Ranking the QBs -- AFC East

by killascript on May 15, 2009 1:07 AM EDT Comment 49 comments

The quarterbacks in the AFC East are no different than any other division; the better the play at quarterback, the better the team and for the most part, the better division ranking. He's a closer look.

via blog.pigskinpundits.com

1. Tom Brady -- New England Patriots - Tall and limitedly mobile, Brady throws a very nice ball. His throwing motion, is also just nice. But Brady excels at carving up the defense, as well as hitting the short passes. Swing passes and slants seem to set him up greatly for success. He is an excellent leader at his prime, and at the very top of his personal game, and the entire NFL for elite quarterbacking.

via img.fannation.com

2. Trent Edwards -- Buffalo Bills - Tall and fairly mobile, Edwards still has a young quarterbacks nack to tuck and run and make some significant yardage. He seems to have slightly unique footwork, and throws good, accurate ball many times, but it lacks confidence at times, and his indecisiveness shows with his passes. He has lacked rhythm, and is too safe, but seems to have a good head on his shoulder. He needs to energize the offense and turn into a leader or he will not come near elite status.

via nflplayers.me

3. Chad Pennington -- Miami Dolphins - Little athleticism from Pennington and limited arm strength, have hampered his career, but he can be lethally accurate, and knows when and where to throw,as good as any QB, but either has suffered from a bad team, or has been let down by his own physical limitations, which have included a laundry list of shoulder injury. A strong leader, he has hit, and passed his peak, and his decline will be more evident as every season passes, possibly every game.

via i.cdn.turner.com

4. Kellen Clemens -- New York Jets - Unfortuantely, the rookie incumbent Mark Sanchez has been drafted, and will most likely be squeezed into the starting position, but it is my opinion that it will be lead to failure. And because I Sanchez has not played, I can't speak of his pro play. I also didn't hate what I saw of Clemens a couple years ago. He has a strong arm, has a good physique, and is still an unkown commodity in many ways. Because of his long absence from the field, it is hard for me to gauge his mental grasp of the game.

I predict that the ranking of these QBs will reflect the pecking order in the division. Second place does not guarantee a playoff berth for the Bills, but it gives a chance. Hopefully some parity, and mediocre records across the conference, will get 9-7 a playoff berth, but my guess is if Trent Edwards can't bring our team 10 wins, and that is what I believe he has to do, then we will not make the playoffs. The QB has to lead his team to the next level. If he steps up, I am confident the team will rise with him. If he fails, our team will not be up to the task, and will fall below .500 for the fourth straight year.

This FanPost was written by a registered user of Buffalo Rumblings. Its views do not necessarily reflect the views of Rumblings' editorial staff, but are just as valued as our own.

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division wins!

i guess the place to start is by winning division games at home. Stealing some on the road might be asking too much at this point. But with TO and Lee Evans, I’d say Trent Edwards is poised to break a game wide open at any time so you never know.

Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.

by poz on May 15, 2009 1:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I have a hard time thinking that Edwards is better than Pennington. Chad had the second highest QB rating in the NFL last season. He averaged 7.7 yards per pass and threw more TDs than Trent has in his 24 NFL games. Pennington is only 33 and coming off the best season of his career, so I’m not sure why you say he is in decline when he should be good for a few more seasons.

by kaisertown on May 15, 2009 2:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah.

At this point Pennington has to be ahead of Edwards. No question.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 15, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

To me Edwards is the more talented and better QB, and I don’t Pennington repeating his success. I also tried not eliminate stats from the equation, and thinking more about ability mixed with a bit of a prediction for 2009 success

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on May 15, 2009 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But how can you even say that?

Pennington has been to the playoffs and is one of the most accurate QBs in NFL history. Trent Edwards has thrown for as many TDs as he has interceptions. Edwards threw for almost 2700 yards last year compared to Pennington’s 3650. It’s clear he is the better QB at this point even if you think he will have a drop off.

I love Trent but he has not done anything to warrant being higher on the list than Chad.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 15, 2009 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just see him being better based on his how he throws and his potential for 2009

I mean, if you were to rank all the QBs in the NFL, you’d have to put players in an order based on more than just stats. For instance, you’d put Manning ahead of Brees perhaps, or maybe some would put Brady ahead of Manning, or vice versa…some QBs, I don’t like their throwing motion, or I don’t see any upside to them. This is based on who i would want starting for my team.
A few years ago, before the season when Culpepper was in Miami and Pennington on the Jets, I would have had JP last, Culpepper second, Pennigton third and Brady at the top. Its as much about taste as it is about production.
In the NFC North for instance, I would have Tavaris Jackson/Sage Rosenfels last, with Stafford third, Rodgers second and Cutler first. Thats just how I see it. I know I put a rookie above a vet there, but thats because I like Stafford more than Sanchez, and find the whole move by the Jets very perplexing…outside of the business end of it. Anyway, this is just my opinion

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on May 15, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right.

