different nuances within the primary system.

The Giants used the running game and play action more than the Cardinals, or the Patriots, whose base is the Earnhardt-Perkins system, like the Giants.

Warner is not a good fit for a play action system.

[Rasputin]

I use to love the play action pass play especially when it was Steve Deberg hiding the ball from the cameras and they continue to show the RB plow into the defense instead of him throwing it deep for a TD. Over the years it seams to me that the best QBs with high scoring offense are run out of the shotgun. I've grown to like watching QBs out of the shotgun and doing what they do best with running an offense now even more.