Bucfan12's Top QBs broken down by tiers:

bucfan12 · 09-30-2012, 10:22 AM

Ranking all 32 Starting QBs and potential young guns in this league broken down by categories/tiers. Criticisim is highly expected and accepted :D

Top Shelf QBs:
- Aaron Rodgers GB
- Tom Brady NE

The ELITE:
-Drew Brees NO
-Eli Manning NYG
-Ben Roethlisbuerger PIT
-Peyton Manning DEN (In the Decline Stage)
-Tony Romo DAL
-Phillip Rivers SD

- Peyton Manning seems like the only one that's heading for a decline and is no longer top shelf. Eli Manning could take that next step to TOP SHELF QBs at the end of this year. Pushing that next level. I'll probably get some flack for having Romo hear, but the guy is ELITE. Just look at what he's done in BIG D. Remember, Peyton Manning, it took him 10 years to win a Super Bowl.

Knocking at the Door to the ELITE Level:
-Matt Ryan ATL
-Joe Flacco BAL

-Matthew Stafford DET

This is where I see it now, but more than likely, a 99% chance both Ryan and Flacco move into that Elite Category. Stafford can go either way to ELITE or drop into 2nd Tier.

2nd Tier:

-Jay Cutler CHI
-Matt Shaub HOU

Cutler seems to always be stuck in this category. Shaub needs to stay healthy. He could have made the jump if he performed in the playoffs last year.

Middle of the Pack:
-Alex Smith SF
-Michael Vick PHI
-Ryan Fitzpatrick BUF

Alex Smith seems like the best of the Bunch. Fitzpatrick is erratic but I put him in this category because he's average/above average QB. Vick might find himself in a new category after the season.

Jekyll and Hyde: Biggest Mysteries:
-Mark Sanchez NYJ
-Josh Freeman TB
-Sam Bradford STL
-Kevin Kolb ARZ

These guys are ones that get your hopes high than crush them with inconsistant performances. Bradford is in his 3rd year so I no longer consider him a young gun. Freeman is in a make or break season, same with Sanchez. Kolb is off to a good start, but history of inconsistancy is on his side. Basically, 3 of these guys could be in the next category. Bradford probably gets a 4th year.

The Replaceables:
-Carson Palmer OAK
-Matt Cassel KC

These QBs teams seem like they're heading in a different direction at the QB position moving forward.

The Young Guns:
-Andrew Luck IND
-Andy Dalton CIN
-Christian Pondner MIN
-Robert Griffin III WAS
-Cam Newton CAR
-Jake Locker TEN
-Blaine Gabbert JAC
-Russel Wilson SEA
-Brandon Weeden CLE
-Ryan Tanehill MIA

These guys, I really cannot rank them just yet, outside of this category. 1 year or less is not a good judgement (see Josh Freeman for example in 2010 LOLS). A lot of these guys have potential to hit ELITE, 2nd Tier, and Middle of the pack. In my opinion, Andrew Luck seems like the guy with the TOP SHELF potential.
Also, note that this category has nothing to do with them being better or worse than the others. It's just no enough film to place them.

Back ups with high potential:
-Ryan Mallett NE
-Matt Flynn SEA

Anxious to see how Mallett performs when he gets on the field. I had him as my #1 QB prospect in 2011. Flynn should get a shot elsewhere in 2013.

Have at it folks.

Matthew Jones · 09-30-2012, 10:29 AM

Overall I agree with which players you included in each tier, but it's criminal to rank Jay Cutler ahead of Michael Vick.

bucfan12 · 09-30-2012, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Jones

Overall I agree with which players you included in each tier, but it's criminal to rank Jay Cutler ahead of Michael Vick.

Cutler has more upside and zero pass protection. Vick's ranking is generous so far. He's up there in age and his athletic ability was key to his performances back in the past. It's on the decline and he's yet to show he's a good pocket passer.

SuperPacker · 09-30-2012, 10:33 AM

I may just be going crazy, but it looks as though you have Tony Romo in the 'Elite' category.

Matthew Jones · 09-30-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucfan12

Cutler has more upside and zero pass protection. Vick's ranking is generous so far. He's up there in age and his athletic ability was key to his performances back in the past. It's on the decline and he's yet to show he's a good pocket passer.

Does Cutler really have much upside at this point? He's already been in the NFL for seven years and has played well in just two seasons. This year, his quarterback rating is in the 50s. It's not like Philadelphia's offensive line is exactly All-Pro-caliber, Evan Mathis is the only good player there.

Bulldogs · 09-30-2012, 10:36 AM

I think you could make an argument that Ryan belongs over a couple of those guys in the "elite" category but where you have him right now makes sense. I've been saying for a year now that he's a top ten guy.

bucfan12 · 09-30-2012, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulldogs

I think you could make an argument that Ryan belongs over a couple of those guys in the "elite" category but where you have him right now makes sense. I've been saying for a year now that he's a top ten guy.

Like I said, it's all about the entire body of work from there rookie years til now. Him and Flacco probably and most likely make that jump towards seasons end when I re-evaluate.

bucfan12 · 09-30-2012, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Jones

Does Cutler really have much upside at this point? He's already been in the NFL for seven years and has played well in just two seasons. This year, his quarterback rating is in the 50s. It's not like Philadelphia's offensive line is exactly All-Pro-caliber, Evan Mathis is the only good player there.

Jay Cutler doesn't even have a below average line. He's played well with the worst in the NFL for the past 3 years now. And he took his team to an NFC TITLE GAME. With no Weapons and O-Line. Please stop. Vick has like what 12 TOs in 3 games?

diabsoule · 09-30-2012, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucfan12

Like I said, it's all about the entire body of work from there rookie years til now. Him and Flacco probably and most likely make that jump towards seasons end when I re-evaluate.

