Best quarterback in football

[BrianGriffin]

We had the MVP question, which only included Rodgers and Brees, but wound up with folks debating the above three.

Now that Brady is headed for the Super Bowl (again) and Rodgers and Brees both had some struggles in the playoffs (you can say Brady struggled in the AFC championship game too), I wonder who you would rank as the best QB right now.

And with your answer, say why and if the post-season has any influence on your answer.

 

[Versatile]

I voted for Aaron Rodgers. He is at the peak of his powers, moves better and takes contact better than the others. He put up a historic season, even without a ring. And I fully expect he'll put up another incredible season next year.

 

[BrianGriffin]

By the way, I voted Brady and I am influenced by the fact that Brady's team got to (another) Super Bowl and Rodgers and Brees did not. I say that knowing full well that Brady did not play well in the AFC championship game.

Yet, the accumulation of winning in his career, his role on a team with a pedestrian running game and little defense, and the great numbers he put up this year lead me to my answer when you add in the fact that he's back in the big game again.

Brady stands alone. It's close, but he's a half notch about the other two.

 

[BYH]

Tim Tebow.

 

[sgreenwell]

No Eli Manning? While I'd vote for Brady, depending on how the Super Bowl plays out, I think an argument could be made for Eli.

 

[BYH]

Eli really is in the discussion now. I'm not sure any of the other candidates have ever put on the type of tough, gritty performance he put on today. That was Hall of Fame-worthy (and if he wins another title in two weeks, he's all but in). If Brady got beat up half as bad as Eli did today, he'd spend all his time screaming for flags.

 

[Versatile]

Brady and Brees are already clear-cut Hall of Famers, and Rodgers is well on his way.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

Otto Graham.

 

[Azrael]

Right now? Eli Manning.

But isn't it interesting how we continue to underestimate and overlook him?

 

[Blitz]

"We" don't.
The guy's been like Magic Johnson and raised the level of all those around him, ever since high school and college.
Great leader.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

Brees didn't struggle in the playoffs. 462 yards and 30+ points against that defense? Compare that to what Eli did against them. It's not close.

 

[BrianGriffin]

No Eli Manning? While I'd vote for Brady, depending on how the Super Bowl plays out, I think an argument could be made for Eli.

I thought about Eli. Maybe I should have included him, but I was still thinking there was a bit of a gap between the three I listed to Eli, who's probably a solid No. 4 (as opposed to Favre, who is a retired No. 4).

 

[BrianGriffin]

Brees didn't struggle in the playoffs. 462 yards and 30+ points against that defense? Compare that to what Eli did against them. It's not close.

Two things about Brees: 1. They abandoned the running game after Thomas got popped. 2. They were buried in a hole created out of turnovers, two of which belonged to Brees.

In that regard, he had his struggles.

 

[Dick Whitman]

Right now? Eli Manning.

But isn't it interesting how we continue to underestimate and overlook him?

In fairness, he's had some bad seasons along the way to where he is now. That includes last year. I think he also gets judged on a somewhat unfair sliding scale for being a No. 1 overall pick.

 

[BrianGriffin]

One thing to note is - and I know some hate the stat - Eli has never finished with a passer rating in three figures. Rodgers. Brees and Brady have done it three times apiece. All three did it this year.

Plus, there's a consistency issue, both with the player and the teams. Eli's best seasons have been 9-7, 10-6 type years where they slick into the playoffs, then play their best ball in the post-season. Which is fine, except the other three have led teams that have won big in the regular season and continued the success in the post-season.

Yeah, there is a bit of a gap between the big three and Eli.

 

[derwood]

Tebow!

 

[zagoshe]

Peyton Manning.

And the strongest argument in his favor is just how horrendous his team is without him

 

[LongTimeListener]

Really hard not to vote for Rodgers simply based on INT percentage -- Brees and Brady are not bad in that regard, but they are twice as likely as Rodgers to throw them and their teams lost games this year primarily because of those interceptions. Rodgers' TD-INT ratio is twice as good as theirs too. He also adds a significant running presence that neither of the other two can match.

Rodgers and Brady are a notch above because they are a bit better at throwing the downfield lasers into coverage. And Rodgers is a notch above Brady because he can do it on the run.

 

[sgreenwell]

Peyton Manning.

And the strongest argument in his favor is just how horrendous his team is without him

He gets extra credit because the Colts thought it was a good idea to have Curtis Painter and Kerry Collins as back-ups before finally settling upon Dan Orlovsky? If they don't cycle through those first two horrible options and just use Dan the whole year, they probably win 4 to 6 games instead.

 

[qtlaw]

Eli was tough as nails yesterday (don't think I can remember a QB getting hit 20 times) but he only got 300 yds on 60 attempts; the defense shut him down. He just happened to be on the "Tebow" side of the coin.

Its Rodgers. His 45/5 ratio was ridiculous.