Obviously stats aren’t the only decision-making tool. Pennington is a better decision maker than Edwards at this point. He gets rid of the ball quickly and usually to the right spot. If you asked anybody on any SBN blog not named Buffalo Rumblings they would have Pennington far higher than Edwards, personal taste aside.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 15, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pennington has never had two good seasons back to back

Not that that is an indicator one way or the other, but in his career for every good year, there’s a forgettable and/or bad year. Also, by the end of the season his performance tailed off.

It just hit me how many question marks ALL of the AFC East teams have at the QB position.

1. Brady – What will we see? Is it too soon for him to come back? Should be a competitive Bills v Patriots on MNF for once.
2. Pennington – Can he put up the same numbers as last year? Can he stay healthy? Will his noodle slinging catch up to him?
3. Edwards – Can he stay healthy? Can he take what the defense gives instead of forcing the ball into 8 man coverage? Audible to runs?
4. NYJ QB – Who will win the starting job? Who will they throw to? Will their O-Line hold up?

by syrbillsfan on May 15, 2009 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trent has proven little in this league.

He has to be third. Whoever ends up the starter in NY will have even less experience so they can be fourth.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 15, 2009 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

we'll see what happens

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on May 15, 2009 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

I might even say -

1. Pennington – Currently not coming off of injury and had a good year last year
2. Brady – He has to start here, if only for questions about his coming off knee injury, missing almost an entire year.
3. Edwards – Like Matt says above, he hasn’t proven anything, but shows promise. Also, MI noticed that Matt has been more realistic than optimist lately. I think he needs a little live football to watch to bring him around.
4. NYJ QB – Poor sap.

by syrbillsfan on May 15, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey I am hopeful that Trent will be better.

But you can’t put aside what you’ve seen and say that he will be better.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 15, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about this outlook -

Given the talent on the Bills offensive roster, it is promising that Edwards was able to achieve what he has achieved. If the offseason moves by the Bills work out, we should be pleasantly surprised. I tend to believe that things WILL work out, but of course I can’t be sure. It is the Bills we are talking about. I have to approach the season with a lot of fervor so I can blind myself to all of the bad things that happen once the season begins. This is the first year in many years that the Bills seem to have approached their weaknesses in a systematic and constructive fashion, so I hope it pans out. There was not one move this off-season that really left me scratching my head. There was no panic, even with the Peters situation. That, I think, is a good sign.

by syrbillsfan on May 15, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Look, I am talking physical tools, how the QB throws the ball and where they are in their careers. I think Trent throws a better ball than Pennigton, and has the mental capacity adn accuracy to be better than him in 09. At the beginning of 08 I would have put Pennington at 2, its that simple. I like Pennington and thought it was a steal last year for Miami to land him, but I would rather have trent

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on May 15, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m with you. I’ve had to knock my unbridled optimism down a notch or two of late. As far as pre-season ranks go, you have to consider where they were at at the end of last year. AS far as a “potential” meter, Trent would top the list, in my opinion.

by syrbillsfan on May 15, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s true that Pennington has never really put two good seasons together in back to back years. I’ve still gotta put him ahead of Edwards though. Edwards has one decent season under his belt and his rookie year was solid given the circumstances, but Pennington has had a really nice career and I still think he’s got plenty left in the tank.

Here’s Pennington’s stats: http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1256/Chad_Pennington/career

He really never has had two truly good seasons in back to back years. Interesting.

by kaisertown on May 15, 2009 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think I read about it in an article somewhere. It really is kind of an enigma. Maybe the Dolphins should sign Testeverde just in case. And Jumbo Elliot. Does anyone remeber the Jumbo Elliott MNF game? Jets v Dolphins, I believe it was the longest MNF game ever.

by syrbillsfan on May 15, 2009 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe the Dolphins should sign Testeverde just in case. And Jumbo Elliot.

