Tom Brady and the 10 Best Quarterbacks in the NFL

Much is made about the quarterback being the most important player on the field, and for the most part, QBs today are bigger, stronger, and faster than they have ever been.

But for every Drew Brees that is barely six feet tall, there is a Peyton Manning or Phillip Rivers who's tall, rangy, and has a cannon for an arm.

Regardless of their respective statures, this season it will be interesting to see how prominent QBs are affected by the lockout and whether timing will be an issue—while some QBs (like Brees and David Garrard) are holding team practices to develop continuity and strengthen unity, no one knows how the rust will play itself out once the lockout is over.

And while statistics and chemistry will be the main areas in which we will be able to judge passers on a weekly basis, there are other factors at play that can make a quarterback look either good or like a lost doe in the woods.

Therefore, this is a look at the 10 best quarterbacks in the league heading into next season, regardless of statistics.

10. Eli Manning, New York Giants

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

He hasn't taken the next step yet.

Although he threw for 4,000 yards last season and has a Super Bowl ring to his credit, Eli will always be the third-best Manning to play in the NFL.

There are times at which he looks brilliant—as though he belongs on the field.

But there are other times at which he looks lost—as though he's trying too hard.

9. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Ben Roethlisberger #7 and head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers look on during the National Anthem during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Im

Regardless of his off-field antics and what the league perception of him is, all Ben does is win.

Playing with a broken foot, broken nose, and numerous injuries, he may have been as tough as anyone last season after he came back from suspension.

Ben has a cannon arm and great footwork for his size, and he is nightmare for defenses when he is on point with his receivers.

8. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Matt Schaub #8 of the Houston Texas looks on against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on December 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Texans 24-23. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Image

He plays with arguably the best receiver in the game in Andre Johnson, but his team has never made it to the playoffs.

This is not his fault.

If the Texans had a better record and made a real run at the playoffs, then Schaub would be considered a top-5 talent. Former quarterback Gary Kubiak gets the most out of his cannon-armed passer.

7. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass against the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The next Brett Favre!

He is calm, poised, and appears able to take the Falcons to the next level. Ryan has great leadership qualities and immediately showed poise when he stepped into the starting role four years ago.

Now armed with Julio Jones—in addition to Roddy White, Michael Jenkins, and Tony Gonzalez—there's an arsenal of weapons for Ryan to choose from.

A Super Bowl appearance could help his legend grow even greater.

6. Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 15: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with team mate Mike McGlynn #77 after throwing his teams first touchdown against the Washington Redskins on November 15, 2010 at FedExField in Landover, Maryland. (Photo b

Vick can beat you with his arm or his legs—some of the things he did last season to opposing defenses was just sick.

The second half of the season proved to be a bit more painful for him as he worked through injuries, but he is still an amazing talent that teams must prepare for.

5. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers takes the field against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 33-28. (Photo by Doug Pensing

Will Rivers go down as the best current quarterback never to get to the Super Bowl?

Rivers is a great talent and has a strong arm. If he can establish a better relationship with his receivers and Antonio Gates can stay healthy, he should have an even better season than he did last year.

4. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Drew Brees #9 and Julius Jones #21 of the New Orleans Saints run a play against the Seattle Seahawks during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/

When he came to the French Quarter, football was reborn in New Orleans.

He has a stronger arm than you think, accuracy that is envied by many of the starting passers in the league, and currently plays on the best passing team in the NFL.

Look for him to continue his winning ways as long as his team's other components stay in place.

3. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Payton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts calls out signals as he steps up to the line of scrimmage in the first quarter against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Janu

Manning played with a different receiving corps every week last season, or so it seemed, and the lack of running game did not help him in his pursuit of another Super Bowl title.

Manning is still at his best with the game on the line, but the window of opportunity with Indianapolis may be closing a little.

Still, with Manning under center, the Colts are always a threat to win the league title.

2. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Matt Ludtke/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - FEBRUARY 08: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hoists the Lombardi Trophy during the Packers victory ceremony at Lambeau Field on February 8, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matt Ludtke/Getty Images)

Brett who?

There is no doubt this is Aaron Rodgers' team now that he took the Packers to the Super Bowl and won.

Rodgers is on an island by himself as the best QB in the NFC, and it looks as though he can only get better.

Another year with weapons like James Jones, Donald Driver, and Jermichael Finley can only mean an even better season for the Super Bowl MVP.

1. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Elsa/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stands on the field during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa

Was there any doubt about this one?

Brady is just as good as he was five years ago—his weapons change, but he continues to win, leading the Patriots to a 14-2 record last season.

If the Pats get another solid receiver (say, Chad Johnson or Sidney Rice) and beef up their running game, this will be a Super team again.