Welcome to the QB Club - NFL Version

The 2009-10 season is over and it's time to announce the members of this year's QB Club.  The Club consists of my top 15 ranked QB's in both College Football and the NFL for the past season.  In this version I'll tackle the NFL.  The rankings are based on my own perception of each quarterback's actual performance this past season and not their technical ability, reputation, or potential.

What is this... UFL?

We've had our bouts with alternative football at times - the USFL, the XFL, and the World League.  The Arena Football League closed up shop in 2009, but may make a return in 2010.  There is also the Canadian Football League that seems to stick around year after year somehow.

I wrote an article a few weeks back about how the NCAA gives its players a raw deal and that if schools were smart they would think about privatizing their football programs.  Well, maybe instead of waiting for the slow, plodding, NCAA bureaucracy to change, we need another option altogether -  someone to fill in the gap between college football and NFL football who can take advantage of all the fallacies in the game today.

By Not Admitting They Need a QB, Bills are Admitting They Need a QB

I saw this article from a Twitter post by @ProFootballTalk about how the Bills may stay with Trent Edwards as their starting QB in 2010.  Can we take the Bills at their word?  Let's think of the reasons why they might leak such information.

Kiper and McShay Downgrading Clausen

And so it begins. 

In their most recent mocks, both pay-per-read ESPN Insider NFL Draft experts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay downgraded Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen.  I am starting to think they really do read The QB Club.

2010 NFL Draft QB Rankings Update

When it comes to draft classes, 2010 is not shaping up to be one of the more memorable ones.  There is no prize pony in the bunch, rather a bunch of question marks.  Some of the top names have experienced injuries and some haven't performed up to expectations.  Some seem talented, but there are questions of character.  A few top names like Locker, Keenum and Mallett stayed in school. 

What will this year's QB Class look like?  Here are my current rankings.

One More Colts Comment

"Our offensive line, by our standards, did not have a good game," Polian told NFL.com. "They were outplayed by the Saints' defensive line."

Now, I don't claim to be a genius.  But Peyton Manning was not sacked at all in the Super Bowl and the Colts' running backs averaged 5.2 yards per carry.  Joseph Addai averaged 5.9 yards per carry himself.

Did Peyton Manning Choke?

The Interception.  What the hell happened?  The fact that I don't have to say much more than that and you already know what I'm talking about means that it was probably something pretty important.

As the guy who labeled him The Greatest Statistical QB of All-Time in Non-Pressure Situations just a few months ago, you would expect me to jump on the "Peyton is a choker" bandwagon immediately.  But I resisted the tempation to go too far without delving into the situation a little deeper.  I get criticized for "hating" Manning, but I don't hate him.  I just think he is sometimes wildly overrated.  Let's face it, he was probably as worthy of the NFL MVP as Barack Obama was worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize.  But to just call him a choker without looking into it further seemed unfair.

Peyton Has BREATHER PLAYS?

At some point in the first half on a third and five, Peyton Manning took a 3-step drop and fired a quick slant towards Pierre Garcon.  Garcon sat between two defenders while Manning led him a little bit and the pass glanced off Garcon's hand and harmless out of bounds.  The Colts were forced to kick a field goal.

Phil Simms launched into an explanation of how Peyton Manning calls that "a breather play" - apparently one where Manning can relax and recoup his energy.  As Simms further explained, often these are 3-step drops where he gets rid of the ball quickly.

A Guilty Pleasure

As a football fan, I am very loyal to my team.  But when the playoffs come along, I am usually forced to take sides when the Jets aren't playing - which over my lifetime has been often.  I have been alive for 34 Super Bowls now and have not been able to enjoy one that featured my team. 

In many of those 34 Super Bowls I took the side of the underdog.  This year was no different.

Manning's Legacy On The Line

In 24 hours we will know a lot more about Peyton Manning's legacy.  Earlier in this season, I labeled him the Greatest Statistical QB of All-Time in Non-Pressure Situations.  After tomorrow that label will either stick for a while longer, or be obliterated altogether.

The Truth About Tebow

I wanted to like the chances of Tim Tebow going pro and becoming a successful quarterback.  But after some deep thought and a look at him at The Senior Bowl, I just cannot in good conscience predict success for one of the most accomplished college football QB’s of all-time.

It starts with the throwing motion – you know, the one that everyone keeps talking about.  He brings the ball too long and his delivery is way too long to be successful in the NFL.