DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Ranking the top 64 NFL Quarterbacks

First off, this is a FREE article from ESPN Insider and therefor should be within the rules for posting here.

Second, there sure are a lot of former Browns on this list and two current ones link

sorry for its length...but when I saw this article I really wanted to get some dawgtalkers takes on it



At first, ranking the starting and backup QBs didn't seem daunting. After a two-hour conference call in which we debated the young guns versus the veterans, the backups versus some starters, and what in the world to do with the rookies who haven't played much yet, we learned it is a very difficult job.



More QBs
FUTURE CONTROVERSY: John Clayton identifies the top five QB competitions heading into 2008. Story

YOU RANK 'EM: Agree or disagree with Scouts Inc.'s rankings? Here's your chance to rank the league's top 32 QBs. Ranker

WHO'S NEXT: Scouts Inc. draft expert Todd McShay profiles the top 10 quarterbacks entering the 2008 draft. ZOOM Gallery

COMING THURSDAY: Asked to evaluate 11 young starters, a group of NFL experts singled out Denver's Jay Cutler as most likely to reach elite status. Also, Hall of Famer Steve Young assesses each young QB in a video report.
The hardest part was deciding how to rank them. Do we look at just this year? Do we look at their careers and their body of work? We decided it would be a mixture of the two, that we couldn't completely ignore a veteran with a history of great success having a subpar year.

About the only thing we agreed on was that Tom Brady was No. 1 and Peyton Manning was No. 2. From there, the first debate came, with some feeling that Tony Romo was right there with those two, but we eventually decided Romo was No. 4, behind Brady, Manning and Brett Favre.

The top 10 was very difficult after we got through the top five. In that second group of QBs, Carson Palmer, Drew Brees and Donovan McNabb have all had a ton of success but have struggled at times this season due to different circumstances. The other QBs who were tough to place were the guys who are having success as first-time starters. David Garrard and Derek Anderson have both played very well, and we think they will continue to ascend. The rookies were tough to place, but we thought they should be ranked higher (based on upside) than some retread-type backups.


The one thing that was very noticeable from this list is that the future of the QB position looks bright with young players like Garrard, Anderson, Jay Cutler, Vince Young, Philip Rivers, Eli Manning and Jason Campbell taking their games to the next level.






1. Tom Brady
Starter, New England Patriots
Brady is a future Hall of Fame QB who is having a career season. He leads the NFL in touchdowns and completion percentage and has a league-best QB rating of 123.4. There is no longer a debate over who the best QB in the NFL is -- Brady has moved ahead of Manning.


2. Peyton Manning
Starter, Indianapolis Colts
Like Brady, Manning is a future Hall of Fame QB. There is not a QB in the NFL who studies the game as much as Manning, and he is one of the best competitors to play QB. Despite losing several key players to injuries this season, Manning has still completed 64 percent of his passes and thrown for 27 TDs.




3. Brett Favre
Starter, Green Bay Packers
He will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. At 38, he is still playing at a high level, and it looks as if he may be able to play into his 40s. There is no denying his arm strength, and Favre is still able to make all the throws. Favre is doing a great job this season making every player on the offense better.


4. Tony Romo
Starter, Dallas Cowboys
He is a young gunslinger who reminds a lot of people of a young Favre, and Romo shows no fear in the pocket. He is mentally tough and shows an excellent ability to bounce back when he makes mistakes. He is a big reason the Cowboys have the best record in the NFC.


5. Ben Roethlisberger
Starter, Pittsburgh Steelers
Roethlisberger is a young QB who struggled last season, but he is healthy this year and is having a solid season. New offensive coordinator Bruce Arians has given him more responsibility, and Roethlisberger has responded with improved leadership. He's making better decisions and is completing a career-high 66.9 percent of his passes this season.


6. Carson Palmer
Starter, Cincinnati Bengals
This hasn't been Palmer's best season, but he still has all the tools you'd want in a QB. Playing behind a decimated offensive line, Palmer has thrown 17 interceptions and has struggled to lead this underachieving football team. Still, he is unquestionably one of the most talented QBs in the league.


7. Matt Hasselbeck
Starter, Seattle Seahawks
Coach Mike Holmgren has put much more pressure on Hasselbeck this season, and he has responded by playing very well. He is a rhythm passer who can be a little streaky, but he is very good at running Holmgren's West Coast offense. He is an excellent leader, and it's no coincidence that once Hasselbeck became the focus of the offense, the Seahawks won five straight and clinched their fourth straight NFC West title.


8. Drew Brees
Starter, New Orleans Saints
After a great 2006 season, Brees has struggled some this year behind a shaky offensive line and a running game that is missing starting RB Deuce McAllister. Brees has been forced to carry too much of the load this season, and though he is a very good QB, he is not the type of player who can carry a team without solid weapons around him.


9. Donovan McNabb
Starter, Philadelphia Eagles
When healthy, McNabb has shown that he can still be an elite starting QB. The problem is that he has rarely been healthy, and the last time he played a 16-game season was 2003. McNabb may be trade bait this offseason, but he still has some solid years left.



10. David Garrard
Starter, Jacksonville Jaguars
There were a lot of questions concerning Garrard when the Jaguars released Byron Leftwich at the start of the season, but he has proven his ability as a quarterback in the NFL. He benefits from a strong running game, but his decision-making has been superb (he has just one interception in 274 attempts this year), he's completing nearly 66 percent of his passes and his QB rating is third, trailing only Brady and Romo.




