Debate A QB

by Alex Swift on Jan 4, 2012 8:13 AM CST

Due to some silly, silly comments here, I have decided to rank the top 5 starting Quarterbacks in the NFL from THIS YEAR. Of course Peyton Manning would be on this list, had he not been injured and missed the entire season.

1. Aaron Rodgers- Broke the record for highest QB rating in a season. With little to no running game. Turnovers from his defence gave him short fields to work with, and increased his touchdowns/attempt.

1a. Drew Brees- What record didn't he break this year? Well, ya there's QB rating. But other than that? Not many quarterbacks can match his precision. Doesn't have much star power to work with.

3. Tom Brady- Over 5000 yards, and carried a team, with one of the worst defenses in the NFL, to a 13-3 record, as well as the AFC's number one seed.

4. Matthew Stafford- Finally playing a full season, Matt Stafford shows why he was the number 1 pick a few years ago. Absolutely blew up, throwing for over 5000 yards, and leading the Lions to their first playoff berth in over a decade.

5. Eli Manning- Looked inconsistent at times, but didn't have much help around him. Yes, Nicks and Cruz are elite receivers, but they were hampered by injuries and drops all season. Not much of a run game or defense to show of, but still made the playoffs.

Ready? DEBATE!

Poll

Who was the best QB in the NFL this season?

Aaron "Discount Double-Check" Rodgers

18 votes

Drew BREEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!

77 votes

Tom "I'm married to Gisele Bundchen" Brady

5 votes

100 votes | Poll has closed

This FanPost was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

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Comments

I think you nailed it

I voted for Rodgers, because I want to motivate Drew.

"Sinn Féin, motherf*****s!"

by MtnExile on Jan 4, 2012 8:32 AM CST reply actions

Looks like you're alone so far!

Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs
TOP IS GAWD!

by Alex Swift on Jan 4, 2012 10:14 AM CST up reply actions

Lions' fan here....

I hope to hell that Brees gets the MVP instead of Rodgers. To throw for nearly 5,500 yds in a season is mind-boggling and might never be beaten as long as we stay in 16-game seasons. My bet is that defenses start catching back up with these high-powered offenses soon because the NFL is pretty cyclical like that. Either way, based on breaking a record that has stood for nearly 30 years, the MVP honors should automatically go to Brees regardless of Rodgers’ accomplishments with his efficiency. And it’s not like the Saints won 8 games or something. Brees was every bit as important to the Saints as Rodgers to the Packers… in fact, likely moreso. After getting torched in Green Bay by Matt Flynn last week, I think that Green Bay would still have played pretty well had Rodgers gone down. Not to disrespect Chase Daniels or anything……

BTW… being a true homer, I’d have voted for Stafford had he been included in the poll….. ;) To hit 40 TDs and 5000 yds at age 23 is beyond remarkable in my book. The true sham is that he is 3rd alternate in the pro bowl. What a crock. Anyway… best of luck on Sunday and if (notice I said "if’) you beat us Saturday, you better finish up with a Super Bowl win. I can’t take another second of those cocky Packer fans.

by DrewsLions on Jan 4, 2012 9:56 AM CST reply actions 4 recs

Rec'd

I didn’t put Stafford on the list, simply because I’d like to see him last a full season more than once in his career before putting him up there. He puts in another season like that, and it will likely be 2a/2b with him and Brady next year

Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs
TOP IS GAWD!

by Alex Swift on Jan 4, 2012 10:16 AM CST up reply actions

That's literally the one problem I have with Stafford.

fantastic year, but I need more proof that he ain’t made of glass and can produce year in and year out. Overall as a QB (not considering this year, but rather career and QB progression), my rankings would be:

1) Brady
2) Peyton*
3) Brees
4) Rodgers
5) Roethlisberger
6) Eli
7) Rivers
8) Romo
9) Stafford
10) Cutler

I know there’ll be a problem with a lot of folks with 6 and beyond. The way I see it is this. Eli Manning has been the most durable QB for his generation. The past 4 years he’s been a very, very good QB (2010 being an exception). 28 TDs, 14 INTs. 21 TDs and 10 INTs. 31 TDs and 25 INTs. 29 TDs and 16 INTs. Yeah those 25 INTs were bad, no doubt. Brees had 22 that year as well. It happens sometimes. I understand that Stafford’s year has been better than any of Eli’s years, but I’d rather have a QB that I know will give me a good game, that I can be assured to have a good game (a few stinkers every year happen to every QB, not fair to blame Eli for a few bad games this year. Brees and Stafford both have had untimely INTs this year), and that will be available for every game over a QB that has monstrous upside, but you don’t know if he can survive a full season or not. Eli has proven that he can win in the playoffs, he’s good enough to win the big one, and he was the superbowl MVP (I know many don’t think he deserved it, but hey, he won it, can’t take it away from him).

