Clayton Ranking NFL starting quarterbacks

Originally posted by WildBill:

Originally posted by Nes49:

Originally posted by Tru2RedNGold25:
Here's your poster boy:

21. Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers

Analysis: It's hard to believe this is Smith's sixth season. The pressure is on him to get the 49ers to the playoffs. He has not lived up to his No. 1 billing in the draft, obviously, but the surrounding cast is good enough to make a playoff run. One of the faults I noticed when I saw him in the preseason is that he doesn't always hit receivers in stride.
Chance of being elite: 0 percent


It's very true elite QB's can hit a receiver in stride when they have to.

think why i still dont trust this guy even with a pro bowl cast we could end up not making the playoff's because of play

im not a Smith backer but i want the playoffs SO BAD that i really dont have no choice but back him.

Just imagine what kind of team we would have if we had A REAL NFL QB like lets say Drew Brees????..............

CHAD PENNINGTON DIVISION?!?!?!?! That list suprizes me....lists some interesting QBs there. One cats opinion though...Jawz sees improvement in Alex Smith....somebody is WRONG. But seeing as Jawz played football & Clayton didn't......I'll choose to agree with Jawz....plus I'll choose to believe Clayton eats paste still.

All Jaws said, was that Alex has improved. Gotten better. I really hope that Alex is more consistent this year, more so in the games against other contenders. If you were to ask Jaws questions like was he worth the number one over all pick or to disect his hitting the receivers in stride, he may say the same thing as Clayton. However he wasn't asked to disect Alex, like he does on gamedays for MNF.

Everyone needs to relax and wait for the regular season. I am concerned that Alex hasn't had a chance to work with VD and Crab and gore to get their timing down. The good thing is that others know of their talents put are not sure how the niners are going to line it up.

I gotta say that I'm not too concerned over this. Alex seems to have the mojo with VD, Crabz & Gore....I wanted him to get work in with others was well.

Originally posted by RonMexico:


how can anyone with that face know anything about football

come on

Dammit RonMexico...imma have nightmares now.....

Originally posted by WildBill:

Originally posted by kem99:

Originally posted by Tru2RedNGold25:
Here's your poster boy:

21. Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers

Analysis: It's hard to believe this is Smith's sixth season. The pressure is on him to get the 49ers to the playoffs. He has not lived up to his No. 1 billing in the draft, obviously, but the surrounding cast is good enough to make a playoff run. One of the faults I noticed when I saw him in the preseason is that he doesn't always hit receivers in stride.
Chance of being elite: 0 percent


It's very true elite QB's can hit a receiver in stride when they have to.

think why i still dont trust this guy even with a pro bowl cast we could end up not making the playoff's because of play

im not a Smith backer but i want the playoffs SO BAD that i really dont have no choice but back him.

Just imagine what kind of team we would have if we had A REAL NFL QB like lets say Drew Brees????..............

Just for fun...where do you think Brees was in QB ranking before he went to New Orleans? The Chargers had so much faith in him, they drafted another franchise QB because they thought they missed on Brees. The Dolphins chose to pass on him in favor of Culpepper, though Brees' shoulder injury had something to do with that.

All I am saying is it took Brees a few years to become "elite". Not saying Alex will necessarily follow that path but lets not pretend that Brees was "elite" from the beginning.

Bress was always a good passer with the Chargers, but they felt he wasn't prototypical and no one knew how he would comeback from that shoulder injury. He would have gotten more suitors if not for that injury. Things however have a way of working out for those.

No he wasn't
that's why they drafted Eli Manning which became Philip Rivers
Brees didnt start to play well until after Rivers was on the team

Originally posted by WildBill:

Originally posted by kem99:

Originally posted by Tru2RedNGold25:
Here's your poster boy:

21. Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers

Analysis: It's hard to believe this is Smith's sixth season. The pressure is on him to get the 49ers to the playoffs. He has not lived up to his No. 1 billing in the draft, obviously, but the surrounding cast is good enough to make a playoff run. One of the faults I noticed when I saw him in the preseason is that he doesn't always hit receivers in stride.
Chance of being elite: 0 percent


It's very true elite QB's can hit a receiver in stride when they have to.

think why i still dont trust this guy even with a pro bowl cast we could end up not making the playoff's because of play

im not a Smith backer but i want the playoffs SO BAD that i really dont have no choice but back him.

