What is it about quarterbacks that brings out the drama?
Brett Favre is dancing with Minnesota. Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger was sued for alleged rape. Michael Vick is on parole and wants reinstatement.
Then there are the traditional quarterback controversies that happen on the field. Washington fans debate over Jason Campbell entering his final year. Just wait until backup Colt Brennan lights up reserve defenders in the preseason. Sports talk radio will forget everything else.
There’s something about passers that encapsulate the passion of the game. Maybe it’s because quarterbacks are truly the epicenter on what’s happening on the field. Teams rarely win more than a game or two more than their passer merits. Even then, the running game or defense better be a top 10 unit.
This year’s top passer is Indianapolis’ Peyton Manning. The three-time NFL Most Valuable Player has led the Colts to a record six consecutive 12-plus win seasons. Manning’s one Super Bowl ring is the only reason he’s not mentioned with the game’s immortals.
Tom Brady has three rings with New England and deserves every one. Shows the draft is a bunch of hooey given he was a sixth rounder. But, Brady missed virtually the entire season with a knee injury so he has something to prove.
New Orleans’ Drew Brees is an amazing passer with a great arm and anticipates defenses well. Phillip Rivers is also near the top, but partly because he has a great offense around him.
Which brings us to Kurt Warner. The 37-year-old nearly stole the Super Bowl last season. A truly amazing leader who deserves future Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement. Warner carried the Cardinals to the Super Bowl despite a 9-7 regular season.
On the other hand, Tony Romo is certainly a smart quarterback who sometimes lacks common sense around women. The Dallas quarterback is a no-show come late December, though. For that, he’ll never rank among the top passers.
Eli Manning is unfairly labeled as only as good as his receivers. When Plaxico Burress departed, the 11-1 New York Giants disappeared, too. But don’t underestimate Peyton’s little brother, who pitches a pretty smart game, too.
Donovan McNabb also takes too much grief despite reaching five NFC Championship games. OK, he only won once, but McNabb is as good of a gamer as anyone and works with less talent than top-rated rivals.
NFL camps open this week. We’ll soon see who’s really the best.
Rick Snider has covered local
sports since 1978. Read more at
TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail [email protected].
