Updated: March 9, 2007, 11:32 AM ET Building the perfect quarterback By Joe Theismann / ESPN.com To put together the NFL's perfect quarterback, I started with five of the most important aspects required to be a successful QB in the NFL: intellect, heart, eyes, arm and legs. With that in mind, here's who I would choose for each of those five categories, if I could build the NFL's perfect QB. Intellect 1. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts: It isn't that other quarterbacks aren't as intelligent as Manning, but no one is asked to do what he does. No quarterback in the league has as much control over his offense as Manning does. Others: 2. Tom Brady, New England Patriots :beer: 3. Chad Pennington, New York Jets 4. Trent Green, Kansas City Chiefs 5. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks Heart 1. Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers: Throughout the league, Favre is known for having an incredible amount of passion for the game. Even though he's a little older, that hasn't changed. Others: :beer: 2. Chad Pennington, New York Jets 3. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints 4. Daunte Culpepper, Miami Dolphins 5. Tom Brady, New England Patriots Eyes 1. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts: His vision as a quarterback is unsurpassed in the NFL. He sees everything pre-snap and post-snap just as clearly as though he were upstairs in the booth watching the game. Others: 2. Tom Brady, New England Patriots 3. Trent Green, Kansas City Chiefs 4. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles 5. Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Arm 1. Tom Brady, New England Patriots: I've worked with Brady in the past, and no one in the NFL comes close to him in terms of velocity and accuracy. Others: 2. Andrew Walter, Oakland Raiders 3. Michael Vick, Atlanta Falcons 4. J.P. Losman, Buffalo Bills 5. Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers Legs Michael Vick rushed for 1,039 yards in '06. Michael Vick, Atlanta Falcons: There is no comparison to Vick in terms of running ball. He's going to be an interesting story this season with a new head coach (Bobby Petrino). He's much more effective as a runner if he drops back and then takes off. Others: 2. Vince Young, Tennessee Titans 3. Tarvaris Jackson, Minnesota Vikings 4. Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5. J.P. Losman, Buffalo Bills > http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=theismann_joe&id=2792024
Having a QB with heart and intellect is very important and there is no doubt Chad has both. It's nice to see someone recognize him for those two attributes, which are both very important in a QB. Wow, Andrew Walter has the 2nd best arm behind Tom Brady??
I was surprised Manning wasn't in the top for best arm. I'm a little biased as I think he's the best QB in the NFL, and I do think Brady has the best arm, but Manning isn't far behind.
Manning is average at best. Brady is good but not near the top. He is obviously biased, because guys like Aaron Brooks, Duante Culpepper (while not nearly as good) have far superior arm strength.
Haha, point taken. I just assumed he was talking overall arm (accuracy and strength) since he mentioned it in the description of Brady. If he's not factoring accuracy, then Brady does not belong at the top. There's no way.
During the 2003 qb challenge... Brooks out threw Manning and Brady by 10 yards in the distance throw and won the accuracy challenge. He doesnt get enough credit because has played with some of the worst teams with the worst coaches in the league.
Ran into Joe Theismann last week in Tampa Airport and he brought this up.. He actually sat right next to my wife, daughter and I.
i tried to defend brooks a while back and got attacked for it, people around here dont like him too much for some reason
Culpepper has probably the strongest arm going, but that gets him into trouble. He always waits for separation then GUNS it in. He is not good at "anticipating" separation. He waits until he sees it and then GUNS it at the last split second. But for just an arm, wow. Chad is probably the opposite of Culpepper. Chad floats the ball to where he "knows" his receiver will be. Chad throws the most "catchable" ball, always leading his receiver and dropping it in over the correct shoulder. I know, I know.
Brady isn't in the top 5 for arm strength-- Not in order- Culpepper, Vick, Favre, Manning, Cutler-- a few more with better arms- probably Ramsey, mcnabb, Eli, Vinny, Leftwich
