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Around The AFC East: Ranking the quarterbacks

Training camp is just around the corner.  And because of that, this will be the final installment of our weekly offseason feature.  To close things out, we're going to rank each of the four teams based on their quarterback situations.

My rankings are below.  Also be sure to head over to Buffalo Rumblings, Gang Green Nation, and Pats Pulpit to see how they ranked each of the AFC East teams.

MATTY'S QB RANKINGS

1. New England Patriots

This might be the most painful one I'e had to write simply because I don't think Tom Brady is the greatest thing to ever happen to the NFL like the media wants you to believe.  Is he good?  Of course he's good.  He's great.  But I also believe he's a product of the system to a certain extent.  Now that's not to take away from what he has accomplished.  But if the system didn't have some to do with Brady's success, then I guess Matt Cassel is also going to be very good or great.  And I'm not holding my breath on that one.

Behind Brady are a bunch of question marks.  I liked Kevin O'Connell a lot coming out of college but we don't really know what he is or what he can be if he was forced to play due to injuries.  Matt Gutierrez is the other QB on the roster and he's an average backup at best.  But the Pats do have a history of getting good QB play regardless of who it is, so you have to give this coaching staff credit, too.  After all, nobody thought Cassel would play as well as he did last year when he originally took over.  Perhaps O'Connell could do a similar job if he was forced to.

2. Miami Dolphins

Again, this one is also a no-brainer.  Chad Pennington was simply outstanding last season - both in terms of his on-field production as well as his locker room leadership.  On the field, he was 9th in passing yards, 1st in completion percentage, and 2nd in QB rating.  But we all know he was much more than that.  He was the leader of this offense.  He's one of the main reasons the Dolphins had their miraculous 2008 turnaround.  And everyone took notice of what he meant to the Dolphins - exemplified by his 2nd place finish in MVP voting last season.

Pennington is also the ideal mentor to the team's QB of the future - Chad Henne.  But Henne, like any other young QB with limited or no "real" experience, is far from a safe bet.  I think he's going to be very good.  But it's impossible to say that with any certainty.  But I do think he's got more talent than the other backups in this division - guys like Kevin O'Connell, Mark Sanchez, and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

And we also can't forget about Pat White.  He's probably as talented a 3rd QB as there is in the league.  Whether that translates to the NFL, we'll find out eventually.  But it's hard to say that, top to bottom, the Dolphins don't have a very good group of quarterbacks.  You might even be able to make the case that the Dolphins should be ranked #1 on this list because of the talent they have at QB from one to three.  But assuming Brady is healthy, I just can't bring myself to do it.

Star-divide

3. Buffalo Bills

For some reason, the media seems to be all over Trent Edwards this year.  Granted - the arrival of Terrell Owens gives the Bills a dynamic group of receivers for Edwards to throw to.  And Edwards has shown some flashes.  But he's also had his fair share of poor performances.  Truth be told, I really don't know what Edwards will be.  But this is probably his make-or-break year, that's for sure.

Behind Edwards is former Rams backup Ryan Fitzpatrick.  The Harvard grad hasn't been terrible in his career.  I still think back to his first game back in 2005 with the Rams when he threw for 310 yards and 3 touchdowns in a win over Houston.  But that's basically been his major highlight.  He did fill in admirably last year in Cincinnati - completing just under 60% of his passes and throwing for eight touchdowns and nine interceptions.  At least you can say their backup has some real NFL experience.

4. New York Jets

I could blow sunshine up your butt like the media has been doing and talk about how great Mark Sanchez is going to be.  But I won't.  Like I said, we have no idea how good these young quarterbacks with little or no experience (Sanchez, Henne, O'Connel) are going to be.  They could be future stars.  They could be Joey Harrington, Tim Couch, and David Carr.  And when the lone veteran quarterback on your roster is Kellen Clemens, you might be in trouble.

