Over the past week, we at LWOS conducted a survey of our NFL readers, and 250 replied. The question posed to them: “If you could start a new NFL team and select any quarterback, who would you take?”
The choices varied from grizzled veterans to baby-faced sophomores. The usual suspects were there of course. The motivation behind this question was literally to see what fans valued most – Experience, age, credentials, rings, or perhaps just as in a high school student council election it comes down to a popularity contest.
We sat with renowned Tailgate aficianado and football guru, Gridiron Chef “Doc” (Tailgate Media Network), and asked him about the future of the quarterback position given some of the newer breed of quarterbacks to grace the field in the last few years. Here’s what he noted:
– Pistol and option-based offenses will become a thing of the past
– There is always a market style adjustment back to the norm
– D coordinators may be a year behind, but they will catch up
– Regardless of schools of football thought and offensive philosophies, the NFL is a passing league, compounded by two “already” constants of football:
i.) It may end of being that you will have to hit a bull’s-eye on a WR or RB’s chest to make a proper tackle by 2016, but season-ending injuries and team infirmary wards will continue to grow, and rosters;
ii) And with the pistol / option being based on “over-pursuit”, with QB’s still in the process of completing the deceptive move, it won’t be long until 3 or 4 option style (tremendously athletic Kaepernick-types) get knocked the hell out by a 6’3” 260 LB who knows that the QB is the single biggest factor to his team’s success and season. Power = Speed x Strength.
6’2” 220 Athletic Freak QB, meet 6’3” 260 LB Butch Bustamouth.
Before we delve into the motivations behind particular respondents’ selections, let’s review the results:
Aaron Rodgers – 29%
Peyton Manning – 19%
Colin Kaepernick – 17%
Tom Brady – 15%
Russell Wilson – 9%
Other – 7%
Drew Brees – 4%
Surprises? Aaron Rodgers at #1 was a “gimme”, but to be honest, Peyton as being #2 in our poll was a bit of a surprise. I figured his age and somewhat recent medical issues might scare some voters off – apparently no – predicted that Kaepernick would have finished in the 2-spot. I knew Tom Brady would be quite high on the list because, well, all the bling on his fingers. The “other” category was made up mostly of RGIII and Andrew Luck fans. Had we made them separate options, perhaps they would have each garnered a few more votes. Surprisingly, Drew Brees was at the bottom of the list – he still doesn’t get the love he might deserve.
Let’s take a few moments to reflect on some of our readers’ thoughts for selecting the quarterback they did. Remember, we are starting a new team. This is not as quarterback ratings based on their current teams.
Aaron Rodgers – “The Way I look at it, Rodgers, Brady, and Peyton are the three best quarterbacks in the NFL. However, Rodgers is the only one of the three who is sure to still be playing in the league five years from now. If I’m starting an expansion team, I look for a guy who is great, and will be around a long time, and that is Rodgers.” – LWOS reader Matt Simpson.
It’s hard to argue Matt Simpson’s point. He tops many analysts’ “best QB in the NFL” list, and with Rodgers being still technically in his 20’s (until Dec. 3), he is in his prime and will be for several more years.
Peyton Manning – “Manning is the best quarterback in the league. He’s proven that he is 100% after his neck surgeries and is back trying to lead the Broncos to the promised land. What he did on opening night against the Super Bowl Champs shows how he can clinically dissect a defence like no other. Peyton will have all the passing records when he retires, and is amongst the best ever.” – LWOS reader James Harrington
While I personally feel Rodgers has taken over as the most talented quarterback in the game today, certainly I take nothing away from Peyton Manning. Further, I will concede that for many years the elder Manning (well, elder of active Mannings – see: Archie) was the best quarterback in the game unquestionably. That said, it’s important to consider age and health as we are selecting a quarterback for a new franchise – one which will go through ups and downs, and will likely need a durable quarterback with some speed and strength to fend for himself at times. As phenomenal as Peyton is, can he be the best fit for a new team?
Colin Kaepernick – “The NFL is becoming about the read-option, and a new breed of quarterbacks is emerging. Kaepernick is the best of this new breed of mobile quarterbacks who can run and throw. Running the read-option for the 49ers he nearly took them to a Superbowl Championship in his first shot as a starter. His athletic talent is unparalleled, and the sky is the limit for his future.” – LWOS reader Mark O’Reilly
I am personally not completely sold on Kaepernick mostly because I am not sure the read-option will be as useful three years from now as it is today. Of course there is a trend for big, strong quarterbacks who can also run like gazelles in the NFL. But one thing I know for certain is that sometime soon defensive coordinators are going to find a way to limit and eventually halt the trend. Don’t get me wrong, Kaepernick has all the tools, but we have seen him for less than one season. He had unbelievable success, but can that be replicated year after year?
