Ranking The Quarterbacks Of The AFC East
The AFC East boasts one elite quarterback but how do the other signal-callers for the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, and Buffalo Bills stack up heading into the 2012 season?
1. Tom Brady, New England
One of the best of all-time. There is a precipitous fall to the rest of the pack.
2. Matt Moore, Miami
Moore is entering his 6th year, after attaining a QB rating of 87.1 last year. Moore has been underestimated during his entire career and has only started 25 games since he became an undrafted rookie. He is in his prime and is the favorite to start for the Dolphins.
3. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo
Fitzpatrick holds a career QB rating of 75.0 through six years and after a solid start to 2011, he was rewarded with a hefty contract. Unfortunately, he finished the year with a rating of 79.1. He has been brilliant at times but there is little room for growth.
4. Tim Tebow, New York
Tebow’s passing numbers are bad but he does things that no other quarterback can. This will be his third NFL season and his passing can improve. He will be starting at some point this year.
5. Ryan Tannehill, Miami
Tannehill has the skill set to succeed in the NFL and is ranked here because of his upside. If the Dolphins have a poor start, we will see him this season.
6. David Garrard, Miami
Garrard has a career rating of 85.8 but is 34 years-old, did not play in 2011, and is attempting to return from back surgery. Remember, his mobility is his strength.
7. Mark Sanchez, New York
Sanchez has started three seasons for the Jets and has compiled horrendous numbers, owning a career rating of 73.2. There is no precedence for a quarterback to have three poor seasons (47 starts) in the league and then become elite. His extension didn’t make sense but Tebow’s signing did. Chad Henne has a higher career rating.
Many argue that he is a winner because of his team’s success in the playoffs but the truth is that the Jets won DESPITE Sanchez’ efforts. He had a good supporting cast and a solid defense. Opposing defenses played to defend the run against him and this is what he did in Jet playoff wins:
2009 @ Cincinnati, 12-15, 182 yds, 1 TD
2009 @ San Diego, 12-23, 100 yds, 1 TD, 1 Int
2010 @ Indianapolis, 18-31, 189 yds, 1 Int
2010 @ New England, 16-25, 194 yds, 3 TDs
Despite the touchdowns against New England, the numbers are underwhelming.
8. Vince Young, Buffalo
Young carries a career rating of 74.4 and entering his 7th season, you know what you are getting.
9. Brian Hoyer, New England
He’s Matt Cassel in a best case scenario. He has 43 career pass attempts.
10. Ryan Mallett, New England
It’s not his fault he plays behind Brady but it is a negative that he is third on the depth chart.
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