The Top 10 Quarterbacks for the 2010 NFL Season

The NFL has seen some amazing quarterbacks in its time. Guys like Johnny Unitus, Steve Young, Troy Aikman, and Joe Montana are considered "great" quarterbacks because of the success they had in the NFL. 2010 is a season that has a lot of hype for the NFL and a lot of uncertainty due to the labor issues. However to focus on the field, this is a list of the top ten quarterbacks in the NFL today.

The list will be my choices on who is the best of the best coming into the 2010 NFL season, but I want you the fans to leave comments on how you feel about this list, and maybe even leave your own top ten list below.

10: Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer was supposed to be the savior of the Bengals franchise when they drafted him back in 2003. Since Carson was drafted, he has had mixed results. He has had some stellar seasons but he hasn't been able to get the Bengals a playoff win as the starting quarterback. Carson only played four games in 2008, but last season he started all sixteen games, and he lead the Bengals to the playoffs and their first division title in quite some time.

Palmer is a very, very good quarterback but he isn't great yet. He is only ten on this because he hasn't been able to lead his team deep into the playoffs.

2010 prediction: Carson has several weapons to throw it to this year including Chad Ochocinco, Antonio Bryant, and Cedric Benson as the running back. I feel like Carson can have a great season this year and I believe he will be in the Pro Bowl if he stays healthy this year. Overall for the Bengals however, I feel like the Bengals will not make the playoffs this year because of their lack of consistency and a tough Baltimore team playing them twice a season.

9: Philip Rivers

Philip Rivers has been called immature, a crybaby, and several other names I cannot repeat. However, one thing that we the fans can call Rivers is successful. Rivers had an awesome 2009 season by throwing for over 4000 yards and throwing 28 touchdowns as he lead the Chargers to another AFC West division crown. Rivers and the Chargers did get bounced out of the playoffs again last year. However, Rivers is more determined than ever to take the Chargers not only to another division title but to the Super Bowl this year.

Philip Rivers has not missed a start in four straight seasons now, so you know that not only is he a good quarterback that can carry his offense to a lot of points, but he is also very reliable.

2010 Prediction: I believe this is the year Rivers breaks through finally, and has a superstar-like season by throwing for at least 30 touchdowns and taking the Chargers to the Super Bowl.

8: Donovan McNabb

The Eagles felt like McNabb was not the right fit for them anymore so McNabb was traded to the Washington Redskins and what a pickup for the Redskins as they have received one of the most underrated quarterbacks of all-time. McNabb has done more with limited receivers than I have ever seen any other QB do in the NFL with any team. McNabb played in a pass first offense in Philly and ever since McNabb was drafted, Philly fans have disliked McNabb. Donovan has never won a Super Bowl ring in his career but his accomplishments are great and he reminds me so much of Warren Moon who like McNabb played for several lackluster teams and did wonders for them.

2010 Prediction: I feel like McNabb will be a one and done in Washington because he wants to prove a point to the Eagles by beating them twice this year. McNabb has a solid offense this year in Washington but McNabb has had worse offenses and he has taken them to many victories so maybe 2010 will be a success. I think McNabb will miss a game or two because the history shows that McNabb hasn't been the healthiest QB is quite some time but I feel like McNabb will have solid year in Washington and will take the Skins to a 9-7 record this year by throwing 20 touchdowns and well over 3,000 yards.

7: Joe Flacco

Joe Flacco played solid as a rookie in 2008 but was not stellar. Flacco did ok and led the Ravens to the AFC title game but could not get past the great Steeler defense. 2009 was suppose to be a small improvement for Joe, but instead, Joe ripped up the skies and threw for 3,613 yards and twenty one touchdowns in a season that saw the Ravens defeat the Patriots in Foxborough in the AFC Wild-Card game.

Flacco has everything you look for in a franchise quarterback; a strong arm, great vision, and a strong determination to become the best quarterback in the league so maybe 2010 is the year that Flacco takes that next big step to becoming the best quarterback in the entire NFL.

2010 Prediction: The NFL Network, ESPN, and Foxsports have questioned Flacco as being a franchise QB that can improve year in and year out. I feel like Flacco is the QB for the Ravens for years to come because of his success that he has brought the franchise and his great on the field play each and every week. I wouldn't be surprised to see him great improve since Baltimore brought in Boldin from Arizona so a 4,000 yard season is not out of the question for this bright young quarterback. I think Flacco will be solid and also will make improvements to his game as the Ravens win the AFC North division and make a deep run in the playoffs.

6: Eli Manning

Eli Manning has come so far as an NFL quarterback since his rookie season. Early in Eli's carreer, people saw this young man struggle by throwing tons of interceptions and costing his team critical games. Well the turning point was the 2007 season when Eli took his play to a higher level and helped the New York Giants defeat the then undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl 42.

After the Super Bowl title, Eli has continued to play at a level that has made him one of the best in the game today. The Giants as a whole last season struggled after a red hot start, they even missed the playoffs which is a rare thing for this ballclub. Manning played well the last several seasons but after the team lost Plaxico Burress to the gun shot issues, the passing game hasn't been the same since and Eli has had to be more aggressive to get this team the success it deserves.

2010 Prediction: The New York Giants as a whole will be better this season with a year under the young wide receivers belts and so will Eli. Manning should be able to play solid all season long and I think he will lead the offense to many wins and the division title this year. Eli Manning will throw for 4,000 yards again like he did last season, 24 touchdowns, and will have a career low eight picks.

