NFL: Number 1 Quarterback

I asked the question today on my twitter, who is the best quarterback in the NFL at the moment?

From the answers given only three players are in the race Peyton Manning, Tom “Gisele” Brady and Drew Brees.

I’m not going to choose, I’m asking you guys and girls out there. Only two of the guys have super bowl rings. Does that mean Brees can not be considered?

First up is the man with the most Championships, one Thomas Edward “Tom” Brady, Jr. Tom Brady has appeared in four super bowl winning three of them.

Brady went to college at the University of Michigan, were he spent his first two years as back up to Brian Griese. Brady won the battle to become the Wolverines starter for the 98 and 99 seasons.

After his senior year Brady was picked number #199 in the 2000 NFL draft. It has been reported that the Patriots were considering Brady or Tim Rattay. In the end they went for Brady a move which in 2007 the NFL network called the greatest “steal” in the history of the NFL draft.

Brady started his rookie season fourth on the Patriots depth chart. Can you name all 3 players above him?

I thought not.

Brady became the starter in the 2001 season after an injury to the Pats starter.

Brady’s best quality is his leadership. Players put there health on the line for him and will follow him anyway. His arm strength has been under rated but he can make every throw expected of an NFL quarterback.

Although Brady doesn’t have straight line speed, he does move around the pocket very well.

Finally on Tom, he has won games with and without star players around him. I expect he will get close to the records he set in the 2007 season.

Next on the list is Peyton Williams Manning. Manning had the polar opposite raise to the NFL to Brady. Peyton was the first overall player to be picked in the 1998 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Peyton comes from “what many call” the first family of football.

Peyton is the second of three sons, to Archie and Olivia Manning. Archie also played in the NFL for the Saints, Houston Oilers and Vikings (1971-1984).

Peyton’s elder brother played football at the receiver position in college but had to quit because of spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal canal) and his younger brother Eli also has a super bowl ring and super bowl MVP award.

Like Brady, Manning is a leader in the locker room. His arm strength is about as good as it gets. He makes all the passes and uniquely to Manning only he picks the offensive play when he is at the line of scrimmage.

Manning doesn’t move around the field that well. However this does mean that his offensive line knows where he is.

Manning has only been able to win one championship, a fact that will play on his mind. Manning's problem for this season, "I believe" is the fact that a number of teams are in a better position to make it to the super bowl. The Colts “for me” are ranked around the 9th to 13th place of all the NFL teams. However I still expect Manning to have a great season.

The last player on my list is Andrew “Drew” Christopher Brees. Last season Brees became only the second NFL quarterback to finish the season with more than 5,000 yards passing (5,069).

Brees graduated from Purdue University and was drafted in the second round (pick 32) by the San Diego Chargers in the 2001 NFL draft.

Brees has been unlucky with the two NFL teams he has been the starter on. He always provides a great offensive edge however the Saints defences have seemed to always let him down.

When he was at the Chargers the defence was not what it is now and now in New Orleans, the defence is as bad as his offence is good. The Saints have looked to improve this over the off season, using their first 3 (picks 14, 116 and 118) draft picks on defensive players.

Like Brady and Manning, Brees makes all the throws required at this level. He is the best of the three at moving around the pocket and making time for himself.

Some of his stats may be slightly higher because the Saints defence often give up big plays. They also concede lots of points 393 in 2008 (ranked 26).

In the end it’s up to the individual to pick which of these players are number one in the league.

The question is, if you were starting a franchise tomorrow and you could pick your quarterback first, who would you choose?

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