On ESPN, Darren Woodson attempts to rank the Top 10 Quarterbacks in the league. He starts with the predictable trend of choosing Brady and then Manning. Anyone who didn't see that coming doesn't watch enough rankings.
So it would appear that there are a few things that he values in his rankings in the Top 2. These would be Experience, Playoff Success, Super Bowl appearances etc. So here comes #3, Aaron Rodgers. He does have 2 good seasons under his belt and he has won a Super Bowl so a valid case can be made. #4 is Philip Rivers. Wait, what? Oh I see, his justification is he said that he threw for 4700 yards for a team that didn't make the playoffs. Nevermind that a late season loss to Cincinnati where he was less than spectacular or his 3-4 playoff record get in the way. OK, #5 is up and to be in the Top 5 it would have to be someone who has shown consistency and excellence over a long period of time, and that would be Drew Brees. This is a very safe pick, a Super Bowl Champion, puts up big numbers, good guy all around.
Time to reveal the next 5, and he states: "This is where it gets a little tricky..." Now looking at the board of Quarterbacks there are 2 players left who have won a Super Bowl and 4 who have never even won a playoff game. So of course, Darren goes with 'Matty Ice'. Yes, the same Quarterback who has an 0-2 playoff record and in his last game was thoroughly dominated by Green Bay. Time for #7 and wouldn't it be a coincidence to go with a #7, well he did and that guy is Michael Vick. His main point for putting him there was because "he is a guy who has really adjusted his game, has really gotten better". Seeing that all 6 of his worst rated games happened in the final 9, it would appear that the league has adjusted to him.
So at #8 he decides to go with Ben Roethlisberger. This is the same guy who has 10 playoff victories and 2 Super Bowl Titles. Funny though, the combined stats of #3-7 also have 10 playoff victories and 2 Super Bowl Titles. Just for the record, Roethlisberger also adds another Conference Championship.
Number 9 is given to a guy with one playoff victory and did not even finish last year, that would of course be Tony Romo. One has to wonder if this decision had more to do with what is on his helmet versus his actual talent. And finally the list rounds out with Josh Freeman, a solid quarterback who has a bright future but he is 13-12 as a starter, which is quite average.
So who was left off? Well how about 2 Quarterbacks from New York? Mark Sanchez has 4 playoff victories (all on the road) in 2 seasons and Eli Manning only has a Super Bowl MVP Trophy. Joe Flacco doesn't get any mention either despite beginning his career with 3 playoff appearances. Even Matt Schaub could make a case for coming in around 10, easily when compared to Freeman.
It appears Mr. Woodson is very interested in stats, of course only the wrong stats. He seems to be impressed with yards, touchdowns and 'excitement' and less impressed with actual results such as Super Bowls or playoff success. Much like a bright eyed teenager, he is enthralled as he sees a quarterback let loose on pass after pass but lose the game in the end. It would certainly be interesting to see his list of Top 10 Quarterbacks of all time.
Where's Matthew Stafford??
ReplyDeleteOnly 13 total games played. Let's give him a full season so we can analyze. Hopefully he stays healthy all year!
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