11. Jay Cutler
Starter, Denver Broncos
Easily one of the most impressive young quarterbacks in the NFL. He is a natural fit in coach Mike Shanahan's West Coast offense. He is a smart, instinctive player with a gunslinger mentality. He has a big-time arm that Shanahan loves, and he plays with a calm demeanor in the pocket. He is a young player who is only going to get better the more his plays.



12. Derek Anderson
Starter, Cleveland Browns
Without a doubt, he has made a name for himself and a lot of money in the future based on his performance in offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski's system since taking over as the starter in the second game of the season. Anderson has one of the stronger arms in the NFL, which has allowed the Browns to attack all levels in the passing game. He is a prototypical pocket passer with average to above-average accuracy in the short and intermediate areas in the passing game.


13. Marc Bulger
Injured starter, St. Louis Rams
Bulger has struggled this season behind a shaky offensive line and has missed time with a rib injury and a concussion. When healthy, he has played very well. He does not possess great size or arm strength but is an accurate QB and a great fit in coach Scott Linehan's offensive system.


14. Jeff Garcia
Starter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Garcia is a perfect fit for coach Jon Gruden's version of the West Coast passing attack. He is highly competitive and can still move around in the pocket with good accuracy in short and intermediate areas. He doesn't have a big-time arm, but he does a great job when throwing in rhythm to spots on the field.


15. Vince Young
Starter, Tennessee Titans
Young is an intriguing young player who places a lot of pressure on opposing defenses with his outstanding athleticism, arm strength and ability to scramble and make plays with his legs. He hasn't had as much success this season because offensive coordinator Norm Chow's game plans haven't always taken advantage of Young's strengths as much as they did last season. That said, Young is still far from the finished product, especially as a passer, but he will continue to improve the more he plays.


16. Philip Rivers
Starter, San Diego Chargers
Rivers has not performed as well as he did last season and still must become more consistent in his decision-making and downfield accuracy. However, he still has the ability to process information quickly while attacking the weakness on the back end in coverage. He is smart and instinctive, with good pocket awareness and the arm strength to spread the ball around.


17. Eli Manning
Starter, New York Giants
Manning is extremely talented but has struggled with consistency and decision-making throughout his short career. Still, he has shown a few flashes that make you believe he will be a frontline starting quarterback in the NFL in the right system. He has shown coolness under fire in the pocket but lacks that emotional drive that gets you excited.


18. Jason Campbell
Injured starter, Washington Redskins
Campbell is extremely talented and will be a frontline starter. He has the arm strength to attack all levels in the passing game while making defenses defend the whole field. While he could improve his accuracy in the short and intermediate areas in the passing game as well as his ability to process the reads while getting rid of the ball quicker, he has a bright future.


19. Jon Kitna
Starter, Detroit Lions
He is in an offense that simply doesn't run the ball often, so his yardage, touchdown and interception numbers are inflated. Still, the number of interceptions remain worrisome. He is a good, intelligent leader and shows real toughness playing behind a terrible offensive line. Physically, none of his traits stand out, but he is not a major liability in any one area, either. He is best-suited as a caretaker quarterback, grooming a young, talented QB like he did in Cincinnati with Palmer.




20. Jake Delhomme
Injured starter, Carolina Panthers
All you have to do is study Carolina's offense since Delhomme was injured in Week 3 to see how much the Panthers miss his ability within their system. He is an experienced player with an outstanding competitive demeanor. He is smart and instinctive, and he processes information while getting rid of the ball quickly. He doesn't have the big-time arm but does a great job of throwing in the Panthers' rhythm offense with good timing.


21. Kurt Warner
Starter, Arizona Cardinals
Warner has played at a very high level this season, reminding people of his days in St. Louis. He has shown very good toughness while playing with a dislocated left elbow. He has cut down on mistakes, using his experience and smarts when attacking an opponent's weakness on the back end. He is very effective when getting time in the pocket and throwing in rhythm in the short and intermediate areas of the passing game.



22. Matt Leinart
Injured starter, Arizona Cardinals
Before his injury, Leinart was far from impressive this season in a new offensive system. He is an ordinary athlete and doesn't have a big arm, but he has some swagger to him and throws a very catchable, accurate ball. Leinart could benefit from sitting behind Warner for another season to learn what it takes to succeed in this league.


23. Matt Schaub
Starter, Houston Texans
The biggest question with Schaub now is his ability to take a hit and stay on the field. He seems very brittle behind Houston's ordinary offensive line, but when healthy, he kick-started this offense. He is smart and extremely accurate. Schaub gets the ball out very quickly and already has a great feel for his receivers. If he can stay on the field, he is the Texans' answer at quarterback.


24. Chad Pennington
Backup, New York Jets
Pennington took the fall for the Jets' awful season and gave way to the younger Kellen Clemens, but that doesn't mean Pennington isn't a solid QB. Pennington will surely be elsewhere in 2008, and if he lands in a quick-strike, West Coast offense, he could be very efficient. He clearly does not have a big arm, but he is deadly accurate and has a great feel for the game with good poise and leadership qualities.