Just imagine what kind of team we would have if we had A REAL NFL QB like lets say Drew Brees????..............

Just for fun...where do you think Brees was in QB ranking before he went to New Orleans? The Chargers had so much faith in him, they drafted another franchise QB because they thought they missed on Brees. The Dolphins chose to pass on him in favor of Culpepper, though Brees' shoulder injury had something to do with that.

All I am saying is it took Brees a few years to become "elite". Not saying Alex will necessarily follow that path but lets not pretend that Brees was "elite" from the beginning.

Bress was always a good passer with the Chargers, but they felt he wasn't prototypical and no one knew how he would comeback from that shoulder injury. He would have gotten more suitors if not for that injury. Things however have a way of working out for those.

Re-visionist history Brees didn't break out until year 4 after the Chargers had already drafted Rivers.

The Chargers coincidentally had a similar team to the one we are building. Pro bowl Tight End and Running Back, strong 3-4 D and 2 Pro Bowl quarterback haven't been able to get them over the hump, so it's not that easy.

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:
by the way..who are these other 20 QB's?

yea, can we get a link? or was on sportscenter or something?

Clayton's opinions are next to worthless. In the past couple of weeks he said that Calvin Johnson would have a much harder time this season than last season going against opposing defenses. If anyone is aware of what the Detroit Lions have done since last season, it is quite obvious why Clayton's opinion is horribly flawed. Ranking Alex Smith #21 is equally as poor of an opinion. There certainly aren't 20 QBs in the league that have as much upside as Smith does.

Originally posted by jeremy300:

Originally posted by MiamiNiner:

Originally posted by TexasNiner84:



All this "not hitting receivers in stride" crap is bulls**t. I think he can hit receivers in stride when he feels confident in his chemistry with the receivers, and also when he has time.

Sure has shown that he can hit #85, 21, 15, 46 in stride.
My prediction is Alex Smith is a top 10 QB this year

that video wasn't the best to prove alex can hit WR's in stride, as there was only a hand full or so of the passes in that 6min video of him actually doing it, but i do believe there will be a bunch of times he does that this year, he KNOWs the plays, and even with his 2 biggest targets not playing this preseason, he probably has much better timing with them this year, just from having a full off season as the starter, getting all the #1 reps, and crabs there to practice.

You got to remember, Alex Smith only played in 11 games last year. If you stretch his statistics from those 11 games out to a full 16 game season, Alex Smith has number close to Joe Flacco. There is nobody saying Joe Flacco is garbage.

THE ELITE

1. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts

Analysis: At 34, Manning doesn't show any signs of slowing. He sets the agenda for modern NFL quarterbacks with the no-huddle and three-receiver offenses and generates 12-win seasons as easily as he completes passes. Under Manning, the Colts have won 12 or more games for seven consecutive seasons.
Arrow is pointing: Up

2. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Analysis: I resisted the urge to put Drew Brees ahead of him, but Brady, with three Super Bowl rings, is still the master. The knee injury slowed him a little in 2009 (4,398 yards, 28 TD passes), but I expect his numbers to be much better this season.
Arrow is pointing: Flat

3. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

Analysis: The combination of Brees and Sean Payton is scary. Brees is a master at finding the open receiver, and Payton is one of the best playcallers in the business.
Arrow is pointing: Up

4. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Analysis: With two Super Bowl rings, Roethlisberger ranks with the elite of the elite quarterbacks in the league. His suspension is a wakeup call, but as a quarterback, he's almost impossible to stop when he rolls out of the pocket and when the game is on the line in the fourth quarter.
Arrow is pointing: Flat

5. Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings

Analysis: It's amazing to think Favre had his best season at age 40. Even though he says this is his final year, Favre loves the game and can still play it at a high level.
Arrow is pointing: Slightly down

6. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Analysis: This could be the season Rodgers passes Favre as the best quarterback in the NFC North. His arm is strong and he finally learned how to win games in the fourth quarter. Rodgers has had a scintillating preseason. (By the way, NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert and ESPN national columnist Gene Wojciechowski debate the merits of Rodgers and Favre here.)
Arrow is pointing: Up

7. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

Analysis: He's the biggest reason the Chargers stay ahead of the other AFC West teams. A great leader, Rivers is fearless throwing to tight end Antonio Gates and other pass-catchers even when they appear to be covered.
Arrow is pointing: Up

8. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

Analysis: Now that Romo has won a playoff game, watch out. The only thing that could prevent him and the Cowboys from playing host to a Super Bowl an aging offensive line faltering.
Arrow is pointing: Up

9. Donovan McNabb, Washington Redskins

Analysis: Mike Shanahan offers McNabb play-action options he didn't have with the Eagles' pass-heavy offense. With McNabb at the helm, the Redskins could be one of the surprise teams in the NFC.
Arrow is pointing: Spinning as he adjusts to a new offense

10. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals

Analysis: The additions of Terrell Owens, Jermaine Gresham and Jordan Shipley could allow Palmer to relive his 4,000-yard days. Marvin Lewis prefers running the ball, but Palmer would love for the Bengals' offense to open up.
Arrow is pointing: Up

11. Eli Manning, New York Giants

Analysis: Despite recording his first 4,000-yard passing season in 2009 and already owning a Super Bowl ring, Manning doesn't get the respect he is due. He lacks the fiery leadership of his brother, but he continues to improve each season.
Arrow is pointing: Flat

12. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

Analysis: With the Ravens' problems in their secondary, Flacco may be asked to throw more, which is fine by him. Anquan Boldin will help him working from the slot and Donte' Stallworth could help to stretch the field on occasion when he returns from injury.
Arrow is pointing: Up

13. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

Analysis: Like Flacco, Ryan should have a breakthrough season. Most top quarterbacks come into their own in their third season, and Ryan has studied every top quarterback trying to improve his game.
Arrow is pointing: Up

14. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans

Analysis: Schaub finally moved into the elite group by staying healthy and throwing for a league-high 4,770 yards in 2009. (By the way, that was 270 yards more than Peyton Manning had last season.) The next step for Schaub and the Texans? Win in the AFC South and make the playoffs for the first time.
Arrow is pointing: Up


CHAD PENNINGTON DIVISION

15. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears

Analysis: Cutler was an elite quarterback in 2008 when he played for the Broncos, but 26 interceptions for Chicago in 2009 moved him out of my top group. With Mike Martz calling the plays, Cutler should regain his 4,000-yard form and re-emerge as the elite quarterback the Bears thought they acquired in a trade with Denver.
Chance of being elite: 95 percent

16. Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos

Analysis: There is a huge drop-off after Cutler, but Orton is finally getting his due. Despite using a first-round choice on Tim Tebow, Denver realized Orton's importance by giving him a one-year contract extension last month. People seem to forget Orton threw for 3,802 yards last season.
Chance of being elite: 10 percent

17. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks

Analysis:A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Hasselbeck lost his elite status because of two seasons getting rocked behind bad offensive lines. Hasselbeck is the one hope Pete Carroll has for challenging for the NFC West title.
Chance of being elite: 25 percent

18. Vince Young, Tennessee Titans

Analysis: He's a 66 percent winner as a starter even though he struggles to complete 60 percent of his passes. Young isn't a great thrower, but he finds ways to win.
Chance of being elite: 10 percent

19. Jason Campbell, Oakland Raiders

Analysis: In Washington, Campbell was the handpicked franchise quarterback of Joe Gibbs, but he was always outperformed by Eli Manning, Tony Romo and Donovan McNabb in the NFC East. His fresh start in Oakland has allowed him to grow as a leader of a younger group of offensive players. He also gives the Raiders a quarterback who can complete better than 60 percent of his passes.
Chance of being elite: 10 percent

