Peter King ranks the QBs for 2007

[TomBrady'sGoat]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/peter_king/06/17/qbs/index.html

He uses the previous 2 years and his observations to predict 2007 success. This is not about who is better, it is about who will do well in 2007. He writes a bit about how high he has Kitna (#9) and explains it has more to do with Mike Martz than anything else.

my thoughts:

I have no beef with Peyton #1. This is likely the high point of his career. There's no shame is being a notch below a hall of famer at his apex. Before '05 Manning was a notch below Brady.

I like seeing Bulger up there. For whatever reason he tends to go relatively forgotten amongst the top QBs.

Vince Young #7? LOL. I don't care if he runs for 10 TDs if he barely completes half his passes. King tends to get caught up in moments, and Young provides those.

#15 seems a little harsh for Pennington. He probably figured in injury probability, which would make it defensible.

I think Losman will be much better than #20.

Romo at #11 seems a little high.

Cutler at #10 seems like a stretch considering how little he has played. It's a sheer opinion/prognosis pick, and I'll side with history which tells me that a guy with a few starts under his belt is ready to be adequate but not good.

Any thoughts?

 

[upstater1]

Looking down that list, my first and main thought is that I can't remember a time when the NFL was so hurting for good QBs. Then again, maybe these QBs are so uninspiring because the defenses have gotten so good.

I'd change a few of these rankings for sure.

1. P. Manning Ind. #2
2. T. Brady NE #1
3. D. Brees NO #3
4. C. Palmer Cin. #4
5. M. Bulger St. L #8
6. M. Hasselbeck Sea. #13
7. V. Young* Tenn #11
8. P. Rivers* SD #16
9. J. Kitna * Det. #18
10. J. Cutler* Den. #15
11. T. Romo* Dall. #19
12. D. McNabb Phil. #7
13. S. McNair Bal. #6
14. B. Favre GB #5
15. C. Pennington Jets #9
16. J. Delhomme Car. #12
17. B. Roethlisberger #10
18. M. Leinart* Ariz. #17
19. M. Schaub* Hou. #14
20. J.P. Losman* Buf. #20

What's the point in ranking them below 20?

 

[mgteich]

IMHO, anyone who rank McNabb and McNair as the #12 and #13 QB's in football ahve very little understanding of the QB position in the NFL.

 

[richpats]

No surprise here. The coronation of King Manning continues

See King swap them again when Brady gets #4 and write about how Peyton isn't playing at the level that got him the ring.

Heavy lies the crown, even on his huge head

 

[Jacky Roberts]

No surprise here. The coronation of King Manning continues

See King swap them again when Brady gets #4 and write about how Peyton isn't playing at the level that got him the ring.

Heavy lies the crown, even on his huge head

Since King was using the 05 and 06 seasons to measure, Manning is deserving of #1 over Brady. More wins, TDs, playoff wins, head to head, etc. I hate Manning, but I cant argue with King's analysis. Now if we're talking over their careers, I'd say Brady.

 

[TomBrady'sGoat]

Wow, if anything I thought King ranked McNair too high (but not enough so to be worth mentioning). He was awful last year. I have nightmares involving watching Ravens games.

I'd take the guys directly behind him (Farve, Delhome, Pennington) over him in a heartbeat. I'd probably take quite a few other guys too (Losman, Roethlisberger, Schaub).

As for Farve, I find it hard to grasp Patriots fans flocking to Farve's defense. His big weakness is Brady's big strength (decision making), and while other fans might be willing to overlook that weakness I know I can't.

*edit* and upstarter1, McNair and Farve (2007 versions) are nowhere near as good as Bulger. I'd take their late-90s/early 00s versions over him, but a long time has passed since then.

 

[sieglo]

Brees is good, but he's not #3. Maybe #7 or #8.

 

[richpats]

Since King was using the 05 and 06 seasons to measure, Manning is deserving of #1 over Brady. More wins, TDs, playoff wins, head to head, etc. I hate Manning, but I cant argue with King's analysis. Now if we're talking over their careers, I'd say Brady.

It's amazing how Brady is considered a top (if not THE top) QB in the league without the benefit of a great statistical season, sort of like Manning had been annointed without the benefit of a ring. If Brady can deliver some lights-out seasons the next couple of years (another ring would help) and you would have a strong argument for Mr. Brady

 

[richpats]

Brees is good, but he's not #3. Maybe #7 or #8.

Alright, the lowest I could drop him is #6 behind Brady, Manning, Palmer, Bulger and Hasselbeck - is McNabb in your top 6?

 

[upstater1]

Wow, if anything I thought King ranked McNair too high (but not enough so to be worth mentioning). He was awful last year. I have nightmares involving watching Ravens games.

I'd take the guys directly behind him (Farve, Delhome, Pennington) over him in a heartbeat. I'd probably take quite a few other guys too (Losman, Roethlisberger, Schaub).