25. Rex Grossman
Starter, Chicago Bears
He is wildly inconsistent, slow to process information, turns the ball over too much and tends to play his worst when it matters most -- but starting quarterbacks are hard to find. Grossman is a very good deep thrower and shows toughness to stand in and take the big hit to deliver the ball. He has more than enough arm and still has upside with more refinement.


26. Tarvaris Jackson
Starter, Minnesota Vikings
Jackson has played very well lately and things might finally be slowing down and starting to click for him. He has a thick, strong body and excellent athletic ability, but he remains very raw and simply does not throw the ball accurately enough. It is going to take more than just putting a few games together in a row to make us believers, but it certainly is a promising start.


27. Kellen Clemens
Starter, New York Jets
Clemens is well-built, smart and athletic enough to make a few plays with his feet. He throws the ball well but is obviously extremely inexperienced and has quite a ways to go before catching up with the speed of the league. He has a lot of upside and will be given every opportunity to grow but could also use more help from his supporting cast.


28. Trent Edwards
Starter, Buffalo Bills
Edwards has the inside track now to be Buffalo's quarterback of the future. While the Bills are very conservative with their play calling when Edwards is behind center, the rookie is efficient and mature beyond his experience. He throws the ball well and is very bright. He spreads the ball around well and doesn't lock on to one receiver.


29. Alex Smith
Injured starter, San Francisco 49ers
Boy, did Smith -- and for that matter, the entire San Francisco offense -- take a step backward this season. The "B word" is starting to get thrown around with regularity about this former No. 1 overall selection. He was extremely efficient in college and one of the brighter players in the league at his position. He is a well-above-average athlete, but just is not a very good passer and struggles to put enough velocity on his throws. Still, it's too early to say he's a bust considering he's been injured and doesn't get a lot of help from his his wide receivers and offensive line.


30. Aaron Rodgers
Backup, Green Bay Packers
Rodgers impressed many when he moved the Packers' offense in Dallas, but that enthusiasm must be tempered. The Cowboys didn't prepare for Rodgers and Dallas was playing with a lead. Let's see how he performs after defensive coordinators have more tape to evaluate. He is a sneaky athlete, though, with a quick and compact release. Surely he has learned a thing or two about playing the position from sharing a meeting room with Brett Favre.


31. Steve McNair
Injured starter, Baltimore Ravens
Once one of the best in the league, the oft-injured McNair just doesn't have anything left. On guts alone, he threw for over 1,000 yards this season. He had a fantastic career and is a borderline Hall of Famer. No one can question his toughness or leadership traits, but he no longer can throw the ball or move his feet as he once did. It is time for McNair to hang it up, but few have done it as well.


32. Daunte Culpepper
Injured starter, Oakland Raiders
Culpepper is with his third, and possibly last, team and has been very inconsistent this season, completing only 58 percent of his passes and throwing as many interceptions as touchdowns. He still has a strong arm but never totally recovered from a knee injury that has limited his mobility, which made him an outstanding quarterback early in career.


33. Kyle Boller
Starting backup, Baltimore Ravens
Boller has an excellent opportunity to climb this list because he will start for the Ravens the rest of this season and possibly beyond. Boller's physical skills have never been in question. He can make all the throws with velocity and is a well-above-average athlete for the quarterback position. However, it is pretty clear that the Ravens' coaching staff doesn't have enough faith in Boller to open up the offense. He should be further along in his development.


34. J.P. Losman
Backup, Buffalo Bills
While Edwards spreads the ball around well, Losman too often focuses on WR Lee Evans. Losman is a big-time athlete and has a cannon for a right arm, but he takes too many risks and doesn't read defenses or process information well. There is still upside with this former first-round selection, and a change of scenery might do him good.


35. Brian Griese
Backup, Chicago Bears
Griese is a caretaker quarterback who turns the ball over too much. Obviously, that is not an ideal combination. However, he runs hot and cold and can come off the bench and ignite an offense. He is bright and grew up around the game. Griese is an accurate thrower but has an average arm and doesn't scramble well.


36. JaMarcus Russell
Backup, Oakland Raiders
He was the first overall choice in the 2007 draft for a reason -- he is a rare physical specimen with outstanding size, strength and the ability to throw a football through a wall. However, he is raw, even as rookie quarterbacks go, and didn't play all that much football at LSU compared to other top prospects. But wow, is he intriguing.


37. Brady Quinn
Backup, Cleveland Browns
With the emergence of Anderson as the starting QB for the Browns, Quinn's future remains uncertain. The biggest question: When will the first-round pick see action? Anderson is a restricted free agent. Quinn was a mobile QB in college who threw the ball well. While he showed flashes of potential in the preseason, whether that translates well in the regular season is unknown.



38. Joey Harrington
Backup, Atlanta Falcons
Harrington was acquired by Atlanta to back up Michael Vick but was quickly forced into the starting role. He has performed well at times behind a marginal offensive line but continues to make poor decisions in crucial situations. Harrington does have some tools to win in the league, but he is best in the veteran backup role.


39. Billy Volek
Backup, San Diego Chargers
Volek has long been considered as one of the best backup signal-callers in the league. He has a solid arm with good instincts and the ability to read coverages. Volek has the tools to move an offense and may go down as one of the more talented backup QBs.


