NFL’s Top 10 Quarterbacks

By Jacob Westlin
Love of Sports Correspondent

Fantasy football is rapidly changing fans’ perceptions of the NFL, isn’t it?

It seems that when football enthusiasts mentally rank the league’s premier players, characteristics like veteran leadership, charisma and winning are buried under a pile of passing touchdown and yards after-the-catch statistics.

So, let’s get back to basics.

This first of a four-part series of rankings will tell the tale of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, independent of their fantasy positioning, focusing instead on their value to the team, leading by winning.

THE NFL’S TOP 10 QUARTERBACKS

1. Tom Brady, New England

Of course, sometimes fantasy rankings and overall quarterback evaluation can heed the same result. In this case, the statistics don’t lie. Brady threw for 50 touchdowns and over 4,800 passing yards with an astonishing 117.2 quarterback rating in ‘07. Most importantly, of course, his team was undefeated, and despite the loss of Donte’ Stallworth, is once again primed for a deep postseason run with Randy Moss, Wes Welker and the worst divisional competition in football.

2. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis

Shocking! Who was caught off guard with the top two selections on this list, huh? Any quarterback discussion, from winning, to leadership, to touchdowns, to yards, to charismatic media coverage, starts and ends with Brady and Manning. We can’t even criticize Manning for not having a ring anymore! For me, though, this is the first time in the long Brady-Manning discussion that I’ve ever put Manning second. The constantly sought-after and rare combination of amazing statistics and consistent winning now gives Brady the slight edge over the 6-foot-5 quarterback with a laser-rocket arm.

3. Tony Romo, Dallas

This is where the real list begins. A deaf and senile astronaut could’ve given you the first two. And honestly, I don’t know how many people would put Romo in the three-slot. Sure, he’s only really had one season of outright success, and it ended with another Cowboy playoff debacle. But consider what he did with his first full season as a starter: 36 touchdowns and 4,211 passing yards and, most importantly, the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. Sure, he had T.O. and Marion Barber, but so did Drew Bledsoe! And hey, Romo with that dimpled face is very marketable!

4. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati

I know, I know, he doesn’t win. But who could win in Cincinnati? Put him on an otherwise successful team - eh hem, the Vikings - and see how that turns out. As it stands, he threw for 26 touchdowns last year, the lowest total in three seasons, and broke 3,800 passing yards for the third consecutive year, with 4,131 in 2007. Also, he doesn’t follow the trend of Bengals collectively breaking every Ohio law!

5. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle

I’ll admit I didn’t understand why coach Mike Holmgren stood with him through the many tough seasons in the great Northwest. But I suppose I should be reprimanded for criticizing a coach who knows his quarterbacks as well as Holmgren does. Hasselbeck’s just a winner. Granted, his division was atrocious last season, but he still led his team to the crown, despite the crippled and scared Shaun Alexander running the ball. And despite popular belief, the team did little to upgrade with Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett. Nonetheless, Hasselbeck gets it done.

6. Drew Brees, New Orleans

Yeah, he kind of fell off the NFL map last season. However, don’t count him out just yet. Losing your power running game in Deuce left the team crippled. And despite the team’s woes, Brees managed to throw for more touchdowns and more yards in 2007 than he did in the team’s NFC Championship run in 2006. Expect good things from Brees and the Saints in ’08. Oh, and as a side note: how do the Dolphins feel about their ’06 offseason quarterback decision? Daunte Culpepper or Drew Brees?  Hmm…

7. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia

Yes, he’s getting old. And yes, he’s always hurt. But “when healthy,” a now infamous sports disclaimer, he’s one of the game’s best leaders. I’m still not a huge fan of that receiving lineup, but given his experience, the addition of Asante Samuel, and the return of the most underrated player in football, Brian Westbrook, McNabb has the chance to continue his legacy of leading the Eagles to the postseason.

8. Eli Manning, New York Giants

If you had asked me, or any other football enthusiast, if Manning had cracked the Top 10 of NFL quarterbacks in December ’07, you may have been outright laughed at. But he buckled down, took his team on the road - where they love to play - and won the Super Bowl. Although he’ll likely never have another run like that again, he has his team’s respect, and he should be able to succeed in a poor NFC conference with weapons like Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs.

9. Philip Rivers

I really don’t like putting Rivers in the Top 10. It’s actually difficult to write this. I think he’s a spoiled loud-mouth good ol’ boy. But give credit where credit’s due. He led his team to a road victory over the heavily favored Colts last season, and he was competitive in New England as well. He should be primed for another good season, as he and his weapons get healthy in the offseason. But I just don’t like his face…

10. Ben Roessshtlessburgerr (Right?)

Does his name even fit on his jersey? OK, his team may take a step back in the upcoming season. The loss of Alan Faneca’s going to hurt more than people suspect. But Ben, like all of his predecessors on this list, is a winner. He’s mobile, has the respect of his veteran teammates, and has a ring! I’d take him on my team.

Rising Sleeper: Derek Anderson

The NFL is great, isn’t it? The Browns start the season with Charlie Frye at quarterback, trade him after the preseason, then throw Anderson in there to take the heat. Only, he created it: 29 touchdowns, 3,787 yards, a Pro Bowl appearance, and 10 wins for the Browns! Look for him to fight off Brady Quinn and keep a starting job in this league, with or without the Browns, for a decade.

Droppping and Overrated: Matt Leinart

I like the guy. I hope I’m wrong. But come on buddy! You have an admittedly aging Edgerrin James, though still effective, in addition to perhaps the best receiving duo in football in Fitzgerald and Boldin. And injuries or not, you can’t let 63-year-old Kurt Warner breathe down your neck. Get it done, frat boy!

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