Raiderhater, the Senior Contributer at 3rd & Short, ranked the Top 10 Offensive Lines in the NFL today (and did a very fine job) But, now I’m taking it to another level and ranking the QBs that are protected by those lines. I’ll give you a hint, it wasn’t as easy as I thought.
#10 Tarvaris Jackson, Minnesota Vikings – O-Line Rank: #1
In his sophomore season last year, Tarvaris started to come into his own as a quarterback for the Vikings. He certainly is not a Top 10 QB in the NFL, and he certainly isn’t the best in this class either. But he is a very good up-and-coming QB, and his prime is ahead of him. Barring a career-ending or career-changing injury, I see him as a Pro Bowler within these next five NFL seasons.
#9 Eli Manning, New York Giants – O-Line Rank: #4
Eli was a star in the Super Bowl. Scrambling, breaking tackles and showing off his rocket arm along the way to the biggest upset in Super Bowl history. But, before the playoffs, Eli was a model of inconsistency for the Giants. He sported close to what was a 1:1 TD-Interception Ratio. But, if Eli plays like he did in the playoffs and in the Super Bowl. He’s up there close to Big Brother Peyton.
#8 Jay Cutler, Denver Broncos – O-Line Rank: #9
Cutler’s good production level in 2007 was not so much to his credit as to the line and the emerging of B-Marsh. Cutler was diagnosed with diabetes this offseason – Doctors as well as Cutler and Team Officials say it won’t affect his career- but will continue to play.
#7 Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers – O-Line Rank: #7
Phillip has the same rank as his O-Line, number seven. The young gunslinger played through on a torn ACL during the AFC Championship…while L.T and Antonio Gates were watching from the sidelines. Phillip is a very accurate passer and is fairly mobile. But more often than not, he makes young QB mistakes, as well as not getting enough zip on his throws. I think Rivers will be fine though.
#6 Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles – O-Line Rank: #8
I think most people would agree with me when I say McNabb could be higher on this list, as well as a Hall-of-Famer had he avoided injuries. Let’s face it: McNabb is as brittle as your grandmother. Even this offseason, he injured his shoulder during Voluntary OTAs. McNabb is a very, very good QB, but he just can’t avoid injuries.
#5 Derek Anderson, Cleveland Browns – O-Line Rank: #10
Derek Anderson was the surprise QB of 2007. He led the Browns to a 10-6 record (but they didn’t make the playoffs) in 2007. With the help of his Top 10 O-Line, Braylon Edwards, and Kellen Winslow – Anderson was a Top 10 QB last year throughout the NFL. Despite what Brady Quinn thinks, there is no competition this season for the QB job in Cleveland.
#4 David Garrard, Jacksonvile Jaguars – O-Line Rank: #2
Let’s be honest: the running game is the main attraction in Jacksonville. But, David Garrard succeeded as the starter last year despite having no clear-cut #1 wideouts. However, this offseason the Jags have added Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson, to add oomph to the passing game. Garrard’s production numbers will SOAR this season because of it.
#3 Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers – O-Line Rank: #3
Big Ben is King in the Steel City. He got a fat new contract, and his fat (big) target he wanted. Even though Pro-Bowler Alan Faneca was lost in free agency. Raiderhater still likes the Steelers’ line (he put them at number three) and I like the Steelers offense even more. But, Big Ben is still the main reason for their success.
#2 Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts – O-Line Rank: #6
#1 Tom Brady, New England Patriots – O-Line Rank: #5
- eneffell, Admin/Editor/Contributer and Owner of iform.wordpress.com
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