Report Card Grades for All 32 NFL Starting QBs at the Quarter Mark

The quarterback is the most scrutinized position in any sport and for good reason. And through the first four weeks of 2011, this is more true than ever.

It's looking like the year of the quarterback—good and bad.

Tom Brady of the New England Patriots is on pace to break the touchdown and yards records. Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers is looking to set records in yardage, passer rating and completion percentage.

A total of six players are on pace to throw for more than 5,000 yards—a feat that has only been accomplished twice.

As can be seen, many quarterbacks are off to phenomenal starts to the season. But how has your team's quarterback looked?

Jay Cutler

Thus far in the 2011 season, Cutler hasn't done anything well. Yes, the Bears have what might be the NFL's worst offensive line, but regardless, Cutler has struggled.

The Bears quarterback has thrown just five touchdowns to four interceptions and is averaging 240 yards per game. Cutler is completing 54 percent of his passes and is averaging a meager 7.3 yards per attempt. None of these numbers are good, and most are bad.

Grade:  C-

Andy Dalton

Dalton hasn't necessarily been as bad as expected, but he hasn't been good either. Cincinnati definitely does not have a great offense, but they do have talent. With a future superstar in A.J. Green, the Bengals are hoping that they have will have a dominant passing game in the future.

Thus far, Dalton isn't showing too many positive signs. The former TCU star has four touchdowns and four interceptions and is only throwing for 217 yards a game. It's obvious that the Bengals are bringing Dalton along slowly, and he definitely still has a long way to go.

Grade:  D+

Ryan Fitzpatrick

The Buffalo offense isn't exactly loaded with talent, but don't let anyone tell Ryan Fitzpatrick that. Chan Gailey's offense is definitely helping Fitzpatrick, but his performance has been impressive.

With nine touchdown passes and just three interceptions, Fitzpatrick has been lighting up the competition. The former Ivy League quarterback has completed 63 percent of his passes and has helped transform the Bills offense into one of the NFL's best.

Grade:  A-

Kyle Orton

Orton doesn't have a lot of help in Denver, but his performance has been unimpressive to say the least. The former Purdue quarterback still isn't a terrible quarterback; he just isn't a good one.

He's completing under 60 percent of his passes and has an unimpressive eight to six touchdown to interception ratio. In all honesty, none of Orton's stats are good, and he simply lacks the tools to lead an NFL offense.

Grade:  C-

Colt McCoy

Last Sunday's performance against the Tennessee Titans was a typical Colt McCoy game. His numbers weren't terrible, but his play was.

McCoy is supposed to be an accurate quarterback, but he is completing just 58.1 percent of his passes in a high percentage West Coast Offense. He is also averaging just 5.7 yards per attempt and despite throwing the second most passes in the NFL, he has thrown just six touchdowns.

Grade:  D-

Josh Freeman

Freeman showed last year that he is capable of being an excellent quarterback, but he has struggled thus far in 2011. This isn't to say that the Buccaneers quarterback has been bad, but he does have nearly as many interceptions through four games as he did all of last year.

The young signal caller has struggled to get into the end zone and has thrown just three touchdowns to four interceptions. He has been accurate and is completing 66.9 percent of his passes, but they haven't been for many yards, and he has struggled to make big plays.

Grade:  C

Kevin Kolb

Kolb hasn't been as good as the Cardinals may have been hoping, but he has been a huge upgrade over what they had in 2010. The first year starter has one fantastic weapon in Larry Fitzgerald, but he also has to deal with a poor offensive line.

The former Eagle isn't completing an overly high percentage of his passes, but he is averaging 8.1 yards per attempt. None of Kolb's numbers are earth shattering, but in a new offense with new players around him, the young signal caller can only improve.

Grade:  B-

Philip Rivers

Rivers's "struggles" have one of the biggest surprises of the young 2011 season. The Charger star has only had the help of Antonio Gates for one game, but he is not without weapons.

The former North Carolina State quarterback has thrown five touchdowns to six interceptions thus far but is averaging 8.2 yards per attempt. Completing 68.2 percent of his passes, Rivers have been very efficient but needs to limit mistakes and make more big plays.

Grade:  B-

Matt Cassel

Matt Cassel has quite possibly been the worst quarterback to start all four games of the 2011 season. The former Patriot has been without star running back Jamaal Charles, but his performance has been inexcusable.

Though he is completing 64.9 percent of his passes, the Chief is averaging just 6.2 yards per attempt and has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. Cassel hasn't been as bad the past two weeks, but his seat is getting quite hot in Kansas City.

Grade:  F

Kerry Collins

In his three games as the Colts' starter, Collins was simply abysmal. Everyone knew that Collins wasn't close to Peyton Manning's caliber, but Collins was so bad that he was benched for the less than impressive Curtis Painter.

