Lonestar
07-19-2008, 05:30 PM
Posted: July 14, 2008
War Room scouts
For Sporting News
There are many ways to measure an NFL quarterback -- statistics, ratings and intangibles. Those rare individuals who can put them all together end up in an elite class that measures up to past greats. Getting a ring isn't everything, but it's the one thing upon which top quarterbacks are constantly measured:
1. Tom Brady, New England Patriots. Coming off a stellar 2007 season, his long string of success in the postseason may make him the best of all time.
2. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts. More No. 1A than No. 2. If you can find a weakness in Manning's game, let us know.
3. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals. Throws the ball as well as anyone from recent NFL years. He has great size and a big arm -- now everybody in Cincy needs to take a deep breath and let him work.
4. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints. A couple seasons removed from the Saints magical postseason run, some forget about Brees, but he is the straw that stirs one of the league's the most prolific passing attacks. Last year, he did it without a running game.
5. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers. Has a big arm and better mobility than one would expect from a big man. Despite all his natural ability, however, his greatest assets are his playmaking savvy and winner's mentality.
6. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks. The 'Hawks offense goes as Hasselbeck goes, and that's meant good things in Seattle in recent years. His arsenal has been depleted, however, so this season he may struggle to put up numbers that accurately reflect his standing on this list.
7. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys. If it weren't for Jessica Simpson, people might actually be forced to talk about Romo's stellar performances on the field, which included 36 TD passes last season. With a few more strong seasons and some success in the playoffs, he will join the ranks of the elite.
8. Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers? Yes, Favre is still this good if it turns out he becomes "unretired" -- especially if he plays like the '07 version. If somehow he gets the gig in Green Bay again, he has a bevy of weapons and a great system in his favor. If he ends up somewhere else, it's anybody's guess.
9. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers. A tough hombre who proved he can play through pain. Now he just needs to prove he can consistently play at a high level. His '07 postseason may have been a sign of things to come.
10. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles. We began to see glimpses of the old McNabb in the second half of '07 as he gained more confidence in his surgically repaired knee. If he can stay healthy, he is the perfect quarterback to run Andy Reid's offense.
11. David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars. Garrard is better than most think, and is more than just another athletic quarterback. With a handful of new wide receivers in the fold, this dual threat could emerge as a top-five signal-caller in '08.
12. Eli Manning, New York Giants. It's a "What have you done for me lately" world, and in that sense Manning should ride the wave of his postseason success. But we also remember how average Manning was during the regular season. If he shows "it" over the course of four months instead of four weeks, he will shoot up this list.
13. Jay Cutler, Denver Broncos. Cutler possesses all the physical tools. Once he improves his decision-making on the field, he will take another quantum leap.
14. Jake Delhomme, Carolina Panthers. An emotional leader on the field, Delhomme runs hot and cold. If he's healthy and he's on, however, he will make the most of an upgraded receiving corps and an improved offensive line.
15. Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams. Has proved to be productive and accurate throughout his career, but his skills and his supporting cast have been diminished over the years.
16. Derek Anderson, Cleveland Browns. Opponents began to figure out Anderson after his fast start in '07. Now, can he put together another successful campaign and hold off the challenge of Brady Quinn? Anderson has all the pieces around him to make it work.
17. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans. Schaub is smart, poised in the pocket and accurate, but the injuries suffered by him and his teammates, most notably go-to receiver Andre Johnson, have limited his body of work. Prove it on the field over time and we'll talk.
18. Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Garcia's greatest asset is what he doesn't do. He doesn't take sacks and he doesn't throw interceptions. He's smart and accurate, and he keeps drives alive, but he's not the playmaker he once was, and at 38 years, he might as well be 98.
19. Chad Pennington, New York Jets. With a running game and some lineman who block, Pennington can still win in this league. He's smart, experienced, and deadly accurate in the short-to-intermediate game. He has completed 65.6 percent of his pass attempts during his career.
20. Matt Leinart, Arizona Cardinals. Leinart is known for his accuracy in the short to mid-range passing game, but he has enough arm strength to make this work in Arizona. The problem is he is running out of time to prove it. He must do a better job of using his terrific receivers, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.
21. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers. Rodgers has plenty of potential and plethora of weapons at his disposal. Now all he needs is for Favre to go away so he can get his shot without looking over his shoulder.
22. Jason Campbell, Washington Redskins. Campbell is blessed with physical tools, strong intangibles and good upside. However, he needs to learn yet another new offense this season, and the West Coast attack doesn't fit his skills particularly well.
23. Vince Young, Tennessee Titans. Young is an outstanding natural athlete who can attack a defense with his arm and his legs, but he has yet to master the NFL game from the shoulders up. Now he needs to learn a new offense and he still doesn't have a true game-breaking receiver.
24. Trent Edwards, Buffalo Bills. A smart young player who continues to improve. He is a good fit for the Bills' ball control attack, but he isn't a big playmaker yet.
25. Jon Kitna, Detroit Lions. Kitna really shouldn't be starting anymore, but he is the type who ends up playing somewhere. With pass-happy Mike Martz gone, he no longer will have padded aerial stats to hide his deficiencies.
Maybe next year?
The top breakout candidate to crack the top 25 for '09:
Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers. Despite his struggles early in his career, the Martz system will help Smith pad his stats and keep the naysayers off his back for the time being. Consider what that offense did for both Marc Bulger and Jon Kitna.
