Ranking NFL starting quarterbacks as per John Clayton - Brees third
 

THE ELITE
1. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts

Analysis: At 34, Manning doesn't show any signs of slowing. He sets the agenda for modern NFL quarterbacks with the no-huddle and three-receiver offenses and generates 12-win seasons as easily as he completes passes. Under Manning, the Colts have won 12 or more games for seven consecutive seasons.
Arrow is pointing: Up

2. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Analysis: I resisted the urge to put Drew Brees ahead of him, but Brady, with three Super Bowl rings, is still the master. The knee injury slowed him a little in 2009 (4,398 yards, 28 TD passes), but I expect his numbers to be much better this season.
Arrow is pointing: Flat

3. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

Analysis: The combination of Brees and Sean Payton is scary. Brees is a master at finding the open receiver, and Payton is one of the best playcallers in the business.
Arrow is pointing: Up

4. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Analysis: With two Super Bowl rings, Roethlisberger ranks with the elite of the elite quarterbacks in the league. His suspension is a wakeup call, but as a quarterback, he's almost impossible to stop when he rolls out of the pocket and when the game is on the line in the fourth quarter.
Arrow is pointing: Flat

5. Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings

Analysis: It's amazing to think Favre had his best season at age 40. Even though he says this is his final year, Favre loves the game and can still play it at a high level.
Arrow is pointing: Slightly down

From Peyton Manning to Jake Delhomme, ESPN's John Clayton ranks the NFL's starting QBs - ESPN

Drew will need another ring to pass Brady and Manning

what a bogus list.

brees set the completion % record, won a super bowl and led his team like a fearless general.

bogus list, the end.

clayton looks like an orange on toothpick so i cannot respect his opinion. brady hasnt been brady in 2 or 3 years. manning...yes the guy is good but he whines too much for me.

plus i bet clayton has never put football pads on in his life in fear of snapping his pencil neck

Yeah, whatever...

Mickey just needs to get the contract ready and pay the man!

At the current stages in their careers, I would agree with the top 3 on this list. I'm a Saints fan, so of course I would love to see Brees at the top of every list there is, but Manning is a stat beast, and Brady has 3 rings, compared to Brees' one. This list is not that bad really. The top 3 anyway.

He's trying to base it off of accolades over a career and mix in the the present day climate. If it's on accolades the list is dead on but right now Brees is the top QB. Everyone knows he was the MVP of the leauge and obviously the SB last season, he doesn't have any nagging injuries, and his receivers overall are better than what any QB has at his disposal.

Breesus for President!..Clayton for toilet scrubber...

Brees and Aaron Rodgers are the top 2 QB's in the league with Manning in third place. Rapethlisberger and Farve should not be anywhere near the top.

Agreed ... I've been a Saints fan my whole life, but let's be objective here and not subjective ... Brees isn't the best, but he'll get there --- Just sit back and watch.

This is how I look at it. If you are talking career, then I would have to agree with the top three (that hurt me just saying that) but if you look at it ever since Brees has joined the Saints, well there is a clear winner for me. If you are just talking Quarterback, not team wins, then for me it has to be Drew Brees. He has done more than any other Quarterback, so there!

Clayton is stupid

http://www.southparkstudios.com/img/...acters/49a.gif

I cannot really argue with the top 5 on the list. No issues with putting Brees at 3. Seriously, he is not going to top Manning when it comes to career numbers. Could possibly get by Brady, especially with another Super Bowl win and Brady continues to decline. (Yes, I agree Brady is not playing as well as he did a couple years ago).

this isnt the lifetime achievement awards...this is the rank for this year. i would take brees over all of them right now. hes peaking , brady not so much

I really agree - Drew needs another ring. He should have been the League MVP last year but I am sure he his happy with his Super Bowl MVP award.:mrgreen:

Nice pic.... I knew it came from Southpark .... and it does look like John Clayton.

As far as who is the best atm, its Brees, Brady and Manning are best career-wise, but Brees is closing the gap, fast.

I agree on the Brady part. He isn't the "dynamic force" that he was three years ago. He's just been mediocre. Granted, he came off knee surgery a year ago, but he hasn't been the same since. So I agree with that.

:itsgood:

Pay the man Mickey just pay the man..Guy was born a leader