Categorizing Smith Among NFL Quarterbacks

LieutKaffee · 2011-10-11T18:24:40-07:00

(OP edited to reflect changes in opinion since hurried first draft) Cream of the crop: These guys are elite. They put up huge numbers and are proven capable of taking over and winning games by themselves. Aaron Rodgers Tom Brady Drew Brees Peyton Manning Second-tier: These are proven franchise QBs who are not quite on the level of the guys above, i.e. not surefire HOFers. Phillip Rivers Eli Manning Ben Roethlisberger Up-and-comers: This is the next generation of guys who could still go either way. Their teams all believe they may be the long-term answer. I'll list them approximately by rank. Matt Stafford Cam Newton Matt Ryan Alex Smith Sam Bradford Joe Flacco Ryan Fitzpatrick Josh Freeman Mark Sanchez Gunslingers: These guys are firmly entrenched starters who are talented. They put up numbers, but their "it" factor and clutchness are in doubt, IMHO. I'm not saying everyone from the up-and-comers category is better than these four, but a decent portion of them will be. Tony Romo Matt Shaub Michael Vick Jay Cutler Too soon to tell Kevin Kolb Blaine Gabbert Colt McCoy Andy Dalton Tim Tebow Perpetually mediocre: They aren't exactly in QB controversies, but fans of these teams can't feel thrilled about the signal-caller position. Matt Cassell Rex Grossman Jason Campbell Chad Henne Pure crap: Donovan McNabb Tavaris Jackson Curtis Painter Kyle Orton I, like many people, wanted nothing more than to sever ties with Alex Smith and move on before the season. Now that I've done a 180 on that, I must admit it's still possible this is fool's gold and he will somehow start to suck again. As of right now, however, I feel pretty good about him as a long-term solution. I'd rather have him than Romo or Shaub or probably Vick. In the up-and-comer tier, I'd put him below the first three and right in the mix with Ryan and Bradford. I think we can build a winner around him, and we appear to be well on our way.

Oct 11, 2011 at 6:25 PM

susweel
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To me he is in the perpetually mediocre category.

Oct 11, 2011 at 6:28 PM

Antix
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lol..rankings, rankings, rankings.

Oct 11, 2011 at 6:31 PM

RonMexico
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Rivers up and comer
hhahahahahahahaahaha

Oct 11, 2011 at 6:34 PM

Jcool
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Weak list....

Oct 11, 2011 at 6:48 PM

AUniner
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While I don't believe we needed a new Alex thread it is interesting to note that of that whole list only 6 QBs have won Superbowls

Oct 11, 2011 at 6:48 PM

niner4life21
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Originally posted by RonMexico:
Rivers up and comer
hhahahahahahahaahaha

lol this. lmao

Oct 11, 2011 at 6:50 PM

LieutKaffee
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Originally posted by RonMexico:
Rivers up and comer
hhahahahahahahaahaha

By "could go either way" I mean could become elite or could plateau into a disappointing career. Rivers isn't Rodgers yet. My list also wasn't meant to suggest he is below Eli and Ben and Vick. I'd take him over those guys but he does not have the deep playoff run yet despite plenty of talent.

Oct 11, 2011 at 6:51 PM

jreff22
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dumb

Oct 11, 2011 at 6:53 PM

LieutKaffee
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Originally posted by susweel:
To me he is in the perpetually mediocre category.

I think this year he has jumped from pure crap, leap frogged mediocre, and made a legit case for long term status.

Oct 11, 2011 at 6:54 PM

#10

bleeds9ersredandgold
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rivers is a very good QB better then big ben and eli, no doubt! someone is hatin on rivers

Oct 11, 2011 at 6:59 PM

#11

valrod33
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List of QBs I'd rather have instead of Alex Smith

Tom Brady

Oct 11, 2011 at 7:00 PM

#12

LieutKaffee
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Also, there is a reason Rivers is at the top of that list. I definitely didn't intend to troll on Rivers. I acknowledge he should be in the second tier, but for my inclination to recognize the Super Bowl winners.

Oct 11, 2011 at 7:04 PM

#13

Bluefalcon61
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Rivers should be with Eli and Roethlisberger, if not higher.
Cutler should be with Romo and Schaub.

Tebow should be nowhere on this list.

Yes, Smith is back in the up and coming category.

Oct 11, 2011 at 7:04 PM

#14

qnnhan7
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Posts: 35,268

The way he's playing now --and it may all falls apart the next game, hope not---I would put him in the category with Brees. Smith is not as accurate but he has the same type of game. Make good decisions. Get the ball to your playmakers on offense. Do your best to extend the plays when broken down. Nothing flashy.