Fast Forward Day One: Quarterback's of the Future

Its the argument that never seems to end. Who is the greatest Quarterback of All Time? You can replace QB with just about any other position and the results don't vary. The outcome is usually a hotheaded fan who thinks he has the right answer. Instead of beating the dead horse, I have instead decided to come up with a list of who we may still be talking about in 30 years.

The rules I set forth for myself were simple. To be a QB of the future, they had to be young. Twenty-Eight seemed like a good age because that usually means a player is in their fifth season, and sometimes even fourth. I have put the following players in no particular order because that would just make this already daunting task a little bit harder. Instead I have left it up to you, the readers, to decide for yourself who belongs where.

1. Jay Cutler [25 years old, 3rd season]

Going into the 2006 NFL draft, Jay Cutler was ranked third on many experts drafts when it came to the Quarterback position, behind only Vince Young and Matt Leinart. The Denver Broncos then selected him with the 11th overall pick. Some of ESPN's own top analysts were quoted as saying that when it came to an NFL career, none would be better from this draft class.

It was a matter of no time before Cutler saw the field. On November 27th, 2006, Mike Shanahan announced that he would become the starting quarterback over Jake Plummer. Cutler went on to post extremely good numbers in his rookie campaign, including setting some franchise andleague records. Some of these include the second highest quarterback rating by a Broncos rookie, behind John Elway respectively, and he was also the first quarterback ever to throw 2 TD's in his first four NFL career games.

2007 was his first year as the starting quarterback and Cutler performed better than most. Though the Broncos failed to make a post-season appearance for the second straight year, the experience was visible in his decisions on where to throw the ball, andhow to use his tremendous arm strength to his advantage. Many were cautious when the season ended however, because he had lost around 30 pounds over the course of the season. In the off-season it was announced that he had Type 1 Diabetes and would be taking insulin shots every day. This not only made since pertaining to his weight loss, but also showed the adversity that he could overcome when a situation presented itself.

Fast forward to 2008 and It certainly hasn't stopped this young stud from performing at a very high level for only a third year player. If the chemistry with his favorite wide-out, Brandon Marshall can continue, then we can expect to see Cutler for many years to come.

2. Tony Romo [28 years old, 6th season]

Tony Romo has been quite a surprise to say the least. He quickly went from undrafted quarterback, to star in the making. Entering his first season at number three on the depth chart, nothing was to be expected of the off-season acquisition. After seeing little to no action in the 2004 season, he elevated himself to number 2 on the depth chart during the off-season. Many thought Romo's career with Dallas would be soon be over when the Cowboys traded a draft pick to acquire Drew Henson from the Houston Texans. However, a bright spot soon appeared when Quincy Carter, starting quarterback, was released on allegations of substance abuse. This was truly all #9 needed.

The Cowboys signed veteran Drew Bledsoe which only continued to slow down the premiere of Romo. However, during the heart of the schedule, Bledsoe had a dreadful half of football against the G-men. There was no looking back for young Romo, who emerged from the second half andcontinued to lead his to team to win, after win during the 2006 season. The first playoff game the new young quarterback would play in would be one that he would never forget. With the Cowboys down 20-19 with less that a minute remaining, Martin Gramatica attempted a 19 yard field goal to seal victory. Because Romo had started the season as number two on the depth chart, he was the designated holder for extra points and field goals. One botched snap later and he became the butt of many jokes and criticism as the Cowboys were defeated by a mere one point.

Fast forward to 2008 and he is still the man in Big D, even after losing in Texas to the eventual champion Giants in 2007. How he could survive in the same place as Terrell Owens, we will never know. With targets like Jason Witten, a great back in Marion Barber, and an offensive line that gives him enough time to read his own Romo-Simpson tabloids, he looks to have a long career in the NFL. If there was but one vice the young QB has, its the inability so far to win the playoff game. He will have to prove he can win that first big game to earn the respect of the fans and ownership. But mark my words, when he does get that first postseason victory, I'm not sure he will ever lose one.

3. Eli Manning [27, 4th season]

Peyton's younger brother burst onto the scene in 2004 straight out of Ole Miss just like his Hall of Fame father, Archie Manning. There was plenty of controversy leading up to that draft day however, when it was discovered that Eli had told the San Diego Chargers, who had that year's first pick, that he had no desire to play there. San Diego took advantage however and drafted the young Manning anyway, only to later that afternoon trade him to the New York Giants for Philip Rivers and three draft picks.

Manning started the 2004 season playing second fiddle to starting quarterback, Kurt Warner. After two close losses, he would finally get his chance to start when first year coach Tom Coughlin played him against the Atlanta Falcons. Though his rookie season wasn't very impressive to say the least, many people thought the off-season would give hima chance to prove his worth.

