2010 saw some exceptional performances from the league’s elite quarterbacks. Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Philip Rivers and Aaron Rodgers all had seasons of varying degrees of success, but it was Tom Brady who came out on top. The three-time Super Bowl winner was awarded the regular season MVP award after leading the Patriots to a 14-2 record prior to their play-off loss to arch-rival Jets at the Divisional stage.
Belichick’s apprentice threw an incredible 36 touchdown passes and just four interceptions for 3,900 yards. But how did he compare to other franchise QB’s like Manning, Brees and even Michael Vick? And, more importantly, who is likely to come out on top this season?
Brady’s long-time rival, Peyton Manning – signal-caller for the Colts – threw three touchdowns fewer than the Pats’ star man, but his turnover count was not nearly as impressive. Despite throwing for 4,700 yards, Manning was picked off 17 times. He did have 679 passing attempts compared to Brady’s 492, and a marginally higher completion rate of 66.3%, but the interceptions brought his QB rating down to 91.9. Brady, however, had the highest passer rating in the league – 111.0.
Despite his electrifying form in the postseason, ultimately leading his team to the NFL championship, Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers was some way short of Brady’s touchdown milestone. Rodgers threw 28 TD’s and 11 interceptions in 2010 – although he almost single-handily carried his team to the title because of injuries to key players. The loss of RB Ryan Grant and TE Jermichael Findlay, in particular, were huge blows, and it meant Packers coach Mike McCarthy could not utilise the play-action pass as much as he would have liked.
One year removed from his own Super Bowl MVP performance, by his own high standards Drew Brees had a rather disappointing season. The Saints QB, along with Manning, had by far the highest number of pass attempts and completions, with just three touchdowns fewer than Brady. However, his biggest downfall was turning the ball over, which he did a massive 22 times last year.
In terms of passing yards, the only men to eclipse Brees last season were Peyton and San Diego’s Philip Rivers. The Chargers QB threw and completed more passes than both Brady and Rodgers in what was the NFL’s number one offense. His 30 touchdowns put him up there with the top performing quarterbacks last season and reinforced his position as a true franchise signal-caller. But he came nowhere near Brady’s stunning interception ratio – throwing 11 picks as the Chargers fell short of a play-off spot for the first time in five years.
Honourable mentions also go to third-year QB Matt Ryan, who led the Falcons to the number one seed in the NFC – in a season which included 28 touchdowns and nine interceptions – and the Eagles’ Michael Vick. Vick missed a number of games through injury but still managed to throw 21 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He also rushed for 676 yards and narrowly missed out to Brady for the MVP – partly due to the fact that he missed five games of the regular season.
If he can repeat those kinds of numbers over a whole season then Vick has to be the favourite for this year’s MVP, especially if he goes on to lead the hotly-tipped Eagles to Super Bowl glory. However, because of how susceptible to injury his style of play makes him, the question still remains as to whether he can stay healthy.
For that reason alone, it’s difficult to predict Vick coming out on top in the quarterback competition. It’ll also be extremely difficult for him to emulate last season’s success, partly due to defensive coordinators being more clued up on how to deal with him.
At the moment, Brady has to be the leading candidate for another season at the top of his profession, with Matt Ryan being a dark horse for those who fancy a flutter. After the addition of wide receiver Julio Jones in April’s draft, Ryan has a number of potent weapons in the passing game, as well as Michael Turner and Jason Snelling to assist him in the backfield. That offense has the potential to be explosive. Brady also shows no signs of slowing down, and looking at the Pats’ schedule, they have to be favourites to grab the number one seed in the AFC this season.
Manning has spent the offseason recovering from neck surgery and has to suffer a decline in production at some stage. He lacks the supporting cast around him, with the exception of the aging Reggie Wayne, TE Dallas Clark and young receivers Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon, and many experts predict a season of struggle for the Colts this year.
The same goes for Brees. Although the big difference for him is that he has a legitimate running game to help him – with the Saints having drafted Mark Ingram and picked up Darren Sproles in free agency. Don’t get me wrong, the Saints’ offense has the potential to be extremely dangerous once again – particularly so with Drew Brees and Sean Payton at the helm. But I believe there are two teams in their division who are more talented – the Falcons and the Buccaneers. For that reason, I think the Saints will fall short of the play-offs despite another admirable effort from Brees.
Philip Rivers put up some great numbers last year, and he did lead the NFL’s number one offense during the regular season, but I don’t believe he’s quite on the same level as Brady yet. If Norv Turner finally gets his act together, and the Chargers deliver on their often-talked about potential, then Rivers has a chance. The problem is, last season Rivers was throwing a lot because the Chargers were chasing games – if they’re winning, and RB Ryan Mathews lives up to the hype, the stats might not be so inflated.
The only other player not already mentioned who has a legitimate shot of number one QB status is Aaron Rodgers. He was the Super Bowl MVP last year, and with the Packers roster even stronger than their championship winning one, you’d be a fool not to predict them repeating that feat. The Pack are without doubt the best team in the NFC North – and by a long way too. If Rodgers tears it up like he did in last season’s play-offs, he’ll run Brady close, but I think the Pats’ main man will come out on top for the second year running.
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