[dropcap color="#FF0000" type="square"]E[/dropcap]SPN’s Ron Jaworski has been doing 2013 NFL Quarterback Rankings called the “Jaws’ QB Countdown”, ranking each starting quarterback in the NFL.Jaws clearly knows a lot about quarterbacks, but I’m not sure I agree with most of his rankings. With that, I took it upon myself to make my own QB rankings. These rankings are based off a combination of things, such as arm capability, winning, leadership and the eye test.
Without a further ado, here’s the fifth and final part to my 2013 NFL Quarterback Rankings (here’s part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4 if you missed it):
5. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens Even though Flacco has a great arm, he doesn't put up huge numbers. However, he always puts him team in position to win, and that says a lot about a quarterback. If Colin Kaepernick had been able to complete one of those throws and scored on the goal line in this year's Super Bowl, Flacco would not be this high in the rankings. But winning the Super Bowl and the Super Bowl MVP counts for a lot, and Flacco won them both last season.
4. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints Even without his head coach, Brees led the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns last year. That is not only a testament to his ability to throw the football, but also to his understanding of the game and how defenses work. Saints head coach Sean Payton is one of the best offensive minds in the game, and most QBs would see a decline in production without another great mind on their side. That wasn't the case with Brees, who excelled.
3. Tom Brady, New England Patriots Over the past 12 years, there hasn't been a more successful QB than Tom Brady. Brady has made it to five Super Bowls, won three of them and has made the playoffs in 11 of those 12 seasons. Last season was one of Brady's best, throwing for close to 5,000 yards, 34 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. Most of Brady's favorite targets aren't with the Patriots anymore, so it'll be interesting to see how he preforms without them.
2. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos In one season, Manning turned the Broncos passing attack from the league's worst into one of the league's best. Manning quickly answered any questions the media had about his neck, and went on to have one of the best seasons of his career (4,659 yards, 37 TDs, 11 INTS). The biggest knock on Manning is his lack of postseason success, and the Broncos have Super Bowl or bust expectations this year. If they don't win it all, Manning will take a lot of the blame for Denver's failures.
1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers This really isn't a debate. Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback in the NFL. The Packers don't have a running game, their offensive line stinks and Rodgers still manages to put up video-game like numbers. He isn't a running quarterback, but Rodgers is deadly on the run. There isn't anything he can't do on the football field. If the Packers can establish a bit of a running game and their offensive line plays better, look out. Rodgers could end up putting up numbers similar to Brady's historic year in 2007.
[Mike Lucas Sports]
