2013 NFL Quarterback Rankings (9-16)

By Joseph Landini
New England Sports Journal
July 24, 2013
http://www.newenglandsportsjournal.com/2013/07/nfl/2013-nfl-quarterback-rankings-9-16/

(This is part two of a multi-part series of ranking the NFL’s quarterbacks. The rest of the rankings will be revealed throughout the week.)

Ranking quarterbacks heading into the season is routine and this season is no different. Below you will see many more-than-capable names and while some of them could potentially rank higher, there are only 10 top spots. Check out the NFL Quarterbacks ranked 9-16 and stay tuned for Part 3:

16) Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles: Many experts and analyst have written Vick off into the sunset, due to the Eagles’ struggles and underachievement. The truth of the matter is, Vick isn’t the problem in Philadelphia. If you look closely into last season and watch the Eagles, you will see that Vick had no protection from his offensive line. After being constantly hit, anyone would cough up the ball like Vick did. Still, he’s one of the most dynamic quarterbacks the game has ever seen. As he has aged, he hasn’t lost much speed and still can throw the ball a mile. Have faith in Vick.

15) Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals: After much research and contemplation, one main thing that’s hard to get over is how little love Dalton has gotten. People forget that Dalton and Co. have resurrected the Bengals, and this year may be the front runners to win that division, which is usually owned by Baltimore and Pittsburgh year after year. Dalton, unlike fellow young QBs, has only gotten better. Developing his skills and winning football games has landed Dalton in the Top 15 because anything lower would just be plain disrespectful.

14) Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions: Another controversial pick for the Top 15 here but hear me out: the knock on Stafford is that his decision making and turnover rate can be alarming at times.  While that might be true, Stafford’s skill and ability are the reasons why he is still a dangerous young QB. People tend to forget that under Stafford’s arm, Detroit returned to the playoffs for the first time in forever two years ago. Not to mention they play in one of the league’s premiere divisions. Stafford will need to improve his decision making now that he is paid to be the franchise QB, but he is still on the upper half of QBs.

13) Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers: The man was brilliant last year, no doubt about it. He finished the season and brought the 49ers within a play of a Super Bowl title. But let’s not forget, that for what seemed like the first time all season, he was a little apprehensive at the start of the Super Bowl. It’s easy to forget that he took over more then halfway through the season, when the 49ers were already on a roll. To some, Kaepernick is an easy Top 10, but we simply need to see him perform for a full season. Great talent with great accolades last season, but let’s watch him play out an entire season before crowning him king of the rookies.

12) Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks: If there was a bigger surprise emergence for a player last year, please let me know. Wilson proved exactly why he was the steal of the 2012 draft last year, nearly steering the Seahawks to an NFC Championship appearance. Wilson is as steady and as smart as they come. Wilson will have the opportunity to be even better this season, now that he has a deep threat in Percy Harvin. Wilson doesn’t shy away from the spotlight and competition, which makes him playing in the league’s toughest division even more appealing. Seattle has higher expectations this season, but I feel Wilson has what it takes between the ears to create something special.

11) Matthew Shaub, Houston Texans: The question that’s starting to arise in Houston: How many more years can we be great, only to falter in the big game? You can’t blame Arian Foster, the defense, or Andre Johnson, which leaves us with the team’s QB. Shaub has continually played steadily throughout every season, only to choke when it came to the big time lights. This may be Shaub’s final shot before the Texans rid themselves of his mediocrity in the playoffs. The reason Shaub is this high is two-fold: You can not ignore the body of work he does put in in the regular season and there may not be a more dangerous play-action QB in the game today.

10) Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens: The top 10 should not start with negativity, but in this case it has to. Many media are calling Flacco “elite” now that he has a Super Bowl ring. Are we kidding? If you look at last season, Flacco put up games which would call for benching in other situations. The argument will be, ‘he played great in the playoffs didn’t he?’ Let’s be honest for a second: if Ray Lewis didn’t come back and announce his retirement, the Ravens would’ve gone home in the first round. Say what you want, but Flacco wasn’t the driving force behind the ring. This year is a different story. After signing the contract that left little room in the Ravens’ salary cap to sign teammates, Flacco HAS to be the leader. If Flacco can do something special this year, then he may be elite. The Ravens are now Flacco’s team whether you like it or not.

9) Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins: This kid can flat out play. Griffin automatically put the Redskins back on the map last year and RG3 was simply put, special, in 2012. Unfortunately his injury derailed the Redskins, but he will be back for sure. Griffin’s play-making ability is already at a top level in the NFL, with a strong accurate arm and speed that kills. One major factor in why RG3 was not the top rookie from last season, is that he simply doesn’t protect himself. Griffin needs to save himself from big hits, or else his career may be shorter then expected.


QB rankings recap:

No. 32 – No. 25: Matt Flynn, OAK; Chad Henne, JAX; Kevin Kolb, BUF; Mark Sanchez, NYJ; Jake Locker, TEN; Brandon Weeden, CLE; Christian Ponder, MIN; Josh Freeman, TB

No. 24- No. 17: Ryan Tannehill, MIA; Sam Bradford, STL; Carson Palmer; ARZ, Alex Smith, KC; Jay Cutler, CHI; Cam Newton, CAR; Philip Rivers, SD; Tony Romo, DAL

No. 16- No.9: Mike Vick, PHI; Andy Dalton, CIN; Matt Stafford, DET; Colin Kaepernick, SF; Russell Wilson, SEA; Matt Shaub, HOU; Joe Flacco, BALT; Robert Griffin III, WAS