Ranking all 32 starting quarterbacks — we think — heading into the 2009 season:

1. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts: What's left to ask other than if this is the year he'll win a record fourth MVP award?

2. Tom Brady, New England Patriots: Does he reprise 2007 success immediately, or will it take awhile to shed rust?

3. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints: League's most prolific passer since '06 is hoping for a more prolific defense so he can march back to playoffs.

4. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers: Expect him to continue proving the Packers were right to sever ties with Brett Favre when they did.

5. Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals: With NFL's top receiving duo, he should have another MVP-caliber year if hip surgery proves a non-issue.

6. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles have more weapons, but will presumed Wildcat weapon Michael Vick help or hinder McNabb?

7. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: Center Justin Hartwig says the Steelers now a pass-first team. Big Ben is the reason.

8. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers: No hardware just yet, but his stats have eclipsed 2004 draft mates Eli Manning and Roethlisberger.

9. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys: Must prove he can win playoff games and must do it without WR Terrell Owens.

10. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears: The Bears finally seem to have a franchise quarterback in place. They don't have franchise wideouts to help.

11. Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings: Many have forgotten his hot start with Jets; he must replicate that to justify the Vikes' decision to sign him.

12. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans: Could emerge as an elite player if he finally manages to start all 16 games, something he's never done.

13. Eli Manning, New York Giants: Coming off his first Pro Bowl season but might not have the receivers who can get him back this year.

14. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons: The reigning offensive rookie of the year could make a quantum leap with TE Tony Gonzalez.

15. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals: Production and health have been in a steady decline since he had a major knee injury in the 2005 playoffs.

16. Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs: Will he prove better than ex-Southern Cal teammates Palmer and Matt Leinart now that he has own team?

17. Chad Pennington, Miami Dolphins: One of the NFL's smartest, most accurate quarterbacks must keep winning to keep Chad Henne on the bench.

18. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks: If his back (and patchwork O-line) holds up, the Seahawks might be a factor again in the NFC West.

19. Jake Delhomme, Carolina Panthers: Sure, he has shortcomings. He's also won 62% of his starts with the Panthers.

20. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens: Look for the Ravens to open up the playbook after cutting it down in Flacco's rookie year.

21. Kerry Collins, Tennessee Titans: The Titans hope an upgraded receiving corps allows Collins to run a more balanced offense this year.

22. Jason Campbell, Washington Redskins: It's now or never as the former first-rounder enters his contract year.

23. Trent Edwards, Buffalo Bills: If neither his health, new O-line nor Owens fail him, he might blossom in the no-huddle attack.

24. David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars: Will he be the hyper-efficient field general of 2007 or the generally average player he was in 2008?

25. Shaun Hill, San Francisco 49ers: Nothing spectacular about him but his numbers — he wins games and protects the ball.

26. Mark Sanchez, N.Y. Jets: It's doubtful the Jets will ask him to take too many games on his shoulders this year.

27. Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos: Must replace Cutler, learn a new system and might not have WR Brandon Marshall to help. That's pressure.

28. JaMarcus Russell, Oakland Raiders: If intangibles begin catching up with his tangibles, the Raiders could surprise in the AFC West.

29. Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams: Has been ineffective since 2006. More Steven Jackson and an improved O-line might change that.

30. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions: Let's assume he starts ... and that he'll have less help than fellow rookie Sanchez or 2008 darlings Ryan and Flacco. At least Stafford should get the Lions one win.

31. Brady Quinn, Cleveland Browns: Whether it's Quinn or Derek Anderson, the Browns need WR Braylon Edwards to step up in a weapon-starved offense that may have to rely on the pass.

32. Byron Leftwich, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: He'll need to successfully employ the Bucs' new offensive weapons to keep the job all season.

Favre at 11? I am sorry people still are putting to much into Favre and he is living off his past rep then his present ability.

Rodgers at 4 seems fair to me.

Not sure what these rankings are based on, but I think its a little high at this point. Rodgers needs to close out games, a problem he had last year. If he can do that, I think #4 is about right where he could be and perhaps move up to #3.

If Finley comes through, AR will be better this year than he was last.

I would still like TT to spend something on a blue chip OL and a RB.

Then you will see how good AR can really be.

Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez < Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne.

Brees will put up insane numbers but the Saints will finish around .500.

Brady's OL can't protect well enough.

Rodgers will lead the Packers to a 12-4 record and win the MVP.


Most of these writers do nothing but read each others crap. Watch the games and look at which teams improved over the off-season and you can see who will be the top QB.

Agree. Subjective list. McNabb at 6? I wouldn't have him in the top 20. But it is fun to discuss.