40. Byron Leftwich
Backup, Atlanta Falcons
Leftwich's abrupt departure from Jacksonville has turned out well for the Jaguars and has put Leftwich in a bad light. He is a big, strong passer with an unconventional release and limited mobility. He hasn't performed well when given the opportunity in Atlanta and is likely to land with another franchise next season. Still, Leftwich is a young quarterback with tools to be effective, but he needs a strong supporting cast.




41. Kerry Collins
Backup, Tennessee Titans
Collins has played well when given an opportunity to move the offense. Earlier in the season there was some controversy about who should start after Collins played well in relief and Young had some subpar outings when he returned from injuries. Collins is a big, strong passer who is excellent in the veteran backup role and gives his club a chance to win if called upon.


42. A.J. Feeley
Backup, Philadelphia Eagles
Feeley had one of the best performances of his career against the Patriots in Week 12. He appears destined to be a career backup. Even if McNabb leaves, rookie Kevin Kolb likely will have the inside track to the starting job. Feeley does have a strong arm and reads coverages well but seems to make at least one poor throw per outing.


43. Sage Rosenfels
Backup, Houston Texans
Rosenfels is a big, strong quarterback and a classic pocket passer. He has limited mobility but can make all the throws necessary, with accuracy. When given the chance with Schaub's injury, Rosenfels performed well, and it appears there isn't a drop-off when he is leading the club.


44. Gus Frerotte
Starting backup, St. Louis Rams
Frerotte is with his seventh club and is clearly on the back side of his 13-year career. He is a crafty veteran who can win in a backup role. Frerotte doesn't have enough skills to carry the load at the position but has enough arm strength and experience to be a valuable veteran in mentoring a young signal-caller.


45. Trent Dilfer
Starting backup, San Francisco 49ers
Dilfer has lengthened his career because he has continued to be an effective backup quarterback. It would appear that his 14-year career is winding down, but Dilfer is valuable as a reliable veteran who is a good decision-maker. Dilfer's skills are diminishing, but he still has enough arm strength and instincts to be effective as a backup with a strong supporting cast.



46. Charlie Batch
Backup, Pittsburgh Steelers
Batch has proved to be a valuable backup for the Steelers the past few years. He has an adequate arm and makes solid decisions, but perhaps even more importantly, he knows his limitations and manages to avoid hurting the team when he plays.


47. Brodie Croyle
Starter, Kansas City Chiefs
Croyle has been easing into the starting job in Kansas City and appears to be the heir apparent. He has a good arm to go along with adequate size and scrambling ability. He has improved on his ability to look coverages off and is willing to go to his checkdown receivers when the downfield routes are not there.


48. Todd Collins
Starting backup, Washington Redskins
Collins, playing for the injured Jason Campbell, had a good opening outing in the win against the Bears in Week 14 and must remain as consistent as possible and limit the mistakes if the Redskins are going to win and keep their slim playoff hopes alive. His arm strength is adequate and he's able to scramble if there's trouble in the pocket.



49. Damon Huard
Backup, Kansas City Chiefs
Huard is a career backup who has made good use of the limited opportunities he's had as a starter. He is above average in almost all aspects of the game but does not stand out in any one. He understands the game and does not try to do more than he is capable of doing.


50. Kelly Holcomb
Backup, Minnesota Vikings
Holcomb is a gutsy performer who understands the game and knows his cast. He can make all the throws but has lost a lot of mobility over the years and can make it easy on pass-rushers. Holcomb is a valuable backup.


51. Brad Johnson
Backup, Dallas Cowboys
Johnson seems to be fighting the age issue every year. At 39, he lacks mobility and a big-time arm but makes up for it with his understanding of the game. He is almost like a coach on the field and provides a lot of leadership from the sidelines.


52. Seneca Wallace
Backup, Seattle Seahawks
Wallace is an excellent athlete who has done a solid job stepping in when Hasselbeck has been hurt. He has learned how to play within the system in Seattle and has improved his accuracy and ability to find passing lanes. His size (5-foot-11) makes it difficult for him to see or throw over the top of offensive linemen. He adds the dimension of being able to run when the pass is not there.


53. Quinn Gray
Backup, Jacksonville Jaguars
Gray is a good-sized QB with a very strong arm. He has struggled with accuracy over the years, but he showed a huge improvement in his ability to fit the ball into tight windows when he replaced the injured Garrard for three games (winning two of them) earlier this season. He throws a nice deep ball that allows his receivers time to run to it and catch it in stride.


54. Jim Sorgi
Backup, Indianapolis Colts
Sorgi has been Manning's backup for the past four years and has done a great job of learning the system in Indianapolis. He has a fragile-looking frame but an above-average arm; he can make the short to intermediate throws with velocity and accuracy. He sometimes struggles with the deep balls when he does not have time to get his feet settled.


55. John Beck
Backup, Miami Dolphins
Beck is a decent-sized QB who appears to have the tools to play, but he is still learning how to use them. He is a touch and rhythm passer who seems to improve as the game progresses. He seems to be living off the checkdown passes so far and needs to take some shots downfield.


56. Luke McCown
Backup, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
McCown has been a backup for most of his career but can fare well when called upon to start (such as in a Week 13 win). He's always had a strong arm and is mobile. His biggest drawback in the past has been his decision-making. McCown is still considered a young QB with upside.



57. Cleo Lemon
Starter, Miami Dolphins
Lemon is a mobile QB who has a good arm but doesn't have the skills to be a starter. He can still be a viable backup in the NFL.