20. David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars

Analysis: This might be his final season as the Jags' starter, but don't underestimate him. He is a good leader and still has the ability to complete 60 percent of his passes.
Chance of being elite: 5 percent

21. Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers

Analysis: It's hard to believe this is Smith's sixth season. The pressure is on him to get the 49ers to the playoffs. He has not lived up to his No. 1 billing in the draft, obviously, but the surrounding cast is good enough to make a playoff run. One of the faults I noticed when I saw him in the preseason is that he doesn't always hit receivers in stride.
Chance of being elite: 0 percent

22. Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs

Analysis: Cassel showed in New England that he can be a playoff-caliber quarterback if he's surrounded with pass-catchers with yards-after-the-catch ability. He lacks the downfield arm to stretch a defense, but if the Chiefs get him more playmakers, Cassel could thrive.
Chance of being elite: 0 percent



HIT-OR-MISS DIVISION

23. Mark Sanchez, New York Jets

Analysis: The additions of Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes at wide receiver and LaDainian Tomlinson catching passes out of the backfield should allow Sanchez to be a 60 percent thrower. Another ally will be the motion packages offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer can install now that Sanchez has a year of experience in the offense.
Chance of being elite: 50 percent

24. Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia Eagles

Analysis: Kolb is the perfect quarterback for Andy Reid's West Coast offense, which is why the Eagles traded Donovan McNabb to the Redskins. Kolb is a rhythm passer out of three- and five-step drops, and he should have a big statistical year.
Chance of being elite: 50 percent

25. Chad Henne, Miami Dolphins

Analysis: Henne has a strong arm and a flair for fourth-quarter comebacks, giving him a chance to be a top-level quarterback. It did seem as though defenses figured him out in the second half of the season, but Henne is smart enough to adjust. Plus, he now has Brandon Marshall as his main target.
Chance of being elite: 45 percent

26. Byron Leftwich, Pittsburgh Steelers

Analysis: Leftwich lacks mobility and tends to stay in the pocket too long, but his strong arm and good leadership could bail out the Steelers filling in for Roethlisberger in September. If Leftwich can't generate a 2-2 start, though, he might fall into a permanent backup role. Leftwich should withstand a challenge from Dennis Dixon, who flubbed his chance to claim the job with a poor preseason performance against Denver.
Chance of being elite: 0 percent

27. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

Analysis: Stafford survived a painful rookie season in which he was pounded by defenses (24 sacks, 20 interceptions), but he showed flashes of greatness. Tight end Tony Scheffler and wide receiver Nate Burleson will pull coverage away from go-to receiver Calvin Johnson and give the Lions' offense -- and Stafford -- a chance.
Chance of being elite: 55 percent

28. Matt Leinart/Derek Anderson, Arizona Cardinals

Analysis: For Anderson, this is a chance to rebuild his career after tough seasons in Cleveland in 2008 and 2009. He's not very accurate, never completing more than 60 percent of his passes in a season in the NFL. For Leinart, this is the end of the line as a Cardinal after this season if he doesn't regain a starting job he had no business losing.
Chances of being elite: 0 percent

29. Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Analysis: Freeman is a big, athletic quarterback who is being paired with a promising, young receiving corps. The small fracture on the tip of his right thumb is a slight setback, but Freeman is the perfect quarterback for the Bucs to build around.
Chance of being elite: 35 percent

30. Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams

Analysis: What amazes Rams management about Bradford is his accuracy and how calm he seems in the pocket. Unfortunately, his rookie season will be tough because St. Louis lacks big-play receivers and the offensive line is struggling.
Chance of being elite: 85 percent

31. Trent Edwards, Buffalo Bills

Analysis: Call it deja Bills. When Edwards entered the league in 2007, the Bills were a bottled-up offense desperately looking for receivers who could pull coverage away from Lee Evans. Edwards' lone target remains Evans, but the offensive line is now much worse.
Chance of being elite: 0 percent

32. Matt Moore, Carolina Panthers

Analysis: He has a 6-2 record as starter, but a slow start could speed the Jimmy Clausen era in Carolina.
Chance of being elite: 5 percent

33. Jake Delhomme, Cleveland Browns

Analysis: Interceptions in the playoff loss to Arizona in 2008 led to a downward spiral for a quarterback who won a lot of games for John Fox and the Panthers. At 35, Delhomme has no chance of being a starter anywhere else if he doesn't cut it in Cleveland.
Chance of being elite: 0 percent

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/preview10/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=5489176

Originally posted by znk916:

What does that 1 hit, which I do give him props for finally growing some nutz, have anything to do with the question at hand?

