1 Thing These 8 Starting NFL Quarterbacks Must Fix in 2014

Everyone has room for improvement.

This is a cliched statement that we have all probably heard at one point or another. However, it is a statement that rings as close to truth as any other.

Nobody is perfect and even the best can find opportunities to improve. This holds true in the NFL world, where even the game's top players can find things to work on and imperfections to correct. This is especially true for quarterbacks, who often play the most important and impacting position on the field.

The league's top quarterbacks are at the top because of their ability to recognize imperfections and their willingness to work on fixing them. Those on the cusp of elite status are often held beyond the threshold because of an inability to rectify a glaring weakness.

Today, we will examine a quarter of the league's starting quarterbacks—some of those entrenched in a starting role—and identify one problem that each needs to fix in order to continue to improve in the 2014 season.

Some of these quarterbacks are already considered among football's best. Some are looking to cross over into the ranks of the elite. However, every one has room for improvement. 

Eli Manning: Forcing the Football

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

There are times when New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning looks like the most calm and collected signal-caller in all of professional football. There are other times when the 10-year veteran looks more like a man trying to dig his way out of quicksand with a couple of plastic spatulas. 

It is the panicked Manning that seems to have a tendency to force the football and create turnovers (he had 29 in 2013). 

Settling down in the pocket, going through his progressions and taking the occasional sack should allow Manning to cut down on the number of interceptions thrown (he has led the league three times now). Most importantly, he needs to not force throws.

"

Only major statistical category Eli Manning has ever led NFL in is interceptions. Leads league for third time this year

— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) December 15, 2013"

It isn't as if Manning has not shown an ability to patiently avoid mistakes in the past. He tossed just 14 interceptions in 2009 and only 10 the year before that. 

A little patience in the pocket can go a long way and should allow Manning to be a more efficient quarterback in 2014 and could help the Giants make a quick return to contention. 

Tony Romo: Closing Games

Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

The general (and unfortunate) perception of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is that of a player who performs extremely well for about three-and-a-half quarters of every contest.

The problem with this perception is that it isn't exactly true. In fact, the fourth quarter was Romo's strongest in 2013 (his average passer rating was 105.6), according to NFL.com. 

Romo's real problem seems to be his inability to rise to the occasion when the game is placed on his shoulders.

When asked to throw more than 30 times in a game, Romo's passer rating took a significant dip in 2013, as it did during the final two minutes of each half.

According to NFL.com situational statistics, Romo held an average passer rating of 96.7 for the season. His average dropped to 85.7 during the final two minutes of a half and to 77.5 for passes after his 30th in a game.

If Romo is going to change the perception that he cannot finish games, he is going to have to find a way to improve his efficiency when asked to carry the offense, especially late. 

Colin Kaepernick: Struggling While Trailing

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has not experienced a ton of losing during his relatively short NFL career. In fact, the second-year starter has lost just eight times in his 29 career starts.

However, if Kaepernick truly wishes to join the ranks of the NFL elite, he would do well to improve his on-field play while his team is behind on the scoreboard.

According to ESPN.com, Kaepernick had an impressive passer rating of 101.0 when playing with the lead during the 2013 regular season. He also passed for 11 touchdowns and rushed for four more while tossing just one interception.

When trailing, however, Kaepernick's passer rating dropped to 72.2 and he threw just five touchdowns with five interceptions.

While a deficit on the scoreboard is typically a good indication that a team is struggling, the game's top quarterbacks seem to be able to find a way to raise their play when trying to overcome that deficit.

Carson Palmer: Protecting the Football

Norm Hall/Getty Images

Veteran quarterback Carson Palmer managed to lead the Arizona Cardinals to the brink of the postseason in 2013, but the team fell just short with a 10-6 record.

Had Palmer committed just a couple fewer turnovers, the Cardinals might have been able to punch their ticket into the playoffs.

Palmer seems to have a penchant for putting the ball in opposing hands, as evidenced by his 85 interceptions and 14 lost fumbles over the past five years.

That's right. Over the past five seasons, Palmer has committed 99 turnovers, including 25 in 2013.

"

Since 2010 Ryan Fitzpatrick has 72 turnovers. Only Eli Manning (84) and Carson Palmer (76) have more.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 14, 2013"

Palmer has the veteran savvy needed to get Arizona to the postseason in 2014. However, it will likely require a little better care of the football in order to pull it off. 

