Latest Sports News, NFL NEWS
The NFL’s Top 5 Quarterbacks
Published by JM Van Horn on May 10, 2009
Jay Cutler’s trade to the Chicago Bears and Brett Favre’s courting by the Minnesota Vikings have dominated the headlines during this NFL offseason. What’s truly remarkable is that neither Cutler or Favre – at least in my mind – are among the NFL’s five best quarterbacks.
Cutler has the potential to become one of the best QB’s in the NFL, or at least the Bears are hoping he develops into the player most felt he could be.
Last season, Cutler completed 62.3% of his passes for 4526 yards, 25 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. After basically telling the Broncos he wasn’t going to play for them this season, Denver shipped him to Chicago in exchange for Kyle Orton, 2009 first and third-round draft picks and a 2010 first-round pick.
It wasn’t that long ago when Favre could arguably be called the best QB in the league, but his days of being among the best in the NFL are over. While the former MVP still has a few bullets left, he’s no longer the type of player that can lead his team to a playoff berth.
While Cutler and Favre grabbed all the headlines, it gave me pause to consider who the top five quarterbacks in the NFL are.
1. Peyton Manning – Indianapolis
During the 2008 season, Manning completed 66.8% of his passes for 4002 yards, 28 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and was sacked only 14 times.
Whether you like the him or not, Manning deserves credit for leading the Colts to nine straight victories to end the 2008 regular season. As it stands, Manning is the quarterback you want to have in the huddle if your team’s playoff hopes are on the line.
2. Drew Brees – New Orleans
Thanks to his revival in New Orleans, Brees has entrenched himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. He completed 65% of his passes for 5069 yards with 34 touchdowns, 17 interceptions and was sacked just 13 times.
Despite the success he had throwing the ball, Brees is the type of player who wouldn’t mind seeing a decrease in his statistics in exchange for a playoff berth.
3. Phillip Rivers – San Diego
The apparent division rival for Cutler, Rivers had a stellar third year as the starting quarterback of the Chargers. He completed 65.3% of his passes for 4009 yards with 34 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions.
Rivers was the highest rated quarterback in the NFL last season with a 105.5 rating. If there was any doubt as to the direction of the Chargers offense, its success rests solely on the arm of Rivers.
4. Kurt Warner – Arizona
The ageless wonder surprised everyone by leading the upstart Cardinals to the Super Bowl. Last season, Warner completed 67.1% of his passes for 4583 yards, 30 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Some may say Warner’s success was a result of throwing the ball to two of the top wide receivers in the game. Last time I checked, he still had to throw the ball to the receivers. The only concern for Warner is his age and if father time will catch up to him in 2009.
5. Tom Brady – New England
Even with his 2008 season cut short, Brady still remains one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL.
Though Patriots fans should not expect Brady to match the numbers he put up in 2007, they would still be ecstatic with his production from 2005 where he completed 63% of his passes for 4110 yards with 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Honorable Mention
Tony Romo – Dallas
Even with the Cowboys not making the playoffs last season, Romo still had a solid season despite missing three games with a broken pinkie. He completed 61.3% of his passes for 3448 yards with 26 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Based on his level of production, Romo would have thrown for 4000 yards and 30+ touchdowns had he not missed any time due to the injury and the Cowboys would have probably made the playoffs.
This season will be the true test of Romo’s talent since he will be without wide receiver Terrell Owens.
Similar Posts:
- 2010 NFL Playoffs: NFC Divisional Round Predictions
- 2009 NFL Week 6 Predictions & Those Must See Games
- 2009 NFL Week 2; Five Must See Games
- Jay Cutler Needs To Follow LT’s Lead
- 2009 NFL End of the Year Awards
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading ...6,742 views
8 so far
 |
 |
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
Nicholas Jordan on Sun, 10th May 2009 17:37
BRADY NUMBER 5 QB IN THE LEAGUE? The QBs b4 him has 2 superbowls altogether Brady has 3 alone numbers arent everything and peyton manning hasnt put up good numbers in the playoffs wen it matters even the year colts won the superbowl and if Brady was throwing to hall of fame receivers his entire career he would have the same if not better numbers 5 in the league yea rite Bradys atleast top 3 ever
JM Van Horn on Sun, 10th May 2009 21:08
Good points Nicholas, especially about the wide receivers. The only thing keeping Brady at the bottom of the list is the injury last year. I want to wait and see how he performs when he returns to the field. And when I put this list together it was strictly based on their performance in 2008 and where I expect them to be in the coming year. As for Brady’s entire career, if he bounces back from the injury then he is going to have a solid shot of being one of the top five of all time, without a doubt.
Daily Toke: Happiness isn’t having what you want, it’s wanting what you have | Hail Mary Jane on Mon, 11th May 2009 05:58
[...] The NFL’s Top 5 Quarterbacks [...]
Paneech Presents Monday’s Top Stories | Paneech on Mon, 11th May 2009 12:46
[...] Baseball Player * Josh Q. Public The Curse On An NBA MVP During The Playoffs * A Stern Warning The NFL’s Top 5 Quarterbacks * Moondog Sports Will Amani Toomer Find A Home * My Sports Rumors Tribe Swept By Tigers * Tribe [...]
Scott Conway on Sun, 12th Jul 2009 16:16
The fact that you only consider stats and for that matter, only look at passing yards make you a joke. The fact that Big Ben isn’t on your list just shows you are an idiot. Congrats on being another Steeler hater, dork!
The Fan on Sun, 12th Jul 2009 20:21
Steelers suck…
JM Van Horn on Sun, 12th Jul 2009 21:27
Scott, just because I listed passing stats of all types, it does not mean I did not look at their intangibles. For the sake of the discussion it is easier to relay my thoughts in terms of stats to those reading the post.
Yes Big Ben has leadership on his side, but I believe Big Ben’s success is partially due to being a product of the system like the Steelers with their style of offense and dominant defense. If you went and place him on another team, like the Colts, I do not think he would have two Super Bowl rings. For all of those people who have already placed Big Ben in the Hall of Fame, they need to remember he has a long way to go and things could change.
Feel free to let me know why he should be in the Top Five than just calling me names.
DJ Bareback on Tue, 14th Jul 2009 15:31
If any quarterback was throwing to Hall of Fame Wide recievers their entire career their stats would be stacked. Big Ben’s success is in direct correlation with the defense his team displays. As far as pure talent and decision making, his abilities are good, but not great. And how else are you going to rate quarterbacks other than stats? Heart? Give me a break.