My Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks

NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks released an interesting list regarding his top 10 current NFL quarterbacks. I’m not completely sold on his list so I’m going to make my own. To be honest, ranking players can be a bit confusing at times. Are they based on potential, what they’ve accomplished in the past, what they’ve done lately or regular season/postseason statistics? This list will be based on if for one season I had to take a quarterback to win me a championship it would be _____. I’m going to take into account what they’ve done in the regular season as well as postseason to gage where I would take these guys in their order. So, without further ado here are my top 10:

10. Philip Rivers 

Philip Rivers has had some questionable personnel around him for years. I mean, Malcolm Floyd and Eddie Royal don’t exactly scare many defenses. I still think his competitiveness and his ability is top 10 worthy. Since, the hiring of Mike McCoy, Rivers has actually improved as a quarterback over the course of the past 2 seasons. In both seasons, he has recorded a completion percentage of 66% or higher, and has thrown for at least 30 touchdown passes. The addition of Melvin Gordon is going to pay huge dividends in creating a better balance on offense. We could be looking at a 2014 Tony Romo type-season if the run game is as good as projected for Rivers and the Chargers.

9. Joe Flacco 

Say what you want about his regular season statistics, but Joe Flacco has been a winner since the day he stepped into this league. He’s helped bring the Ravens to the playoffs all but once in his 7 years, 3 AFC Championship game appearances, and a Super Bowl title. In his last 8 postseason games, Flacco has thrown 21 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions. Take away 2013 and Flacco has been a guy that has averaged 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions over the course of his career. What, that’s no good enough for you? What’s wrong with being smart with the football? For some reason, he gets knocked for not putting up Peyton Manning-like statistics. Bottom-line: I’d take him on my team any day. He wins football games. Period.

8. Tony Romo

Tony Romo is an Aaron Rodgers-like talent. At this point in his career, with all of the injuries he’s suffered he has no doubt lost some of his elusiveness, but that doesn’t take away from just how great he’s been in his NFL career. People have to realize that up until last season, the Dallas Cowboys have been a disaster from management on down. He’s been the band-aid on this franchise for years. As fans, we feel the need to tag players based solely on perception. I don’t believe Romo is a choke artist, he just hasn’t been in a strong position to succeed. When we look back at his career 20 years from now, we’ll realized just how good he really was.

7. Eli Manning

Yes, the 2 Super Bowl Championships undoubtedly put Eli Manning this high on this list, but what’s the problem with that? In today’s society, we are all about winners. Manning is just that, but his reputation is hurt a bit because of some high turnover seasons. This past season, his career was given a shot of 5 hour energy as he posted 30 touchdowns, over 4,000 yards, and the best completion percentage of his career. His offensive line has been a train wreck for years now, which looks to be improving as the team has looked to the draft to do so. Just get him to the postseason, and you’re bound to get something special from him.

6. Ben Roethlisberger

Under offensive coordinator Todd Haley, Ben Roethlisberger has become a complete quarterback. No longer is he just “Big Ben” back there taking hits and running around, his skills as a pocket passer have improved big time. For most of his career he was labeled as a game manager. The Steelers had an elite defense for most of Ben’s career, so as long as he handed it off and didn’t make mistakes the team won football games. That perception has changed dramatically over the past 2 years, as Ben has thrown for over 10,000 yards and 60 touchdown passes in that span. He’s no longer your father’s Big Ben. He has changed and adapted for the better, which is why I’d put him this high.

5. Russell Wilson

Say what you want about the defense he has around him, but Russell Wilson is special. They tried Charlie Whitehurst and Tarvaris Jackson, how’d that turnout? If Seattle really thinks they could win without him they’re crazy. Please pay the man. He deserves to be paid elite money at his position. Structured improvisation is what NFL Films Greg Cosell calls his style of play. Yeah, he runs around and makes plays, but it’s done so well with such intelligence that nobody has yet to replicate it. His leadership skills and maturity are the best in the sport. Can you find anyone on or off the field that relates to him? His positive mindset and attitude is what separates him from the rest, and without question effects the moral of his teammates. Russell Wilson is elite in more ways than one, folks.

4. Peyton Manning

I find it funny how people make Peyton Manning out to be washed up. If washed up means 39 touchdown passes, over 4,700 yards, and a quarterback rating above 100 then can I be washed up too? Yeah, his arm strength is awful, but he’s still the league’s smartest quarterback who can figure out just about any defense that lines up against him. Every year, he steps on the field you know he’s giving you a shot at a Super Bowl title. What more could you want from a guy? I hope this isn’t his last season, because I personally think he could still produce at a high level for a good 2-3 more years.

3. Andrew Luck

Andrew Luck possesses the maturity and athletic ability of Russell Wilson, but with better arm strength and touch on the football. Just think of this, with the same roster that won 2 games in 2011, as a rookie Andrew Luck turned them into an 11 win team the next season. If I had to pick any player in the league to have on my team for the next 10 years it would be Andrew Luck. All of the intangibles are there for him to be a 1st-ballot hall of famer, but he can’t do it by himself. This team is still missing pieces on both the offensive and defensive side, but with his ability that still doesn’t leave them out for Super Bowl contention.

2. Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers is quite possibly the most talented quarterback I’ve ever seen. What makes him so special is just how easy he makes it look. The fluidity of his throwing motion looks effortless and he walks it off with a hop step and a “discount double-check” that makes it looks like a walk in the park. Not very often will you see him rant or rave on the sideline. He just brings the arrogant coolness almost all the great one’s have. The touch, the arm strength, the underrated mobile skills make him one of the very best in the game.

1. Tom Brady

Cheating or no cheating, If I had to take one quarterback to win a championship it would be Tom Brady. He’s the greatest competitor I’ve ever seen, as well as the greatest winner I’ve ever seen. The man has been to 9 AFC Championship games and 6 Super Bowls. Can we pause to think about how absurd that is? This isn’t Madden, this is real life, people. A few months ago I wrote about how I think Tom Brady isn’t only the greatest quarterback of all-time, but rather the greatest player of all-time. At this current moment, people lack the appreciation for his game, but when they look back at his career in 20 years and compare it to others they’ll realize just how amazing it truly was.

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