58. Matt Cassel
Backup, New England Patriots
He was pulled from a game by coach Bill Belichick after throwing an interception, so it's obvious Cassel is not ready to be a starter for any NFL team. He has just a decent arm and average pocket presence and needs to work on his decision-making. If anything happens to Brady, Cassel may be only the short-term answer.


59. Dan Orlovsky
Backup, Detroit Lions
Orlovsky is the typical drop-back passer whose strength is in the pocket. He has a good arm and is able to make the necessary throws needed to be an NFL quarterback. His release isn't as quick as it needs to be, and he must be in the same offensive system long enough to be effective.


60. Ryan Fitzpatrick
Backup, Cincinnati Bengals
Fitzpatrick is an intelligent young QB who picked up the Cincinnati system very quickly. He is undersized but can make the throws needed to finish a game and manage the clock. He's had some starting experience in the NFL and makes for a viable backup.


61. Anthony Wright
Backup, New York Giants
Wright is a mobile, veteran QB in his ninth year in the NFL. He is capable of coming in to finish a game if starter Eli Manning is injured. The former South Carolina star is reliable in running the system and can make the necessary throws.


62. Patrick Ramsey
Backup, Denver Broncos
Ramsey is a veteran QB who has seen starting action in the past. He has a good arm and decent pocket presence. His release is inconsistent and his quickness in reading coverages is lacking.


63. David Carr
Backup, Carolina Panthers
Carr was expected to come to Carolina and back up Delhomme, but an injury to Delhomme forced Carr into the mix early in the season. His pocket presence is still suspect and he doesn't make good decisions, something we also saw in Houston. His future is uncertain and teams may be hesitant to take a chance on him now.


64. Jamie Martin
Backup, New Orleans Saints
Martin is a veteran QB who's been in the NFL for 13 seasons. He can complete the short and intermediate throws needed to finish a game.

Brady Quinn has not taken an NFL regular season snap yet he is apparently better than two current NFL starters. This list is a mid-week water cooler fluff piece. Give me the top 32 starting quarterbacks and we may have something.

In all seriousness, I think if anderson is 12. Quinn should be 20.

So no Charlie Frye on that list huh?

You know it's funny. It seems like decades ago that Frye was here, I guess that's the good thing about winning. The coulda, shoulda, woulda stuff go's right out the window.

I actually feel bad for David Carr.

At least Timmy got so injured he could duck out of the limelight!

Wow from number 1 overall to being one of the worst backups!!!!

No one is ever going to completely agree with this list, but the point is that the Browns have two of the top20 rated qbs in this overview...whodathunkit????

At the beginning of the season, if I am not mistaken, we were ranked as the WORST? Or was that last year? That was last year but funny how our starter now was on that roster too. Great changes Batman!

In young QB market, Cutler hot, Eli Manning not
By Mike Sando
ESPN.com

Updated: December 13, 2007
From Anderson to Young, ESPN.com charts the progress of 11 young starting QBs.

Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger and Dallas' Tony Romo impress with their ability to strike downfield after leaving the pocket.

Cincinnati's Carson Palmer dazzles with his arm strength and his ability to sniff out opposing defenses.

Houston's Matt Schaub has a better feel for the pocket than most, while Jacksonville's David Garrard brings poise and a high football IQ to the quarterback position.

QB RATINGS
Strong Buy: Analysts have a hard time seeing him failing. Reserved for those who possess the physical tools and intangibles to join the very elite.

Buy: Should enjoy a long, productive career with Pro Bowls in his future. Minor limitations separate them from the highest rating.

Hold: Has the potential to take the next step, but it's unclear how high his stock might rise.

Underperform: The jury has returned its verdict, and the news isn't very good.

Sell: Trade him now.


For all their differences, most of the NFL's promising young quarterbacks share a striking similarity in the eyes of scouts and coaches: They can't touch Denver's Jay Cutler for sheer potential.

Asked to evaluate 11 young starters, experts singled out Cutler as the quarterback most likely to reach the elite status currently shared by Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

"The kid in Denver, to me he is the future of this league," an AFC pro scout said.

"I would jump on that boat," an NFC personnel director said. "He isn't quite there, but you see those flashes of a guy who, once he has the whole playbook in his mind and he's made all the mistakes he needs to make in learning it, man, he's going to be a special player."

ESPN.com granted anonymity to two pro scouts, one personnel director, a defensive coordinator and a defensive backs coach in exchange for unvarnished evaluations.

The experts analyzed starting quarterbacks younger than 30 and with fewer than four seasons of starting experience. San Francisco's Alex Smith and Arizona's Matt Leinart fell from consideration because neither has established himself as a long-term starter.

That left 11 young quarterbacks standing: Roethlisberger, Romo, Palmer, Schaub, Garrard, Cleveland's Derek Anderson, San Diego's Philip Rivers, Tennessee's Vince Young, Washington's Jason Campbell, the New York Giants' Eli Manning and, of course, Cutler.


STRONG BUY

Jay Cutler, Broncos
CUTLER WATCH
Bullish: Exceptionally strong arm, good mobility and accuracy, calm under pressure. Showed toughness in returning quickly from painful leg injury.
Bearish: Like many hard throwers, trusts his arm strength too much at times.