Nice.

by kaisertown on May 15, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pennington has never had two good seasons back to back

And neither has Trent, so what’s your point?

by CanadianBillsFan on May 16, 2009 2:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Totally agreed. I would have put Pennington at #2 asw well. Trent may have more upside and a stronger arm (then again so do I) then Chad, but as a whole, Chad is the superior QB. Youd don’t win a division with a weak QB… unless your the Ravens or Bucs.

by CanadianBillsFan on May 16, 2009 2:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How can a rookie be an incumbent?

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 15, 2009 9:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Because to me the Jets have already penciled him in as the starter, from the owner’s box, so it is as if he is already the starter, which I think is dumb.

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on May 15, 2009 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to be stickler-ish with wordage

But incumbent is typically a word used to describe someone who is returning for another crack at their job. That’s not really the same, thus the question. Sorry if that seems to insult your intelligence. We know what you mean.

by Dyl on May 19, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That last bit came off a little snarky

Stupid inflection-less online communication. :)

by Dyl on May 19, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

concurred

These rankings are right on the money. Football fans and analysts are so short-sighted and are horribly wrong each and every year in predictions because they place too much emphasis on the previous year’s performance. Such predictions are impossible anyway, but the guarantee is that at least half the people who had a great year, but have otherwise been very mediocre and unimpressive, will falter again. I’m sure I could make a huge list of craptastic players who had one or two very solid years. In my opinion, Pennington’s good year was last year; he’ll either get injured again or will start making poor decisions with the football frequently like he has done in the past.

The fact that analysts place way too much emphasis on one year of play is perfectly exemplified by everyone’s love fest with the all-of-a-sudden elite team, the Falcons. The Falcons made a stunning jump last year, no doubt about that and I think Matt Ryan will be the real deal, but I also think he is going to struggle (e.g., what if Turner is hurt? or teams start stopping the run effectively?). Ditto on Flacco.

The most-mind-boggling thing to me though was all the teams interested in giving up an arm and a leg for Matt Cassel. Seriously? He is a smart quarterback who can play well if placed in a good offense, but obviously most teams don’t have as good an offense as NE adn certainly don’t have the quality of coaches. It took NE a few games to get a scheme that worked for Cassel, but after that he was just racking up wins and yardage on simple bubble screens because the Patriots offense is that good, and their coaches could probably put up wins with Argonauts. Pennington’s success last year I think was a product of the scheme as well. But unlike Pennington, Cassel is no longer in that scheme, he’s no longer on an unstoppable team; in fact, he’s on one of the worst teams in the league. I know most people would not agree, but I predict Cassel will again be relegated to a back-up role by the end of the 09 season.

by thejimbo on May 15, 2009 10:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Fact is

In the NFC South, I would say Matt Ryan is my second favorite QB behind Brees, then you have DElhomme, and then whoever the Bucs plan on playing.
But yeah, this is just an opinion, and its who I like…not so much what they’ve done.
So I guess, in brief

AFC East — Brady, Edwards, Pennington, Clemens/Sanchez
AFC South — Manning, Collins, Gerrard, Schaub
AFC North — Roethlisberger, Palmer, Quinn, Flacco
AFC West — Rivers, Orton, Cassel, Russell

NFC East — McNabb, Mannnig, Romo, Campbell
NFC South — Brees, Ryan, Delhomme, Freeman
NFC North — Cutler, Rodgers, Stafford, Jackson/Rosenfels
NFC West — Warner, Hasselbeck, Bulger, Hill/Smith

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on May 15, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another one...

I understand Quinn and Flacco are close but Quinn has done virtually nothign at this level while Flacco has at least proven he can get the job done most of the time.

How bad does the AFC west look?

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 15, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

Flacco and Quinn are close, but this is mere opinion and I still think Flacco was carried into the playoffs, not the other way around. However, I do like Flacco adn think he can be good, i have just been a big Brady Quinn fan for a while and think he should be starting.

The AFC West is in trouble…but I do like Rivers. Two years ago I thought Orton was a joke, I don’t believe in Cassel or Russell.

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on May 15, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This might be an interesting discussion in itself.

Brady, Pennington, Edwards, Clemens/Sanchez
Manning, Collins, Garrard, Schaub
Roethlisberger, Flacco, Palmer, Quinn
Rivers, Cassel, Orton, Russell

McNabb, Manning, Romo, Campbell
Brees, Ryan, Delhomme, Freeman
Cutler, Rodgers, Jackson/Rosenfels, Stafford
Warner, Hasselbeck, Hill/Bulger, Bulger/Smith

by Dyl on May 19, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

about Cassel, I don’t think he’ll necessarily end up as a backup again, but I totally agree that he’s not the superstar he’s being made out to be.

by thefourwinds on May 18, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Scott Mitchell

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 18, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow, I love this call!

Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.

by poz on May 19, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, Mitchell once had 33 or 36 touchdown passes.

1996 I think it was.

by Dyl on May 19, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I should be clearer and say that if Cassel does become a backup again, it will probably take longer than this season, IMO.

by thefourwinds on May 18, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

One of the most common mistakes I read on this site.

I know I am not the only one who is a stickler for details around here. Sometimes I feel like I should let these things go when I read them but I can’t be quiet on this one.

PARODY=1 : a literary or musical work in which the style of an author or work is closely imitated for comic effect or in ridicule 2 : a feeble or ridiculous imitation (ie. “Weird” Al Yankovic)

What you meant was:

PARITY= 1: the quality or state of being equal or equivalent

I fully accept all of the ribbing that comes my way. I am not insulted by being called a nerd or dork. For a while now I have thought there needs to be a rumblings grammar police, MRW would you care to join me?

I'll donate $1 to help Mary Wilson pay the estate tax...who's with me?!?

by O.J. Is My Bodyguard on May 15, 2009 12:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ha.

I ruffle enough feathers and am not perfect with my grammar. I’ll let you handle it.

My biggest pet peeves, and Brian has said this before as well, are the differences in “to-too-two” and “their-there-they’re”.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 15, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget your-you're :)

by Dyl on May 19, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

fixed it OJ

Just trying to type some ideas quickly at 1 am…

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on May 15, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks

I can appreciate that. I have been on here many a late night.

I'll donate $1 to help Mary Wilson pay the estate tax...who's with me?!?

by O.J. Is My Bodyguard on May 15, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m a writer and editor, having learned to ignore the grammatical inabilities faced by some here. We all come from different walks of life and i’ll be the first to admit that I can’t computate adeptly without a handy dandy electronic adding machine. =)

"It's not delivery, it's DiGiorgio!"

by TheAfghanTwilight on May 15, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can relate

My mom was an English major and my fiance is also an editor so every time I see a grammatical inaccuracy I hear a little voice in my head. Most of them I ignore but this one was a big difference in meaning. I still do a double every time I see a post by one of our brethren North of the border that includes a word like “centre”.

I'll donate $1 to help Mary Wilson pay the estate tax...who's with me?!?

by O.J. Is My Bodyguard on May 15, 2009 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

killa – can you please change CP to the ’Phin’s? please and thanks!

Silence is golden but duck tape is silver

by J2 on May 15, 2009 3:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Look at this division as though you're not a Bills fan.

How do things look then?

"It's not delivery, it's DiGiorgio!"

by TheAfghanTwilight on May 15, 2009 4:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

well – i’d say the AFCE is going to be very competitive and one of the best divisions in football so declaring a winner will be tough – but the Pats have the upper hand.

As far as the other 3 teams – anything can happen – should be interesting and fun to watch thats for sure.

Silence is golden but duck tape is silver

by J2 on May 15, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tough division

But until I see it with Brady on the field (the Pats getting handled that is) its the Pats division to lose and unless the other teams rise above, they will reach double digit wins and a division title…possibly home field in playoffs…its as good a guess as any

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on May 16, 2009 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pennington

Hard to not put Pennington above Edwards. How many times has Pennington made the playoffs in the years Buffalo hasn’t? Last year was an enigma b/c for most of the year he could do no wrong, but he also gives you a chance to win every game. Edwards CAN do that, but right now, he isn’t as consistently pulling those games out, and until he does, he has to be third. If the Bills make the playoffs this year, you can put him second, but to do so now would be premature.

by bluecollarbuffalo on May 16, 2009 7:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I merely like how he throws better

In fact most of the rankings I threw up here are based on that…how the guys barks signals, takes a snap, drops back, and throws the ball.

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on May 16, 2009 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I had to choose...

Right now, this season, I’d take Pennington over Edwards. That’s purely based on the present as I believe Edwards has the potential to be a much better QB in the long run, but he’s got a ways to go before he has what Pennington has as far as decision making and experience.

I hope that by the end of this year the consensus is that Trent is the #2 QB in the AFC East! (even better if he was #1 but we’d need another Brady injury and I’d never hope for that…).

by BuffaloWill on May 16, 2009 12:25 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs