Poor QB play is rampant in the NFL. Who else has a theory as to why?

[shotgun styles]

There are only 32 starting QBs in the NFL. Of those, 6 are top flight, another 4 are pretty good. All the rest are either up and down players, new, or outright replaceable.

The top six, in no particular order:

Brees
Warner
P. Manning
Brady
McNabb
Roethlisbeger

The second tier four, in no particular order:

Hasslebeck
Rivers
E. Manning
Palmer

After that, everyone else is either erratic (Romo), has a limited track record (Ryan), is new (rookies) or is replaceable (Collins).

Some of these guys outright suck. Now, I have made my position known about how the NFL's "safety" and "pass friendly" rules have made this breed of QBs weak, cowardly and physically inept. Many of you disagree with me. I'd like to know, why do YOU think there are so many crappy QBs in the NFL today?

[mvb34]

I think QBs don't get enough time to develop and by the time they start to getting going the coach gets fired and the offenses system changes..

[shotgun styles]

Quote: Originally Posted by mvb34

I think QBs don't get enough time to develop and by the time they start to getting going the coach gets fired and the offenses system changes..

With the (some say needless) complexity of today's playbooks, this is a serious problem and I agree with you. Jason Campbell has had SEVEN offensive coordinators in eight years. That's WAY too much to learn. Now he's stuck in a system (the short West Coast) that fits neither him, or the personnel that surrounds him. With those running backs, and smallish speedy receivers he should be running a play-action type offense.

So lets throw bad coaching on top of the pile of reasons.

[The C]

I'd imagine that throughout the history of the NFL most starters were awful.

With the media today it just gets more attention especially with how the NFL draft is promoted.

Then you also have companies like Nike and other sponsors wanting to find the next great QB prospect to hopefully make a football player as marketable as a basketball one.

[Freelance]

Quote: Originally Posted by shotgun styles

There are only 32 starting QBs in the NFL. Of those, 6 are top flight, another 4 are pretty good. All the rest are either up and down players, new, or outright replaceable. The top six, in no particular order: Brees Warner P. Manning Brady McNabb Roethlisbeger The second tier four, in no particular order: Hasslebeck Rivers E. Manning Palmer After that, everyone else is either erratic (Romo), has a limited track record (Ryan), is new (rookies) or is replaceable (Collins). Some of these guys outright suck. Now, I have made my position known about how the NFL's "safety" and "pass friendly" rules have made this breed of QBs weak, cowardly and physically inept. Many of you disagree with me. I'd like to know, why do YOU think there are so many crappy QBs in the NFL today?

Don't agree with your list, but to your point, this has actually always been the case. The QB is the key to a good team. They are so hard to find.

Take any era, and most teams are weak at quarterback. Those that aren't typically win, Archie Manning's Saints notwithstanding.

I also think defenses are so much more difficult to beat these days.

[mvb34]

Quote: Originally Posted by shotgun styles

With the (some say needless) complexity of today's playbooks, this is a serious problem and I agree with you. Jason Campbell has had SEVEN offensive coordinators in eight years. That's WAY too much to learn. Now he's stuck in a system (the short West Coast) that fits neither him, or the personnel that surrounds him. With those running backs, and smallish speedy receivers he should be running a play-action type offense. So lets throw bad coaching on top of the pile of reasons.

Also throw in the lack of development time for QB
and the supporting cast, Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco were success last year because the players around them..

[Cebby]

Quote: Originally Posted by The C

I'd imagine that throughout the history of the NFL most starters were awful.

Exactly.

Much like with the "the 90s music was so much better" thread, people forget that Montana, Marino, and Elway weren't the only quarterbacks at the time.

I'd imagine it's always been 3-4 top level QBs who can do well in any situation, 5-6 who can do very well in a decent situation, 5-10 who need a good situation to flourish, and a bunch of bad players.

I'd imagine the bigger issue is that with these gameplans, fantasy football, and 24 hour sports coverage, you actually know and see the bad quarterbacks from other parts of the country more so than 20-30 years ago.

[Rocky]

You could say that Roethlisberger and McNabb are erratic, up and down QB's too.

I think there is a massive overreaction to a QB having a bad year or a QB who gets the job done but doesn't throw for a 101.2 QB rating. No more patience at that position anymore.