BEST OF: QUARTERBACKS

CLASS OF 2004

1.       Ben Roethlisberger* – Miami (OH) – Steelers

·         DRAFTED: Round 1, Pick 11 – Steelers

·         YDS: 19,302 TDS: 127 INTS: 81 QBRAT: 91.7

·         PRO BOWL: 2007

·         OTHER HONORS: NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

·         He may not be my favorite person in the world and it really pains me to put him here atop the list, but I can’t ignore the facts.  Roethlisberger tops this list of very solid professionals primarily because of his ability to win.  The guy already has two Super Bowl titles under his belt, granted he wasn’t very impressive in the first (22.6 rating).  After a very prolific career at Miami (OH), Roethlisberger was almost immediately thrust into action for the Steelers.  Injuries to veterans Tommy Maddox and Charlie Batch gave him the starting job by the third game of the season.  He went an amazing 13-0 in as many starts as a rookie.  His accomplishments netted him the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.  After leading his team to the AFC Championship game as a rookie, Roethlisberger became the youngest player to win a Super Bowl the following year.  Three short seasons later in 2008, he would go on to claim his second NFL title in one of the most thrilling Super Bowls seen in quite some time against the Cardinals.  He was well on his way to becoming an icon, but his off-field conduct has been treacherous and tarnishes any legacy he hopes on leaving.  In the off-season before the 2006 season, Roethlisberger was involved in a serious motorcycle accident in which he was not wearing a helmet (despite being warned by Coach Bill Cowher).  At the time he also did not have a valid Pennsylvania motorcycle license.  Then, in back-to-back years (2009-2010), Big Ben was accused of sexually assaulting a woman.  Neither resulted in conviction, but was enough for NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell to suspend him for six games in the upcoming season (four with good behavior).  While he may be the best of this class right now, he just might knock himself out of the race altogether if his poor decision-making and pompous attitude continues.

INTERESTING SIDE NOTE: He beat Michael Jordan and Justin Timberlake in US Open Challenge at Bethpage Black with a score of 81.

ALSO IN THE RUNNING:

2.       Eli Manning – Mississippi – Giants

·         DRAFTED: Round 1, Pick 1 – Chargers (Traded to Giants)

·         YDS: 18,644 TDS: 125 INTS: 88 QBRAT: 79.2

·         PRO BOWL: 2008

·         OTHER HONORS: Super Bowl XLII MVP

·         Has consistently put up solid numbers and is coming off his best statistical season yet, going over 4,000yds and throwing 27 TDs.  After entering the league appearing to be a whiner, he gained a lot of respect for his gutsy Super Bowl win over the Patriots in 2007.

INTERESTING SIDE NOTE: Along with brother Peyton and father Archie, Manning co-authored a children’s book called Family Huddle in 2009.

3.       Philip Rivers – NC State – Chargers

·         DRAFTED: Round 1, Pick 4 – Giants (Traded to Chargers)

·         YDS: 14,951 TDS: 106 INTS: 45 QBRAT: 95.8

·         PRO BOWL: 2006, 2009

·         Rivers is coming off back-to-back 4,000+yd seasons and is often listed among the top QBs in the NFL.  He has also shown he is one of the fieriest and toughest competitors in the league, playing the entire 2007 playoffs with a torn ACL.  Unfortunately, this hasn’t translated into playoff wins.

INTERESTING SIDE NOTE: Rivers is good friends with MLB pitcher Jake Peavy.

 

4.       Matt Schaub – Virginia – Falcons, Texans

·         DRAFTED: Round 3, Pick 90 – Falcons

·         YDS: 11,087 TDS: 59 INTS: 40 QBRAT: 91.3

·         PRO BOWL: 2009 (MVP)

·         The Texans gave up two second round picks (07’, 08’) and swapped first round picks with the Falcons to get Schaub in 2007.  After a rough start due to injuries and a subpar supporting cast, Schaub has come on strong as of late and looks to continue that success.

INTERESTING SIDE NOTE: Was ACC Player of the Year in 2002 as a junior and was considered a Heisman candidate following year, but shoulder injuries kept him out of the running.

 

5.       J.P. Losman – Tulane – Bills, Raiders, Seahawks

·         DRAFTED: Round 1, Pick 22 – Bills

·         YDS: 6,211 TDS: 33 INTS: 34 QBRAT: 75.6

·         After one decent season in 2006 Losman, who was being compared to Brett Favre pre-draft, was ousted from Buffalo by 2008.  He regained league interest after winning the UFL Championship with the Las Vegas Locomotives in 2009 and will start his return to the NFL with the Seahawks this season.

INTERESTING SIDE NOTE: Losman originally attended UCLA, but transferred to Tulane after not being named starter.