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A response to ‘Ranking the NFL Quarterbacks’ by Trent Dilfer

by Ryan Stutts

An alternative Top Ten

Recently I read an article by Trent Dilfer in which he ranked the top 40 quarterbacks in the NFL.

He ranked them in seven different categories instead of the traditional way of ranking them by numbers. “Hall of Fame Level” and “A Ring Away” were some of the categories mentioned by Dilfer.

This article was written before Super Bowl 46 though, so Dilfer did not have the knowledge that I have and that being Eli Manning would win another Super Bowl and become the MVP of it. Dilfer ranked Eli in his own category called the “Eli Zone.” Dilfer even said in his article that Eli was playing for instant “Hall of Famer.” I believe that now Eli has won his second Super Bowl and another MVP in it, he is in the Hall of Fame level, and by Dilfer’s comments, I believe he would agree.

I would like to shrink the number of quarterbacks being ranked down to 10. I will give you my Top 10 QBs in the NFL coming into next season. I will rank them on their play this year, in the past and on what will be expected next season. I also will tell what category I believe each quarterback is in and why I have them there.

Before I start my Top 10, I would like to list other players that almost made it or have a future in the Top 10.

Future Top 10 QBs: Tim Tebow, Andy Dalton, Cam Newton, Sam Bradford
Close to Top 10 but not there yet: Alex Smith, Matt Ryan, Jay Cutler

10. Matt Schaub (Houston Texans): When Matt is actually healthy and not missing time due to injury, he is one of the best passers in the game. A former Pro Bowler and leader in passing yards in 2009, he was leading one of the best teams in the NFL in 2011 until an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season and the playoffs. Expect him to have another good season next year….if he is healthy.

Category: A Full Season and Ring Away from being in the TALK of Elite

9. Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys): 31 touchdowns to only 10 interceptions in 2011 but unable to lead his team to the playoffs. Romo has always played great until the playoffs in the past but has “choked” in the big games. If he continues to play great and can get a Super Bowl ring, things could look up for him. But, I wonder along with everyone else if he will ever get to that level of play in the Playoffs.

Category: A Ring Away from being in the TALK of Elite

8. Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers): A Pro Bowl quarterback that, like Romo, has struggled to win in the playoffs and get his team to the big game. Rivers' career passer rating of 95.9 is third-best all-time among NFL quarterbacks with at least 1,500 passing attempts. Rivers only trails Aaron Rodgers and Steve Young which is a good list to be behind if you ask me. He is hungry for a title and is willing to put his body through anything, even a torn anterior cruciate ligament, for an opportunity to play in the Super Bowl.

Category: A Ring Away from Elite

7. Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions): Not much to say about Stafford, except that he is coming off an outstanding season in his first full year. He has struggled to stay healthy in the past but in 2011 he was able to lead his team from being one of the worst franchises in the NFL, to having a very bright future. Expect Stafford to blossom into the Elite category in the NFL

Category: Future Elite

6. Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers): Ben is a two-time Super Bowl champion and a three-time participant in it. He is also one of the hardest QBs of all time to take down to the ground. Big Ben is a two-time Champion but his performances in the big games are what is holding him back from elite status. In 14 career playoff games, he has 20 touchdowns but also 17 interceptions. However, Roethlisberger still finds a way to lead his team to the big game. Coming off a quick playoff exit, look for him to continue to find his place into the elite category.

Category: Hall of Famer but not Elite in the NFL right now

5. Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts): One of the best of all-time and I believe will go into the Hall of Fame with ease. A four-time NFL MVP, a Super Bowl Champion along with the MVP in that, first overall pick in 1998, and countless achievements in the NFL. The only reason Peyton is not higher on this list is because he is coming off a neck injury that is career threatening. Expect him to leave Indianapolis and make an instant impact on another team.

Category: Hall of Famer, but not sure on his status for the future

4. Eli Manning (New York Giants): Now a two-time Super Bowl Champion and MVP in both. This coming after his third straight 4,000 yard season. Eli has made a case for elite status, and I think he deserves the status. He has beaten the “great” Tom Brady in both of his Super Bowl appearances and won his second in his brother’s stadium. Expect him to excel even more next season and maybe compete for an MVP.

Category: Elite, Hall of Famer

3. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers): Coming off one of the best seasons a quarterback could ever ask for, winning the MVP and writing his name in the history books for posting a 122.5 passer rating. Rodgers also had 45 touchdowns to only an unbelievable six interceptions while leading his team to a 15-1 regular season. This is all coming off a Super Bowl victory in which Rodgers earned the honors of Super Bowl MVP. If he continues his great performances, expect him to be even higher on this list one day.

Category: Elite, but still needs a few more good seasons for Hall of Famer status

2. Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints): Also coming off one of the best seasons of all time, Brees continues to break records and amaze people. He is the only player to ever have two 5,000 yard seasons, and in 2011 he broke the single-season passing record with 5,476 yards. He also broke his own record of completion percentage with 71.2, while also leading in touchdowns with 46 and breaking countless other records. In my opinion, Brees also led the best offense of all-time in 2011. He is more valuable to a team or even a city than any player in the NFL. Expect even more from him in 2012, maybe even MVP or another Super Bowl in his own stadium or maybe both.

Category: Elite, Hall of Famer

1. Tom Brady (New England Patriots): When Brady retires, he may be considered the greatest of all time. Three Super Bowl rings and five appearances in only 10 years in the NFL, two MVP awards, two Super Bowl MVP awards, single season all-time leader in touchdowns with 50, seven Pro Bowl appearances. He led the only team to ever go 16-0 in the regular season. Brady is also coming off a 5,000 yard season. He not only has the stats to show for his greatness, but he also has the Super Bowl wins. Brady still has plenty of years left in the tank, and I expect him to be in and win another Super Bowl. In 2012, he will continue his reign of dominance and look to make it to yet another championship.

Category: Elite, Hall of Famer

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