All thoughts are not threads: Jaws on RGIII, your opinion

[Tay]

It's not solely based on the 4 game sample size. It's his updated rankings from the preseason. RG3 is the highest rookie ranked. He's even ranked higher than Cam (who is 18). I don't agree w/ all of them, but I think the rankings are fair:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story...nchez-scuffles

Updated NFL QB rankings
RG3's astonishing debut, Sanchez's setbacks highlight a new list
Originally Published: October 4, 2012
By Ron Jaworski | ESPN Insider
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Four games may not seem like much of a sample, but in the reality of the 16-game NFL, it is a key number. Not only does that represent the quarter pole for the season, but when teams break down film to prep for upcoming games, they scrutinize their opponents' previous four games. It's a rubric I've followed in my career and as an analyst, and I'm going to use it to help guide my QB Big Board.

This ranking is not an end-all-be-all, permanent evaluation. Guys will improve -- and regress -- and that movement will be represented on this ranking every four weeks. What this QB Big Board does is combine a quarterback's historical performance with how he is playing at a certain time of the season to form a ranking of the NFL's top quarterbacks at that moment.

There are a few changes to my previous list, including how I generated it. Last offseason, I watched every throw of every NFL quarterback from 2011 to generate my initial rankings. Due to time constraints, I can't make that same claim now. Rest assured, though, that this list is the product of regular film study from the NFL Films offices each week.

Previously I omitted all of the rookies from the preseason rankings, because you can't properly evaluate where they fit when they've never thrown a pass against an NFL defense. Now that we've seen a sample of their talents -- albeit a small one -- I've added them to the mix. And let's just say it's an impressive debut for Robert Griffin III.

RG3 makes his debut at No. 17, meaning he's just outside the top half of NFL quarterbacks. Honestly, I never thought I'd rank a rookie this high. The trouble is, Griffin has not played like a rookie. What separates him from his first-year peers is his consistency. Andrew Luck and Ryan Tannehill have made some great plays in their young careers, but they've also made some bad ones. I haven't seen that erratic play when it comes to Griffin, hence his extraordinary debut ranking.

Erratic play has plagued a couple of veterans, which is why Ryan Fitzpatrick, Matt Cassel and Jay Cutler are among the biggest drops on my board. Protecting the football is the most important thing you can do as a quarterback. If you lose the turnover battle by one or more, you lose the game 80 percent of the time. It's as simple as that. And it's one thing to make bad reads and bad decisions as a rookie. But at this point in their careers, those three have no excuse.

But there is better news for a few others. And even if Aaron Rodgers has not looked as dominant as he did during his fantastic 2011 campaign, he remains at the top of my rankings. Let's get into some details.

Jaws' QB Rankings

1. Aaron Rodgers
Previous: 1

Rodgers is still playing at a high level, but against the Seahawks he got beaten up pretty good and became a little frenetic in the pocket. His biggest problem has been his offensive line, which has failed to give him much protection. Add the injury to Greg Jennings, and Rodgers has been a little shorthanded early. The Packers need to tighten the line and get healthy. I also think they need to get more from TE Jermichael Finley, who has not yet played to his potential.


2 . Tom Brady
Previous: 3

Not surprisingly, Brady remains near the top of the list and even moves up a slot. I really like what the Pats are doing with the ball this season, committing to the run and bringing more balance to the offense. This emphasis will help reduce the hits on Brady and extend his longevity in the league. I think what we saw in Week 4 against Buffalo is a good indicator of what we'll see going forward. They'll accentuate the run, use more three tight-end sets, then take some shots using play-action or spread you out. And when you see a game in which two running backs and two receivers both top 100 yards, you know Brady is using all of his weapons.

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17. Robert Griffin III
Previous: NR - Rookie

To illustrate how un-rookie-like Griffin has been, just consider that RG3 likely would have a pair of game-winning drives under his belt if it weren't for Josh Morgan's unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against the Rams. And last week's drive against Tampa showed exactly why he is so good. On that final scramble play to set up the field goal, the Redskins had called a screen to the left side. Tampa read the play perfectly and had it covered. Griffin read the coverage, then felt the opening to his right when the Bucs' left end took an inside pass rush. He sensed the void, attacked it and Washington walked away with the win. Griffin has good players around him and Kyle Shanahan has made it easier for him with sound play-calling featuring simple either-or reads and a strong running game, but his individual talent has been astounding. It's only four games, though. We'll have to see where he goes from here.

[Dan T.]

Did Jaws suffer a bunch of concussions during his playing days?

Actually I googled his rankings. You must be an NFL Insider to see the whole list, but in his introduction to the list, he's very complimentary toward RG3:

"RG3 makes his debut at No. 17, meaning he's just outside the top half of NFL quarterbacks. Honestly, I never thought I'd rank a rookie this high. The trouble is, Griffin has not played like a rookie. What separates him from his first-year peers is his consistency. Andrew Luck and Ryan Tannehill have made some great plays in their young careers, but they've also made some bad ones. I haven't seen that erratic play when it comes to Griffin, hence his extraordinary debut ranking."