2007 most yards per attempt Player YPA*
Tom Brady 8.60
Tony Romo 8.58
Brett Favre 7.96
Jay Cutler 7.92
Peyton Manning 7.90
*minimum 100 attempts
The second-year pro has completed better than 60 percent of his passes through his first 18 regular-season starts, but the numbers don't begin to explain what separates Cutler from the others.

"I love him," the AFC scout said. "He's athletic, poised, smart, accurate -- and there was just something about that kid coming out, the way he was wired."

The Broncos have had problems surrounding Cutler with a consistent supporting cast. Losing veteran center Tom Nalen was a significant setback. Top receiver Javon Walker has hardly played. Top running back Travis Henry has 34 carries over the last seven games.

Cutler's numbers have suffered as a result, but he's still averaging 7.9 yards per attempt, putting him up there with Brett Favre (7.96) and Peyton Manning (7.9).

"He has an unbelievable career ahead of him," the NFC personnel director said. "He is Romo [in terms of confidence] with the physical tools to match. He's fun to watch because he's kind of like the kid who plays quarterback down at the playground. 'Let's just go play.'"

Cutler, 24, has less experience than the other quarterbacks on our list, leaving more for the imagination. But his poise and physical ability are obvious already.

"He has a cannon of an arm, obviously, and when he's in the pocket, he has the arm strength to make all the throws," an NFC pro scout said. "Throw in the fact that he can move around and buy additional time, and he's got a pretty impressive arsenal in terms of ability and arm strength and feet."


BUY

Tony Romo, Cowboys
ROMO WATCH
Bullish: Accurate, mobile, able to strike downfield after leaving the pocket. Off-the-charts confidence and a strong supporting cast help him approach elite status.
Bearish: Lacks the raw physical attributes of other quarterbacks on this list, notably pure arm strength.

2007 TD passes 20 or more yards Player TDs
Tony Romo 18
Tom Brady 14
Peyton Manning 12
Brett Favre 9
Derek Anderson 9

Few quarterbacks produce more with less obvious physical ability. That's not intended as a criticism, either. Romo has enough physical ability, no question, but his confidence makes him especially dangerous.

"If you put him in the room with great quarterbacks and broke down their qualities, you wouldn't say this guy is No. 1 in any of those things," the NFC personnel director said. "But he might be No. 1 in confidence. I think he gets a lot of stuff done with attitude and mind-set and preparation and confidence."

The approach is working. Romo, 27, has 35 touchdowns and a 107.7 rating this season for the best team in the NFC. He's averaging 8.6 yards per attempt and has been sacked just 19 times in 13 starts this season. The Cowboys are getting elite production from a player with only 23 regular-season starts.

"He throws a nice ball, one of those catchable balls," the secondary coach said. "He's not going to have the biggest arm, but he's accurate."

Most quarterbacks worry about backside pressure when moving outside the pocket. Romo seems unperturbed. And he's more dangerous than other quarterbacks once he breaks outside containment.

"He always keeps his head up when he's outside the pocket," the NFC pro scout said. "Most guys look five or 10 yards down the field, but it's like Romo looks 40 yards downfield and works his way back. He'll throw to the other side of the field and a guy will be uncovered because everyone [bailed]."


Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
ROETHLISBERGER WATCH
Bullish: Size, arm strength and mobility make Roethlisberger extra dangerous when he leaves the pocket. Seems to be taking his craft more seriously following a career-threatening motorcycle accident.
Bearish: Struggles to read defenses at times. Takes too many sacks.

Most sacked since 2006 Player Sacked
Jon Kitna 112
Ben Roethlisberger 84
Marc Bulger 78
J. P. Losman 61
Matt Hasselbeck 60
Roethlisberger stands 6-foot-5 and weighs more than 240 pounds, making him the biggest player on our list. He's also putting up big numbers. There's a lot to like, but also a few concerns.

"If you can keep him in the pocket, he struggles with coverage," the defensive coordinator said. "I'm not convinced that he might not always struggle that way. I would say that is probably, to me, his only negative."

Roethlisberger, 25, appears destined to rank among the league leaders in yards per pass attempt (7.8 yards), arguably the most telling statistic for quarterbacks. His completion percentage is above 66.4 percent this season, also a high figure.

"We played him early in his career and I wasn't impressed at all," the secondary coach said. "I just thought he had a good supporting cast. I like him better after watching him this season. He's a tough quarterback to defend because he makes plays out of the pocket. He's getting better."

Uncommon size and strength allow Roethlisberger to stand tall in the pocket, but sometimes he holds the ball too long, leading to unnecessary sacks. Opponents have sacked Roethlisberger more than 80 times in the last two seasons. Finding the right balance could allow Roethlisberger to take another step toward elite status.

"There are a lot of things that make him good," the defensive coordinator said. "He's big, so he can avoid sacks or get out of a sack situation. When the receivers alter their routes, he can get out of the pressure. He has a good arm. Once he finds the guy open, he can drill the ball.

"The only real nick in his armor is if you can keep him in the pocket. Once he escapes the pocket, he has the comfort of being able to run. Usually there will be one guy after him instead of four or five."


Carson Palmer, Bengals
PALMER WATCH
Bullish: Accuracy, smarts and arm strength separate him from most others.
Bearish: Palmer wasn't particularly mobile before suffering a serious knee injury. He's no threat to run. Chronic organizational turmoil is a potential limiting factor.