Clemens simply isn't very good.  I've watched almost all of his starts from the 2007 season and I was never impressed.  He ended up with a 2:1 interception to touchdown ratio and completed just 52% of his passes that year.  Most of all, he just looks "pedestrian" on tape when you watch him.  There's nothing that strikes you.  He doesn't carry himself like a leader.  He doesn't have a cannon arm.  He isn't overly accurate.  At least there are potential reasons to get excited over Sanchez.  I see no reason to even look twice at Clemens.

And until Sanchez proves himself, at the cellar of this list is where the Jets will be spending their time.

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CP will have another great year!!

"You are the people you hang out with"

by buckeyebill on Jul 31, 2009 8:11 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

CP10 will overachieve again

…but I still wish we had a true #1 receiver. I wonder if the Tuna would consider (I was gonna say ‘take a shot at’..) Cheddar Bob err-r Plaxico Burress. Just a random thought.

Wide right again! Another graduate of the Norwood school for problematic kickers.....

by PhearThePhinzz on Jul 31, 2009 8:36 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

cheddar bob lol

i don’t think this is an option

Laces out!

-2008 AFC East Champions-
Suck it Pats, Bills and most of all... the god damn jets.

Supporter of the Bash Brothers- Wilson and Bell.

by BSerious72 on Jul 31, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

hahaha great cheddar bob referance

-"No excuses, No explanations"
-Dolphins Bubble > all other bubbles
-Matty's new assistant

by MiamihastheDolphins.... on Jul 31, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Matty, nice post. I completely agree with your statement regarding Tom Brady. Is he a great QB? Yes. Would he be where he is today without Belichek and co. surrounding him? Absolutely not. In the end, it doesn’t really matter because he will go down as one of the greatest QB’s of all time, and deservedly so. But it’s nice to hear someone else bring him down to earth every once and awhile.

For your guys sake, I hope the Dolphins don’t shove CP10 out the door to get an early look at Henne. I personally was never that fond of Henne’s game in college, and that’s not just because I despise Michigan as a PSU fan. But, I’ve been wrong about QBs before.

I also enjoyed this line:

I could blow sunshine up your butt like the media has been doing and talk about how great Mark Sanchez is going to be. But I won’t.

If the glove don’t fit, it couldn’t be Whit...

by thatguy34 on Jul 31, 2009 8:46 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

solid post

couldn’t agree more re: our solid outlook in the QB position from top to bottom

"check that...the 29th of Feb. this year.....why is that the record day for hits? Did Matty have the Kim Kardashian sex tape or something?"
-Treat
"yes he did. and Jersquall recut it to look like Marino was boning her."
-Treasure

by chrislucas on Jul 31, 2009 9:12 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm amused

All the blogs have the same people in the same order and I can’t disagree.
Although I only think that Brady is Very Good and so is Pennington.
I think that Brady wins it on consistency and that is the tie-breaker for me.

I think if we’d have taken it on depth chart, the dolphins should have been on top.

by DickDevil on Jul 31, 2009 9:24 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

No argument here

(Chad * 2) = more depth

I think if the NFL pulled all the starting QB’s and forced teams to use backups, Miami would be in better shape than most.

Blogger at SBNation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit

by MaPatsFan on Jul 31, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

not a bad idea lol we might have to introduce this to the commish

El Peezy... "the Calvin Johnson of rookies.. instant impact" -Prime Time
"el peezy strikes fear in opponent bloggers hearts" -finsx
"El Peezy is a man of the people...Don’t hate the player – hate the game." -KC

by el presidente 00 on Jul 31, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tom Brady

We all as FinsFans have to fight to be neutral in his judgement…

However, saying this guy is very good is a major understatement… System QB? C’mon… this guy has multiple superbowl rings (three out of four, being the forth that bizarre loss to the Giants in which Eli Manning pulled that pass out of his ass…), was contending for one last year before the injury, and should be a contender this year as well…

The guy is a winner… System QB or not, Peyton Manning has the same weapons at his disposal, and chokes all the time…

I just hope our Michigan guy is as good as him… This way I would know for sure we would have a competing QB that could lead us to SBs without CHOKING at critical points, for at least a decade…

I am no Pats fan, I am just realistic… And realistically saying Tom Brady is Very Good, or a system QB is not fair.