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story...nchez-scuffles

Maybe an Insider can post the list. I'd like to see what 16 quarterbacks he has ranked ahead of Griffin based on the first 4 weeks of the season.

Edit: I see that Jaws takes the current 4 weeks but also factors in past performance.

[Murphs56]

As long as he's the top Rookie QB in the piece, I'm fine with it...

[skinsfan07]

Bigger question is, where did he rank Vick?

[Warhead36]

There are barely 16 players in the league playing better than RG3 right now let alone 16 QBs.

[Llevron]

If you read his rational it actually makes some sense. He just doesn't want to put rookies that high but he gives griffin alot of credit. Im ok with it, in context.

Edit: Not saying I agree with him, just that he makes his argument and its actually pretty fair.

[acuratl1984]

Stop reading his crap article after I saw Romo/Vick in top 10 with League high 8/7 ints respectively.

[ThisOneGoesTo11]

I had similar thoughts when I heard this yesterday. One thing is for sure, he is not playing like the 17th ranked QB in the NFL.

[NewCliche21]

Who cares? Power rankings, top-whatever lists, predictions, talking heads, etc. all mean nothing when it comes down to who is hoisting that Lombardi.

There are very few quarterbacks that I would take over RGIII as passers, but put in his leadership, his "it" factor, his ceiling, his poise, his legs, and his age? No contest for me.

[MattFancy]

Jaws's Rankings:

1.Rodgers
2. Brady
3. Eli

Manning made a poor decision against the Eagles by throwing a costly interception in the end zone, but he otherwise has been very solid all season. With Hakeem Nicks sidelined and Ahmad Bradshaw also missing time, the Giants' offense has been shorthanded, and Manning has raised his game to compensate. Whether it's Ramses Barden or someone else stepping into the Giants' scheme, he doesn't miss a beat. He continues to improve in all phases of the game -- particularly with his pre- and post-snap decisions and his accuracy. I don't think the Giants would stand at 2-2 without Manning's strong early play.

4. Peyton
5. Brees
6. Ryan
7. Roethlisberger
8. Flacco
9. Schaub
10. Rivers
11. Romo

Let me answer your question before you ask it: How can Romo rank ahead of Jay Cutler after what we saw Monday night? Simple. Not all interceptions are created equal. Romo was victimized by a drop by Kevin Ogletree and a mental mistake by Dez Bryant. Yes, turnovers have been a common factor for Romo, but the score and game situations often prompt most of those miscues. The Dallas line is not good. Period. But Romo's ability to avoid the rush, get outside the pocket and throw is probably second to none. He erases all kinds of mistakes for the Cowboys. Without him, Dallas may not win a game. He needs more help.

12. Vick

The Eagles easily could be 0-4, and nine turnovers through four games is too many, but his performance against the Giants convinced me to keep Vick at No. 12. He really got it going Sunday night, staying patient in the pocket, making his reads and only taking to the run when his passing options were exhausted. That's how Philadelphia needs Vick to play from here on out.

13. Cutler
14. Dalton
15. Stafford
16. Smith
17. RG3
18. Cam
19. Bradford
20. Ponder
21. Freeman
22. Palmer
23. Luck
24. Tannehill
25. Kolb
26. Sanchez
27. Gabbert
28. Cassel
29. Locker
30. Fitzpatrick
31. Wilson
32. Weeden

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

I never could stand Jaworski.

Career average QB who never achieved much of anything in the game. Who now puts himself up as some sort of QB guru. Made worse by the fact he has his favorites and doesn't hide it.

SO glad MNF no longer panders to his crap.

Hail.

[BucketHTTR]

Not top 5 Shanny kind of has him handcuffed in the redzone he just runs him.

I guess teams will start spying him and will open things up more in the redzone.

It scores points. Just so you know it's a option read in the red zone, so RG3 isn't handcuffed. It's RG3 choice to run, or throw when he gets to the redzone. It's not just a designed run...

I wish people would actually understand wants going on before they bash.

I think it's fair to say RG3 has 8 total TD's and not just "only 4 passing TD's".. If he scores points in the redzone, then who cares? It beats watching Gano line up and miss the FG. Having one of the worse RZ% in the NFL like last year.

[sportjunkie07]

a case could be made that he is the best player in the nfl up until now.

[AlvinWaltonIsMyBoy]

I read his analysis, and his ranking seems to be more rookie "hazing" than anything else. His comments were quite complimentary.

And as far as where he ranks...I know he's the best QB on our gdam team, and that's all I really care about.

[Gurgeh]

You have to allow that there's a lot of past history in the rankings on that list, and not so much current form. The comments on the QBs do confuse the issue because they only talk about how the QB is playing now; if the list were based just on the last 4 games it would be in a different order and RGIII would be in the top 10.