Keisha -
A recent Twitter conversation about Eli(te) Manning led Kim and I to rank the top 5 quarterbacks in the NFL. We agree on the top 3: Rodgers, Brady, Brees - but 4 and 5 are up for debate.
For the record, my fantasy QBs are Brady, Rivers, and Eli Manning and I'm pretty happy with them. I always feel like they give me a shot at winning.
So I did some research (I'm so fail at research so this is a big deal) and here are the points rankings of QBs so far this season:
1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Drew Brees
3. Cam Newton
4. Tom Brady
5. Matthew Stafford
6. Ben Roethlisberger
7. Matt Schaub
8. Michael Vick
9. Eli Manning
10. Ryan Fitzpatrick
Rivers comes in at 15th in points. While he has not been that stellar this season his prior play is what makes me rank him so high.
However this season, I have to give credit to Cam Newton and Matthew Stafford. To be honest, I try to avoid watching the Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions so I haven't seen them in action much but the numbers don't lie. Stafford has led his team to victory TWICE after trailing by 20 points or more. That is significant for any young leader.
Maybe the best way to determine the strength of a QB is where their team ranks in the standings. Cam's team is in last place. Michael Vick's team is currently in 3rd Place. Matthew Stafford's team is in 2nd Place only behind the undefeated Super Bowl Champion Packers of course. Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, and Matt Schaub have teams in 1st Place in their division.
This leads me to want to debate between Eli and Ben. Both have won Super Bowls, both have had teams with crucial injuries but are still finding ways to win.
So what do you think? Is Eli a Top 5 Quarterback? *sigh* I can't decide.
Kim -
I recently heard on television that Eli Manning considers himself a top 5 QB. While I find this a bit presumptuous and quite cocky, after having a Twitter conversation with my sister from another mister, Keisha, I decided this deserved further review.
Yes, Eli Manning has a Super Bowl ring. But so does Brady (3), Rodgers (1), Brees (1) and Roethlisberger (2). Manning's was won on what I considered a fluke catch (damn those helmets!) against what was undoubtedly considered the best team of this past decade -- the Patriots. Yes, I am biased as I am a huge Patriots fan, but I think we can all agree that that helmet catch was luck. Caught by a player who the Giants did not even deem worthy enough to keep around much longer than one more season. Anyway, I am getting away from my purpose for this post. Let's get back on track, shall we?
Eli has the #3 passer rating this year, behind Rodgers and Tom Brady. The other two in the top 5 are Brees and Stafford. So Manning is good this year. And if I absolutely HAD to, I might put him as a Top 5 QB this year. But, over the past 5-10 years? No way. If we stick with passing rating as the go-to way to decide who the good QBs are, Manning wouldn't even be in the discussion. While Rodgers is still early in his career, right now he sits atop the all time career passing rating leaders. Also in the top 10 (and still playing) are Brady, Rivers, Romo, Roethlisberger and Drew Brees. Schaub is sitting right outside at #11. The other Manning is also in the Top 10, but who knows if he will play again. And where is Eli? Down at number 43. Now, Eli, do you really think that passer rating makes you a elite QB? I do not think so.
Eli has had at least four #1 wide receivers since he has been a Giant. Perhaps this is why he just doesn't seem as great as the other QBs mentioned. Football is all about flash, and he never really has had that (with the exception of Burress before he shot himself, but that was long enough ago that it is easy to forget). Brady has had Moss, Rodgers has Jennings and Nelson and on occasion, Finley. Brees has about 15,001,034 people he can throw to that are all capable of making the big plays. Stafford has Megatron. Who, if you play fantasy football, can make you miserable through three quarters and then pull off a 98 yard touchdown. Roethlisberger has Mike Wallace and used to have Santonio Holmes who made some breathtaking catches in his time as a Steeler. All flashy players making flashy plays (and the occasional Acura commercial that stops me in my tracks every time it comes on . . . I am looking at you, Calvin Johnson).
Finally, when I think of the best quarterbacks out there right now, I think about who I would want to have on my team in the fourth quarter mounting a comeback. Those would be Brady, Brees, Vick, Rodgers and Roethlisberger. When I think of Eli trying to make a fourth quarter comeback (which I am sure he has at some point), all I can see is the Manning face. Those of you out there who have read Bill Simmons know what I am talking about. Hell, there is a entire website dedicated to it. I just can't trust Eli when it counts. And that is what matters to me, when thinking of the best quarterbacks out there right now.
So, in closing, Eli, shut your mouth and change your face. Make our mouths drop in disbelief in the fourth quarter for something good you have done. Make us forget the Manning face. Then we can discuss your self-imposed ranking.
A/N: I was watching the Red Zone channel today (get it if you do not have it, your life will be changed) and they showed a stat about how good Eli's passer rating is in the fourth quarter this year. Lit'rally right as I was thinking that perhaps I should change some of what I said above, Eli threw an interception. Good to have you back.
PS: Keisha found this video that discusses why quarterbacks are considered the hottest men on the field. Both of us disagree -- it is the secondary that contains the sexy. Check them out next time you watch a game. You will NOT be disappointed. :)