Collins completed a staggering 49 percent of his passes and averaged just 4.9 yards per attempt. The first year Colt did somehow manage to throw two touchdowns, but this was his only "positive" statistic.

Grade:  F

Tony Romo

On the surface, Romo's numbers this year don't look bad at all. But as is always the case, the stats only tell part of the story.

Against the Lions, Romo threw not one, but two pick-six's down the stretch. The Cowboy quarterback's play in the clutch has been incredibly costly and he is losing the team games. Yes, Romo is completing 65.1 percent of his passes and averaging 8.4 yards per attempt, but he has thrown far too many huge interceptions to be graded positively.

Grade:  C-

Chad Henne

While Henne has been significantly better this year than year's past, he still hasn't been particularly good. The former Michigan star has especially struggled in the red zone and during the fourth quarter.

Henne is completing just 57.1 percent of his passes and has thrown just as many interceptions as touchdowns. He has, however, averaged 7.8 yards per attempt and has had two quality games against the Patriots and Browns.

Grade:  C-

Michael Vick

Thus far, Vick hasn't been as good throwing the ball as he was last year, but he has been better than usual. The dynamic quarterback has plenty of excellent players around him, but he is undoubtedly the biggest star on the Eagles' offense.

Vick has completed 61.2 percent of his passes and is averaging a solid 7.9 yards per attempt while also having his usual success on the ground. Injuries appear to be a problem, but when he is on the field, Vick is arguably the most exciting player in the NFL.

Grade:  B+

Matt Ryan

The Falcons have tried to ride Matt Ryan, but their offense has struggled in comparison to last year. With even more weapons than a year ago, Ryan should be experiencing more success than he is.

The former No. 3 pick isn't completing an overly high percentage of his passes and is only averaging 6.9 yards per attempt. None of his numbers are terrible, but Ryan simply isn't making enough plays to lead an elite offense.

Grade:  B

Alex Smith

Alex Smith has been one of the most confounding players of the 2011 season. His numbers first appear to be quite impressive, but that is not entirely the case.

All of Smith's percentages are good, but he has not at all been relied on in San Francisco. The former No. 1 overall pick is throwing just 28 passes and 198 yards a game. So while his numbers may look good, one must keep in mind the focus of the 49er offense and what Smith is being asked to do.

Grade:  C+

Eli Manning

In the absence of Peyton, the other Manning has stepped up. Eli Manning has been a decent quarterback for a few years, but for the first time, he is showing signs of being elite.

Manning is completing a solid 64 percent of his passes and is averaging 8.5 yards per attempt. With eight touchdowns and only two interceptions, Manning is on pace for quite the season and is currently among the league's best.

Grade:  A

Blaine Gabbert

Everyone knew that Gabbert was raw and would struggle, but even the rookie's biggest detractors have to be disappointed in his play. This doesn't mean Gabbert has been worse than Luke McCown, but really, that isn't saying much.

Completing just 47.8 percent of his passes, Gabbert has struggled to do much of anything with the ball. The No. 10 overall pick has thrown just as many interceptions as touchdowns and has only manged to average 5.6 yards per attempt.

Grade:  F

Mark Sanchez

Sanchez doesn't have an overly talented offense to work with, but he has been downright brutal at times. The former USC star has one premier wide receiver in Santonio Holmes, and quarterbacks have done better with less.

Sanchez is only completing 55.1 percent of his passes and has thrown five interceptions to six touchdowns. The No. 5 overall pick in 2009, Sanchez is nothing more than a game manager on an offense lacking great talent.

Grade:  D+

Matthew Stafford

Finally healthy, Stafford is accomplishing for the first time what so many knew he could. The former first overall pick has the NFL's best wide receiver in Calvin Johnson, but Stafford could play without an elite target.

The Detroit star has a rocket arm and is completing 62.1 percent of his passes for 7.6 yards per attempt. With 11 touchdowns and just three interceptions, Stafford has dominated defenses and is developing into an elite quarterback.

Grade:  A

Aaron Rodgers

There isn't much to say about Aaron Rodgers that hasn't already been said. Yeah, Rodgers has some great talent in Green Bay, but the other offensive players benefit more from him than he does from them.

Rodgers is completing an astounding 73.1 percent of his passes and is averaging 9.4 yards per attempt. The Super Bowl MVP is on pace to break records in multiple statistical categories and has thrown just two interceptions to his 12 touchdowns.

Grade:  A+

Cam Newton

No, Cam Newton has not been perfect. But he sure has exceeded just about everyone's expectations for him.

The 2011 No. 1 overall pick is the first rookie to ever pass for 400 yards twice in a season. And yes, he's only played four games this year. Newton has completed a surprising 59.5 percent of his passes and has scored nine touchdowns. Newton has, however, made some mistakes and has thrown just as many interceptions as touchdowns.

