The Top 10 Quarterbacks in the NFL

This article was inspired by Robert Allred's article about Ben Roethlisberger, which, despite my disagreement with his conclusion, is very well written and worthy of a good debate.

For those of you who have not read it yet, here is a link- http://bleacherreport.com/articles/126457-big-ben-roethlisberger-not-an-elite-quarterbackyet

This is merely a look at who I find to be the 10 best QBs in the NFL today. 15 different QBs were heavily considered for the list and I worked from there.

If you can, leave comments about the list, who should have made it, who shouldn't have, who should be higher, etc.

10. Tony Romo

I'm ultimately going with Romo after choosing carefully from a very close group of five other players to take the No. 10 spot on this list.

He is without a doubt the most scrutinized QB in NFL but lets not forget that after his first full NFL season was complete, he had made his second Pro Bowl and shattered Troy Aikman's franchise records for TD passes in a season.

I can't argue that this Dallas Cowboys team should be flaunting wins and not just talent on paper. Like, maybe a playoff win at least, but let's try to keep in perspective just how much Tony Romo accomplished already in such a short career.

Tony Romo does a great job extending plays with his legs and he without question makes this Dallas Cowboys offense very explosive.

9. Kurt Warner

You can count me in the camp that think that Kurt Warner is not a Hall of Famer. Warner has been terrific since taking the starting job back from Matt Leinart, but can anyone be really sold on this guy from year to year?

Warner has anchored some great offenses though, put up insane postseason numbers, and handles the blitz very well which is why he gets my No. 9 spot.

8. Donovan McNabb

Donovan is another guy that you don't necessarily know what your getting out of him year to year. McNabb is more so due to injuries, decreasing mobility, and sometimes an imbalance of play-calling from Andy Reid.

Last year was his first 16-game season since 2003 and he also has not made a Pro Bowl since 2004.

Nobody can argue with the fact that he always seems to get it going though at the end of the year and there is a lot to be said about what is now five NFC Championship Game appearances in the last eight seasons.

7. Phillip Rivers

His footwork work and trash-talking were enough to turn me off him earlier in his career.

But Phillip Rivers proved that he was not only one of the toughest QBs when he played through the 2007 playoffs with a torn ACL.

And then this year he carried the Chargers into the playoffs in a year in a year where we saw the downfall of LT and the San Diego Charger's defense.

Rivers broke Dan Fouts record for TD passes in a season, tying Brees for the league lead as well as finish with the top QB rating and fifth in passing yards. Rivers should have the Chargers as the class of the AFC West for the next few years.

6. Aaron Rodgers

There is one man who cannot be blamed for Green Bay's 6-10 season, and that is Aaron Rodgers. The Pro Bowl snubs' first start was highly impressive, frustrating a fantastic Vikings front seven spotting the rush and making big throws.

He did throw a few INTs in key moments but considering the circumstances he still had a really good year. I expect maturity next season and with a healthy defense next year, the Green Bay Packers are a SB contender again.

5. Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer has felt the effects the last couple years of a bad offensive line and recently a sub-par running game. There is no doubt though that when he is healthy though, he is one of the best pocket passers in the game.

If only Cincinnatti could throw him a bone. Bright days are to come once again for Carson Palmer.

4. Ben Roethlisberger

The guy is incredible; he won his first 15 NFL starts, he won the SB the following year, then last year he finished 3rd in the league in TD passes and second in QB rating.

What really convinced me about the man was this year though. With an awful offensive line, a banged up Willie Parker, and facing the toughest schedule in the league he led the Steelers to a 12-4 record and another SB win.

If the game was close, you felt like Ben was gonna pull it out every single time. I don't really get the criticism that he wins only because of a great defense.

Nobody can win a SB without having some talent on their side; Ben is a major difference maker and if you have to take one current QB to win a big game, he should be near the top of the list.

3. Drew Brees

Long-time Saints RB Deuce McCallister has been released, Pierre Thomas showed spurts last year, but expect Reggie Bush to be the focal point in the running game.

Bush, in 38 NFL games, has just over 1,500 rushing yards and hasn't proven to a lot of people to be a quality RB, and the Saints defense should be one of the 10 worst defenses in the league...Again.

And the Saints should compete in a tough NFC South again for one reason, Drew Brees.

Brees tied for the league lead in TD passes, nearly broke Marino's record for passing yards in a season and holds just about every Saints' franchise record you can think of after only three seasons.

The man is an absolute machine.

2. Tom Brady

2008 was a wash for Brady with a season ending injury in Week One, the fact that he has had to have four operations since is the main reason why I don't put him No. 1 right now.

You could not only write a book about what a great career Brady has had, you might be able to write one about the 2007 season!

I don't think I have to write much to really justify this selection, the man has three SBs and is a four time Pro Bowler and is the guy most would take to win a big-game.

In 2007, he won the MVP, became the QB of the first team to go undefeated since the schedule expanded to 16 games. He set records for TD passes in a season (50) and best TD-INT ratio (+42).

Last year it wasn't matter of who would win when he would take the field but at what point would backup enter the game after slaughtering another QB.

Tom Brady is, to state the obvious, a damn good QB.

1. Peyton Manning

As if Peyton Manning needed more vindication of being one of the best QBs ever already.

Manning entered the year not healthy having missed all four preseason games from a couple of knee surgeries, his offensive line wasn't healthy, his RB wasn't healthy, his TE missed some time, he saw the demise of Marvin Harrison, his defense struggled and he led the Colts to a 12-4 record (12 wins for six straight years) and capturing his third MVP.

Manning holds records for most consecutive seasons with 4,000+ passing yards, most total seasons with 4,000+ passing yards, second all-time in QB rating and since his rookie season the Colts have the highest conversion rate on third and fourth downs.

It's basically splitting hairs when you are ranking Peyton and Brady but it is hard to argue against Peyton quick release, also one of the smartest QBs we will ever see.

Let the debate begin!