5: Tony Romo

2009 was the year that Tony Romo finally proved to the world that he was the real-deal as the Dallas Cowboys star quarterback. Romo threw for 4,483 yards last season with twenty-six touchdowns and only nine picks plus he lead Dallas to their first playoff win in over a decade so 2010 can only mean better things for Romo right? The Dallas Cowboys are one of the best teams on paper with a high power offense and an in your face, smash-mouth defense to boot but championships are not won on paper so we will have to see if Dallas is ready to take that next step into greatness.

2010 Prediction: The Cowboys added wide receiver Dez Bryant in the draft and this kid has greatness written all over him if coached right so maybe he can really contribute to the offense this year, I say Romo will have an even better 2010 season by throwing for 4,500 yards and 34 touchdowns as he and the Cowboys make it all the way to the NFC championship game.

4: Aaron Rodgers

The Green Bay Packers chose Aaron Rodgers over Brett Favre right before the 2008 NFL season. Many fans were against that move because of what Favre did for the Packers and his great play he brought to the team. Well the last two seasons however, Rodgers has been light's out on offense and has quite arguably been the best all around quarterback in the entire NFL the last two seasons. If you do not believe me, then just look at his stats the last two seasons.

Rodgers has thrown two straight 4,000 yard seasons, 58 combined touchdowns the last two seasons, and has made Green Bay into an NFC powerhouse with his amazing play. The Packers seemed to lack a running game and a solid offensive line the last two seasons but Rodgers still finds a way to play great and keep his team in the ball game.

2010 Prediction: Rodgers will throw for over four thousand yards again because that is what he does, but I think Rodgers will take the Packers all the way to the Super Bowl this season with his great play.

3: Tom Brady

Tom Brady has done it all as quarterback in the NFL; three-time Super Bowl champion, two-time Super Bowl MVP, multiple time Pro-Bowler, and known as one of the best quarterbacks in this generation. Tom is one of the greatest to have ever played the game but it seems like Brady has fallen off the map a bit ever since his 2008 Torn ACL injury that sidelined him the entire season.

Brady played pretty well in 2009 with some flashes of past greatness but overall was just an average season at best for Brady and the Patriots. Even though Brady threw for over four thousand yards last season, the Patriots got slammed by the Ravens in the AFC Wild Card game in Foxborough, so maybe the Patriots are in hot water for the 2010 season.

2010 Prediction: Brady will continue to play at a level that few quarterbacks have ever played at: 4,000 yards at least, 32 touchdowns, and only 10 picks, but the Patriots will miss the playoffs this season.

2: Drew Brees

Drew Brees is now one of the top quarterbacks in the entire NFL today and now he is also known as Super Bowl champion. Brees has been on a roller coaster ride throughout his entire career but since going to New Orleans, Brees has turned into not only one of the most popular quaterbacks, he has turned into one of the best quarterbacks to have ever played the game.

Brees played great last season but in 2008, Brees threw for over 5,000 yards, which is a rare feat in the NFL, so you have to expect Brees to be considered one of the best. Drew may not be as popular as Peyton Manning but if Brees wins another Super Bowl this season or has a monster 2010 season then I would have to consider Drew as the best quarterback in the entire NFL.

2010 Prediction: The Saints did not lose many players this offseason so they maybe in line to make another run at the Super Bowl but Brees is on the cover of Madden 11 and that is a curse to some folks. Will the Madden curse hit Drew? My prediction is no because Drew is like a machine on the field and he will throw for 5,000 yards again this season, but another Super Bowl title will not be in the cards.

1: Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning is still the best quarterback in the NFL today, because without Manning, the Colts would be one of the worst teams in the NFL. Peyton has thrown for at least 4,000 yards every season but two in his 13-year career.

Manning's accomplishments are great alone; four-time NFL MVP, multiple-time NFL Quarterback of the Year, and one Super Bowl ring (2006). Manning led the Colts to one of the best regular seasons last year by winning 14-straight games and even taking the Colts to the Super Bowl where they lost a hard fought game to the Saints. Peyton, maybe, is the greatest quarterback in the history of the NFL but right now, he is the best and all other quarterbacks look as Peyton as the standard for how all quarterbacks should be in the league.

2010 Prediction: Why hasn't Peyton been on the cover of Madden yet? Well one thing is for sure, Peyton will have another solid 4,000 yard season and he will lead the Colts to another AFC South title, but no Super Bowl this season.

Quarterbacks who just missed the cut

Matt Schaub: A great young QB who will continue to improve over time but he has to take the Texans to the playoffs in order to be considered one of the best QB's in the NFL.

Brett Favre: Favre is a legend at the QB spot and he would be on the list if we knew for sure that he was going to be back for the 2010 season. Without Favre, the Vikings are an 8-8 team at best.

Matt Ryan: His rookie season was great but last year was just average as the Falcons had to battle injuries all season long and missed the playoffs. If Matt Ryan has a great season this year and takes Atlanta deep into the playoffs then he will be on next year's list.

Ben Roethlisberger: Big Ben is one of the best QB's in the NFL but this suspension is just another goof up in his career. If Ben could just get his maturity level up and stay out of trouble then he will once again be considered one of the greats.

Vince Young: Vince was benched in 2008 for Kerry Collins, and well, it was bad at times for Young, but when he got his shot last year, he helped Tennessee become a legit threat to upset any top team at any time. Young will look to continue his growth as an NFL quarterback and if the Titans win the division this year at least make the playoffs then he will have to be considered a star in the making. Right now the verdict is still out on Young.