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.

[JD10367]

Not sure I'd put Wheedon above Cassel. Really, he hasn't even taken a snap in the NFL yet. Cassel should be higher, somewhere between #27 and #31.

And as I type that, I realize how still-pathetic that is.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by JD10367

Not sure I'd put Wheedon above Cassel. Really, he hasn't even taken a snap in the NFL yet. Cassel should be higher, somewhere between #27 and #31.

And as I type that, I realize how still-pathetic that is.

Thanks for hooking us up with Pioli and his piece of shit son.

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by Toad King

Thanks for hooking us up with Pioli and his piece of shit son.

"Your anger feeds the dark side of the Force."

[Hammock Parties]

The joke will be on you when Pioli returns to New England and throws Belichick off The Razor.

[BoneKrusher]

Originally Posted by JD10367

"Your anger feeds the dark side of the Force."

the force is with us.

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by BoneKrusher

the force is with us.

More like the farce, until you dump Cassel.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by JD10367

More like the farce, until you dump Cassel.

"Always two, there are...the master, and the apprentice."

[BoneKrusher]

Originally Posted by JD10367

More like the farce, until you dump Cassel.

with the Chiefs rushing attack for the 2012 season, quarterbacking the chiefs should be so easy a caveman could do it.

[COchief]

Jesus Christ, this gadzooks kid is an absolute moron.

You could very easily argue Eli as the #1. He took a very average team and beat Atl, GB (in GB in January), SF in SF, and then took Brady's best and sent them packin.

He's probably the same sort of shitstain that thinks Marino was just as good as Montana just because Marino could hit a gnats asshole from 80 yards out. If that was all there was to being a QB then Jeff George would be considered the greatest off all time. The job of QB is also to manage the game, be a team leader, and come through in the clutch.

I would take Eli head to head against about any QB on any given Sunday. He stomped Rodgers in his house, and then beat Brady in the SB. Who is better than those two?

Gadzooks, do us all a favor...don't talk football anymore. It makes our heads hurt.

/btw, I don't even really like Eli, but I can recognize greatness.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by COchief

Jesus Christ, this gadzooks kid is an absolute moron.

You could very easily argue Eli as the #1. He took a very average team and beat Atl, GB (in GB in January), SF in SF, and then took Brady's best and sent them packin.

He's probably the same sort of shitstain that thinks Marino was just as good as Montana just because Marino could hit a gnats asshole from 80 yards out. If that was all there was to being a QB then Jeff George would be considered the greatest off all time. The job of QB is also to manage the game, be a team leader, and come through in the clutch.

I would take Eli head to head against about any QB on any given Sunday. He stomped Rodgers in his house, and then beat Brady in the SB. Who is better than those two?

Gadzooks, do us all a favor...don't talk football anymore. It makes our heads hurt.

/btw, I don't even really like Eli, but I can recognize greatness.

No. His TEAM beat the Packers and the Patriots. He didn't "stomp" any QBs except for Ryan and Smith in the playoffs. Still commendable and awesome that he does this all on the road. But no, he's not a better QB than Rodgers or Brady. #3 is right about where he belongs I'd say

[vailpass]

Archie Manning must look at his balls in the mirror every day and say "good morning king makers".

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Hes average to above average during the regular season. Hes NAILS in the playoffs when it truly matters.

Hes easily a top 5 QB.

Yep.

[Reerun_KC]

I see this turned into another swallow the sausage fest...

Imagine that...

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

I see this turned into another swallow the sausage fest...

Imagine that...

?

[Gadzooks]

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

That's because this is Trent Dilfer

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...D/DilfTr00.htm

This is Eli Manning

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...M/MannEl00.htm

The only comparison is in your brain. You're comparing a below average QB to a good Qb.

I'll assume you're just trolling and not actually this stupid.

I'm not comparing Eli to Dilfer, however there are a large group on this board that over rate him because of the rings. They don't consider the variables that have contributed to his success.
Next off-season, barring the Giants winning another SB, his ranking will go down to where it should be.
If you were to look at some of the guys on this list and had a choice of any of the players from Eli to #10, to replace Cassel, I doubt you'd pick Eli unless you had your head up your ass.