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.

[Dylan]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

I'll openly admit I didn't like what Eli did in that draft but I'm still a rational football fan.
I'd mentioned in my post that Eli escaped 2 certain sacks. The question was do you chalk that up to talent or luck?
JFC.

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

Well we're talking about things like "clutch plays" and "poise". Those types of things are a matter of inches.
I gleefully remember when Merriman caught Peyton by the shoe to end a potential game winning drive and I remember the Tyree play where it seemed like Eli's ass was grass twice before he chucked up the rainbow that landed on Tyree's head. Are you chalking up Eli's "poise" to talent as opposed to luck? Statistically, it’s not close. Peyton wins. I’m of the opinion that Eli has an enormous horse shoe lodged up his ass. Sometimes I wonder if you head is up yours.

Gadzooks:

This is what you fail to realize: Had Eli been sacked or David Tyree dropped the pass, the Giants would have faced a fourth down with less than 7-8 yards to go for a first down. Eli did not have had to perform a miracle with Tyree on that down. There was no luck involved.

Please let me know if you don't understand.

TIA

[Gadzooks]

Originally Posted by Dave

And while Cam appears to be quite talented, his sample size is a bit small to be sure of anything at this point.

I've said all along Eli belongs in the top ten but I believe #4 is too high.
I agree that Cam has a small sample size but if you were to compare him to Matt Ryan it gets intriguing.
Ryan has disappointed a bit thus far, (he hasn’t been "clutch"). Cam has blown out of the gates statistically with minimal wins, (thus, he also hasn’t been “clutch” in his single season).
It would take an expert on “clutch” to decide who is ultimately the better NFL QB. We both know who that expert is…

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

It would take an expert on “clutch” to decide who is ultimately the better NFL QB. We both know who that expert is…

So glad you finally came to that realization.

[Dylan]

Gadzooks:

Whether you're a football beginner, which I believe you are - or just want to learn the game of football, please let me know. There is a library full of videos on the Internet that will help you to understand the game.

Your posts don't make sense.

Best,

D.

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by whoman69

Spock wouldn't make any illogical arguments that stronger teams from last year are going to repeat that performance. Going into last year everyone believed we had a killer schedule in the middle where we probably wouldn't win a game. The Jets who beat us were not as advertised, and the Bears who didn't without Cutler were not either. Nobody thought we could beat the Packers. We are not playing the 2011 teams with the 2012 schedule. Drew Brees lost a lot of protection upfront, doesn't have his coach on the sidelines and lost some of their better players to suspension on the defense. If you think playing them this year equals playing the 13-3 2011 New Orleans Saints, you are making a fool's argument. That's just one team.

The Steelers have had to replace a lot of older parts. The Ravens lost Suggs for the entire year. The Bengals haven't put together good back to back seasons since the days of Ken Anderson. The Browns could be better. The NFC South is so schizophrenic that the last place club from the previous year often wins the division. Cam Newton could have a sophomore slump. Freeman might finally put it all together. Atlanta might start slow again.

Everyone knows we are starting with a disadvantage with Cassel under center. Who knows? Maybe the homers are right and he needed more weapons? This team has way too much talent to dismiss. Maybe Matt Cassel gets hurt in preseason.

Good show Whoman. Surprised me a bit.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by Dylan

Gadzooks:

Whether you're a football beginner, which I believe you are - or just want to learn the game of football, please let me know. There is a library full of videos on the Internet that will help you to understand the game.

Your posts don't make sense.

Best,

D.

[Gadzooks]

Originally Posted by Dylan

Gadzooks:

Whether you're a football beginner, which I believe you are - or just want to learn the game of football, please let me know. There is a library full of videos on the Internet that will help you to understand the game.

Your posts don't make sense.

Best,

D.

You're not endearing me to your existence. The boys around here think you’re cute because you’re a girl who knows a couple of things about football.
I have no interest in you or your glib attitude. You seem to post links without explaining your ultimate point.
I have an abundance of knowledge of the game of football, both as a player and a coach. I'm sure there are many things I could teach you in this realm but I fear your lack of intellect might hold you back from learning anything since you can’t articulate a point on a Chiefs message board. - (BTW - you're too care free to know I'm not Knowmo - **** you)

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

You're not endearing me to your existence. The boys around here think you’re cute because you’re a girl who knows a couple of things about football.
I have no interest in you or your glib attitude. You seem to post links without explaining your ultimate point.
I have an abundance of knowledge of the game of football, both as a player and a coach. I'm sure there are many things I could teach you in this realm but I fear your lack of intellect might hold you back from learning anything since you can’t articulate a point on a Chiefs message board. - (BTW - you're too care free to know I'm not Knowmo - **** you)

She would appear to know more than you.

[Gadzooks]

Originally Posted by Dave

She would appear to know more than you.

That means nothing coming from the one sentence (barely) wonder.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

That means nothing coming from the one sentence (barely) wonder.

Whatever.

Dolt troll is bitter.

[Gadzooks]

Originally Posted by Dave

Whatever.

Dolt troll is bitter.

I wouldn't count either of those as full sentences.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

You're not endearing me to your existence. The boys around here think you’re cute because you’re a girl who knows a couple of things about football.
I have no interest in you or your glib attitude. You seem to post links without explaining your ultimate point.
I have an abundance of knowledge of the game of football, both as a player and a coach. I'm sure there are many things I could teach you in this realm but I fear your lack of intellect might hold you back from learning anything since you can’t articulate a point on a Chiefs message board. - (BTW - you're too care free to know I'm not Knowmo - **** you)

It seems to me she articulated her point rather well when she discussed why Deliverance is a choker.

And you really should excuse her for mistaking you for knowmo.
It almost appears you two are from the same gene pool, so it would be easy to get you confused.

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

I wouldn't count either of those as full sentences.

Oh noes!

[Gadzooks]

Originally Posted by Dave

Whatever.

Dolt troll is bitter.

Dave,

Whether you're an English beginner, which I believe you are - or just want to learn English, please let me know. There is a library full of videos on the Internet that will help you to understand the language .

Your posts don't make sense.

Best,

G

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

I'm not trolling. I would consider putting Cam in my top 10 based on talent.
The list should be based on the QBs with the most talent.

So, because Eli is clutch, he gets no credit for the 4,900yd season he just put up?