Throughout the preseason, we’ll take a look at the best – and worst – the NFL has to offer, unit by unit. Look for a new set of rankings every few days.
They are the field generals, the only voice in an offensive huddle and the guys that usually cashes in on the big payday. I’m talking, of course, of the quarterbacks.
While the starting quarterback position remains the focal point for offenses in the NFL, the backup spot has become much more important over the past decade, and a team’s third stringer is often a developmental piece for the future. Tom Brady, Matt Hasselback and Jake Delhomme were all backups before finally getting their chances either with another team or through injury.
So with that said, what teams not only have a starter that could lead their team to a possible Super Bowl, but also a backup who could capably fill in if there was an injury and a third stringer who might develop into a productive regular in the future?
THE TOP 10
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger, Charlie Batch, Omar Jacobs
In just two seasons in the NFL, Ben Roethlisberger has already won a Super Bowl ring and owns a 27-4 record as a starter. Veteran Charlie Batch was a one-time starter and is one of the most dependable backups in the league. Fifth-round rookie draft pick Omar Jacobs has good size and could serve as Roethlisberger’s backup in the near future.
2. Indianapolis Colts
Peyton Manning, Jim Sorgi, Shaun King
Peyton Manning is the only player to pass for 3,000+ yards in each of his first eight seasons in the NFL. Manning has started every game of his NFL career, which is the longest career-opening streak for a quarterback. Jim Sorgi has been better than advertised when given the chance to play and third-stringer Shaun King was once a starter in the league.
3. Seattle Seahawks
Matt Hasselback, Seneca Wallace, David Greene
The Super Bowl runners-up have a nice trio in starter Matt Hasselback and backups Seneca Wallace and David Greene. Hasselback led the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history and knows how to command a West Coast Offense. Wallace is an excellent athlete who will probably be looked at in other positions (remember that catch against Carolina in last year’s NFC Championship game?) just to get him on the field. The former University of Georgia alum, Greene, has the poise to develop into a player of the future.
4. Denver Broncos
Jake Plummer, Jay Cutler, Bradlee Van Pelt
Jake Plummer was efficient and didn’t make too many mistakes in Mike Shanahan’s offense last year in leading the Broncos to the AFC Championship game. First-round pick Jay Cutler from Vanderbilt will push Plummer on the field and it won’t be too long before he gets a chance to start. Bradlee Van Pelt would have been Plummer’s back up if it weren’t for the selection of Cutler. Van Pelt is athletic and will be a serviceable No. 3.
5. St. Louis Rams
Marc Bulger, Gus Frerotte, Ryan Fitzpatrick
This unit would have been rated higher if it weren’t for the continuing injuries that starter Marc Bulger has endured over the past two seasons. Bulger can still play in this league, but he has to prove that he can win in someone else’s offensive system other than Mike Martz. Gus Frerotte came to St. Louis with new head coach Scott Linehan from Miami and has spent most of his career as a starter. Ryan Fitzpatrick had a ‘where did this guy come from?’ moment in a game against Houston last year, leading the Rams to a huge come-from-behind victory. He struggled in his other three starts of the season, however.
6. Atlanta Falcons
Michael Vick, Matt Schaub, D.J. Shockley
Michael Vick is the most athletic quarterback in the NFL, but has to work on his accuracy in order to take his game to the next level. Vick has the speed, mobility and arm strength to carry the Falcons into the playoffs, but has also been injury prone. No other backup quarterback was as sought after by other teams in the offseason than third-year player Matt Schaub. Atlanta, and apparently other teams as well, think that Schaub has what it takes to lead a team to a Super Bowl. Rookie D.J. Shockley and former Virginia Tech QB Bryan Randal battle for the third spot.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
Byron Leftwich, David Garrard, Quinn Gray
Bryon Leftwich has all the tools to succeed in the NFL and has been a solid starter in his first three seasons. He is 21-17 as a starter, but continuously finds himself on the injury report and must stay healthy to join the next level of starting quarterbacks. David Garrard is very dependable and went 4-1 as a fill-in starter for Leftwich last season. Quinn Gray has only played in one game in his career, but the coaching staff feels that he has decent potential.
8. Chicago Bears
Rex Grossman, Brian Griese, Kyle Orton
Perhaps no team has three better options to start at QB than the Bears. Rex Grossman has showed major signs of being a solid starter, but has been amazingly unlucky with injuries. Therefore, the team signed Brian Griese to be Grossman’s backup and the nine-year vet has extensive experience as a starter in the league. Kyle Orton was baptized by fire last year when Grossman went down, but hung in there and can at least manage a game (not to mention hold his liquor) if forced into action.
9. Green Bay Packers
Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, Ingle Martin
There’s no question that Brett Favre is in the twilight of his career, but there is still no one tougher in the league. He will be the face of the Packers and their offense until he finally decides to hang the cleats up for good. Backup Aaron Rodgers is patiently waiting for his chance to take over, but while he’s waiting he continues to learn from one of the greatest quarterbacks to play the game. Ingle Martin was selected in the fifth round of April’s draft and is someone who new head coach Mike McCarthy feels can fit into his system.
10. Arizona Cardinals
Kurt Warner, Matt Leinart, John Navarre
Kurt Warner hasn’t been healthy since 2001, but is a Super Bowl winner and still demands respect from his teammates. Matt Leinart is the quarterback of the near future and might get his chance to start sooner than expected if Warner can’t stay healthy. John Navarre is unspectacular, but has experience starting in the league.
THE BOTTOM 5:
28. Oakland Raiders
Aaron Brooks, Andrew Walter, Marques Tuiasosopo
Aaron Brooks continues his downward slide from a once promising hopeful to a guy who makes terrible decisions with the football. He has the athletic tools, but this will be one of his last chances as starter if he can’t produce. Andrew Walter could be a starter soon in Oakland, but he’s inexperienced and Marques Tuiasosopo has probably seen his chance come and go as an operative backup.
29. Houston Texans
David Carr, Sage Rosenfels, Dave Ragone
No QB was sacked more than David Carr last year and he continues to struggle to develop chemistry with stud wide out Andre Johnson. Sage Rosenfels couldn’t win the starter’s roll in the Dolphins’ quarterback misery the past four years and Dave Ragone never took a snap last year.
30. San Francisco 49ers
Alex Smith, Trent Dilfer, Jesse Palmer
Alex Smith had a wretched rookie year last season, throwing 11 interceptions and just one touchdown. The former first-overall pick has the talent to be successful; he just doesn’t have much of a supporting cast. Backup Trent Dilfer could start again in a heartbeat, but “the bachelor” Jesse Palmer and Cody Pickett are rough, to say the least.
31. New England Patriots
Tom Brady, Matt Cassel, Corey Bramlet
Surprised? Don’t be. Remember, this ranks quarterback units as a whole, not just on a team’s starter. Tom Brady is the best in the league, but look behind him. Doug Flutie retired and that leaves Matt Cassel and Corey Bramlet. Bramlet wasn’t even with the Patriots until early May.
32. Cleveland Browns
Charlie Frye, Ken Dorsey, Derek Anderson
Charlie Frye was 2-3 as a starter last year and definitely is the future in Cleveland, but backup Ken Dorsey is 2-8 as a starter and Derek Anderson has never stepped foot into an NFL game.