2005 to present Year Comp. Pct. Sacks INT.
2007 65.2 17 17
2006 62.3 36 13
2005 67.8 19 12
Palmer, 27, has bounced back from a career-threatening knee injury, but whatever mobility he possessed is mostly a memory. That hasn't stopped him from threatening 4,000 yards passing most seasons.

"From a mental standpoint and managing the game, I would put him right there with Tom Brady," the defensive coordinator said. "He is smart and he can do what Brady does in terms of calling the offense on the line of scrimmage and changing things."

Palmer's arm strength and accuracy impact the way defenses plan for the Bengals.

"I'm scared to death of him," the secondary coach said. "That guy, wow. He can make any throw. He is putting balls in there that should be picked."

Some of those balls have been picked. Palmer already has more interceptions this season (17) than he threw last season or in 2005. But he is taking fewer sacks and completing a higher percentage.

"The only thing with Carson is, which he can't do anything about, is his mobility," the coordinator said. "He can escape a little bit of the rush, but he is of no danger to you."



David Garrard, Jaguars
GARRARD WATCH
Bullish: Possesses accuracy, arm strength and a strong feel for the position. Has the ability to scramble if needed, but has the mindset of a pocket passer.
Bearish: Lacks the weapons to maximize his potential.

Top passer rating in 2007 Player Rating
Tom Brady 123.5
Tony Romo 107.7
David Garrard 103.3
Ben Roethlisberger 101.4
Garrard, 29, quietly developed as a spot starter when Byron Leftwich was struggling to stay healthy. The team remained committed to Leftwich until this season, but that wasn't a bad thing for Garrard. The situation allowed him to work on his game without the pressure of being The Man.

"The thing with him has always been his poise and his clear understanding of the position," the NFL personnel director said. "I think he is instinctive as a quarterback in his understanding of the big picture more than just trying to be a strong-armed guy."

Garrard has flourished in the months since the organization released Leftwich. The last-minute move seemed risky because the regular season was only days away, but Garrard was clearly ready.

"He's athletic, he has a big arm and he's in a pretty good comfort zone there," the AFC scout said.

Jack Del Rio is a defensive head coach who prefers a run-first approach on offense. The Jaguars also lack receivers, making it unlikely Garrard will put up MVP-caliber numbers anytime soon. But in throwing 10 touchdown passes before his first interception this season, Garrard showed he won't force things.

"As far as being able to make the throws, he can do all that," the NFC personnel director said. "And mentally, he is a quarterback; most people consider him to be a leader of men. He is a good runner, strong in the hips, but he thinks more like a conventional quarterback."



Matt Schaub, Texans
SCHAUB WATCH
Bullish: Possesses a better feel for the pocket than most. Accurate, level-headed and mature.
Bearish: He's had trouble staying healthy despite limited starts. Schaub might be more of a "system" passer than other QBs in this story.

2007: Hot start, colder finish Sept. Since Sept.*
W-L 2-2 2-5
Comp. pct. 74.0 60.8
Pass ypg 251.3 176.6
TD/INT 5-3 4-6
Rating 101.2 76.8

*Missed 2 games with injury
Schaub, 26, seems to have a natural feel for the position. Other quarterbacks on the list have stronger arms and better scrambling ability, but one of our experts ranked Schaub near the top.

"Schaub and Cutler are the two young guys that excite me, guys that if they fail, then I don't know what the hell I'm doing," the NFC pro scout said.

Schaub stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 237 pounds, but he rarely takes sacks. A helmet-to-helmet hit from Tennessee's Albert Haynesworth knocked Schaub from an Oct. 21 game, altering the quarterback's season. The Titans knocked out Schaub again more recently, this time with a dislocated shoulder.

Schaub sat on the bench in Atlanta for three seasons even though "he ran the West Coast offense better than Michael Vick ever could," the secondary coach said.

"I really liked him," the coach said. "And then seeing him again this season, he was really good."

Pocket awareness separates Schaub from most quarterbacks. His predecessor, David Carr, took 41 sacks in 16 starts for Houston last season. Schaub took 16 in his first 11 starts this season.

"Get a running game with him and he's going to be tough," the NFC scout said.



HOLD

Philip Rivers, Chargers
RIVERS WATCH
Bullish: Seems to play his best under pressure. Good accuracy. Knows when to find his playmakers.
Bearish: Has thrown into coverage too frequently. Others have stronger arms.

2007 rankings Passer rating 78.9 18th
INT 15 T-4th
YPA 6.9 T-17th
Comp. Pct. 59.6 29th

San Diego took a step back offensively this season, but Rivers has shown signs of improvement. He has forced too many balls into coverage, leading to more interceptions (15) and a pedestrian passer rating so far (78.9).

Rivers, 25, spent two seasons behind veteran Drew Brees before helping San Diego to a 14-2 record in 2006, his first season as a starter.

"He's an accurate guy, but I wasn't impressed with his arm strength," the secondary coach said. "I was more impressed with his leadership and the other things he does, more than being a pure quarterback.

"You watch him and he has a good feel for the game, he knows where to go with the ball and who needs to get the ball. Some guys don't get that. You see guys all the time, it's a critical situation and they throw to some guy who never had a catch. Part of being a good player and a good quarterback is getting the ball to right guys."

