NFL 2012: Ranking The NFC Starting Quarterbacks

1. Aaron Rodgers, GB

Like Brady and Manning in the AFC, Rodgers and Brees are the unquestioned top two quarterbacks in their conference. Also like their AFC counterparts, a case could certainly be made for putting one above the other. Rodgers gets the nod here because of the efficiency with which he plays. And while he has yet to put up the 5,000 yard season like Brees has (multiple times now), throwing 45 touchdowns to 6 interceptions is otherworldly. He also gets the benefit of his additional 257 rushing yards.

2. Drew Brees, NO

It’s almost unfair to have to distinguish between Brees and Rodgers as 1 & 2, but so it goes. Brees season last year was just as impressive.  Brees destroyed the single season passing record, throwing for 5,476 yards last season. He bested Rodgers by 1 in the touchdown department with 46, but also threw over twice as many picks, with 14. However, 46 touchdowns to 14 picks is still a phenomenal season. His 71.2% completion rating is almost hard to believe.

3. Eli Manning, NYG

Eli took a while to develop, but develop he has. It’s incredible to think that the youngest Manning has the most Super Bowl rings in the family, but he plays on arguably the most complete team in the NFC. That being said, Eli has certainly come into his own. He was only 67 yards shy of 5,000 last season, and has now posted 3 consecutive seasons of over 4,000 yards.

4. Matthew Stafford, DET

Stafford is just a hair away from an elite quarterback at this point. Truly, the only thing holding him back is his injury history, which some may claim as unfair to hold against him, but must be taken into account. Wile managing to play in all 16 games last season, he eclipsed the 5,000 yard mark, and threw 41 touchdowns against 16 picks.

5. Tony Romo, DAL

The knock on Romo is that he can’t close and performs miserably in the playoffs, and this is true to an extent. However, there is no denying that he has certainly won a number of games throughout the regular season on his own, or close to it. His worst season in the league saw him post a 91.4 quarterback rating, which is rather remarkable, as is the 102.5 rating he put up last year.

6. Matt Ryan, ATL

Matt Ryan has not taken the Falcons as far as they are capable of. However, there is no denying hat he has all of the talent necessary to take the team well into the playoffs and possibly a super bowl. While he saw a slight dip during his sophomore campaign, he has steadily improved his last two years, and saw himself throw for over 4,000 yards last year. He also has posted QB ratings of 91 and 92 respectively over the past two years.

7. Cam Newton, CAR

Cam Newton’s rookie season was one for the record books. He displays all the talent in the world, and looks primed to take the reigns as one of the NFL’s elite. However, he still has some strides to make with regards to getting his touchdown totals up and his interceptions down if he wants to be held in the same regard as Rodgers and Brees, but there is no limit to his potential. 21 touchdown’s to 17 interceptions is still quite acceptable, and adding over 700 rushing yards to over 4,000 yards passing shows the sky’s the limit for him.

8. Jay Cutler, CHI

Jay Cutler has been getting a bit of a raw deal since being dealt to Chicago, as the franchise seems to refuse to protect him at the line of scrimmage. His yardage totals are always impressive, but it’s surprising to learn that he has yet to have a season with over a 90 quarterback rating since entering the league. Another knock against him is that he just does not seem to respond well to his teammates at times. Not that his response isn’t often justified.

9. Michael Vick, PHI

Vick had a very impressive season the year before last, and many thought he may be in position to turn into the elite quarterback so many envisioned many years ago.  However, Vick fell back down to earth last season, throwing 18 touchdowns to 14 interceptions. He did post a career high in passing yards, which after a decade remains 3,300 yards. He also ran for almost 600 additionally.

10. Alex Smith, SF

Smith has slowly, but surely turned into a close resemblance to the player the Niners expected him to be when they drafted him first overall. With Smith, he has reached his ceiling, and does not have the down field range to be anything more than a solid starter, but a solid starter he is. He can be relied upon to march an offense down the field, as well as prevent turnovers. He does seem to struggle getting the ball in the end zone, however.

11. Sam Bradford, STL

Bradford came out swinging his rookie season, to mix sports analogies. While he started his career to the tune of 3,500 passing yards, last year was among the worst campaigns for a starting quarterback in recent memory. Through 10 games, Bradford tossed a listless 6 touchdown passes against 6 picks. While he was on pace to pass 3,00 yards before he got injured, less than 1 touchdown a game is simply unacceptable.

12. Josh Freeman, TB

Freeman, much like Bradford, followed up a terrific 2010 season with a sub-par 2011 year. Freeman was able to move the ball, but suffered when it came to turning the ball over, throwing only 16 touchdowns to 22 interceptions. The entire franchise seemed to quit halfway through last season, and this season will be something of a make or break year for him.

13.  Kevin Kolb, ARI

Kolb was given far too much money to play the way he has. Many argued at the time Philadelphia was entertaining trades that he was simply a product of Reid’s West Coast system, and it seems like those critics may be right. He has yet to play in 10 games in a given season, and when he has, he has not generally been productive. 9 touchdowns and 8 interceptions through 9 games does not inspire confidence.

14. Christian Ponder, MIN

Ponder was a reach if ever there was one last season, much like Tannehill this year. Ponder is a project, and performed similarly to Kolb last season in limited action. He did seem to conduct the offense with a certain poise and esteem, but it remains to be seen what kind of impact he can have on the team long term. Being taken 12’th overall puts a lot of immediate pressure on a quarterback that ay not be ready yet.

15. Matt Flynn, SEA

Flynn performed very well in his two starts thus far, but the fact is two starts is not enough to accurately determine someone’s ability. He would seem to have potential, but there is a huge question mark over his head to be answered.

16. Robert Griffin, WAS

Griffin may be at the top of this list within a few years time. However, much like Luck and Tannehill, Griffin has not stepped foot on a professional football field. There is no doubt that he has the potential to become a megastar.

Click here to go the the AFC Edition of Ranking the Starting Quarterbacks

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