Evaluate these 'Breakout' QBs

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

So.. I've been hearing a lot over the last couple days about how so and so is growing up right before our eyes, etc.. etc..

We're talking about 3 QBs that are still relatively early in their careers as a starter in this league and all whom played well up to this point in the post-season where it matters the most. David Garrard, Jaguars. Philip Rivers, Chargers. Eli Manning, Giants.

After watching them, How do you rate these 3 among the rest of the league? Are analysts making too much out of their performances? What did you think of them?

Inogenius

Politics Moderator

David Garrard has been absolutely fabulous. He was able to come through in game deciding moments, and he has the poise of a 10 year veteran. Eli has been growing up, however I'm still not too high on him. The game against the Patriots he was great, but everyone has good games. If he can continue with it through next season, that will define his career.

Rivers however in my opinion is a dud, that the analysts have rated way too high. If the Chargers had someone other than LT at running back, they'd be looking for a new quarterback.

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

So, you don't like Rivers' fiery attitude? He was sound against Tennessee and played great against the Colts until the leg injury. I'm not sure on him. I don't know if his attitude is a good thing or a bad thing. At least we know he cares.

Twist of Lemon

LT didn't play for 3 quaters almost today and Rivers had 3 TDs with Michael Turner at RB and led the team to a win, toke the tennessee game in his own hands and won that game to. I hardly would call Rivers a "dud" his style of play is directly effected by how his Oline plays same thing can be said for Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. While I'm not completely high on Rivers sometimes I know enough to know if that if he gets more then 3 seconds in the pocket he'll tear it up and find receivers down field. Lets not forget Rivers had a great year last year to, enough to get in to the Pro bowl over Tom Brady.

Eli Manning I'm not sold on either next year I'll have a better feel for how he plays if he can keep it up. Gerrard however is going to be a star the guy made the Patriots D look like fools every time he threw or scrambled.

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

Right now I would rank the starters in this league as my power ranking indicates.. space in between their respective groups (i.e. Brady and Manning are the only current Hall of Fame players in how their playing right now)

Legendary
1. Tom Brady, Patriots
2. Peyton Manning, Colts

All-Pro
3. Tony Romo, Cowboys
4. Brett Favre, Packers
5. Ben Roethisberger, Steelers
6. Carson Palmer, Bengals
7. Drew Brees, Saints
8. Marc Bulger, Rams

Solid Veteran
9. Donovan McNabb, Eagles
10. Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks
11. Jeff Garcia, Buccaneers

On the Rise
12. David Garrard, Jaguars
13. Eli Manning, Giants
14. Philip Rivers, Chargers
15. Jay Cutler, Broncos
16. Derek Anderson, Browns
17. Vince Young, Titans

Everyone else we either haven't seen enough from, Has been injured, or is a so-so veteran starter.

Twist of Lemon

I think I'd put Cutler and Young in another column labeled "bust" Otherwise I concur with the list

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

Then you've gone insane lol. I love Cutler, the guy's arm is incredible, some of the throws he makes.. I'm very down on Young's play this season but I feel it's unfair to completely scrap him off the list. We knew he'd be a project and he is.

Twist of Lemon

Well Cutlers not a bust, I just give him a hard time because hes a Bronco and for some reason never really gets flack for making some stupid mistakes where other QBs would get chewed out (hes horrible with fumbling the ball). Other then that I guess hes a good prospect for the future with a big arm and decent speed.

Young on the other hand I can't get behinde, the whole running QB fad that the NFL has gotten really never clicks with any team. He makes horrible throws and according to Kevin Mawae consistantly calls the wrong play in the huddle...when a team mate calls you out like that its never a good thing. I guess we'll see how he does next year but I just don't think a running QB in the NFL style of game will ever catch on and lead a team deep in the playoffs, let alone to a superbowl.

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

I love how everyone thinks running QBs can't succeed in the NFL. I'm not picking on you specifically, but it's become so popular to say that.. Micheal Vick won in the NFL. Sure he had ups and downs, and he definitely struggled with the system that was being implemented in recent years, but go back to early in his career. Here's a man who won a playoff game in Green Bay and it wasn't even close.

However, I'm down on Young right now as well lol.

yankeesman77

Looking at those three QB's in Rivers, Manning and Garrard, you have an excellent time clock manager, a QB that is finding his stroke at the right time and a QB that is rolling with the momentum and realizing his presence that he can utilize to attack defenses. On one hand, Garrard knows what to do and how to handle the football almost like having a coach for you on the field. Rivers has really picked it up since the playoffs started and has the intensity to do great things like in his first season as a starter he just needs to find that internal spark that made him a great QB and it also doesn't hurt to have a great offensive system and weapons like LT, Antonio Gates, Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson but he needs to be Picture perfect against New England to get to the Superbowl. Eli Manning looked like Garbage for 14/16 Regular Season Games but since the Buffalo Game, Eli has found his spark and with a lethal run game and a punishing defense, Eli is defining his streak of great and key throws to people like Amani Toomer, Plix who has been hurt with a torn ligament for the most part of the entire Season and the way Eli is playing doesn't have me questioning the Giants task of getting to a Super Bowl now that their toughest task is behind them in taking down a #1 seeded tough Dallas Cowboy team and now lets bring on Green Bay.

Rankings of those three QB's:
1. Eli Manning
2. David Garrard
3. Philip Rivers