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[michael89156]

Ranking the NFC South QBs

 February, 1, 2012

 Source:   ESPN
By Pat Yasinskas
 
Check out this Insider post by Trent Dilfer. He ranks the NFL’s quarterbacks, starters and even some backups, although Jimmy Clausen didn’t quite make the list.
 
Dilfer breaks the quarterbacks down into seven categories and I don’t think anyone will be surprised to hear that he’s got Drew Brees in his “Hall of Fame’’ category. There’s little doubt Brees will be in the Hall of Fame someday, and there’s absolutely no doubt he’s one of the league’s top two or three quarterbacks these days.
 
I think even fans of other teams freely will admit Brees is the NFC South’s best quarterback. That brings us to the quarterbacks of the other NFC South teams and how they fared in Dilfer’s rankings.
 
Two categories down, Dilfer includes Atlanta’s Matt Ryan in his “A Ring Away’’ category. He has Ryan grouped with guys like Philip Rivers, Joe Flacco, Tony Romo and Matthew Stafford.
 
The next category down is “Mostly Good’’ and that’s where Dilfer has Carolina’s Cam Newton and Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman. They’re grouped with guys like Michael Vick, Andy Dalton and Carson Palmer.
 
Overall, I’ve got no issues with Dilfer’s list. I’m often asked in chats to rank the four NFC South quarterbacks. During last season, I tried to stay away from picking between Ryan and Newton as the No. 2 quarterback in the division. That’s mainly because Ryan and Newton are completely different quarterbacks. It also was because we were watching Newton evolve in his rookie season and there were changes in his level of play (usually for the better) just about every week.
 
But, since the season is over and since we’re on the topic, I’ll go ahead and reveal my rankings of the four NFC South quarterbacks. I’ll go in the same order Dilfer did.
 
We already addressed Brees and we’ll finish with Freeman. But why am I taking Ryan over Newton? First off, I’m only taking Ryan slightly over Newton. He’s been in the league for four years and has won each of those seasons. He hasn’t won big yet, but he may. Newton has way more upside than Ryan, but he’s not a finished product yet. A year from now, I might be sitting here writing that Newton is way better than Ryan. Heck, I might even be writing Newton is better than Brees.
 
He’s got that kind of upside. But he’s only played one season and only won six games. Let’s see a little more of Newton.
 
That brings us to Freeman. At the start of this past season, I thought Freeman had a chance to jump over Ryan into the No. 2 spot. That obviously didn’t happen and Freeman tumbled to No. 4 in the division. But Dilfer wrote that he still thinks Freeman can become elite. I agree totally.
 
Yes, Freeman had a bad 2011 season and some of the blame falls on him for that. But I put more blame on his coaching and supporting cast. I think the talent is there and Freeman can bounce back in 2012.
 
Anyway, those are my rankings at the moment. I know they’re open to debate.

[JDouble]

After carrying the team in 2010 and looking amazing, Freeman had a horrible year this year on a horribly unprepared team with horrible coaching. One great year. One horrible year.....and yet I read dozens of posts everyday from so called Buc fans that swear Freeman is average at best, and not the future. It really is crazy how moronic our fan base can be. Glad someone realizes he can still be elite.

[champkind]

After carrying the team in 2010 and looking amazing, Freeman had a horrible year this year on a horribly unprepared team with horrible coaching. One great year. One horrible year.....and yet I read dozens of posts everyday from so called Buc fans that swear Freeman is average at best, and not the future. It really is crazy how moronic our fan base can be. Glad someone realizes he can still be elite.

It shouldn't even be a debate whether he CAN be elite. He already has shown that he can be.  Josh has plenty of time to reach his full potential, and I think the sky is the limit with him. If he ever gets there is open to debate, sure, but whether or not he can should not be.

[tbc_bucs]

One word answer without reading the article or comments.

Yes.

The end.

[Freeman 5]

After carrying the team in 2010 and looking amazing, Freeman had a horrible year this year on a horribly unprepared team with horrible coaching. One great year. One horrible year.....and yet I read dozens of posts everyday from so called Buc fans that swear Freeman is average at best, and not the future. It really is crazy how moronic our fan base can be. Glad someone realizes he can still be elite.

+1

[sharp2325]

Can Freeman be Elite....maybe. Will he be elite....maybe. It really comes down to what one believes elite means. I picture elite as Brady,Brees, Rodgers, Both Manning's. Some of the older guys like Elway, Marino, Farve and Young. I think Freeman will be a good. What will hold Freeman back is his accuracy and decision making if it doesn't get better. Two things that aren't coachable. You have to have it. Now before you guys bash me and say I am not a fan, I want him to succeed. I just see those as two flaws that seperate good QB's and Elite QB's.

[The Anti-Java]

I say yes.   Dilfer loves Freeman, talks him up whenever he gets a chance.   It's going to be a big season for #5.

[BucsFan4090]

I am not trying to play devil's advocate but last year Freeman had probably about 10 balls that were straight in the defenders hands and they dropped them. This year they didn't drop them but last years amazing 25:6 ratio could have not been as special.

But then again you can probably deduct about 10 ints this year that was caused by Winslow lol.

[warrenfb12]

After carrying the team in 2010 and looking amazing, Freeman had a horrible year this year on a horribly unprepared team with horrible coaching. One great year. One horrible year.....and yet I read dozens of posts everyday from so called Buc fans that swear Freeman is average at best, and not the future. It really is crazy how moronic our fan base can be. Glad someone realizes he can still be elite.

IMO, his pocket presence was much improved. Also, I believe his completion percentage went up. I understand the rest of the stats were bad, but I believe he will bounce back.

[mrchillwill]

But then again you can probably deduct about 10 ints this year that was caused by Winslow lol.

winslow is not the QB

[Bucfan40]

He's had one great year (although yardage was pretty bleh and compared to this year, TDs weren't overly special) and one year where argument could be made that he was the worst QB in the league aside from Gabbert (who won more games). Even them out and he's pretty average.

[sharp2325]

He will no doubt have a better year this year. His completion percentage went up because he didn't throw the friggin ball farther then 5 yards down field. So that is a bogus stat. But with better coaching hopefully Freeman rebounds. I predict he will throw 24 TD's next year and 12 INT's.

[The Anti-Java]

But then again you can probably deduct about 10 ints this year that was caused by Winslow lol.

winslow is not the QB

WR's and TE's can't cause picks?

[BucsFan4090]

But then again you can probably deduct about 10 ints this year that was caused by Winslow lol.

winslow is not the QB

When winslow gives up/tries to be stupid/bats the ball off his fingers etc it really is his fault. Its a receivers duty that if he can't catch the ball then nobody should. trying to catch it with one hand over the middle of the field usually ends up badly for the offense.

[mrchillwill]

But then again you can probably deduct about 10 ints this year that was caused by Winslow lol.

winslow is not the QB

When winslow gives up/tries to be stupid/bats the ball off his fingers etc it really is his fault. Its a receivers duty that if he can't catch the ball then nobody should. trying to catch it with one hand over the middle of the field usually ends up badly for the offense.

if thats the case then you have to blame williams, benn and winslow altogether.