How the hell does Rapelisberger rate #4???

Damn, this forum needs a facepalm smilie.

Originally posted by TexasNiner84:



All this "not hitting receivers in stride" crap is bulls**t. I think he can hit receivers in stride when he feels confident in his chemistry with the receivers, and also when he has time.

I think you killed your own point with the video you posted.

58: To Crabs = Crabs had to stop and turn around completely instead of in stride
2:54 = Crabs had to stop. Could have been a TD.
3:35 = Crabs had to adjust and make an awesome catch.
4:01 = Crabs completely stopped to make catch
5:04 = Davis had to stop, turn around and jump up to get the ball

I will give you that he is much more confident and tends to hit Davis in stride on the long throws than the other receivers though. Look at these passes and you will see exactly what the writer is talking about.

Originally posted by sdninerfan:

Originally posted by Tru2RedNGold25:
Here's your poster boy:

21. Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers

Analysis: It's hard to believe this is Smith's sixth season. The pressure is on him to get the 49ers to the playoffs. He has not lived up to his No. 1 billing in the draft, obviously, but the surrounding cast is good enough to make a playoff run. One of the faults I noticed when I saw him in the preseason is that he doesn't always hit receivers in stride.
Chance of being elite: 0 percent


It's very true elite QB's can hit a receiver in stride when they have to.

think why i still dont trust this guy even with a pro bowl cast we could end up not making the playoff's because of play

im not a Smith backer but i want the playoffs SO BAD that i really dont have no choice but back him.

Just imagine what kind of team we would have if we had A REAL NFL QB like lets say Drew Brees????..............

I think this is a legitimate criticism of Smith, and something that bears watching.

And I know I will get flamed for this, but Brady in 2012, assuming a lockout in 2011, isn't out of the question right now. His deal ends at the end of the year. He seems a little upset that a new contract hasn't been worked out, he's living on the west coast and didn't want to travel east for voluntary workouts. And we've all heard who he grew up supporting. I expect a deal with the Patriots will get worked out, or a franchise tag slapped on him, but it's at least plausible as of the last day of August.

Yes it is..Do you really think that the New England Patriots will let their greatest
QB in the history of their franchise walk out the door?

Originally posted by Norcal9erfan:

Originally posted by TexasNiner84:



All this "not hitting receivers in stride" crap is bulls**t. I think he can hit receivers in stride when he feels confident in his chemistry with the receivers, and also when he has time.

I think you killed your own point with the video you posted.

58: To Crabs = Crabs had to stop and turn around completely instead of in stride
2:54 = Crabs had to stop. Could have been a TD.
3:35 = Crabs had to adjust and make an awesome catch.
4:01 = Crabs completely stopped to make catch
5:04 = Davis had to stop, turn around and jump up to get the ball

I will give you that he is much more confident and tends to hit Davis in stride on the long throws than the other receivers though. Look at these passes and you will see exactly what the writer is talking about.

Keep in mind Crabs was thrown into the game while Shaun Hill was the starter, so Alex and Crabs had very little time to build chemistry and get their timing down. And I don't really see how the Davis throw was bad, he threw it where only the receiver could catch it.

Originally posted by Ninefan56:
This season will tell us whether he is a quality QB or not. He has all the weapons, he has the oline, and we will see if Jimmy Raye's offensive philosophy will allow him to blossom or not. But this is his year. I think he has the talent and we will see if he can put it together.

Agree

All this "not hitting receivers in stride" crap is bulls**t. I think he can hit receivers in stride when he feels confident in his chemistry with the receivers, and also when he has time.

man...the people who hate him just need to come up with a knock so they can keep hating him