Write On Sports LLC - "Quarterback Take" by Matthew Wolf

Quarterback Take

2006-10-05 18:56:01 | By: Matthew Wolf

Let's take a look at how 10 high profile QBs are shaping the NFL this year:

1. Daunte Culpepper: Arguably the biggest offseason move in the NFL, this trade led SI to pick Miami to go to the Super Bowl. Obviously, that may have been a little off. Daunte's numbers and ratings are not horrible, but there is no doubt that he has simply not made enough plays to make Miami a dangerous offensive team. Ronnie Brown has not been able to overcome the poor run blocking by the O-line, and Daunte's inability to escape pressure and avoid sacks has led to a complete standstill on offense. He looked better in the 4th against Houston, but he'll need to play a lot better than that for four solid quarters if Miami has any hope of ovetaking the suddenly dangerous Patriots.
GRADE SO FAR: D

2. Rex Grossman: Many thought he should have been replaced by Griese in the preseason, but so far he's been fantastic. He's made a few major errors, but has been able to overcome everything. He has really stretched the field this season, providing the Bears with a dynamic offense that they have not had over the past few seasons. As good as the Bears appear to be, Rex's performance over the remainder of the season will demonstrate whether this will be another Bears playoff flameout year or if they are truly dangerous.
GRADE SO FAR: A+

3. Brett Favre: I have him on my fantasy team, and that's working out fine. Having him on the real team, though? I'm torn. On one hand, I believe that icons should have the right to go out on their own terms...at least as far as not getting replaced midseason. But on the other side, obviously...GB is not good and Favre is not making them good. You need to see what you have in Rodgers for the future, because right now he's a complete mystery. So what is the right path? I guess heart over mind, let Brett finish it off.
GRADE SO FAR: C

4. Eli Manning: I wrote on this last week--does anyone get more of a free pass than this guy? He flipped off the Chargers on the grounds that they were a poorly run organization (which certainly does not seem to be true as far as I can tell); then goes off to NY and has yet to really accomplish anything. He's erratic. He throws terrible pics. Maybe he's getting killed in the NY papers and I just don't notice it out here in LA. But the national boys lay off him. It makes me furious.
GRADE SO FAR: D

5. Donovan McNabb: Dude is on fire. He's playing at another level right now. But I still can't believe they lost that Giants game.
GRADE SO FAR: A-

6. Vince Young: Obviously not officially a full time guy yet, so its hard to get a good read. So far, he seems to me to be pretty uneven: makes a great play, makes a horrible play, makes a bunch of average plays. I think they need to run him more. The Vick lesson needs to be applied here: don't take a great player and neuter his most exceptional characteristics.
GRADE SO FAR: B-

7. Marc Bulger: Really coming into his own. Red zone problems notwithstanding, he's really starting to hit his stride. His interception woes seem behind him, and he's managing Linehan's system beautifully. I really think he'll finally make the leap into the upper tier of NFL QBs this year.
GRADE SO FAR: A

8. Michael Vick: Running more (which is good) but still seems to struggle to make good plays in the pocket when needed. When his team is running like the old Nebraska teams, just crushing people up and down the field, he's perfect. But in that NO game...well, he was not impressive. Lob balls into coverage on 3rd downs. Firing into coverage. Running aimlessly in the pocket. I'm a huge fan, but the light still hasn't come on. Its not like he's bad: guy has been to the NFC title game. But he's still a step short from greatness.
GRADE SO FAR: B

9. Drew Brees: The other big mover of the summer, this guy has looked fantastic. Certainly, Dolphins fans are doubting Saban et al. for choosing not to go with what many consider their #1 choice. He still misses a few throws due to arm strength, but those are certainly few and far between. And he's turned some random fellow named Marques Colston into a star on the rise. With Bush and Deuce playing well but not great, he's making NO a legit playoff threat.
GRADE SO FAR: A+

10. Matt Leinart: Well, Warner was decent and put up numbers as usual, but just couldn't get wins and limit horrible turnovers. So Leinart comes in...and has a few horrible turnovers. Whatever, he draws the start this week and should draw a lot of eyes. The line is not great, but its good enough for him to make use of bountiful weapons. I, and many others, predicted greatness from him coming into this year. Now we'll see how good this cat really is.
GRADE SO FAR: Just getting started.

Other thoughts:
--I'm not watching TO/Dallas/Philly out of protest of the media. Most of us DON'T CARE WHETHER DONOVAN TEXTED TO OR NOT. We just don't. Move on to something meaningful...Is NE really that good? Did Chad Johnson wake the sleeping Giant? Dolphins fans dread that the answer is yes. Maroney looks like a future superstar...Gotta love how Mark Brunell has turned it around. Left for dead, now everyone is scared of Wash's offense...The "can Tatum Bell be a fulltime back" watch is now officially on. I think they should still mix in some of the other guys, but you've got to get him the ball 20+ times a game...Kitna is growing into the Lions offense, and Roy Williams is sweet...Does anyone outside of the Bay want anything to do with SF/Raiders?...Hockey started last night. Hooray. I used to love this sport, and now I don't, and I can't explain why...the MLB playoff pitching is Not Good...I love how the SEC keeps bitching about how great their league is and how unfair no playoff is to them. I agree that there should be a playoff, and I agree the SEC is the best conference this year, but if you can't win your own conference, you don't deserve to be champ. Its tougher, deal with it. And don't tell me that the schedule is monstrously harder than other NC contenders. Auburn's legitimately tough games this year are: LSU, Florida and Georgia (plus the SEC champ game). South Carolina and Alabama are good, but should be fodder for teams with title aspirations. USC and the Big 10 teams have just as tough a schedule this year. WVA and 'Ville, well, does anyone really think they'll ultimately leapfrog more deserving teams? I doubt it. Just go win and it'll all work out, Tommy.

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