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.

[Gadzooks]

Originally Posted by milkman

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.

I had higher hopes for you Milkman. I thought you'd realize that winning the SB is not be the be all and the end all in determining QB talent.
We've talked about the smurf WRs Marino’s had to deal with during his prime and you seemed to agree that it might have hindered his ability to reach the ultimate goal, yet you can't see that Eli is not worthy of a 4th overall ranking.
This is a sad day; I would have hoped you'd be the voice of reason. but ultimately, you've failed

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

I had higher hopes for you Milkman. I thought you'd realize that winning the SB is not be the be all and the end all in determining QB talent.
We've talked about the smurf WRs Marino’s had to deal with during his prime and you seemed to agree that it might have hindered his ability to reach the ultimate goal, yet you can't see that Eli is not worthy of a 4th overall ranking.
This is a sad day; I would have hoped you'd be the voice of reason. but ultimately, you've failed

One again, you just don't get it.

It's not about winning championships.

It's about how you perform when the opportunity to win championships present themselves.

Kurt Warner lost to the Steelers in the SB, but he performed in the biggest moments in those playoffs, as he had done again and again in his previous playoffs.

And he came up big in that SB.

Ben Roethlisberger also came up big in that SB, but he simply had the fortune of having the last chance.

It's not about championships.

It's about performance.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by aturnis

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

Hey, you're gonna confuse the coach with logic.

[Gadzooks]

Originally Posted by milkman

One again, you just don't get it.

It's not about winning championships.

It's about how you perform when the opportunity to win championships present themselves.

Kurt Warner lost to the Steelers in the SB, but he performed in the biggest moments in those playoffs, as he had done again and again in his previous playoffs.

And he came up big in that SB.

Ben Roethlisberger also came up big in that SB, but he simply had the fortune of having the last chance.

It's not about championships.

It's about performance.

So, for Kurt Warner, you appretiated his effort in a losing cause?
Would you consider him for the HOF?
I'm going somewhere with this...

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

So, for Kurt Warner, you appretiated his effort in a losing cause?
Would you consider him for the HOF?
I'm going somewhere with this...

Not 1st ballot, but yes.

Career 93 passer rating.

3 SB appearances, 1 win.

If Young is in, Warner deserves it. Their numbers are similar.

[Gadzooks]

Originally Posted by Dave

Not 1st ballot, but yes.

Career 93 passer rating.

3 SB appearances, 1 win.

If Young is in, Warner deserves it. Their numbers are similar.

I didn't ask you Dave, but you're helping me with my ammo.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

I didn't ask you Dave, but you're helping me with my ammo.

Eat shit, its an open forum.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

So, for Kurt Warner, you appretiated his effort in a losing cause?
Would you consider him for the HOF?
I'm going somewhere with this...

Yes, Kurt Warner is a HoFer, and I have a pretty fair idea where you are going with this, but go ahead, make a fool of yourself.

It's entertaining.

But as long as we're going somewhere, tell me, who, in your opinion, is the greatest QB ever?

[007]

we will win just enough games to be stuck with Cassel for another year.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by Toad King

Sure he would. Those are the best teams in the league. They consistently win 10+ games.

Odds are those teams will be very good again.

Odds are low we end up facing Caleb Hanie, Curtis Painter and Kyle Boller again.

There are 4-5 new playoff teams every year. Things never go as "last year" did. Never.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

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.

Dylan is straight owning Donko and Charger homers in the thread. Haha...

[Backwards Masking]

Originally Posted by Dave

If Young is in, Warner deserves it. Their numbers are similar.

Warners #'s are better, he went to more SB's, with multiple teams, and his team wasn't fined and reprimanded for cheating the salary cap the year he got his ring. He also wasn't throwing to the greatest WR of all time.

IMO Kurt is far more deserving of the hall than Young ever was, and if Young was First Ballot, Kurt should be to. But I don't expect much from the people that snubbed the greatest LT of All Time (Roaf) in favor of the 12th best RB of all time (Faulk). Still makes me wanna puke.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Kurt is easily a HOFer

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Backwards Masking

Warners #'s are better, he went to more SB's, with multiple teams, and his team wasn't fined and reprimanded for cheating the salary cap the year he got his ring. He also wasn't throwing to the greatest WR of all time.

IMO Kurt is far more deserving of the hall than Young ever was, and if Young was First Ballot, Kurt should be to. But I don't expect much from the people that snubbed the greatest LT of All Time (Roaf) in favor of the 12th best RB of all time (Faulk). Still makes me wanna puke.

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.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by milkman

Yes, Kurt Warner is a HoFer, and I have a pretty fair idea where you are going with this, but go ahead, make a fool of yourself.

It's entertaining.

But as long as we're going somewhere, tell me, who, in your opinion, is the greatest QB ever?

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?