August 6: NFL Quarterbacks

On the back of hearing Eli Manning just became the highest paid player in the NFL, I started thinking about the other guys he has to compete with every week in the league. As the highest paid player, is he the best player? Is he even the best quarterback? I formulated my own list of the Top 10 NFL QBs, just to see where he stacked up.

1. Peyton Manning (Colts): Eli's older brother has been and will be for some time, the most accurate and mentally-strong quarterback in the league. If I had to pick a quarterback to start a team now, I would pick the 33 year old, just to let the rookie that is behind him watch and learn. He can manage a team on the field and knows everyone's role. This knowledge helps him connect with his receivers, at a click of 64.4% of the time for his career, the best in the NFL. He came in as one of the best, and he still is one of the best.
2. Tom Brady (Patriots): Despite coming off of a knee injury, Brady slots in behind Peyton as the next best thing since, well, Peyton Manning. He has command of his offense as well as Manning. He can manage a game as well, too. In fact, it comes down to choice #1 and #1A. But Manning gets the nod because of his accuracy, where Brady is a "lousy" 63%.
3. Drew Brees (Saints): A gunslinger right out of the old run-and-shoot styles, Brees will throw the ball almost anywhere at any time. This ability caused San Diego to hold on to him that much longer when they had Philip Rivers sitting on the bench behind him. Last year, Brees threw for an astonishing 5,069 yards, the most in Saints history.
4. Philip Rivers (Chargers): Brees' replacement in San Diego has done everything but get the elusive Super Bowl Ring. Lead his team to the playoffs for three straight years? Check. Lead the league in passer rating? Check. Gain the respect of teammates by playing hurt? Check. Now all he needs to is get the remaining hardware.
5. Eli Manning (Giants): The highest paid player is only the fifth best QB? That is right my friends. While he has the ring, Manning is not a player that can carry a team when it is necessary. He is a very good player, and works well in the Giants offensive scheme. But he is not able to throw for 50 times in a game and carry his team to the victory consistently.
6. Donovan McNabb (Eagles): McNabb has been on a roller coaster of a career, but he has been able to hang in there through all of it and make himself into a good QB. His weapons have always been suspect, with the exception of Brian Westbrook, and yet he still puts the Eagles in a position to win.
7. Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers): Two rings helps his argument, but like Manning, Big Ben can't grab the ball and sling it around the field and lead his team to victory consistently. The power running game turns Ben from a hurler to a manager, and he plays that role VERY well.
8. Tony Romo (Cowboys): If he can ever get the playoff monkey off his back, he might climb the list. But leading a team to 12, 13 or 14 wins means nothing when you lose the first time out. Romo is more of a risk taker, but he has the mental acumen to still maintain his composure to run the team.
9. Carson Palmer (Bengals): Injuries make this a tough pick, but when he is healthy, Palmer has top 5 potential. With a solid receiving corp, Palmer has been the carrying force for the Bengals for the last four years and he is poised to return with a new elbow from Tommy John surgery.
10. Kurt Warner (Cardinals): A Super Bowl run will definitely rejuvenate a career, but Warner should be on the list based on his home run potential. As the prize member of the "Greatest Show on Turf" in St. Louis, we all know Warner could throw. Pair him with Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, and it was a lethal team.

Just missing the cut: Matt, Ryan, Aaron Rodgers, Jay Cutler, Matt Cassel, Matt Hasselbeck, Chad Pennington