Of course, my answer is no, so here’s my list of corrections to Marc Sessler’s article on NFL.com:
First, concerning methodology, Sessler limits himself to quarterbacks drafted in the first round in the last ten years. That should clear up some confusion and points of conflict. Of course, I ‘ve published my opinion here, so feel free to counter with your own opinion and some explanation of why. Cheers.
(Note, all analyses are as per the moment.)
To be especially clear, Marc Sessler’s question is: “You’re an NFL general manager. Who do you want leading your team?”
1. Aaron Rodgers, #24 in 2005 by Green Bay.
Seriously, I understand Big Ben has played in more Super Bowls, but his style of play is starting to take the toll on his body I expected from early on.
Who do I want leading my team? I can’t be unbiased here, Ben has displayed some horrific decision-making in recent years off the field and his style of play is shortening his career.
Rodgers on the other hand, despite some concussion issues, is able to lead an offense despite a shaky offensive line with no semblance of a consistent running game. That he could keep a team with a bottom 30 defense in contention is impressive. The Giants game showed clearly how much the Pack relies on Rodgers’ super human output.
2. Eli Manning, #1 in 2004 by San Diego.
For an Eli hater to have to make this choice shows how good he is. His career had a slow start, but two Super Bowls coming from the NFC East and twice not only drawing but beating Tom Brady is very impressive. If I have to pay a guy to lead my franchise, Eli is my #2 of those available here.
3. Ben Roethlisberger, #11 in 2004 by Pittsburgh.
Drafting retroactively, I have to give him credit here. Dominating the Baltimore rivalry until recently has been impressive, frustrating, but impressive. While I have little respect for Ben as a human being, I hope that changes for his sake not mine, I ‘d give him a chance to lead my franchise. I just don’t feel great about it.
4. Cam Newton, #1 in 2011 by Carolina.
This is entirely based off last year’s performance. He’s already lifted that team farther than expected and showed that he has to be accounted for both as a passer and a runner. Big Ben at #11 or Cam at #1. Ben has the rings, so he gets the nod.
5. Carson Palmer, #1 in 2003 by Cincinnati.
This is based on the pre-injury Carson. I ‘m still ticked at what von Oehlhoffen was able to get away with in that game. Palmer was clearly being targeted. Anyway, for years Carson produced where many of these other quarterbacks might not have been able to.
6. Matthew Stafford, #1 in 2009 by Detroit.
If he could ever put together a truly healthy season…
7. Jay Cutler, #11 in 2006 by Denver.
He’s really vulnerable to the ‘guy who quits on his team’ accusation and I ‘ve never liked him personally, but I ‘d still give him a chance before I handed the keys over to Philip Rivers.
8. Philip Rivers, #4 in 2004 by the Giants.
Eli was right to avoid the Chargers’ franchise. I don’t have the slightest clue why A.J. Smith still has a job. Rivers had an awful year last year and in his prime was never able to bring it home despite a weak division. He’s benefited from several years with big targets, but doesn’t win in the playoffs. Give me Drew Brees any day over Rivers.
Clearly Sessler’s #4 does n’t sit any better with me than does Ben’s #1 overall selection.
9. Joe Flacco, #18 in 2008 by Baltimore.
Has been to the playoffs every year since being drafted and has managed to do everything but get to the big dance. Sure, he threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Lee Evans but what I walked away from this past year’s playoffs with was awe that Flacco could demonstrably outplay Brady despite a superhuman performance by Vince Wilfork.
10. Sam Bradford, #1 in 2010 by St. Louis.
I’m rather unimpressed by my other options at this point, so I’ll accept the adequate performance of Bradford.
11. Matt Ryan, #3 in 2008 by Atlanta.
Way overrated at #6, ‘Matty Ice’ (whose playoff performances have been dreadful…he’s sort of the anti-Mark Sanchez) benefits from the fact that I again don’t like my options. Then again, I ‘m not the type to draft the quarterback in my top-5 unless your last name is Manning (or Luck).
12. Alex Smith, #1 in 2005 by San Francisco.
Here’s hoping that Smith can keep the momentum from last season.
13. Jason Campbell, #25 in 2005 by Washington.
He picked the wrong year to go undefeated in the SEC, then suffered from dropped passes and revolving doors at head coach and offensive coordinator. He had Oakland humming last year until his injury. He still deserves a shot to lead an NFL passing attack.
14. Josh Freeman, #14 in 2009 by Tampa Bay.
Although he took a step backward last year, I ‘d still rather develop him than hitch my franchise’s hopes on Matt Ryan. Value-wise though, this is the right call.
15. David Carr, #1 in 2002 by Houston.
Suffered from a horrific offensive line for years which led to many concussions and finally, Carr carrying a clipboard. He deserved another chance and I’d still take a chance on him over some of my other options.
16. Vince Young, #3 in 2006 by Tennessee.
Needed to demonstrate some maturity and didn’t. By this point, I’m probably not drafting any of these players in the first round, except for Joey Harrington. That one I was wrong on years ago and would still be wrong on now.
17. Byron Leftwich, #7 in 2003 by Jacksonville.
His wind-up really cost him, but he led a good attack for a few years. That can’t be said of Sanchez, Grossman, or Tebow.
18. Rex Grossman, #22 in 2003 by Chicago.
The unfortunate opponent of Peyton Manning’s Colts in his only Super Bowl appearance, Grossman was one of the few relatively successful Spurrier quarterback products.
19. Joey Harrington, #3 in 2002 by Detroit.
Again, this is the byproduct of circumstances as in the case with David Carr. He gets a second chance before the Sanchize gets a first.
20. Tim Tebow, #25 in 2010 by Denver.
He should n’t have been a first round pick, but his production in the playoffs was undeniable. I ‘m not hitching up to the wagon, but he gets a chance to lead my franchise before Sanchez or Leinart does after what they have failed to show.
21. Mark Sanchez, #5 in 2009 by New Jersey.
I expected better from him, but he’s seriously underperformed. Otherwise, he’s not waiting for Tim Tebow to take over. I don’t see how he comes in as high as #12 on their list.
22. Kyle Boller, #19 in 2003 by Baltimore.
Like Tebow and Sanchez…he’s not deserving of a starting spot on an NFL roster.
23. Patrick Ramsey, #32 in 2002 by Washington.
24. Matt Leinart, #10 in 2006 by Arizona.
Should’ve come out of school a year earlier…and should’ve managed to grab the reigns from Kurt Warner…or stayed healthy for Houston. He’s pretty much out of chances now.
25. Brady Quinn, #22 in 2007 by Cleveland.
I had no confidence in this pick at the time.
26. J.P. Losman, #22 in 2004 by Buffalo.
Yeah, he’s lucky that #27 flamed out or he’d have the ignominious position of last. Instead it goes to…
27. JaMarcus Russell, #1 in 2007 by Oakland.
At least he managed to get Lane Kiffen kicked out of the NFL and was the subject of some interesting defenses by Al Davis. Immensely talented…but he totally wasted that chance.
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