NFL 2011: The Quarterback Position Is as Strong as Its Ever Been in NFL History

While I believe that a good offensive line is the number one thing a successful football team needs, the quarterback is a very close second. I mean, he is the leader of the team and the ball goes through him on every single offensive play. He'd better be somewhat decent.

It wasn't that long ago that the NFL only had a handful of elite quarterbacks and the rest were either mediocre or very forgettable. Those days have now changed. The quarterback position is as strong as it has ever been from top to bottom.

Don't believe me? Let's break it down.

Elite Quarterbacks

The word 'elite' is used way too loosely in the sports world, but to be an elite quarterback, you have to be complete. I really think those words go hand-in-hand. You have to be a quarterback that is capable of putting your team in Super Bowl contention year in and year out. You have very few flaws to your game and can single-handedly lead your team to victory if need be. 

The elite quarterbacks in the league are: 

Tom Brady

Aaron Rodgers

Ben Roethlisberger

Drew Brees

There are only four elite quarterbacks in the league right now, but that doesn't mean there is a big drop-off from the next category.

High-Quality Quarterbacks

A high-quality quarterback is someone who has the potential to be an elite quarterback, but is missing one or two things. It could be the lack of winning a big game, a little bit of inconsistency, lack of experience or whatever the case may be.

These are quarterbacks that you can win with and even win a Super Bowl with; I just wouldn't put them in the elite class just yet, because if everybody is elite, it defeats the meaning of the word. Here are the quarterbacks that are great, but could have an argument made that they're elite:

Tony Romo

Joe Flacco

Eli Manning

Matt Ryan

Michael Vick (When healthy)

Phillip Rivers

Peyton Manning

Until I actually see Peyton Manning have a bad season, I still have him as a high-quality quarterback. If he proves that he is over his injury and bounces back 100 percent, he once again becomes elite.

As far as Phillip Rivers goes, he is a fantastic quarterback, but this season has been horrible. He has always been one of those quarterbacks that has put up remarkable stats, but been somewhat underrated. I just have a hard time believing that he has fallen off that much. So, despite the 17 interceptions, I'd still want him on my team.

Above Average or Game Manager Quarterbacks

These are the quarterbacks that I wouldn't quite put as high-quality, but they will win you games. They have the potential to be labeled as franchise quarterbacks, but I would like to see them lead the team a little bit more. I need to see them take charge before they move up in the rankings. Regardless, you could do a lot worse than these guys.

Mark Sanchez

Ryan Fitzpatrick

Matt Schaub

Show and Prove Quarterbacks

This is where a lot of the quarterbacks end up. These are quarterbacks that have all of the talent in the world, but either haven't shown it yet or don't have the right weapons on their team. These are not busts, they just need a few more weapons or another year or two to prove that they have what it takes. If one of these quarterbacks is on your team, just give them time and they will make you very happy in the future.

Jay Cutler

Matthew Stafford

Josh Freeman

Cam Newton

Kevin Kolb

Sam Bradford

Andy Dalton

Still On The Fence Quarterbacks

These are the quarterbacks that I'm still on the fence about. They have the talent and the ability to win games, but I'm not sure they can carry a team for the next 10 years. They have shown flashes of brilliance, but then they'll do something that will give you nightmares. They have to prove more, but they're young, so they have the time to do so.

Tim Tebow

Blaine Gabbert

Colt McCoy

Christian Ponder

Alex Smith

Help, I Need a Quarterback

These are the teams that absolutely need a quarterback, as the situation they're currently in is not going anywhere. These are only the teams that have no answer whatsoever at the quarterback position. There is not one person on that depth chart that has a chance to play the position long-term. These are the few teams that need help right away.

Washington

Seattle

Kansas City

Oakland

Miami (Still iffy with Matt Moore)

Tennessee

Now, that is only five teams that are in desperate need of a quarterback and have no chance of success with the players that are on their roster. Not bad out of 32 teams.

Now, factor in the amount of quality quarterbacks that will be in the upcoming NFL draft. The answer is exactly five. Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley, Robert Griffin, Landry Jones and Ryan Tannehill. 

All five of those rookies could come into the league right now and give all five of those teams hope at the quarterback position. It may take them a year or two to fulfill their full potential, but they have all of the goods to be solid, if not great, at the next level.

I'm not sure this has ever happened before in the history of the NFL, where every team in the league could possibly be 100 percent comfortable with the quarterback they have.

Only time will tell, but I'd say the NFL is very deep at the quarterback position.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]