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=434469
War Room scouts
For Sporting News
There are many ways to measure an NFL quarterback -- statistics, ratings and intangibles. Those rare individuals who can put them all together end up in an elite class that measures up to past greats. Getting a ring isn't everything, but it's the one thing upon which top quarterbacks are constantly measured:
1. Tom Brady, New England Patriots. Coming off a stellar 2007 season, his long string of success in the postseason may make him the best of all time.
2. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts. More No. 1A than No. 2. If you can find a weakness in Manning's game, let us know.
3. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals. Throws the ball as well as anyone from recent NFL years. He has great size and a big arm -- now everybody in Cincy needs to take a deep breath and let him work.
4. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints. A couple seasons removed from the Saints magical postseason run, some forget about Brees, but he is the straw that stirs one of the league's the most prolific passing attacks. Last year, he did it without a running game.
5. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers. Has a big arm and better mobility than one would expect from a big man. Despite all his natural ability, however, his greatest assets are his playmaking savvy and winner's mentality.
6. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks. The 'Hawks offense goes as Hasselbeck goes, and that's meant good things in Seattle in recent years. His arsenal has been depleted, however, so this season he may struggle to put up numbers that accurately reflect his standing on this list.
7. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys. If it weren't for Jessica Simpson, people might actually be forced to talk about Romo's stellar performances on the field, which included 36 TD passes last season. With a few more strong seasons and some success in the playoffs, he will join the ranks of the elite.
8. Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers? Yes, Favre is still this good if it turns out he becomes "unretired" -- especially if he plays like the '07 version. If somehow he gets the gig in Green Bay again, he has a bevy of weapons and a great system in his favor. If he ends up somewhere else, it's anybody's guess.
9. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers. A tough hombre who proved he can play through pain. Now he just needs to prove he can consistently play at a high level. His '07 postseason may have been a sign of things to come.
10. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles. We began to see glimpses of the old McNabb in the second half of '07 as he gained more confidence in his surgically repaired knee. If he can stay healthy, he is the perfect quarterback to run Andy Reid's offense.
11. David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars. Garrard is better than most think, and is more than just another athletic quarterback. With a handful of new wide receivers in the fold, this dual threat could emerge as a top-five signal-caller in '08.
12. Eli Manning, New York Giants. It's a "What have you done for me lately" world, and in that sense Manning should ride the wave of his postseason success. But we also remember how average Manning was during the regular season. If he shows "it" over the course of four months instead of four weeks, he will shoot up this list.
13. Jay Cutler, Denver Broncos. Cutler possesses all the physical tools. Once he improves his decision-making on the field, he will take another quantum leap.
14. Jake Delhomme, Carolina Panthers. An emotional leader on the field, Delhomme runs hot and cold. If he's healthy and he's on, however, he will make the most of an upgraded receiving corps and an improved offensive line.
15. Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams. Has proved to be productive and accurate throughout his career, but his skills and his supporting cast have been diminished over the years.
16. Derek Anderson, Cleveland Browns. Opponents began to figure out Anderson after his fast start in '07. Now, can he put together another successful campaign and hold off the challenge of Brady Quinn? Anderson has all the pieces around him to make it work.
17. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans. Schaub is smart, poised in the pocket and accurate, but the injuries suffered by him and his teammates, most notably go-to receiver Andre Johnson, have limited his body of work. Prove it on the field over time and we'll talk.
18. Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Garcia's greatest asset is what he doesn't do. He doesn't take sacks and he doesn't throw interceptions. He's smart and accurate, and he keeps drives alive, but he's not the playmaker he once was, and at 38 years, he might as well be 98.
19. Chad Pennington, New York Jets. With a running game and some lineman who block, Pennington can still win in this league. He's smart, experienced, and deadly accurate in the short-to-intermediate game. He has completed 65.6 percent of his pass attempts during his career.
20. Matt Leinart, Arizona Cardinals. Leinart is known for his accuracy in the short to mid-range passing game, but he has enough arm strength to make this work in Arizona. The problem is he is running out of time to prove it. He must do a better job of using his terrific receivers, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.
21. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers. Rodgers has plenty of potential and plethora of weapons at his disposal. Now all he needs is for Favre to go away so he can get his shot without looking over his shoulder.
22. Jason Campbell, Washington Redskins. Campbell is blessed with physical tools, strong intangibles and good upside. However, he needs to learn yet another new offense this season, and the West Coast attack doesn't fit his skills particularly well.
23. Vince Young, Tennessee Titans. Young is an outstanding natural athlete who can attack a defense with his arm and his legs, but he has yet to master the NFL game from the shoulders up. Now he needs to learn a new offense and he still doesn't have a true game-breaking receiver.
24. Trent Edwards, Buffalo Bills. A smart young player who continues to improve. He is a good fit for the Bills' ball control attack, but he isn't a big playmaker yet.
25. Jon Kitna, Detroit Lions. Kitna really shouldn't be starting anymore, but he is the type who ends up playing somewhere. With pass-happy Mike Martz gone, he no longer will have padded aerial stats to hide his deficiencies.
Maybe next year?
The top breakout candidate to crack the top 25 for '09:
Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers. Despite his struggles early in his career, the Martz system will help Smith pad his stats and keep the naysayers off his back for the time being. Consider what that offense did for both Marc Bulger and Jon Kitna.
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=434469