Based upon how he's played so far this year, Ryan definitely looks like he has taken the jump.

bucfan12 · 09-30-2012, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diabsoule

Based upon how he's played so far this year, Ryan definitely looks like he has taken the jump.

3 games in is way too early. But I do 100% agree. He keeps it up then its no question.

Bulldogs · 09-30-2012, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucfan12

3 games in is way too early. But I do 100% agree. He keeps it up then its no question.

I agree. It's highly unlikely he keeps up at his 114 QB rating pace, but I could see him ending up with one that is 100+, and around 4500 yards and 30-35 TD.

Rosebud · 09-30-2012, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Jones

Overall I agree with which players you included in each tier, but it's criminal to rank Jay Cutler ahead of Michael Vick.

Please explain. Other than half a season before the league remembered how to deal with him, Vick has been a significantly inferior QB to Jay Cutler.

Matthew Jones · 09-30-2012, 11:51 AM

For some reason, I keep forgetting that the boards can see no wrong in Jay Cutler, the man with the 58.6 passer rating. He is quite possibly the least accountable NFL player on the entire board.

Rosebud · 09-30-2012, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Jones

For some reason, I keep forgetting that the boards can see no wrong in Jay Cutler, the man with the 58.6 passer rating. He is quite possibly the least accountable NFL player on the entire board.

Right, because after 3 games Vick's 8 TOs are so impressive?

Pat Sims 90 · 09-30-2012, 12:05 PM

I don't think Brandon Weeden counts as a Young Gun.

Raiderz4Life · 09-30-2012, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Jones

For some reason, I keep forgetting that the boards can see no wrong in Jay Cutler, the man with the 58.6 passer rating. He is quite possibly the least accountable NFL player on the entire board.

O yeah...because Vick has been setting the world on fire right?

I actually think Stafford is ranked too hight. If anything he should be in the same tier with Cutler and Vick...dude is overrated and as inconsistent as they come.

Jvig43 · 09-30-2012, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Jones

For some reason, I keep forgetting that the boards can see no wrong in Jay Cutler, the man with the 58.6 passer rating. He is quite possibly the least accountable NFL player on the entire board.

Not that I agree with the vick part, but the bolded part is way to true.

Complex · 09-30-2012, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucfan12

Jay Cutler doesn't even have a below average line. He's played well with the worst in the NFL for the past 3 years now. And he took his team to an NFC TITLE GAME. With no Weapons and O-Line. Please stop. Vick has like what 12 TOs in 3 games?

He beat a 7-9 or 8-8 seahawks team and then looked like **** against GB. That is the only team Cutler has led to the playoffs at least Vick has led multiple. Jay Cutler has 6 TO's in 3 games, I don't why you bring that up.

Jay Cutler is going to be like 35 years old and people on this board specically on this board are still going to be like this is the year Cutler gets it.

bucfan12 · 09-30-2012, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Complex

He beat a 7-9 or 8-8 seahawks team and then looked like **** against GB. That is the only team Cutler has led to the playoffs at least Vick has led multiple. Jay Cutler has 6 TO's in 3 games, I don't why you bring that up.

Jay Cutler is going to be like 35 years old and people on this board specically on this board are still going to be like this is the year Cutler gets it.

I believe he's 27 yrs old. He also led the bears to the 2nd seed so that doesn't mean anything? Oh and those Seahawks 7-9 beat the saints in the first round.

He has no pass protection basically having to throw off his back foot and gets sacked like 4x a game.

Rosebud · 09-30-2012, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucfan12

I believe he's 27 yrs old. He also led the bears to the 2nd seed so that doesn't mean anything? Oh and those Seahawks 7-9 beat the saints in the first round.

He has no pass protection basically having to throw off his back foot and gets sacked like 4x a game.

Seriously. I'm a giants fan, our OL is terrible, but I still feel bad for what Jay Cutler has to work with. In Denver it was a historically terrible defense, with the Bears it's been a genuinely embarassing OL and he's still been pretty damn successful.

ph90702 · 09-30-2012, 04:01 PM

Last time I checked, the top 25% isn't elite.

vidae · 09-30-2012, 04:12 PM

Matt Cassel deserves his own category called "absolute worst to ever lace up his cleats."

bucfan12 · 09-30-2012, 04:47 PM

Atleast the bucs have a fg kicker

SolidGold · 09-30-2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vidae

Matt Cassel deserves his own category called "absolute worst to ever lace up his cleats."

Actually that is a two player category - Josh Freeman belongs in to too!!!!

ChiFan24 · 09-30-2012, 05:07 PM

This is fair, but I'd push those 3 "knocking on the door" guys into the 2nd tier. I think Ryan and Stafford's stats are ridiculously inflated, and I don't see how Flacco will ever be more than what Cutler is right now.

As for Cutler, he's kind of a rhythm passer. When he's hot, he's unbelievable. From week 5 to week 11 last year, he was one of the best in the league. When he's not in a rhythm, he can look bad. Unfortunately, that's where we are right now. And with the offense he has around him, his streakiness is magnified. He seems to get frustrated and his footwork/accuracy/decision making breaks down. So, I can't necessarily defend him as an elite QB, because that shouldn't happen to elite QBs. But when he's on, he plays like an elite QB. He'll win you games by himself in tough situations that a guy like Matt Ryan would not. And he's on more often than not.....he's certainly better than a clearly washed up Michael Vick.

And yeah, the people that point to the 2010 season as a negative are dumb. The playoff win WAS against a 8-9 team (that BTW beat the Saints the previous week), but the fact that he had that team at 12-5 in the NFCCG was extremely impressive.