When someone mentions about top quarterbacks in the NFL, players like Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, Ben Roethlisberger and Tom Brady come to mind.
They are certainly game changing quarterbacks with the ability to make even the most unlikely miracle happen. Many of the above have produced countless fourth quarter comebacks within the dying seconds of the match to snatch victories. This is what you would expect from a top quarterback, a leader in every circumstance. What you really need is consistency. What use is a quarterback that throws picks instead of completions when under pressure. You need a quarterback that delivers, and does so day in and day out.
The majority of the quarterbacks above have been to Super Bowls and back and proven themselves, but it doesn't mean they are immune from mistakes.
Take Eli Manning. Eli famously led the Giants to a third Super Bowl title against the previously unbeaten Patriots thanks to the help of David Tyree's helmet just three years ago. But the Giants have missed out on the playoffs for the last two seasons showing a dip in form. Last season, despite throwing for over 4,000 yards, 31 touchdowns, he also threw 25 interceptions, his most so far since being drafted in 2004. Maybe he was taking more risks, but the stats suggest they were unnecessary ones. The offensive line conceded just 16 sacks last season, just over half the season prior to that suggesting that they were buying the quarterback time, he was just making the wrong decisions.
Drew Brees, even more of a risk taker, threw 33 touchdown passes, but these came at a cost with the Saints leader being picked off by the opposition 22 times. Brees is an incredibly experienced quarterback and also has the luxury of experienced wide receivers surrounding him so 22 interceptions does come as a surprise.
Everyone raved about Peyton Manning - the 'Field General' producing results with his young team of receivers. The Colts struggled heavily with injuries but still managed to make the playoffs for a 9th consecutive season. He again threw well, for over 4,700 yards but this is always expected from a quarterback with such a high reputation. His quarterback rating overall for the season was incredibly poor in comparison with other top quarterbacks Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Aaron Rodgers and Michael Vick.
A player in my eyes who deserves more recognition in the 2010-2011 is Tampa Bay's quarterback Josh Freeman. In what was only Freeman's second season, and his first full one he brought the Bucs from a team with a 3-13 record to a very impressive and positive 10-6 record. Unfortunately the Bucs narrowly missed out on the playoffs but Freeman threw for over 3,400 yards, and 25 touchdowns. And at what cost? Just 6 interceptions - equal with Michael Vick. Admittedly Freeman had a bumpy start to the season with 5 picks in the first 9 weeks, but he finished up throwing just 1 pick in the remaining 8 games showing that he is a quick learner and builds upon his mistakes. Freeman also led the Bucs to 4 remarkable comebacks last season which demonstrated his pose and matureness under pressure.
The Bucs are largely constructed on rookie players offensively, the same as the Manning situation. The most senior wide receiver is Maurice Stovall in his sixth year. What Freeman managed to achieve was definitely an impressive second season for such a young quarterback. For a side with very few consistent game changing wide receivers Freeman produced inspirational results and it is a wonder how this talent went so unnoticed amongst euphoria of Vick's comeback season success
Freeman has surely lifted what some fans believed to be a sinking ship in Tampa and the Bucs will be unfortunate to miss out again in the playoffs.
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