One of my favorite things to do every year, is rate each team’s quarterback situation after the quarter point of the NFL season. The reason I wait so long to do so is mainly for two reasons. First, injuries happen, but they tend to settle down after the first couple of weeks. Secondly, it rids our thought of last year’s results and achievements. Now we know that Philip Rivers is the real deal, and we also know that Jay Cutler isn’t a top 10 guy. (Last year I had him 12th). Hopefully you all remember that it scores out of 100, and upside and downside is considered as well. I will use ^ for upside and < for downside next to everyone’s rankings. Let’s see how the teams faired. (In situations where teams have had 2 quarterbacks, the final rating is the average between the 2. So in Arizona’s situation, Palmer is better than other quarterbacks, but they fall because Stanton has started a few games...
Note: Don’t be mad at my #1 pick. I think there is justification if you look at the big picture as opposed to just numbers. It’s graded out on 10 criteria and if you look at where this person is, there’s no glaring weakness.
*Criteria based on a 10x10 scale
• Arm Strength & Accuracy
• Pocket Presence
• Support of the Franchise/Fan Base
• Growth
• Coach on the Field/Locker Room
• Elusiveness/Awareness
• Big Plays in Big Moments
• For the Cameras
• Bigger the Game, Better they Play
• Reaction in Low Times
32. New York Jets – Geno Smith 32
31. Oakland Raiders – Derek Carr 35
30. St. Louis Rams – Austin Davis 35
29. Tennessee Titans – Jake Locker 39
28. Minnesota Vikings – Teddy Bridgewater ^ 40
27. Jacksonville Jaguars – Blake Bortles ^ 40
26. Buffalo Bills – EJ Manuel/Kyle Orton 40
25. Tampa Bay Buccaners – Mike Glennon 42
24. Houston Texans – Ryan Fitzpatrick 44
23. Washington Redskins – RG3/Kirk Cousins ^ 45
22. Cleveland Browns – Brian Hoyer ^ 47
21. Philadelphia Eagles – Nick Foles ^ 51
20. Miami Dolphins – Ryan Tannehill 51
19. Cincinnati Bengals – Andy Dalton 57
18. Arizona Cardinals – Carson Palmer/Drew Stanton < 58
17. Kansas City Chiefs – Alex Smith 60
16. Chicago Bears – Jay Cutler 62
15. New York Giants – Eli Manning 64
14. Baltimore Ravens – Joe Flacco 70
13. Dallas Cowboys – Tony Romo 70
12. Atlanta Falcons – Matt Ryan ^ 71
11. Detroit Lions – Matty Stafford ^ 73
10. San Francisco 49ers – Colin Kaepernick ^ 74 (Proof that I’m not biased)
9. Carolina Panthers – Cam Newton ^ 76
8. Seattle Seahawks – Russell Wilson ^ 80
7. Pittsburgh Steelers – Ben Roethlisberger 81
6. New England Patriots – Tom Brady < 84
5. San Diego Chargers – Philip Rivers 86
4. New Orleans Saints – Drew Brees 88
3. Denver Broncos – Peyton Manning 90
2. Green Bay Packers – Aaron Rodgers 90
1. Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck ^ 92
My biggest surprise was Nick Foles only getting a 51. He didn’t score very well in low moments (part of that is he’s had a few) and the fan base. For whatever reason, Philadelphia still haven’t given him their full on support. I was also surprised that Dalton didn’t get to 60. I feel like 60 is when a franchise doesn’t have to actively look at replacing their starter (how it’s graded out in years past). If you look at Hoyer, Henne and Cassel they were all in the mid 40’s last year, and all 3 teams drafted a quarterback in the first round. Although I’ve been wrong a number of times, giving Josh Freeman a 76 is one of my worst moments (although he miraculously made the Pro-bowl somehow). I think Wilson, Newton, Kaep and Stafford are all another playoff run from the mid 80’s... I just want to see that Wilson’s season wasn’t dependent on the Seahawks defense (This year has forced him to try and win games on his own, which is great). Outside of Kaepernick’s ridiculous ownership of the Green Bay Packers, he has graded out rather poorly on Cameras, Reaction and Franchise support. I wonder if there are still 49ers on the roster that didn’t want Alex Smith in there... although Smith only graded a 4 on Franchise support in Kansas City. I think that if a Jameis Winston fell to them in the next draft, they might jump at the opportunity to work with the guy. One to watch for... Austin Davis. I graded him low; partially because of his surroundings, and partially due to his lack of minutes. It’s early, but I like what I see... Growth obviously hurt Brady and Manning, but it’s obvious they are just passing the peak of their powers. The fact that they made it this far though is impressive, and Manning should stay in the 90’s for the foreseeable future. He only lost 4 points in the other 9 categories (absurd). If anyone could get an 11, it would be him (Franchise Support). I think he could go to any of the 32 teams and the organization would gain instant credibility overnight. Not even Jordan could do that for the Washington Wizards... Luck is the real deal. He scored a 20 for me in my NTN, and at the college level, got a 99. He’s got the potential to reach that here, once he gets some playoff wins under his belt... If Romo wasn’t a total tool for the cameras and media, he would’ve scored around 75, which would have put him in the top 10. I still think he unravels, once the running game disappears/media piles on him. But I will say, I’ve been undoubtedly impressed... Rodgers was consistent in every category. He only got one 8 (Bigger), and that’s more of the defense not standing up to San Francisco’s attack. I think if he can win 2-3 in the playoffs this year, he gets his spot back from Mr. Luck... Rivers made the biggest improvement of any starting quarterback this year (+16). He’s really turned it on, and done it beyond the passing game. He’s more of a coach on the field now, and while they are winning more, he hasn’t sulked like he’s been prone to do in the past. The problem is, he could easily drop back to the mid 70’s by next year... Poor Oakland Raiders. I don’t see much upside in Derek Carr, and I think a bit of his success came from the offensive gifts that he had at Fresno State. I’ve seen Oakland a few times this year, and he’s done nothing that makes me think he’ll hit 60 someday. Do they take a chance on Mariota next spring? I would, but it just says that McKenzie was wrong. I think Schaub would’ve made a decent bridge, however... finally, the Jets. Geno is only part of the problem, but he is a big one. The organization is in shambles. They don’t know whether to fire their coach. They spend like they’re close to winning a title, when in fact they should go into full rebuilding mode and try and get younger. But when your quarterback only grades out at a 32... not even my college version of Mariota’s 95 is enough to turn this ship around.
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