Focus on NFC quarterbacks
Sporting News correspondents
In the latest installment of NFL offseason position rankings, SN's correspondents break down the quarterbacks in the NFC.
1. Dallas Cowboys
The ability to sense and avoid a rush and throw from different arm slots is what makes Tony Romo an elite playmaker. Backup Brad Johnson is solid; he makes good decisions and few mistakes.
2. New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees is intelligent and instinctive; he acts like a coach on the field. He's accurate on short and deep passes and also can throw on the run. Veteran Mark Brunell knows how to manage a game.
3. Seattle Seahawks
Like a streak shooter in basketball, Matt Hasselbeck can take over a game as he feeds off his own success. Seneca Wallace and Charlie Frye both have starting experience and will battle for the No. 2 job.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
Donovan McNabb has gone from elusive scrambler to mostly a dropback passer. He throws a great deep ball but isn't as adept across the middle. Kevin Kolb is the future starter, and A.J. Feeley can run the offense.
5. New York Giants
Eli Manning is a mentally tough leader who showed he can make plays during last year's Super Bowl run. Newcomer David Carr needs to regain his confidence, and rookie Andre' Woodson is a project.
6. Arizona Cardinals
Matt Leinart is healthy and gets the early call, but he'll be pressed by veteran Kurt Warner, who has the savvy -- and the arm -- to make the offense click. He can step in if Leinart experiences too many growing pains.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jeff Garcia, 38, still moves well and makes plays on the run. He's accurate and can pick opponents apart if given time. Brian Griese can win games in a pinch, and Luke McCown has the athleticism to make plays.
8. St. Louis Rams
At his best, Marc Bulger is an extremely accurate thrower -- one of the game's best pocket passers. But he forced far too many throws in '07. Trent Green will provide quality relief if he avoids concussion problems.
9. Carolina Panthers
Elbow surgery might limit Jake Delhomme in training camp, but his arm looks strong and he's a proven leader. He needs to stay healthy because the backups, Matt Moore and Brett Basanez, are experienced.
10. Washington Redskins
Jason Campbell has the arm to get the ball downfield but needs to improve his accuracy. Todd Collins showed last year he can be a solid backup , and rookie Colt Brennan will get a shot at the No. 3 role.
11 Detroit Lions
Jon Kitna is a tough leader but tries to do too much at times and needs to reduce his picks. He may be a better fit in the team's new run-first offense. Drew Stanton and Dan Orlovsky will battle for the backup role.
12 Green Bay Packers
After three years as Brett Favre's backup, Aaron Rodgers knows the offense well. His arm strength has improved and he runs well, but will he be durable enough? It looks like the backup job will go to Brian Brohm or Matt Flynn -- that is, unless No. 4 decides to unretire.
13. San Francisco 49ers
Alex Smith, who is fully recovered from shoulder surgery, has a better arm and physical ability than challengers Shaun Hill and J.T. O'Sullivan. Hill is a leader; O'Sullivan understands the new offense.
14. Minnesota Vikings
Tarvaris Jackson has a strong arm and good mobility but has been plagued by injuries and poor decisions. He will benefit from the addition of WR Bernard Berrian. Newcomer Gus Frerotte offers security as a backup.
15. Chicago Bears
Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton will battle for the starting job. Grossman has been erratic and mistake-prone. Orton isn't a big-time talent, but a good spring might give him a slight edge.
16. Atlanta Falcons
Journeyman Chris Redman could get the early call under new coach Mike Smith. But first-rounder Matt Ryan already knows the offense and needs only to adjust to the speed of the NFL to earn playing time.
In the latest installment of NFL offseason position rankings, SN's correspondents break down the quarterbacks in the NFC.
1. Dallas Cowboys
The ability to sense and avoid a rush and throw from different arm slots is what makes Tony Romo an elite playmaker. Backup Brad Johnson is solid; he makes good decisions and few mistakes.
2. New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees is intelligent and instinctive; he acts like a coach on the field. He's accurate on short and deep passes and also can throw on the run. Veteran Mark Brunell knows how to manage a game.
3. Seattle Seahawks
Like a streak shooter in basketball, Matt Hasselbeck can take over a game as he feeds off his own success. Seneca Wallace and Charlie Frye both have starting experience and will battle for the No. 2 job.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
Donovan McNabb has gone from elusive scrambler to mostly a dropback passer. He throws a great deep ball but isn't as adept across the middle. Kevin Kolb is the future starter, and A.J. Feeley can run the offense.
5. New York Giants
Eli Manning is a mentally tough leader who showed he can make plays during last year's Super Bowl run. Newcomer David Carr needs to regain his confidence, and rookie Andre' Woodson is a project.
6. Arizona Cardinals
Matt Leinart is healthy and gets the early call, but he'll be pressed by veteran Kurt Warner, who has the savvy -- and the arm -- to make the offense click. He can step in if Leinart experiences too many growing pains.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jeff Garcia, 38, still moves well and makes plays on the run. He's accurate and can pick opponents apart if given time. Brian Griese can win games in a pinch, and Luke McCown has the athleticism to make plays.
8. St. Louis Rams
At his best, Marc Bulger is an extremely accurate thrower -- one of the game's best pocket passers. But he forced far too many throws in '07. Trent Green will provide quality relief if he avoids concussion problems.
9. Carolina Panthers
Elbow surgery might limit Jake Delhomme in training camp, but his arm looks strong and he's a proven leader. He needs to stay healthy because the backups, Matt Moore and Brett Basanez, are experienced.
10. Washington Redskins
Jason Campbell has the arm to get the ball downfield but needs to improve his accuracy. Todd Collins showed last year he can be a solid backup , and rookie Colt Brennan will get a shot at the No. 3 role.
11 Detroit Lions
Jon Kitna is a tough leader but tries to do too much at times and needs to reduce his picks. He may be a better fit in the team's new run-first offense. Drew Stanton and Dan Orlovsky will battle for the backup role.
12 Green Bay Packers
After three years as Brett Favre's backup, Aaron Rodgers knows the offense well. His arm strength has improved and he runs well, but will he be durable enough? It looks like the backup job will go to Brian Brohm or Matt Flynn -- that is, unless No. 4 decides to unretire.
13. San Francisco 49ers
Alex Smith, who is fully recovered from shoulder surgery, has a better arm and physical ability than challengers Shaun Hill and J.T. O'Sullivan. Hill is a leader; O'Sullivan understands the new offense.
14. Minnesota Vikings
Tarvaris Jackson has a strong arm and good mobility but has been plagued by injuries and poor decisions. He will benefit from the addition of WR Bernard Berrian. Newcomer Gus Frerotte offers security as a backup.
15. Chicago Bears
Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton will battle for the starting job. Grossman has been erratic and mistake-prone. Orton isn't a big-time talent, but a good spring might give him a slight edge.
16. Atlanta Falcons
Journeyman Chris Redman could get the early call under new coach Mike Smith. But first-rounder Matt Ryan already knows the offense and needs only to adjust to the speed of the NFL to earn playing time.
posted by The Gryphon at 4:52 PM
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