I’d like to see Stafford reproduce this year at least once more, and stay healthy for a few more seasons before I’m ready to anoint him over Eli in this respect. For this year, I can’t deny that Stafford probably had the better year than Eli did, though I’d like to see what both do in the playoffs to finalize that judgement. Both have been extremely clutch. Eli set the record for most 4th Q TDs, has 6 comeback wins (most in the NFL), and the best 4th quarter QB ranking. Stafford has 5000 yards and 40 TDs. ‘Nuff said. He had some comeback wins too. Eli had less to work with, I’d argue…with the 32nd ranked rushing offense, the 29th ranked defense, and a crummy OL. In any case, I digress….that’s my reasoning for Eli over Stafford overall as QBs (not finalized for ranking them this year till after the playoffs, but right now, Stafford leaves).

I put Romo and Rivers over Stafford, because they have been statistical behemoths for most of their careers. Same reasoning for Stafford, I need a larger sample size to consider him over these guys.

As far as the top 5, I think the top 4 are interchangeable. Brady had that unbelieveable 2007 season, best ever. Peyton had the 2nd best season, and Rodgers has had the 3rd (this year) in terms of TD: INT ratio. Brees, I think, struggles with the INTs more than either of those guys, but my goodness, he’s just an overall monster. He can pick apart a secondary with teh best of them, and of course, racks up the yardage like its nobody’s business. Brady has the pleasure of staying in the shadows this year, but he wasn’t too far off the pace of Brees when it came to the record.

All 4 are insane. Roethlisberger I put in 5th despite his down year this year is his history. Always a consistent QB, making great throws, a great escaper, and has won two superbowls (tho one in spite of his performance)

I support the Giants like bras support Kim Kardashian's boobs. It can be a struggle, we've had some jiggles, but we're still firm.

by BigBlueIntervention on Jan 4, 2012 10:54 AM CST up reply actions

I didn't go past 5 for that reason alone

Too many nitpicky details between 6 and 12. Everyone agrees WHO should be there, but it’s more difficult to place them. The reason I didn’t include Manning in the top 5, as I said, was that it was for this year. Also that’s why Stafford was in over Eli- this season, he stayed healthy and proved what he could do with a full season.

Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs
TOP IS GAWD!

by Alex Swift on Jan 4, 2012 11:27 AM CST up reply actions

Well, from a Lions' fans perspective....

I think Stafford in this season, has dispelled the myth that he is “injury prone”. I hate that moniker anyway… makes it seem like he has brittle bones or something. He just took the type of shot that ANY quarterback would have had to get peeled up off the turf after. There is ZERO residual affects from any previous injuries, so any future injury has to be another freak hit… which is the same amount of injury prone-ness as any other QB in the league. That’s the way I feel and I’m sure many others in Detroit feel as well.

As for your rankings…. yikes. I know Stafford has only one full season under his belt, but it was an elite season. For him to be so young and so advanced is really remarkable. For me, it’s a what have you done lately league with respect to quarterbacking and Stafford should rocket up this chart quickly in the next year or two.

Here is an excerpt of something I posted in a fanpost over at Pride of Detroit about Stafford:

It took Drew Brees 8 NFL seasons to pass for 5,000 yards and 11 seasons to throw more than 40 TDs. It took Tom Brady 12 seasons to throw for 5,000 yards (and remarkably it took him 6 seasons to even hit 4,000 yds) and 8 seasons throw more than 40 TDs. Aaron Rodgers is now in his 7th year and he has NEVER thrown for 5,000 yds and this is his first year hitting more than 40 TD. Marino is the exception to the rule, but if that is the measuring stick to be judged by, then Stafford is firmly on his way to a Hall of Fame career.

I think when you look at him in this context, it becomes apparent how special he truly is and how amazing this season was for him. Now…. we just need a defensive secondary……..

by DrewsLions on Jan 4, 2012 12:06 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

Call me old fashioned, but one great season, no matter how great it might be, doesn't make an elite QB in my eyes.

It needs to be reproducible. Obviously not 5000 yds, 40 TDs or w/e, but a season that’s considered “good” by most. The difference between Brees, Brady, and Rodgers from Stafford is that they’ve had multiple great seasons.