The Chargers acquired wide receiver Chris Chambers from Miami, but they could use more at the position.

"It seems like his lack of receivers has really caught up with him," the NFC scout said. "Teams are taking [Antonio] Gates away and they had [center] Nick Hardwick hurt for a while, so they couldn't run the ball as well."



Vince Young Titans
YOUNG WATCH
Bullish: Possesses rare playmaking ability. Has shown an ability to win in the clutch.
Bearish: Poor mechanics could affect his development as a pocket passer. Hasn't protected the ball well enough. Could use better receivers.

More INTs than TDs in 2007 Player INTs TDs
Vince Young 16 7
Damon Huard 13 9
Brian Griese 12 10
Trent Dilfer 12 7
Young, 24, overcame average numbers as a rookie (51.5 completion percentage) by making clutch plays to win games, often with his legs. Defenses have adjusted this season, and Young has struggled. He has seven touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 12 starts despite completing a higher percentage of his passes.

"I can't get over the throwing motion," the AFC scout said. "At some point, you have to make throws from the pocket in the passing game. He'll have some good games, but week in and week out, every week is chaos to him.

"If your biggest threat is pulling it down and running, maybe there's a reason."

Young tends to deliver the ball with his elbow low, reducing his options.

"It's hard to throw the ball with any sort of loft or touch," the AFC scout said. "It's one of Joey Harrington's issues, that and not waiting to get the ball out. It's never changed with David Carr, either. They had Carr throwing over chairs and ladders and it's not going to change. It is what it is.

"A guy like Vince, I love to watch him play. He's fun and he runs around and he creates, but there were a million guys who failed before Bernie Kosar had success with that motion."

Young also suffers from a short supply of talented receivers.


Jason Campbell, Redskins
CAMPBELL WATCH
Bullish: Appears to have a strong command of the huddle. Good physical skills.
Bearish: Still learning the offense
Year-to-year 2006 2007
Comp. pct. 53.1 60.0
Rating 76.5 77.6
TD/INT 10-6 12-11
W-L 2-5 6-7
Coaches generally change a quarterback's throwing motion only as a last resort. Washington appears to have succeeded in helping Campbell, 25, overhaul his mechanics. Campbell has improved his completion percentage significantly, but he's still in the early stages of development.

"He is a big, talented kid," the secondary coach said. "He can pretty much throw any ball you need. They are probably taking it easy with him with the idea of, 'Hey, listen, don't lose the game for us.' But he might be able to win for them with time."

The AFC scout studied Campbell at length, starting with the seven starts Campbell made last season.

"They really did a nice job of changing his throwing motion," the scout said. "They really shortened his stroke, which helped him. I was really surprised at how much better he got during the summer."

Campbell might be more of a born leader than some quarterbacks.

"He takes charge of things," the secondary coach said. "You don't see other guys in the huddle saying, 'Let's do this, let's do that.' They have some veteran guys. He carries himself that way. I'd be willing to bet he has good leadership ability."


[b/]Derek Anderson, Browns
ANDERSON WATCH
Bullish: Uncommon height helps him see the field well. Benefits from very good pass protection and solid options at the skill positions.
Bearish: Not particularly mobile.

Vs. Peyton Manning in 2007 Player TDs INTs Pass YDs Sacked
D. Anderson 26 14 3247 11
P. Manning 27 13 3358 17
Even the Browns have been surprised with Anderson's sudden emergence as a productive, winning quarterback. As a result, scouts and coaches haven't studied him as much.

Anderson, 24, looks the part at 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds.

"At this point, I don't think there is anything real negative about him. He just needs to keep his entire game going," the defensive coordinator said. "I understand he's a real smart kid. I think if he applies himself, he's going to get better and better.

"They are going to be an offensive team to reckon with even more than they are now once they get real confidence in what they are doing."

The Browns have done an outstanding job protecting Anderson, the coordinator said.

"We were kind of lukewarm on him when we played him and we might have to revisit that," the AFC scout said.



UNDERPERFORM

Eli Manning, Giants
ELI MANNING WATCH
Bullish: Strong arm, good size.
Bearish: Not particularly accurate. Not a natural leader.

Manning vs. other NFL QBs Year Passer rating NFL avg.
2004 55.5 82.8
2005 75.9 80.1
2006 77.0 80.4
2007 75.2 82.9
Credit: Elias Sports Bureau
Our panel of experts wasn't impressed with Manning even before the quarterback's four-interception implosion against Minnesota in Week 12.

"I think he's got good skills," said the secondary coach, speaking before the Minnesota game, "but all the other stuff, the intangible stuff, I don't think he has it. He gets scared when you get after him in the pocket. All the things you hate a quarterback to have, he has. And he's not accurate."

Even Giants' general manager Jerry Reese admitted that Manning, 26, had become "skittish" in recent weeks.

"He missed throws in our game," one of the pro scouts said. "There were throws you need to make if you are a front-line guy. He left yards on the field against us."


Mike Sando covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

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"We were kind of lukewarm on him when we played him and we might have to revisit that," the AFC scout said.

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You just have to love this quote!!!!!

Wow is it just me or is this article really confusing, it jumps around so much, very poorly written article if you ask me. Is ESPN desperate for Sports Journalists since most of them have very little crediblility anymore?