Top Ten NFL Quarterbacks

No, this isn't a funny Top Ten list. I watched an NFL special on ESPN a couple nights ago, where they ranked teams by their quarterbacks for the upcoming season. I thought I'd do the same thing. Let me first mention a couple that just missed the cut: Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, Miami's new gunslinger Daunte Culpepper, and Jake "The Snake" Plummer of Denver.

10. Green Bay Packers (Brett Favre)- Yeah, the guy is getting up their in age, but still has one of the biggest hearts and drives in the game. He may force things a bit at times, by slinging the ball in spots where he shouldn't, but that's because, as we've all witnessed, he has been able to complete those in the past. With Javon Walker off to Green Bay, it'll be interesting to see what Favre can do this year. Hopefully, he'll end his career on a better note than he would have had he retired after last season.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars (Byron Leftwich)- One of the up and comers in the NFL. Speaking of rockets for arms, this guy has one. With Jimmy Smith retiring, a youngster needs to step up at the wide receiver position, potentially Reggie Williams, Ernest Wilford, or Matt Jones. With the Jaguars' tenacious defense and Byron's leadership, Jacksonville should again be in the hunt come playoff time. They may need someone to offensively step-up other than Leftwich, though.

8. New Orleans Saints (Drew Brees)- Brees' only concern coming into the season is his fully recovering from a surgery in the off-season. Brees has put together two very efficient seasons with the San Diego Chargers, who foolishly let him go in favor of Phillip Rivers (who will not be making this list, surprise, surprise). Brees had a great tight end to throw to and a great tailback in San Diego. He has many more weapons to work with in New Orleans, with veteran receiver Joe Horn, up and comer Donte Stallworth, and two do-everything tailbacks in Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush. While it may take a while for Brees and the offense to gel, when they finally do, it'll be something to watch!

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (Ben Roethlisberger)- This will be a testing year for Big Ben. He has been a hybrid of Trent Dilfer and Tom Brady early in his career. He's been a steady leader at times, but has also been asked not to lose. Roethlisberger will have to showcase more of that leadership this year, with the retirement of Jerome Bettis and losing Antwaan Randle-El to free agency. He still has some weapons around him in veteran wideout Hines Ward, tight end Heath Miller, and tailback Willie Parker, but Ben will need to step up this year more than he has in the past. If he stays focused, he should have no problem doing that.

6. Carolina Panthers (Jake Delhomme)- Most the analysts on ESPN called Trent Green the most underrated quarterback in the NFL, followed closely by Trent Dilfer. In my opinion, Jake Delhomme is the most underrated quarterback in football. Who had heard of this guy until three years ago when he led the Panthers to the Super Bowl? He hasn't let up since that point. Even last year, when tailback Stephen Davis got old and the running game was inefficient for the majority of the season, Delhomme was able to carry the team on his back (figuratively speaking, of course), and lead them to a playoff berth. This guy is a leader, a warrior, and a winner.

5. Atlanta Falcons (Michael Vick)- The most dangerous dual-threat quarterback in the game is this guy, Michael Vick. McNabb, Culpepper, Vince Young, Aaron Brooks, and others don't come close. Atlanta finished the season ranked 12th in offense and 1st in rushing offense for the second consecutive season, due in large part, to the presence of Vick. He has a great chemistry throwing the ball to tight end Alge Crumpler and veteran wideout Brian Finneran. Vick will need to develop that kind of chemistry with one of his young receivers, either Michael Jenkins or Roddy White. With this being his third season in the West Coast offense, and from a numbers standpoint, the offense improving both seasons in the system, we can expect more improvements for Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons offense this year.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (Carson Palmer)- Carson's coming off an injury in the playoffs, but that didn't stop me from putting him in the top 4. The guy is one of the most, if not the most mechanically sound passer in the NFL. When it comes to passing mechanics, next to Palmer, Vince Young would be a waterboy. He also has a couple sound receivers to throw to, in Chad Johnson and T.J. Housmanzadeh. Underrated tailback Rudi Johnson is also an effective presence to help balance the offense some.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (Donovan McNabb)- Yeah, Vick is the most dangerous dual-threat quarterback, but McNabb is currently the most polished dual-threat quarterback. McNabb has developed chemistry with the majority of his receivers. Running is a last resort for Donovan anymore, but he can scamper off and gain a few here and there. The guy is a leader, a winner, and it'll be a much cooler and calmer clubhouse without T.O.'s drama. Don't forget, without T.O., McNabb led the Eagles to the NFC Championship Game.

2. Indianapolis Colts (Peyton Manning)- Not #1? What? Yeah, now that you know #2, it's probably pretty obvious who I have at #1, isn't it? Manning may hold the records. He may have more weapons than anyone else in the NFL to throw to, in Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Brandon Stokley, and Dallas Clark, but the guy just has not found a way to get it done in the playoffs. Dan Marino is one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the game, but when it came to crunch time and the all important number (wins), for some reason, he couldn't compete with the likes of Joe Montana and others. Unfortunately, that's been the case with Peyton Manning as well thus far. But, enough negative talk. I did rank the guy #2, didn't I? There's only one guy better than him in my mind and that is...

1. New England Patriots (Tom Brady)- The good ol' 6th round pick out of Michigan. The guy won last year when Corey Dillon was slowed down, Rodney Harrison got hurt, the defense was very ineffective, and all the pressure was placed upon him to win ball games. For the most part, Brady won ball games. He lead the league in passing yards, but that wasn't enough, because of the ineffective ground game and defense. Brady is a born winner and with the help of his defense, he'll be in the running for a 4th Super Bowl ring. I'm not saying they're going to win it all this year, but if Brady isn't forced to throw the ball 40-50 times a game and score 4-5 touchdowns, he'll come out on top at the end of most ball games.