Romo and Rivers have had multiple great seasons, but nothing to show for it. Eli and Roethlisberger have had multiple good, not great (though 2011 Eli had a great season). They also had playoff success. I know that’s more of a team thing, but the QB is a driving force. Romo and Rivers were in the position for playoff success and they couldn’t do it. Stafford hasn’t gotten that chance until this year in his very young career.

I think Stafford is a great QB. But I still can’t shake that injury thing. He’s missed 19 games out of a possible 48. That’s a TON. If Stafford is the great QB I think he is, and can be, I have no doubt he’ll probably move ahead of the QBs in front of him in heralded territory. I can’t put him there just yet. Josh Freeman and Michael Vick had GREAT seasons last year, to only come way down this year. If Stafford can reproduce his success this year (and like I said before, he doesn’t have to do what he did this year…just have a good year), I’ll be more comfortable with it.

Just my opinion, and I think its a valid one. I think your’s is as well. You should be damned proud of the QB you have over in Detroit.

I support the Giants like bras support Kim Kardashian's boobs. It can be a struggle, we've had some jiggles, but we're still firm.

by BigBlueIntervention on Jan 4, 2012 2:31 PM CST up reply actions

as a Lions fan i agree

Call me old fashioned, but one great season, no matter how great it might be, doesn’t make an elite QB in my eyes.

To me a win at the Superdome would really bring “a real conversation” about top 5 quarterback for Stafford into the picture… he did do everything he could vs the Packers last week. But only a franchise changing victor like a playoff win on the road vs a favored opponent really changes the perspective of a NFL quarterback. Just about all of the guys in that conversation have a win like that against a team they had no business beating…

by Shankdiddy on Jan 4, 2012 8:04 PM CST up reply actions

Wholeheartedly agree.

Brees, Brady, P.Manning, Roethlisberger, Rodgers, and Eli all have this in common. Brees, Rodgers, Brady, and Peyton obviously in other stratosphere. If Stafford can make some noise this postseason, and prove he can stay healthy….he’s definitely going to be in the conversation to be in that same stratosphere.

I support the Giants like bras support Kim Kardashian's boobs. It can be a struggle, we've had some jiggles, but we're still firm.

by BigBlueIntervention on Jan 4, 2012 10:05 PM CST up reply actions

I said that Stafford had an "elite season"...

not that he is in the “elite status” in the eyes of the masses just yet. I will say that I already count him as elite, because this season is absolutely no fluke. Nobody has a “fluke 5,000 yard 40 TD season”. That is an oxymoron in my opinion.

Either way, if you are ranking this year’s quarterbacks, I think Stafford has to be like 5th or 6th. I’ve watched Eli Manning play a lot of games and he is inconsistent at best. He’s had some great career moments and some truly bonehead moments when you are left scratching your head. Not sure I would call him elite. He has 55 INTs over the last three years (avg of 18 per season) and his career completion percentage is 58.4… not great qualities to have for a guy in his 8th year. I think he’s maxed his potential and if that’s the case… he will never be in the same realm as his brother and Brady, Brees and Co.

As for the other potentially elite QB aside from Brady, Brees, Rodgers and Peyton Manning, I am not convinced Roethlisburger is an elite QB either. His status comes from his wins and Super Bowl rings, but is it really him that is the reason? I don’t know. He tough to take down and can keep plays alive because he is a tremendous athlete, but that doesn’t make a quarterback great. In 8 years, he’s only broken 30 TDs once and eclipsed 4,000 yds twice. He is pretty accurate, I’ll give him that. If he’s not elite, he is really close.

I guess elite to me means that you can will your team to win and throw 400yds and 5 TDs for your team if you need to. Stafford is that type of guy and just needs the time to prove it.

by DrewsLions on Jan 5, 2012 10:02 AM CST up reply actions

"I guess elite to me means that you can will your team to win"

Nobody has done that more than Eli this season. Six come from behind victories (most in the nfl), highest passer rating the 4th quarter, 15 4th quarter TDs (NFL Record), 4 400 yard games (tied for 2nd most in NFL history in a single season). And that was with the 32nd ranked rushing attack, and 29th ranked defense, and an OL that lost three of its starters, and was atrocious overall.