Lets pray Henne develops into this guy for us!!!

Tracking the Fins from Rio de Janeiro, the "Cidade Maravilhosa"

by FinsFromBrazil on Jul 31, 2009 9:33 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

the term "system QB" isn't necessarily bad.

Bill Walsh once said that Joe Montana was the product of a system.

And I also do specify that Brady is “great” – not just very good – but he is a product of their system to an extent.

by Matty I on Jul 31, 2009 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I am talking less of the upstairs article, and more of the consistent bashing of Brady...

I will always blindly side with the Fins any given Sunday (or Monday), but rational evaluation calls for impartiallity…

It would be the same to say Danny was weak because he doesnt have a ring… Which we all know that RATIONALLY is not true.

Tracking the Fins from Rio de Janeiro, the "Cidade Maravilhosa"

by FinsFromBrazil on Jul 31, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

All 2mm Phinsider members...

Tracking the Fins from Rio de Janeiro, the "Cidade Maravilhosa"

by FinsFromBrazil on Jul 31, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Exactly

I agree completely with Matty. He’s a very good quarterback who has benefitted immensely from great veteran players around him over his career, often ones like Randy Moss, Rodney Harrison, and others who came to New England simply to try to win a Super Bowl. But I don’t see him as a better quarterback than Manning, Brees, or Rivers, seeing as he has put up a 2:1 TD to INT ratio, but until 2007, had not thrown over 30 TDs in a given season.

Lifetime QB Ratings:
Brady-92.9
Rivers-92.9
Manning-94.7
Brees-89.4, includes two starting seasons with one of the worst teams in football at the time (Chargers)

The Player's Commenter
Big Fan of Tyler Thigpen, the boy from Coastal Carolina
'Phins are gonna go 10-6 this year, but better would be nice!
Member of the "I Hate Emilio Bonerface Club"

by ocelotfox on Jul 31, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

"Dan Marino was a system"

Current Phinsider Feud Points: 23

by Patssuck456 on Jul 31, 2009 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

But it’s hard to say that, top to bottom, the Dolphins don’t have a very good group of quarterbacks.

Its been awhile since we could say that hasnt it?

Current Phinsider Feud Points: 23

by Patssuck456 on Jul 31, 2009 10:27 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I agree 100% with that...

We have good leadership and a steady QB in CP10, we have Henne his arm strenght / experience as a freshman started for a huge college program, and a Joker card in Pat White.

If nothing goes terribly wrong, we should be set.

Tracking the Fins from Rio de Janeiro, the "Cidade Maravilhosa"

by FinsFromBrazil on Jul 31, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree with your assessment

I like Chad Pennington, and I was hoping he would do well for you (just not THAT freaking well), but he was comeback player of the year twice for a reason. He’s had some inconsistency (and not much support from the NYC fan base).

Tom has been consistent. All things being equal (which their not), you’d have to give the nod to Tom.

You guys have a good group of QB’s. I don’t know what O’Connell will end up being, and I hope we don’t find out this year. :) All of the people who’ve seen him practice are impressed.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jul 31, 2009 10:39 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

This was a pretty easy one

As much as I love our QB depth, you can’t put us above N.E. that would be insane. tom Brady has had a great season every one he played in and is a reigning SB MVP, i don’t like him but he singlehandedly deserves this #1 spot all to himself.

Laces out!

-2008 AFC East Champions-
Suck it Pats, Bills and most of all... the god damn jets.

Supporter of the Bash Brothers- Wilson and Bell.

by BSerious72 on Jul 31, 2009 10:53 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

“GRUMBLES” as much as it pains me to say this.. and yes it is like shoving a spoon thru my eye.. but you are right in this assesment.. brady is a great QB.. one of the best..he will be remembered as much by the pats as we the dolphins remember dan..

and to the guy who says we constantly bash brady.. well sure we do we hate thepats..but we also know very well and have stated so many times that brady is a great QB so please step off..

common sence says if you put a stick in it and stirr if it stinks.. stop.. toss the stick and just walk away.

by animal2020 on Jul 31, 2009 11:08 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

The guy that says we constantly bash Brady...