As for Farve, I find it hard to grasp Patriots fans flocking to Farve's defense. His big weakness is Brady's big strength (decision making), and while other fans might be willing to overlook that weakness I know I can't.

*edit* and upstarter1, McNair and Farve (2007 versions) are nowhere near as good as Bulger. I'd take their late-90s/early 00s versions over him, but a long time has passed since then.

Favre suffers from having once pt the team on his back when they were talented. he thinks he can do it again and again, but they are a poor team. If he were on the Patriots, you'd see his decision making improve 100%. I asked myself a simply question when I made my rankings: the Super Bowl is tomorrow. Tom Brady has the flu, 103 degrees, and is bed-ridden, he can't play. One of the following QBs has been his backup all season, and he knows the offense. Which QB would i choose?

I'd definitely choose McNair and Favre over a lot of the guys behind them, and I can't understand how anyone picks Hasselbeck over Brees.

 

[sieglo]

Alright, the lowest I could drop him is #6 behind Brady, Manning, Palmer, Bulger and Hasselbeck - is McNabb in your top 6?

Rivers, Roethlesburger maybe. Wouldn't susprise me if Worthlessburger has a great year now that he's a bit past his injuries, assuming he gets his head screwed on. Both these guys have a lot more physical talent than Brees. Brees is like Pennington. A good game manager, but that's about it.

 

[sieglo]

Tom Brady has the flu, 103 degrees, and is bed-ridden, he can't play. One of the following QBs has been his backup all season, and he knows the offense. Which QB would i choose?

I'd choose Cassel, but in the situation you describe, Brady would play. Didn't he play one of his best playoff games ever while he was sick as a dog (versus the Steelers I think)?

 

[BB_dynasty]

Romo has to be the most overrated quarterback in football. You notice he starts out good, when they have no film on him and he is unpredictable. Then you see how great he plays after a few starts, and his production goes way down. In my book he is not any better than average. This year he will have to prove himself.

 

[dhamz]

Favre suffers from having once pt the team on his back when they were talented. he thinks he can do it again and again, but they are a poor team. If he were on the Patriots, you'd see his decision making improve 100%.

Favre is one of the major reasons they are a poor team. He throws games away with his poor decision making.

Favre wouldn't improve if he were in NE or anywhere else because the first step to him improving would be admitting he has a big problem with decision making. There is a reason there is a -9 in his TD/INT column on King's analysis sheet. Lord Favre's ego will never allow him to do that.

 

[upstater1]

I'd choose Cassel, but in the situation you describe, Brady would play. Didn't he play one of his best playoff games ever while he was sick as a dog (versus the Steelers I think)?

I'd like to see them roll the 4-poster on the field. That would be interesting.

Brady played with 103 degree temperature? Who knew.

 

[BWareofDWare]

I'd like to see them roll the 4-poster on the field. That would be interesting.

Brady played with 103 degree temperature? Who knew.

Vs. Steelers in the AFC Championship in 04/05 season.

 

[Kdo5]

I think Manning is a little better than Brady. At least until we see how they fare this year with equally awesome recieving groups.

 

[richpats]

I think Manning is a little better than Brady. At least until we see how they fare this year with equally awesome recieving groups.

I'll always hold that Manning's consistent personnel (OC, top 2 Pro Bowl wideouts) is what has really raised his game. I thought he was a good QB with a potential for greatness around 2002 - give him 5 years with the same personnel and the results speak for themselves. Brady has had to deal with 2 different OC's and a turnstile receiving corps...yet he always performs well.

 

[BWareofDWare]

Romo has to be the most overrated quarterback in football. You notice he starts out good, when they have no film on him and he is unpredictable. Then you see how great he plays after a few starts, and his production goes way down. In my book he is not any better than average. This year he will have to prove himself.

Tom Brady had 3 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in his last 8 starts in the Super Bowl season, I think everyone was okay with those production statistics. He is following the trend of most quarterbacks that have been considered "developmental" guys. I agree that he has to prove himself this year, but a big part of the struggles last year for the Cowboys towards the end of the year was not having an experienced free safety and a pass rush, not Romo's quarterback play.

 

[TomBrady'sGoat]

Tom Brady had 3 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in his last 8 starts in the Super Bowl season, I think everyone was okay with those production statistics. He is following the trend of most quarterbacks that have been considered "developmental" guys. I agree that he has to prove himself this year, but a big part of the struggles last year for the Cowboys towards the end of the year was not having an experienced free safety and a pass rush, not Romo's quarterback play.

Let's just all agree that he has to prove himself. To me, King ranking an unproven QB #11 in the league is a stretch.

And Brady has nothing to do with anything. No QB enters the league a good QB. Most fail. Some are good. Few become great. Tom Brady becoming great has no bearing on any future young QB. In fact, the trend that most QBs follow is leads to failure and not being able to get an NFL job.