Top 30 Quarterbacks for 2011: 1-10

1. Tom Brady: I hate the guy but I still think he is probably the best quarterback to ever play the game. He has benefited from great coaching during his time, but before Randy Moss got to town, Brady had no one to throw to and still won three Super Bowls. His skills do not seem to be diminishing since he was the MVP of the league last season without Randy Moss.

2. Peyton Manning: His continued lack of success in the playoffs is really the only reason he is not number one on this list. I don’t care what people say, Manning has always had talent around him and he simply does not play his best football at the end of the season. Does not matter how many regular season games he wins, if he doesn’t improve his playoff record, he cannot be thought of one of the greats to play the game.

3. Aaron Rodgers: Rodgers has had probably the best first three years as a starting quarterback of anyone to ever play the game. He was the first quarterback ever to start his career with two 4000 yard seasons, and in his third season he won the Super Bowl with a team that had 15 players on the IR. He has the potential to be one of the best, if not the best, quarterback to ever grace the NFL with his presence.

4. Drew Brees: The only reason Brees is below Rodgers is because Rodgers is much more mobile and Bree’s height limits the type of things he can do in the pocket, making him easier to game plan around. Brees in an unbelievable player and winning a Super Bowl for the Saints after Katrina will always be one of the greatest stories in NFL history.

5. Phillip Rivers: I have never seen a player with better deep throw accuracy. I can remember on numerous occasions watching him fit the ball right between three defenders to one of his tall receivers. Last season he was helping undrafted rookie receivers put up over 100 yards on opposing teams. This guy can throw the ball with the best and if he has some more success in the playoffs, he will be moving up this list.

6. Ben Roethlisberger: The strength of this list is shown by the fact that a guy who has gone to four Super Bowls and won three of them by age 28 is ranked all of the way down here. Roethlisberger is an underrated quarterback and simply plays winning football. He does not put up the stats, but he does not need to with the punishing run game and top rated defense. Put him on another team that would need him to sling the ball more often and I have no doubt he would put up insane numbers.

7. Michael Vick: God I despise this guy. As a dog lover, I will NEVER be able to forgive Vick for his disgusting treatment of innocent animals. However, there is no questioning this guy’s ability to play the quarterback position like no one else. He is a perfect fit with the weapons he has in Philly and he absolutely dominated some games last season. He often put up video game type numbers last season. If it weren’t for a few missed field goals by David Akers, we could be talking about Super Bowl MVP Michael Vick. He is getting better with age, but his inability to stay on the field for a full season limits his upside.

8. Tony Romo: Since his injury, Romo has received a lot of unwarranted criticism. Romo has the ability to extend the play with his above average mobility and is extremely accurate. Romo is a winning quarterback and if his offensive line improves next season, the Cowboys could be back into the playoffs.

9. Eli Manning: Speaking of overly criticized quarterbacks, Eli has to be on top of that list. How many Super Bowl MVPs receive as much constant harassment as Eli? He may be inconsistent at times and will never be the vocal leader New York fans are looking for, but when the game is on the line, there are few quarterbacks I rather have than Eli leading my team.

10. Jay Cutler: I have already written a lot about Cutler and his abilities (http://tinyurl.com/44dgagn), so all I will say is that if Cutler continues to improve and cut back on the interceptions, he could be in the top 5 in a year or so.