Football Relativity


Over the next several weeks, we're going to look at several different positions (I can't yet promise all) to identify the best playerswearing each jersey number at each position. If this goes as planned, we'll then compile a list of the best player wearing each jersey number in the league.


If you have quibbles, or want to add someone I forgot, leave a comment and we'll update this post. And please have patience this is a big job.


We started this project with wide receivers in this postand then with tight ends in this post. Now we move to quarterbacks, who wear numbers between 1 and 19.


1 None Sorry Warren Moon and Jeff George, but no significant quarterback in the NFL is currently wearing No. 1.


2 Matt Ryan, Falcons Two young quarterbacks wear No. 2, and Ryan, who is the future of the franchise in Atlanta, is an easy choice over JaMarcus Russell, who apparently cannot be the future of the franchise in Oakland. Other notable 2s: Brian St. Pierre, Cardinals; Chris Simms, Broncos, Sage Rosenfels, Vikings


3 Derek Anderson, Browns Anderson is no good and is having an even worse year, but he the only quarterback who has seen the field this season that wears No. 3, so he wins this by default. But you can go ahead and expect Anderson to lose to a kicker or punter in the final jersey number comparison. Other notable 3: Matt Moore, Panthers


4 Brett Favre, Vikings There no question that Favre is not only the most significant No. 4 currently playing now; he may be the best No. 4 in the history of the league. Part of that is that 4 was never a popular number before Favre, and part of it is ofcourse Favre longevity and production. Other notable 4: Kevin Kolb, Eagles


5 Donovan McNabb, Eagles When McNabb first started wearing No. 5, it seemed like a bit of a novelty for a quarterback. But now this is a popular number. Still, McNabb remains the standard bearer, both for his current play and his long and storied career. But it be interesting to see how long McNabb can hold off up and coming Joe Flacco to keep the claim on 5. Other notable 5s: Kerry Collins, Titans; Trent Edwards, Bills, Josh Freeman, Buccaneers; Bruce Gradkowski, Raiders


6 Jay Cutler, Bears Cutler narrowly wins [url=http://www.nflcardinalsofficialshop.com/John_Brown_Jersey_Cardinals]nflcard... this number honors over rookie Mark Sanchez, simply because Cutler has a little longer pedigree. At the end of the year or next year, the decision could be different. Other notable 6: Pat White, Dolphins


7 Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers Big Ben wears 7 in honor of John Elway, one of the greatest 7s of all time. Now Roethlisberger is writing his legacy at the number with two Super Bowl titles very early in his career. The fact that Big Ben seems to be emerging as a passer is a sign that his career may actually be starting an upswing just now. Other notable 7s: Matt Cassel, Chiefs; Chad Henne, Dolphins; Byron Leftwich, Buccaneers; Matt Leinart, Cardinals; Tarvaris Jackson, Vikings; Michael Vick, Eagles


8 Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks This was a tough call. Matt Schaub of the Texans is having by far a better year than Hasselbeck, but Hasselbeck has a much better career at this point. So we side with experience over the present, knowing full well that we might want to flip the tables on this number very soon. Other notable 8s: Kyle Orton, Broncos; David Carr, Giants; Brian Hoyer, Patriots


9 Drew Brees, Saints Brees may be for the early 2010s what Tom Brady and Peyton Manning were for most of this decade. He at the top of his game, piling up numbers with great accuracy and providing great leadership to boot. And if he can get a Super Bowl ring this year, his status will only grow. As good as Dallas Tony Romo, Cincinnati Carson Palmer, and Jacksonville David Garrard are, they aren in Brees league. Other notable 9: Matthew Stafford, Lions


10 Eli Manning, Giants Manning isn a perfect quarterback, but he good and he won his share of games and then some. That enough to earn him the 10 spot over declining players like Marc Bulger of St. Louis and Chad Pennington of Miami. Other notable 10s: Matt Flynn, Packers; Brady Quinn, Browns; Vince Young, Titans; Troy Smith, Ravens


11 Daunte Culpepper, Lions There are no current star quarterbackswearing 11, so we give this honor to a former star in Culpepper who has started a couple of games this year. Other notable 11s: Josh Johnson, Buccaneers; Alex Smith, 49ers; Mark Brunell, Saints; Kellen Clemens, Jets


12 Tom Brady, Patriots It an easy call to give the honors at 12 to Brady, who already got the resume of an all time great. Plus, Brady continues to perform at the highest of levels. He remains the real deal. Green Bay Aaron Rodgers is a good quarterback, but he outside Brady echelon. Other notable 12s: Brodie Croyle, Chiefs; Kyle Boller, Rams; Josh McCown, Panthers; Jim Sorgi, Colts


13 Kurt Warner, Cardinals This is another easy call, as Warner is playing at a high level 10 years after he burst on the scene in St. Louis. His career has been a little up and down, but at his best there are few better than Warner. Other notable 13: Shaun Hill, 49ers


14 Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills Fitzpatrick isn great, but he the only QB wearing 14 who has even played this year. Dan Fouts must be ashamed.


15 Seneca Wallace, Seahawks This is another slow number, as Wallace and Washington backup Todd Collins are the only quarterbacks wearing 15. We almost gave this to Tim Tebow in advance, but we stick with NFL players for now. last year before going to the Dolphins via trade this year.


17 Philip Rivers, Chargers Rivers isn on the Brees Manning Brady level, but he may be the best of the next batch of quarterbacks. He productive and continuing to grow as a leader and late game threat. Other notable 17s: Jason Campbell, Redskins; Jake Delhomme, Panthers


18 Peyton Manning, Colts There no question here that Manning is by far the best 18 not only at quarterback but at any position in the league. No player is doing more to elevate his team this season than Manning, who is carrying his team to the top of the pack once again.


19 NONE No quarterbacks are wearing 19 this year either. Apparently young QBs need to see more Johnny Unitas highlights.


Filed under Football Relativity, Jersey Numbers


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