I support the Giants like bras support Kim Kardashian's boobs. It can be a struggle, we've had some jiggles, but we're still firm.

by BigBlueIntervention on Jan 5, 2012 5:08 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, but he still throws far too many picks most years and...

for as many times as he’s been clutch, he’s been the reason for the loss. With as much talent as they have on that club, 9-7 is a real shame. I think Eli is good, but not elite. Kinda in the same class as Romo and Rivers. On the cusp…..

by DrewsLions on Jan 6, 2012 3:32 PM CST up reply actions

Agree to disagree, I suppose. I respect your opinion on the matter.

I support the Giants like bras support Kim Kardashian's boobs. It can be a struggle, we've had some jiggles, but we're still firm.

by BigBlueIntervention on Jan 6, 2012 4:05 PM CST up reply actions

As far as the INTs go, here are the last 4 years...comparing Eli to Brees.

Year Eli Brees
2011 16 14
2010 25 22
2009 14 11
2008 10 17

Total 65 64

I don’t understand why Eli gets knocked as an interception machine when he’s had 1 bad season with INTs in the last 4 years.

I support the Giants like bras support Kim Kardashian's boobs. It can be a struggle, we've had some jiggles, but we're still firm.

by BigBlueIntervention on Jan 5, 2012 5:14 PM CST up reply actions

Because he is an interception machine. So is Brees.

"I don’t intend to draw any conclusions from any single game." -Brian Burke
"I will now attempt to exclude specific large amounts of TOP from the totals of winning teams, in order to prove that TOP doesn't contribute to winning." -Dr. Jeremy Arkes

by coldpizza on Jan 5, 2012 5:40 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Should had suffered...

a least 6 sure picks against him in the last 6 games

Repeat? Run it!

by FrenchFreak on Jan 5, 2012 5:42 PM CST up reply actions

don't mind to him..

he hates all quarterbacks equally.. specially the real good ones that are integral to prominent offensive production.. he just hates the ball making contact with the air..

by the 9th plague on Jan 5, 2012 5:44 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

ah

I support the Giants like bras support Kim Kardashian's boobs. It can be a struggle, we've had some jiggles, but we're still firm.

by BigBlueIntervention on Jan 5, 2012 6:37 PM CST up reply actions

The topic is interceptions. Do you consider those integral to prominent offensive production? Or were you just trolling again?

by coldpizza on Jan 5, 2012 6:53 PM CST up reply actions

Brett Favre has more career passing yards and touchdowns than Drew Brees and Eli Manning combined. That doesn’t mean he wasn’t an interception machine.

by coldpizza on Jan 5, 2012 6:56 PM CST up reply actions

it is amazing stafford had a 422 yard 5 TD passing game as a rookie

Brady didn’t have a 400 yard passing game till this year. Just amazing to think of how good Stafford is going to be.. but to think 5k yards and 40 TD in really his only full season (faint)

by Shankdiddy on Jan 4, 2012 8:00 PM CST up reply actions

The kid is amazing.

But this week, he’s going to be ordinary. I’m sorry, guys. I really do like the Lions. Sad that it has to end this way.

by Jimbo03 on Jan 5, 2012 9:23 AM CST up reply actions

Or......

He can keep pace with the last three weeks and be EXTRAordinary and we’ll have to say sorry to you guys and that we feel that it is sad that Brees and Co. have to end it that way…. ;)

Just keepin’ it real for my team.

by DrewsLions on Jan 5, 2012 10:04 AM CST up reply actions

I would expect no less.

Bad luck to you this week, and good luck to you next year, bud. Hope you guys have a great draft, and maybe we can dance again in the NFCCG next season.

by Jimbo03 on Jan 5, 2012 12:56 PM CST up reply actions

Right back at ya, bud.

by DrewsLions on Jan 6, 2012 3:34 PM CST up reply actions

Or he could have a career defining moment... which this is the Stage to do it

All of the really good quarterbacks have had a win like this where they really aren’t suppose to have a chance. And i could see Stafford going nuts in this type of game or go >>> pooff.. he is so young who knows.

by Shankdiddy on Jan 6, 2012 11:21 PM CST up reply actions

I miss Barry :*(

Stupid people are like slinkies. They're not really useful for anything, but it's still fun to watch them tumble down stairs.

by hooahsaint2.0 on Jan 5, 2012 9:53 AM CST up reply actions

Thanks for being classy.

We appreciate good fans coming here and having friendly interaction. It says a lot about you and the rest of your fan base.

As for Saturday. If we had to lose to anyone, I’d like it to be Detroit. Ya’ll have a similar history to ours and have worked really hard to overcome the infamous 0-16. Good luck.