Tom Brady – “Brady has three Superbowl Rings, and has taken the Patriots on five trips to the big game. The pieces around them may change, but with the constants of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, the Patriots remain a contender, year in and year out. Brady is the NFL’s best and he’s my pick to start my team.” – LWOS reader Jennifer Sturridge
Its hard to argue against Brady if you take the position that winning is the most important thing a quarterback can do. The Patriots have ruled the AFC East for what seems like forever, and have been the best team in the AFC on a number of occasions since Brady took over for Drew Bledsoe all those years ago. There is no doubt he is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, but I think his age has to disqualify him from the pick as being the best guy to build a new team around today.
Russell Wilson – “If you’re hell-bent on youth, I will take the composure and panache of a Russell Wilson. And with the importance aspects of the “Genesis” of new franchise, a youngster like Wilson with all the professional attributes of an NFL-ready QB, who will be a community dream – athletic ability almost unmatched, and mature interpersonal skills that will make easily make him the center-point of the franchise, he’s almost a perfect specimen. – Gridiron Chef “Doc” – Tailgate Media Network
“Wilson has had his doubters, they said he was too small, he slipped to the third round, but all he does is overcome the obstacles. Despite his size he has a great arm, and tremendous running ability. But what makes Wilson my choice is the fact that he just keeps winning despite the odds against him. He’s also much younger than most of the other choices, and I’d want that for an expansion team.” – LWOS reader John Bartman
Wilson’s age is definitely a check in his favour. However, again we must question how well read-option offences will work in 3-5 years, and if Wilson could be a more traditional pro-style quarterback. The size might become an issue in a more traditional offense.
Other – “To me Eli is better than brother Peyton. Eli has two Superbowl rings to Peyton’s one and just seems to be more clutch.” – LWOS reader Simon Porter
“Put me down in other for Andrew Luck. Look at how he instantly took the Colts from a three win team back to the playoffs. Add in his age, and its a new Peyton Manning in Indy, only a lot younger. Look for him to be the premier quarterback in the NFL within 5 years.” – LWOS reader Chris Cunningham
“Its gotta be other for RG3. He can run, he can pass, he’s accurate with the football, he can do it all. RG3 will soon have new initials MVP.” – LWOS reader Kim Spencer
This category is spread between three quarterbacks – Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Eli Manning. I wouldn’t argue any of them as being excellent fits for a new team, though they each bring something completely different to the table. Of the three, Eli Manning is the only one who has proven himself in the NFL. It’s hard to argue with a two-time Superbowl Champion and MVP. At 32 years old, he has enough years of playing at a very high level that his age shouldn’t deter voters.
While Eli has the pedigree and credentials, Andrew Luck and RG3 are still green. While they both performed admirably, we can’t assume either will be at the pinnacle of the NFL several years from now. For me, Andrew Luck has a better shot at long-term success as he plays a more traditional game than RGIII, who relies heavily on his legs. We all recall the injury-laden rookie campaign for Griffin in 2012, and having him play more cautiously will ultimately change the way he plays. It seems that the Redskins, in an attempt to keep him healthy, want him to sit back in the pocket more. While I’m all for taking steps to keep
Drew Brees – “If you’re building around an expansion draft, you want stability and in addition to versatility at your #1 spot – the QB. Aaron Rogers and Drew Brees give you both, reflecting a 5-star passing game built on efficiency and accuracy. You could handpick 5 gents from the local soup kitchen and with a week’s practice they could get you 250 YD’s and 2 TD’s. All a Rogers or Brees has to do to get the franchise “on the rails” with 4 or so consistent years of stability. Pro passers that rise above all NFL trends! And if you want Brees, since 2006, no QB in NFL HISTORY has had a 6 yr. period of superlative stats – #1 in TD’s, Yds, Accuracy, TD’S as Brees has. Case closed!” – Gridiron Chef “Doc” – Tailgate Media Network
If we go completely on statistics, which I personally don’t believe tells the whole story, Drew Brees stacks up well against anyone – Manning, Brady, doesn’t matter. Last year alone he threw for almost 5200 yards and 43 touchdowns. He is also only two seasons removed from his record breaking 2011 season with 5476 yards. I suppose the one thing that may be against him is his age – he’s 34. While I think he has a few more years playing at a very high level, I think that, along with some stigma with playing in the Big Easy, his age scared a few of our voters off.
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