That would be me…

Tracking the Fins from Rio de Janeiro, the "Cidade Maravilhosa"

by FinsFromBrazil on Jul 31, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

heck that is the reason we hate brady so much because he is a great qb and we have to face him twice a year.

common sence says if you put a stick in it and stirr if it stinks.. stop.. toss the stick and just walk away.

by animal2020 on Jul 31, 2009 11:09 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I hate him more... He knocked up our girl...

Tracking the Fins from Rio de Janeiro, the "Cidade Maravilhosa"

by FinsFromBrazil on Jul 31, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

what? he had sex with a girl? i thought he was a girl?? dont that make him gay???

common sence says if you put a stick in it and stirr if it stinks.. stop.. toss the stick and just walk away.

by animal2020 on Jul 31, 2009 11:17 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I also concede that Jason Taylor is a great player.

But Tom Brady, Matt Light, and I all think it sucks that he came back.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jul 31, 2009 11:28 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

You mean that you think it sucks that he told the foreskins to put their $8.5 mil where the sun don't shine (Wash DC)

’cause he wanted $1.5 mil to be able to level Brady multiple times in 2 games this season, instead of going to play for the Brady!

Attorney General of the Matty I Fan Club

by PhinsTifosi on Jul 31, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, that about sums it up.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jul 31, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed

and i believe Tom Brady is a product of the Pats system…just look at one Mr. Cassell…and yes we prob do have the most depth at QB in the entire league

-"No excuses, No explanations"
-Dolphins Bubble > all other bubbles
-Matty's new assistant

by MiamihastheDolphins.... on Jul 31, 2009 11:47 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

good write up

I agree completely. as much as I don’t want Tom Brady to be number one on that list, he is for very good reasons. Maybe he won’t recover from that injury well and slide down once the season begins or Chad Pennington will just be amazing this year, like he was last year.

Bodyguard of the Official Matty I Fan Club.

by dolphinsinbuffalo on Jul 31, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Good point!

brady is coming from , like 3, surgeries on the same place.I dont think u fully recover from that. Look at Dan went he play with the brace. He throu a lot of ints, cause he hated been hit at that point in his carer, so he maded bad decisions, that will happen to brady and if he feel presure on the pocket, he will be mortal lol

I will see the Dolphins win a SUPER BOWL before i die(22 years and counting)

by Aleta on Jul 31, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

lol yeah

and I think it was actually 4 surgeries. I can’t wait to see how that leg of his is once the season starts, not training camp. We all know he is the star of their training camp as usual.

Bodyguard of the Official Matty I Fan Club.

by dolphinsinbuffalo on Jul 31, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

exactly

but when games start and he feels real pressure…so will his knee

Bodyguard of the Official Matty I Fan Club.

by dolphinsinbuffalo on Jul 31, 2009 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I will put the Dolphins QB at #1

because of relaibility ; )

I will see the Dolphins win a SUPER BOWL before i die(22 years and counting)

by Aleta on Jul 31, 2009 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

lol we do have that

Bodyguard of the Official Matty I Fan Club.

by dolphinsinbuffalo on Jul 31, 2009 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

that’s what i am talking about..

common sence says if you put a stick in it and stirr if it stinks.. stop.. toss the stick and just walk away.

by animal2020 on Jul 31, 2009 1:18 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

JT said something about Green and his concutions, i was true!

Im waiting 4 a comment on bradys leg lol
Something like “brady’s leg look like meatlove and im starving” or something like that ; )

I will see the Dolphins win a SUPER BOWL before i die(22 years and counting)

by Aleta on Jul 31, 2009 3:18 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

sadly

the gap is much larger between 1st and 2nd then 2nd and 4th….

so hopefully henne will be the starter by game 4, white will be rocking the cat and that gap between 1&2 won’t be so Grand.

From Merriam-Webster the meaning of gay
1 a: happily excited : merry b: keenly alive and exuberant : having or inducing high spirits

by W NY Fins Fan on Aug 1, 2009 1:15 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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