Stupid people are like slinkies. They're not really useful for anything, but it's still fun to watch them tumble down stairs.

by hooahsaint2.0 on Jan 5, 2012 10:00 AM CST up reply actions

Good luck to you guys as well.

Here’s to a good, entertaining, injury-free game and that the winner goes on to take it all.

by DrewsLions on Jan 5, 2012 10:05 AM CST up reply actions

That's pretty nice to hear.

Alot of other fan bases hate us for being as ‘dirty’ as our players.

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

Twitter is for pussies. I follow people in real life.

"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy

by Leonuro on Jan 5, 2012 11:02 AM CST up reply actions

Welcome to the club....have you met Favre's ankle?

-Lombardi was wrong...it's the internet, not fatigue that makes cowards of us all. But then again, what do you expect. Not like the guy could see the future.

by jeff.l.b on Jan 5, 2012 11:16 AM CST up reply actions

I haven't

but all of a sudden, I’m feeling violent…

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

Twitter is for pussies. I follow people in real life.

"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy

by Leonuro on Jan 5, 2012 11:32 AM CST up reply actions

Suh vs Harper…round 1 rings the bell.

-Lombardi was wrong...it's the internet, not fatigue that makes cowards of us all. But then again, what do you expect. Not like the guy could see the future.

by jeff.l.b on Jan 5, 2012 11:47 AM CST up reply actions

it'd be an awkward fight

one guy targetting an ankle while the other guy tries to stomp him.

It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.

Twitter is for pussies. I follow people in real life.

"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy

by Leonuro on Jan 5, 2012 12:37 PM CST up reply actions

Hilarous mental image.

I’m resisting the urge to open Photoshop because I have a lot of stuff to do today.

by Jimbo03 on Jan 5, 2012 12:58 PM CST up reply actions

I'm not even going to consider a loss on Saturday,

but if the Saints weren’t in the playoffs, I’d probably root for Detroit.

by Jimbo03 on Jan 5, 2012 12:57 PM CST up reply actions

Me too. I pulled for them last time they made it.

by coldpizza on Jan 5, 2012 5:42 PM CST up reply actions

Wow this poll had a predictable outcome

And I believe all the argueing for MVP although it’s fun to piss off Packer fans sometime will be decided in the NFC championship game
Thats when they hand it out after the game
I think thats when all the voters will decide it if the Saints & the Packers meet the winner gets a trip to the Superbowl and the MVP

by mississippisaintsfan on Jan 4, 2012 12:14 PM CST reply actions

they vote this week my friend

"So I'll leave you with this. And I say this with all sincerity, right from the bottom of my heart, and with all due respect: Lick my balls." Grandmaster Wang

by DrWhoDat on Jan 4, 2012 1:48 PM CST up reply actions

BTW

I’m pretty sure Rogers will get MVP, and Brees will get best offensive player(or whatever they call it).

PS: Is it just me or is everyone finding it hard to stay focused on the Saints Lions game? I wanted the Packers to go undefeated in regular season so that the Saints could crush their dreams in the playoffs. The Saints are not the same team that played the Packers in the opener……but that doesn’t matter….the only thing that matters right now is the Lions.

"So I'll leave you with this. And I say this with all sincerity, right from the bottom of my heart, and with all due respect: Lick my balls." Grandmaster Wang

by DrWhoDat on Jan 4, 2012 2:00 PM CST up reply actions

Stand firm

Cause you are not the only one. I keep going through my head of how we almost lost to SF last year @ candlestick. But were a better team this year, and as long as we limit our mistakes, capatilize on the opponents, we are un beatable. IMHO

Drew looks like a demon possessed,
or a SAINT that's BLESSED.

by MattDat on Jan 4, 2012 3:46 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

They voted today in fact

Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die!
WHO DAT?!
TWO DAT!!

by LA_No1_SaintFan on Jan 4, 2012 10:46 PM CST up reply actions

Don't count your chickens before they hatch

piss off Packer fans sometime will be decided in the NFC championship game

Neither the Saints nor the Packers are in the NFC Championship Game yet. Saints have to win two games before they get there.

13.

Build Lasers And Stuff For More Ownage, Dude!

by Wiedmann on Jan 7, 2012 3:16 AM CST up reply actions

Correction.

One game. ;)

"Who are we? We find that we live on an insignificant planet of a humdrum star lost in a galaxy tucked away in some forgotten corner of a universe in which there are far more galaxies than people. " -Carl Sagan

by crescendo2020 on Jan 8, 2012 12:04 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs