@Flynn4Matt[/author_info] [/author]
The Quarterback is the principal player on the grid-iron. Through rain or snow, win or loss, he stands tall in the pocket, gazing over his troops in a trench battle to control the middle of the field, and find a way to exploit matchups in the equally intimidating defense. Certain players know how to do it, calming the huddle, changing strategy at the line, and executing a relentless attack on the opposition, others do not possess this gift of cerebral leadership.
Like the point guard in basketball, the quarterback is there to make his teammates better, attempting, like a coach, to elevate everyone to reach their full potential. Great quarterbacks make decent players look great, and great point guards spread the offense consistently to give their teammates easy looks at the hoop. The quarterback and point guard always look for the same thing: good pace and the open man.
The point guard and the quarterback must not only understand the plays, where his teammates are, and control pace (a good pitcher in baseball would also dictate pace this way), but they must also truly understand the game in a way that a more physical position might not.
It was Joe Montana who once said that “any quarterback that understands what the offense is really about is going to succeed.”
Montana is the standard that all quarterbacks are held to. Whether it is the scrambling ability of a Russell Wilson, to the pin-point short-yardage accuracy of a Tom Brady, to the cannon of an arm belonging to Andrew Luck, there are different things that make the offense’s leader really great. We will attempt to discuss them.
Continuing conjsports.com’s coverage of some of professional sports’ most elite athletes, our series of the most intellectually and leadership challenged positions will continue with the top ten NFL quarterbacks, with a few honorable mentions for who just missed.
The Honorable Mentions (in Alphabetical Order):
Derek Carr (Raiders), Andy Dalton (Bengals), Joe Flacco (Ravens), Cam Newton (Panthers), Carson Palmer (Cardinals), Matt Ryan (Falcons)
The preceding quarterbacks are very close to being in our top ten list, but are absent for decently secure reasons, such as being too young to tell their trajectory (Carr and Dalton), too statistically inconsistent despite consistent winning (Flacco and Newton), or veterans who lack true postseason pedigree (Palmer and Ryan).
The following ten players have those criteria. They are known for winning, statistical dominance, leadership, and post-season consistency.
The statistics are grouped with the 2015 season on top (through Week 9), and the 2014 season on the bottom. The statistics deal with: passing yards, completion percentage, touchdown-to-interception ratio, passer rating, and basic rushing statistics.
#10. Eli Manning- New York Giants
| 2,339yds | 66% | 19TD/6INT | 96.9PR | 47yds-0TD |
| 4,410yds | 63% | 30TD/14INT | 92.1PR | 31yds-1TD |
Postseason Record: (8-3) 2 Super-Bowl Wins (2007, 2011)
Scout Quote: “Eli’s been known to turn the ball over a lot in a few seasons, I believe he had 27 one year, but he’s the kind of player who learns to adjust over time. It helps that he won two Super Bowls to cement his legacy.” – Johnny Hancheck of checkthefeed.com
Analysis: It’s been a long career of intense scrutiny for Manning, now with many media members calling for his long-term coach’s resignation in Tom Coughlin, or the implementation of the west-coast offense with tons of quick throws. It was a surprise when the offense took such a switch in 2013 but kept with the veteran in Manning, who has proven to not be set in his ways at all. In fact, the last season and a half (Manning has played 9 games so far in 2015), have been some of the best football he’s played. His strengths are now his ability to throw the ball into short traffic and command the offense, but it also forces him to have inflated interception numbers most seasons.
#9. Russell Wilson- Seattle Seahawks
| 1,878yds | 69% | 9TD/6INT | 95.0PR | 303yds-0TD |
| 3,475yds | 63% | 20TD/7INT | 95.0PR | 849yds-6TD |
Postseason Record: (6-2), 1 Super-Bowl Win (2013)
Scout Quote: “Prototypical dual-threat quarterback who doesn’t make the killer mistake. Yes, his goal-line pick at the end of last year’s Super Bowl was a killer mistake, but the play call was questionable, and Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler made a heads-up play. But Wilson’s career—completing 64.3 percent of his passes, 8.0 yards per attempt, just 32 interceptions—is a testament to his ability to be efficient and to not frequently turn the ball over. That, in turn, has often not put Seattle’s defense in bad spots.” – Dom Consentino, NJ.com and Newark Star-Ledger.
Analysis: Wilson possesses the uncanny ability to escape pressure at all costs. He’s the most elusive of the top ten quarterbacks, and also has the best rushing stats of all. Since coming into the league, he has six postseason wins in three seasons, and a Super-Bowl to his credit as well. Many believe that his wins are based more on the defense that he’s played with, and although the postseason success might be completely attuned to that claim, it’s really hard to not give Wilson credit for some very efficient statistics. He’s not very turn-over prone, and extends plays with his legs that inflate his sub-par receivers’ statistics. He’s put together some miraculous plays in pressure situations, and it’s hard to not give Wilson the credit he deserves here. Plus, his 95 passer rating over the last two seasons is pretty darn good.
#8. Ben Roethlisberger- Pittsburgh Steelers
| 1,508yds | 67% | 7TD/6INT | 92.2PR | X |
| 4,952yds | 67% | 32TD/9INT | 103.3PR | 27yds-0TD |
Postseason Record: (10-5), 2 Super-Bowl Wins (2005, 2008)
Scout Quote: “Just a really tough guy. He took so many hits as a younger quarterback, but yet he still put up numbers. The Steelers were 15-1 when he was a rookie, I believe; he’s won ever since he got in the NFL. If he had a better offensive line throughout his career, I think he would be remembered as a top 10 all-time quarterback.” – James Kratch from the Newark Star-Ledger and NJ.com.
Analysis: Roethlisberger is a two-time Super Bowl winner who put up some of his best statistics last season now that he finally has some solid offensive weapons. The Steelers have always been known for their defense, winning the two behind defensive caption/safety Troy Polamalu. Now, the Steelers are a shoot-out team, with offensive pieces like elite running back Le’Veon Bell and elite wide receiver Antonio Brown. Big Ben’s solid ability avoid pressure and to throw the ball downfield has given him his unique skill-set that ends up resulting in a lot of yards and a lot of touchdown passes, as evidenced by his great 2014 season. Now, he is being robbed of a year in his prime with an MCL injury earlier in 2015, and now a sprained foot that will keep him out for two to three more weeks.
#7. Peyton Manning- Denver Broncos
| 2,145yds | 62% | 9TD/13INT | 75.6PR | X |
| 4,727yds | 66% | 39TD/15INT | 101.5PR | X |
Postseason Record: (11-13), 1 Super-Bowl Win (2006)
Scout Quote: “The best regular season Quarterback of all time. Peyton is so good at reading defenses and running the two-minute drill to win the game out. You want Manning for the first 16 games of your championship season, and then switch to Brady or Montana for the final three, just look at his stats.” – Johnny Hancheck of checkthefeed.com
Analysis: Is Peyton Manning in decline? Answer: Clearly. Is he still a top ten quarterback with the ability to compete and win games? Answer: Clearly. Although Peyton’s regular season statistics throughout his career are a bit inflated in high-powered offenses with great receivers, he’s on pace to break every passing record there’s ever been. He still throws a decent long ball, but lacks the zip on the shorter throws that would move the offense a little better. As a touch passer, Peyton is still elite, and his ability to run his own offense and lead the troops keeps him in the Top Ten, despite less than desirable statistics this season.
#6. Tony Romo- Dallas Cowboys
| 551yds | 75% | 3TD/2INT | 98.8PR | 11yds-0TD |
| 3,705yds | 70% | 34TD/9INT | 113.2PR | 61yds-0TD |
Postseason Record: (2-4), Super-Bowl Wins: NONE
Scout Quote: “Underappreciated. Romo is the classic example of a quarterback who unnecessarily takes the blame for his team’s shortcomings. He’s often been derided for failing to play well in the clutch, but he’s led 28 game-winning drives in his career. His 2014 season was outstanding, but it’s overlooked because the Cowboys were eliminated in the playoffs by a bizarre call. This could have been a special season for him and the Cowboys, but his left clavicle injury derailed all that.” – Dom Cosentino, NJ.com and Newark Star-Ledger.
Analysis: Tony Romo led the league in passer rating last season. Tony Romo has a higher career passer rating than any active quarterback other than Aaron Rodgers. The only thing Romo lacks is the post-season credibility, many stating that he cannot win important games. It was interesting that once they got an offensive line and a half-decent running back, the Cowboys were one play away from the NFC Championship Game against a Seahawks team they had beaten earlier in the season. Romo is poised, incredibly accurate, and the most underrated quarterback in the league by far.
#5. Phillip Rivers- San Diego Chargers
| 3,033yds | 69% | 19TD/7INT | 100.7PR | X |
| 4,286yds | 67% | 31TD/18INT | 93.8PR | 102yds-0TD |
Postseason Record: (4-5), Super-Bowl Wins: NONE
Scout Quote: “A tremendous passer who has never really had the team around him to win a Super Bowl. They got close a few times, but they never got past Tom Brady and the Patriots. He’s a Hall of Famer for sure,” James Kratch of the Newark Star-Ledger and NJ.com.
Analysis: Phillip Rivers looked pretty close to done after two down years in 2011 and 2012. He then responded by having his best season to date in 2013, completing 70 percent of his passes and throwing 32 touchdowns. Last season built more off of that success for Rivers, and now with Keenan Allen (yes, we know he’s out for the season) as a primary target, Rivers currently leads the NFL in yards through the first nine games of the season. He would be on pace to throw for almost 5,400 yards if this pace continues, and with his short-pass accuracy and ability to command the middle of the field, he really does play like a poor-man’s Tom Brady. Stick him with a better defense, and Rivers may have a few Super-Bowl wins.
#4. Drew Brees- New Orleans Saints
| 2,763yds | 70% | 18TD/7INT | 102.8PR | 0yds-1TD |
| 4,952yds | 69% | 33TD/17INT | 97.0PR | 68yds-1TD |
Postseason Record: (6-5), Super-Bowl Wins: (2009)
Scout Quote: “Drew Brees is a hall of fame quarterback because of his decision making and consistency. He has solid mechanics and (for the most part) makes the best throw possible.” – Mark Trotochaud of 91.3FM and LionsTV.
Analysis: Brees, despite being turnover prone, has clearly delivered a hall of fame career. Unlike his contemporary Peyton Manning, rumors of Brees’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. He’s thrown together a really solid season so far and is single-handedly keeping the Saints alive despite a porous defense. Despite not being the tallest or most intimidating of opposing quarterbacks, Brees has found a way to work with his offensive line and be extremely accurate, especially over the middle of the field. He’s one of only two quarterbacks with multiple 5,000 yard seasons, and has really grown into his game.
#3. Andrew Luck- Indianapolis Colts
| 1,881yds | 55% | 15TD/12INT | 74.9PR | 196yds-0TD |
| 4,761yds | 62% | 40TD/16INT | 96.5PR | 273yds-3TD |
Postseason Record: (3-3), Super-Bowl Wins: NONE
Scout Quote: “Andrew Luck is a strong quarterback with a great arm, can take a hit, and is clearly a competitor. His only faults come when he tries to do too much, and forces throws.” – Mark Trotochaud of 91.3FM and LionsTV.
Analysis: The above quote about Luck is correct, he has turned the ball over too much in his career trying to force throws, but his dip in statistics this year is clearly from bad health. He went from a shoulder injury to a rip injury, and is now expected to miss more time with a lacerated kidney. Luck is mobile, intense, and boundlessly smart. His teammates don’t refer to him as a ‘wiz kid’ for nothing. After only three seasons, Luck has made the playoffs all three times and outside of never being able to beat the Patriots (also see Manning, Peyton and Rivers, Phillip), Luck has turned in an excellent start to his career. On a side note, it’s a shame to see three Top Ten quarterbacks (also Romo and Roethlisberger) miss time with injury this year.
#2. Aaron Rodgers- Green Bay Packers
| 1,937yds | 65% | 19TD/3INT | 108.2PR | 213yds-0TD |
| 4,381yds | 66% | 38TD/5INT | 112.2PR | 269yds-2TD |
Postseason Record: (6-5), Super-Bowl Wins: (2010)
Scout Quote: “Incredibly accurate. Watch footage of Super Bowl XLV to see what I mean. The Steelers frequently had the Packers’ receivers covered. Yet basically every throw Rodgers made was right to the exact spot where it had to be. He also can hold the ball to make plays, which makes it difficult for defenders to stay with their pass catchers. And he can run it when he has to, which makes him that much more difficult to defend.” – Dom Cosentino, NJ.com and Newark Star-Ledger.
Analysis: Rodgers has made his mark by having a rocket for an arm and slipping the ball into tight spaces even 30 yards downfield. He’s mobile, and although not always the most cerebral quarterback, he has learned over-time how to find mismatches instead of always making throws harder for himself. Considering the statistics, he and Brady are easily top two on this list, but Rodgers has had a tendency to struggle against the tough defenses, Brady meanwhile, tends to pull those games out. Rodgers at his best is better than anyone has ever been, but he’s not always as consistent as Brady.
#1. Tom Brady- New England Patriots
| 2,709yds | 69% | 22TD/2INT | 113.5PR | 19yds-2TD |
| 4,109yds | 64% | 33TD/9INT | 97.4PR | 57yds-0TD |
Postseason Record: (21-8), Super-Bowl Wins: (2001, 2003, 2004, 2014)
Scout Quote: “The guy just wins. He is an unbelievably cerebral player as well, always breaking down defenses and finding weaknesses. The Patriots have some mainstay offensive weapons like Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski, but they always have interchangeable parts in the backfield and on the offensive line, and yet Brady keeps getting better. I think he is one of the five best quarterbacks in history.” – James Kratch, NJ.com and Newark Star-Ledger.
Analysis: There are no words to describe the legacy that one Tom Brady has managed to compile. He has the most post-season wins in history, top tier in Super Bowls won, and has a few solid regular season placings for touchdown passes, yards, and games started as well. Brady has only gotten smarter and more mobile with age, and outside of a 2013 season where his stats took a brief dip (he was without all five of his previous year’s leading receivers on opening day), he is playing the best football of his entire career from Week Five of 2014, through the Super-Bowl, and now halfway through 2015. He says he wants to play until age 45, and while leading the league in passer rating, yards per game, touchdowns, and TD to INT ratio at age 38, we’re inclined to believe him. He’s made a case for the best ever at the position.
We encourage you to comment with your own Top-10 list.