Joe Flacco: Struggles with Long Throws

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Quarterback Joe Flacco played a big role in the Baltimore Ravens' Super Bowl run last season. Unfortunately, he also played a role in the Ravens' inability to reach the postseason in 2013.

With a struggling run game (ranked 30th at 83.0 yards per game), the Ravens were forced to rely on Flacco to power the offense for the vast majority of the regular season. He did not always deliver.

Despite possessing elite arm strength, Flacco's biggest struggles surprisingly came on long throws.

According to ESPN.com, Flacco completed just 19.6 percent of passes thrown between 21 and 40 yards. He completed 65 percent of passes shorter than 21 yards and 26.7 percent of passes longer than 40 yards. He also threw zero touchdowns and six interceptions in the 21-to-40-yard range.

Most alarming is that Flacco held a passer rating of just 12.3 on throws between 21 and 30 yards.

If the Ravens are going to compensate for a less-than-stellar rushing attack with a strong passing attack in 2014, Flacco is going to have to work on his accuracy and efficiency on long, but not deep, throws. 

Alex Smith: Hesitation to Run

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

When the 49ers decided to trade in quarterback Alex Smith for Colin Kaepernick, many outsiders believed it was because the team wanted a playmaker instead of a game-manager at the position.

Even with the 11-5 Kansas City Chiefs in 2013, Smith held on to a reputation as a game-manager. At the very least, few seemed to recognize Smith's ability to make plays all on his own.

The reality is that only four quarterbacks—Kaepernick, Russell Wilson, Terrelle Pryor and Cam Newton—rushed for more yards than Smith during the 2013 season.

Smith rushed 76 times for 431 yards and a respectable 5.1 yards per carry average. There is a chance that taking to the ground even more often in 2014 could help open up a relatively underwhelming passing attack (ranked tied-24th in 2013, averaging 208.8 yards per game).

"

4th-and-shorter than 5, why not call a play with a run-option for Alex Smith?

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) December 2, 2013"

If Smith can create a reputation as a duel-threat quarterback he will force opposing defenses to pay even more attention to the Kansas City backfield, which could help create more favorable matchups downfield. It could also help Smith to shed the game-manager label once and for all. 

Drew Brees: Relying on Himself Too Often

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

When you have a quarterback like Drew Brees on your roster, it can be difficult to take the football out of his hands. This may be why the New Orleans Saints ranked just 25th in rushing offense (92.1 yards per game) in 2013, despite fielding four backs who averaged more than 3.6 yards-per-carry.

Those four backs were Mark Ingram (4.9 yards per carry), Pierre Thomas (3.7), Khiry Robinson (4.1) and Darren Sproles (4.2). Brees might be well-served by checking to running plays more often in 2014 so long as the backfield continues to run this effectively.

A more-balanced offense would keep opposing defenses more off-balance and might even increase the Saints' chances when fewer yards are needed to convert.

According to ESPN.com, Brees completed just 55.2 percent of his passes when facing 3rd-and-2 or shorter. This is quite a drop from his season completion percentage of 68.6. 

Checking to a run in these situations could result in more third-down conversions, which sometimes can mean the difference between a win and a loss. An extra win might be enough to net New Orleans home-field advantage in the 2014 playoffs. 

Andy Dalton: Struggling in Important Games

John Grieshop/Getty Images

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton has had quite the impressive three-year start to his NFL career—at least during the regular season.

During that span, Dalton has completed 60.9 percent of his passes and threw for 11,360 yards with 80 touchdowns and 49 interceptions. He also managed to lead the Bengals to the playoffs in each of his first three seasons.

Once in the postseason, however, Dalton has shown an inability to rise to the occasion. In three postseason appearances, the former TCU star has completed just 57 percent of his passes with one touchdown and six interceptions. He has also fumbled three times, losing one.

The Bengals have not won a playoff game since the end of the 1990 season.

"

No starting QB has EVER reached the playoffs in each of his first 3 seasons & not won at least 1 postseason game. Andy Dalton is the first.

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 5, 2014"

Cincinnati should still have a strong team in 2014 and a strong chance of making the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. However, if the team is to be more than a first-round disappointment in the postseason, Dalton is going to have to find a way to raise his level of play when it matters.