The 2005 season was statistically Manning's best. The Giants went to the playoffs witha 11-5 record, led by his 24 touchdown tosses. The Giants were skunked in the first round in the playoffs however, and had many critics wanting his head on a platter. Next year certainly didn't help any, as the G-Men lost to the Eagles in the 2006 Wild cardgame by a last secondfield goal. With the defensive line starting to show promise, it was well known that Manning could have a good year andlead the Giants to yet another playoff berth. He definitely didn't disappoint. After losing the first contest of the season in Dallas, the Giants didn't lose another road game all season. Their playoff run is one of the best in history and couldn't have been possible without the arm of the young, promising quarterback. The Giants took down Tampa Bay in Florida, traveled to Texas to defeat the rival Dallas Cowboys, and beat Green Bay in overtime in the dreaded sub-zero temperature of Lambeau Field. His season culminated when he shocked the world and defeated the New England Patriots and took home Superbowl MVP honors.

Fast forward to 2008. With a ring already on his finger, and a wedding band as well [Married long term Ole Miss girlfriend in the off-season], it is already shaping up to be a good year for Manning. With him on the field, he has a bruising back in Brandon Jacobs, young wide-outs in Steve Smith and Mario Manningham, and veteran presence in Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer and one of the best defenses in the NFL. Manning and Big Blue should post another good statistical year.

4. Ben Roethlisberger [26 years old, 4th season]

Ben Roethlisberger better known as "Big Ben" has been just that since being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Big. Coming out of the University of Miami [Ohio], he was heavily touted by head coach Bill Cowher as being the next starting quarterback of the black and gold. Entering the season at number three of the depth chart, he would soon see action as early as week one after Charlie Batch suffered a preseason injury, and Tommy Maddox had a very ineffective first half against the Oakland Raiders. Big Ben had his foot in the door, and it certainly showed when he started his first NFL game at week three.

Roethlisberger's rookie campaign was the best by a quarterback the league has ever, andprobably will ever see. Highlights of this included a stomping of the New England Patriots, ending their 21 game regular season winning streak, and a win against the Philadelphia Eagles the following week [previously unbeaten as well]. The only stat that truly mattered though was 13-0. That was Big Ben's record in games that he was under center andeventually led the Steelers to a 15-1 regular season record. Pittsburgh would eventually lose to future champs, New England Patriots. The following season was just as good however, after Roethlisberger once again led his team to the playoffs, this time however things were different. The Steelers won all three postseason games on the road before playing the Seahawks in the Superbowl, a game Big Ben would eventually win the game even after posting a QB Rating of 22.1, the lowest ever by a quarterback to win a Superbowl.

Fast Forward to 2008. Roethlisberger's last season was plagued with missed games due to an appendectomy, and also recovering from a violent motorcycle accident. Big Ben has been sacked more times than any other quarterback in the last two seasons except for Jon Kitna. With protection like this, it only makes him play tougher, and stronger than anybody else, but also makes him extremely vulnerable to injury With great wide-outs in Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward, it is easy for him to find an open man. The great running game that he has backed him his entire career with Jerome Bettis, and now Willie Parker, also makes his life just a little easier. If the offensive line can learn to have better communication and protect their valuable asset, their might be two Steelers quarterbacks in the Hall of Fame with multiple rings.

5. Trent Edwards [24 years old, 2nd year]

I had to put a dark horse somewhere on the list and I happen to think Trent Edwards fits the description very well. He was selected in the third round and 93rd overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 2007 NFL Draft, out of Stanford University. Even though he did not accomplish much at college, besides missing over 10 games with injuries, his arm strength, intelligence and accuracy are all strong points.

Edwards made his NFL debut on September 23rd against the New England Patriots when J.P. Losman went down with an injury in the first half, making him the first quarterback of the draft to see playing time. In October, Edwards injured his wrist during a game against the New York Jets and Losman regained the starting position. Following some poor performances by Losman, particularly in a division contest against New England and a conference game against the Jaguars, Edwards was named the starter... Again. Despite losing the last three contests of 2007, the Bills young defense was shining as well as rookie RB Marshawn Lynch. Edwards was also named to the All-Rookie team after the season.

Fast Forward to 2008. The Buffalo Bills are 4-0 and Edwards is playing like a man on fire, hitting almost 70% of his passes with 3 touchdowns and a much improved, one interception. The most important stat however, is his two consecutive fourth quarter comebacks against teams with respectable defenses.

Just Missed the Cut

It would have been impossible to include all the names on here that deserve a spot, or are on their way to earning one. The others who fall under the rules listed that I didn't feel had enough potential are Carson Palmer, Vince Young, Matt Leinart, JaMarcus Russell, Matt Ryan, and Joe Flacco. Who knows, maybe one of these guys will step it up and earn a spot on next years list? Then again they could fall into the same pile as Ryan Leaf, Jason White, and Michael Vick. That's not a pile ANYONE wants to fall into.

Written by, Edited by, and Developed by Travis Rand, NFL and NYG Bleacher Reporter