Grade:  B

Tom Brady

Brady is surprising no one by once again putting up astonishing numbers. The 2010 MVP doesn't have elite talent to work with, but he still dominates every defense he faces.

The former sixth-round pick is averaging an astonishing 9.5 yards per attempt and has somehow already thrown for over 1,500 yards. The star quarterback is on pace to break his own NFL record for touchdown passes in a single season and is also completing nearly 67 percent of his passes. Brady's only blemish is his five interceptions—one more than he threw in all of 2010.

Grade: A-

Jason Campbell

Jason Campbell is not a star, but he puts up consistently decent numbers. The Raider quarterback is on pace for his best year yet and is managing an explosive Oakland offense.

Nothing more than a game manager, Campbell has completed 65.3 percent of his passes and has thrown slightly more touchdowns than interceptions. The former Redskins may not win you many games, but he won't lose you many either.

Grade:  C-

Sam Bradford

After one of the best seasons in rookie history, Bradford is off to an abysmal start under new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. The former No. 1 overall pick seems to be missing Pat Shurmur and the West Coast Offense, but he really needs a better offensive line.

Bradford was well protected in 2010, but that has not been the case in 2011. The former Sooner has a quick release but has still been sacked more than any other quarterback and is completing just 49.7 percent of his passes. This number is astonishing because of Bradford's incredible accuracy and poise.

The 2010 Rookie of the Year may not be playing particularly well this year, but he is not nearly as bad as his numbers suggest.

Grade:  C-

Joe Flacco

Flacco's cannon arm is as present as always, but he simply isn't completing the passes he has in previous seasons. The Baltimore offense is not without talent, and Flacco is partially responsible for the unit's lack of success.

The former Delaware quarterback hasn't just not lived up to expecations; he's been bad. Flacco is completing a pathetic 49.3 percent of his passes and isn't making enough big plays.

Grade:  D

Rex Grossman

Grossman got off to a hot start against the Giants but has really struggled in the three weeks since. The former Bear is on a poor Redskins offense, but he is definitely not helping the unit.

The 2003 first-round pick is completing just 58 percent of his passes and has thrown nearly as many interceptions as touchdowns. As Grossman demonstrated against New York, he has the ability to dominate, but he's since demonstrated how awful he can be.

Grade:  D

Drew Brees

Brees is as accurate as ever and is on his way towards another phenomenal season. The former Charger has been incredible since joining the Saints, and there is nothing new in 2011.

With 1,400 yards in the books, Brees is carrying the New Orleans offense. The former Purdue Boilermaker has also thrown for 10 touchdowns and is completing 69 percent of his passes. Even without a great run game Brees can carve up opposing defenses.

Grade:  A

Tarvaris Jackson

Jackon's numbers this year haven't been awful, but that does not change the fact that he is not a good quarterback. The former Viking has less talent in Seattle than he ever had in Minnesota, but he is playing better than he has previously.

Jackson hasn't been asked to carry the Seahawks' offense, and he is averaging just 211.5 yards per game. With a 62.2 completion percentage, Jackson hasn't been terribly inaccurate but he has thrown too many interceptions and isn't producing enough to be a quality starter.

Grade:  D+

Ben Roethlisberger

Roethlisberger has been running for his life and, in turn, has struggled. The Steelers' offense isn't particularly talented as it is, but with a poor offensive line, it is just bad.

The No. 11 overall pick in 2004, Roethlisberger has proven he can play, but is not producing at all in 2011. It is difficult to gauge just how much of this is his fault, but his numbers are definitely not pretty. With three touchdowns, five interceptions and four fumbles, Roethlisberger has turned the ball over and not made enough plays to compensate for his turnovers.

Grade:  D+

Matt Schaub

Through the first four games of 2011, Schaub has produced some excellent numbers. The Houston offense is immensely talented and has elite players at the wide receiver and running back positions, but Schaub has not simply managed the game.

The former Atlanta Falcon is completing 65.5 percent of his passes and is averaging 8.5 yards for every attempt. Schaub has thrown seven touchdowns with just three interceptions and is on pace for what might be his best year yet.

Grade:  B+

Matt Hasselbeck

Hasselbeck's play has been the biggest surprise in the early part of the 2011 season. The 13-year pro is on pace for his best year yet, and is simply dominating.

The long time Seahawk is completing 66.7 percent of his passes and has an impressive eight to three touchdown to interception ratio. With Chris Johnson struggling thus far, the Hasselbeck hasn't simply been a product of the run game; he has created the Tennessee offense.

Grade:  A

Donovan McNabb

Donovan McNabb has shocked no one and is disappointing once again in 2011. The former Andy Reid pupil struggled with the Redskins last year and is doing the same with the Vikings.

As per usual, McNabb is completing a relatively low percentage of his passes but is averaging just 6.1 yards per attempt. Even with the best running back in the NFL, McNabb can't create many plays and has made far too many turnovers.

Grade:  D+