NFL: Building the Ultimate Pro Quarterback

With fantasy football drafts taking place all across the country, ever wonder what it would be like to have the greatest quarterbacks in the NFL all rolled into one?

Well, it’s time let your imagination run wild as you join me in the adventure of trying to build the perfect NFL quarterback.

Being the most important position on the field, the game can be won or lost with one costly interception or missing a wide open receiver. With that in mind, let me not waste anymore of your time.

It's time to get to work. 

Sit back, relax and enjoy. Week 1 is almost here. 

Peyton Manning's Brain

Peyton Manning's brain is like a computer. He processes more information than any other quarterback in the league, and his brain is the greatest weapon in the NFL. 

For 227 consecutive games, Manning has been his own offensive coordinator every time he steps to the line of scrimmage. The NFL has never seen a quarterback in the game who has the ability to keep defenses on their toes like Manning has been doing the past 13 seasons.

The four-time NFL MVP has watched more than hundreds of hours of videotape and has studied the playbook thousands of times. Even at 35 years old, the more Manning has played, the more amazing his hard-drive of a mind has become.

When the Colts begin their season, the offensive mastermind who has earned a living making defenses look foolish might not be on the field. But when he returns—although he might be nearing the end of his career—he'll continue to create the image that no matter how great of a defense his opponent has, Manning will continue to astonish and mesmerize us all.

Aaron Rodgers' Arm

Sitting down in a Q&A with USA Today, Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings was asked, "How does Aaron Rodgers' fastball compare with Brett's (Favre)?"

Jennings said, "It's faster!! I (say) that with all due respect for Brett. I didn't catch him in his prime. I think it might be a toss-up. I think Brett throws with more of his body. Aaron throws with pure arm strength."

In his first two years (2006-2007) with Favre throwing to him, Jennings recorded 98 passes for 1,552 yards and 15 touchdowns. But since Rodgers took over, the Pro Bowler has taken his game to the next level, catching 224 passes for 3,670 yards and 25 touchdowns since 2008.

Following in the footsteps of a former Green Bay Packers legend, Rodgers is beginning to build a legacy of his own. Having already won a Super Bowl Championship, Rodgers enters 2011 with hopes of keeping the Lombardi Trophy at home.   

Sticking to baseball comparisons, Rodgers might not generate 99 or 100 mph on the radar gun, but he consistently hits 94 mph and 95 mph—sometimes 96 mph. Even Randy Johnson would be impressed. Rodgers' teammates say his throws have more velocity than Favre's did, and Rodgers' mechanics are impeccable.

When Favre retired, Packer fans might've been nervous in finding his replacement. After seeing an arm like Rodgers' (and his Super Bowl ring), I'm sure they're nervous no more. 

Michael Vick's Running Ability

Unstoppable to tackle, Michael Vick not only amazes with his arm, but also with his cheetah-like running skills. 

Making a living both through the air and on the ground, Vick's 4,630 career rushing yards are second all time to Randall Cunningham's 4,928 yards.

And barring severe injury, Vick—who is 12 rushing touchdowns away from breaking Steve Young's all-time record for rushing touchdowns by a QB (43)—should be the new record-holder by the time he hangs up the cleats.

Vick's career average of 7.1 yards per carry is just another example that he is the greatest rushing quarterback in NFL history. If you want to argue that Hall of Famer Young was better, just wait until Vick's career is over—then there will be no debate. 

Philip Rivers’ Quick Release and Pocket Presence

Drawing numerous comparisons to Dan Marino for his quick release, pocket presence and lack of Super Bowl Championships, Philip Rivers gets rid of the ball in less than two seconds, making it more difficult for defensive linemen to sack him. 

In 2010, with the Chargers’ best receivers either injured or in a holdout, Rivers displayed great accuracy while throwing to relatively unknown players. He went on his way to a career-high in passing yardage (4,710) and the highest total in the league.

Having a losing record in the postseason, time might be running out for Rivers to bring a championship to San Diego. A 55-25 record over the course of the past five regular seasons, including throwing for 135 touchdowns during that span, means very little when the team’s postseason win total has decreased in each of the last four years.

When Rivers' tenure as the starter began in San Diego, future Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson was lined up in the backfield. Now with Antonio Gates, Vincent Jackson and Ryan Mathews, Rivers has already enjoyed more of a balanced offensive attack than Marino ever had in Miami.

For now, the comparisons between Rivers and Marino are ongoing. But Rivers is hoping his career ends differently than Marino's did—with a Super Bowl ring. 

Ben Roethlisberger's Scrambling Ability

Having a unique ability to scramble and make plays on the run, there's no other quarterback in the NFL who can extend a play the way Ben Roethlisberger has over the years. 

Roethlisberger is no Fran Tarkenton, who racked up 3,674 rushing yards in his career and was the best pure scrambler of all time. But Big Ben's physique (6'5", 241 lbs) makes it very difficult for defensive linemen to bring him down.

At 29 years old, Roethlisberger has two Super Bowl rings. He already owns the most comeback wins (19) and game-winning drives (25) through the first seven seasons of a player's career, and he'll only continue to impress on the field.

Entering 2011, the Steelers have their annual offensive line issues. Roethlisberger will need to continue being his best if Pittsburgh is going to compete for a Super Bowl Championship.

We have seen some miraculous scrambling ability before, so don't expect anything to be different this year. 

Tom Brady's Leadership Skills and Character

Tom Brady's two regular season and Super Bowl MVP awards, to go along with his three Super Bowl rings, will one day earn him a place in Canton, Ohio—but it's Brady's leadership skills, toughness, determination, experience and ability to develop young players that make him a special quarterback. 

Although Brady is not the most physically-gifted player, even for a quarterback, his hard work and determination have allowed him to develop into one of the premier passers of his generation and into an elite NFL quarterback.

A leader is always judged by his actions on the field, and Brady performs brilliantly for all of us to see. Similar to boyhood idol Joe Montana, Brady's on-field presence has allowed him to be the team leader while also becoming one of the greatest clutch performers of all time. 

This past September, the reigning NFL MVP signed a four-year, $72 million contract extension to stay with the Patriots. Over the past decade, while other players have come and gone, Brady has been the constant face of the franchise. Hoping to play until he's 40, Brady will look to add a few more rings to his trophy case by the time his career is over.

No matter how much you despise Brady and the Patriots, take a minute to realize how lucky you are to be watching one of the greatest NFL players of all time. A player like him doesn't come around very often, so be thankful you got to see him play. 

Eli Manning's Two-Minute Offense

No matter what you think of Eli Manning, there's no denying he's arguably one of the best in the game at running the two-minute drill, as evidenced by his career 17 game-winning drives and 14 fourth-quarter comebacks.

I'd want no one else.

Despite only managing one in 2010, and even after losing Kevin Boss and Steve Smith to free agency, the Giants will need Manning to once again be at his best during the most crucial parts of the game if they want to compete in 2011.

Manning led the Giants to the playoffs in his first four seasons as the Giants' starting quarterback. But the past two seasons, which have statistically been Manning's best, ended without playoff appearances.

Manning has the Super Bowl ring, a Super Bowl MVP and a nearly $100 million contract. He's proven that when the Giants have needed him the most, that's when he's at his best. 

The Giants are hoping Manning gets the chance to prove that this season. It’ll be a shame if he doesn't.