The Friday List
In this weeks edition of The Friday List, I thought we would discuss quarterbacksgood quarterbacksin the NFL today. So, here are my top ten quarterbacks lining up under center this season (sorry Brady). And, with all of my columns, lists, posts, stupid thoughts, etcyoure opinion is always welcome.
TOP TEN NFL QBs
1. Drew Brees, Saints: 210-304-2,563-15TD-7INT: Rating 101.6
This brought up a lot of discussion on Wednesday, and I dont expect it to be any different today. Brees is putting up these numbers despite the injuries to Jeremy Shockey, Marques Colston, and Reggie Bush. He is accurate, throws tons of TDs, and puts up 300-yard games like they are going out of style. If he can get the Saints into the playoffs he will walk away with the MVP.
2. Kurt Warner, Cardinals: 184-262-2,089-14TDs-6INT: Rating 102.1
Kurt looks like he did in 1999when he won a Super Bowl ring. He has all the weapons at receiver to keep his numbers through the roof for the remainder of the season. Add in the fact the Cards are going to win the NFC West, and you have a Pro Bowl plane ticket waiting for Warner at seasons end. Matt Leinart might want to ask for a trade, because they way Warner is playing he is never going to see the field.
3. Jason Campbell, Redskins: 152-230-1,754-8TDs-0INT: Rating 100.5
Maybe a shock to folks at #3, but Campbell is the quarterback of a 6-2 team, hasnt thrown a pick all year, and gets better with each week. If I went solely based off of glamorous stats, this list would be unfairsomething has to be said about winning and protecting the football. Six wins for the Skins because of Campbell. He is efficient, and is capable of putting up 300-yard games.
4. Phillip Rivers, Chargers: 149-234-2,038-19TDs-6INTs: Rating 107.8
Rivers numbers alone could put him at #1, but I still think he needs to win more games to make my top three. Its hard not to notice the amount of TDs he has thrown, or the fact that his QB rating in tops in the NFL. Thats good, because if the Chargers want any chance of making it back into the playoff race, Rivers is going to have to continue to produce numbers like this, and throw the deep ballhis specialty.
5. Tony Romo, Cowboys: 128-200-1,689-14TDs-5INTs: Rating 103.5
Injuries aside, Romo can playand he loves to sling it deep. He has missed the last two games, and still has 14TDs on his resume. Plus, you can tell a players worth to a team when they are out. The Cowboys are an average teamat bestwithout Romo throwing TDs. T.O. is dying for him to come back.
6. Aaron Rodgers, Packers: 145-221-1,668-12TDs-4INTs: Rating 98.8
Rodgers is having the type of year that will ease Packer fans pain at the loss of Brett Favre. He is in first place (for now) and is having a productive season. You wont see the type of numbers like you see with Brees, Warner and company in Green Bay. But, give him credit, he has played through injury for almost the entire season, and there is something to be said about that. The ultimate test will come at Tennessee this weekend, and when the weather turns along the Bay.
7. Donovan McNabb, Eagles: 154-245-1,829-8TDs-3INTs: Rating 91.4
I probably caught you off-guard with this one, so take it easy. McNabb deserves to be on this list every year, but no one wants to talk about him. Why not? He plays in the NFC East, and he wins. I think we all want to see McNabb use his legs more often, but he is also not 25 years old anymore. Plus, have you seen the receivers he is working with? They are brutal, and he has only thrown three picks. If the Eagles get into the playoffs it will be because of Donovan.
8. Eli Manning, Giants: 137-223-1,588-9TDs-4INTs: Rating: 88.9
Im sure there will be a lot of disagreement with Eli listed this high, but what he doesnt have in numbershe has in wins. The Giants are 6-1, atop the best division in football, and Manning produces enough to keep winning. I would like to see bigger numbers, but I cant look past the fact that he is the QB of the best team in football. Plus, he is winning without Plaxico Burress, who is complaining on the sidelines half of the time.
9. Jay Cutler, Broncos: 163-254-1,862-13TDs-7INTs: Rating 91.7
Cutler was in my top three weeks ago, but he has slide down the board ever since. He has the arm, the attitude, and the determination to be one of the best in the league. However, he needs to cut down on the INTs. It must be nice having WR Brandon Marshall on his side, but if his numbers dont improve the Chargers can sneak back in the AFC West race. He has the potential to be the best in the league.
10. Kyle Orton, Bears: 143-230-1,669-10TDs-4INTs: Rating 91.4
Another shocker, but not if you look at where the Bears are as a football team. Suddenly, this team comes out of the locker room slinging it. Along the same lines as McNabb, Orton is playing with old, recycled wide outs and a defense that gives up points. This team is 4-3 with Orton, and 2-5 without him. Do the Bears have their first QB since Jim McMahon? He keeps it up and maybe, just maybe, the Bears open their wallets from someone who doesnt play defense. Now, that is shocking.
*Others Receiving Votes- Trent Edwards, Matt Schaub, Chad Pennington, Ben Roethlisberger, Jake Delhomme, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Rex Grossman
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