Best Starting QBs of 2017: Cam Newton's Spot In The Top 3

[Saca312]

Cam Newton's 2016 season was very bad on paper. Boasting one of the league's worst QB ratings, and seeming to decline after tearing his rotator cuff, Cam did not look like the MVP he did in 2015. 

However, one website isn't believing that's all Cam has to offer.

The Brick Wall Blitz is a website dedicated to solid QB analysis, dissecting each QB in the NFL's strengths and weaknesses. Most of the GIFs and thoughts on Cam Newton in my prior film review can be attributed from the content creator of this site.

They came out with a top 32 starting QB ranking, and looks like one familiar QB is out on top:

https://brickwallblitz.wordpress.com/2017/05/20/2017-starting-quarterback-power-rankings-10-1/

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3. Cam Newton: Carolina Panthers

No, this is not a joke. Cam Newton’s position at #3 is completely justified. The MVP in 2015, Newton was perceived to have declined severely in 2016.

This isn’t true at all. The schedule got tougher and Cam’s receivers and offensive line both went back to suffocating him, making the Panthers offense full of blown pass blocking, receiver miscommunications, failed effort, and drops galore.

In spite of this, Newton had a great season in my opinion. His ability to handle condense pockets and his arm trajectory are league standards. It’s of a quality you see in few quarterbacks. Although his accuracy has been criticized, it really isn’t that bad when you factor in drops and miscommunications.

Cam Newton is a top 5 quarterback in my mind. His 2016 season is much better than anyone will ever give it credit for, but that’s why he’s this high. He’s an otherworldly talent that deserves more recognition for what he’s been able to do behind awful supporting casts.

Pros

-Otherworldly arm talent

-Amazing ability to handle condensed pockets

-Dynamic skill set

-Master of downfield passing

Cons

-Accuracy can be erratic

Makes complete sense. Considering we upgraded Cam Newton's o-line with the fact we have health and new faces, along with the fact his surrounding cast just got a whole lot more deadly, the sky's the limit for what we can do.

Some other interesting rankings for your enjoyment:

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5. Drew Brees: New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees ages like a fine wine, yet while we acknowledge him as one of the game’s greatest quarterbacks, we never take time to analyze why he’s so special.

Perhaps it’s because he’s been overshadowed by Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers for so long, but Brees deserves more respect. In spite of his small size, he offers the smoothest mechanics I’ve ever seen, combing fast processing with getting the ball out quickly and deadly fast footwork. This all results in one accurate passer.

Like many QBs his age, his arm is declining, but not to the point where he can’t throw the ball anymore. He’s one of the most efficient passers in NFL history, making him a treat for both stat and film buffs alike.

Pros

-Extremely fast process

-Smooth mechanics

-Deadly footwork

-Accurate

Cons

-Arm strength declining due to old age

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15. Matt Ryan: Atlanta Falcons

The reigning MVP, Matt Ryan is coming off a career year statistically. I’ve always thought he was a really good QB, so why is he low on the list?

I have my concerns. Being without Kyle Shanahan is one of them. Shanahan helped Ryan out by scheming receivers open and pinpointing where to throw the ball is something Ryan may miss out on in 2017.

Normally this really wouldn’t be a problem, but Ryan’s arm strength is a major issue. Several of his passes floated in 2016, in some cases preventing touchdowns. In addition, he was very fortunate not to commit more turnovers than he did, as defenders dropped crucial interceptions.

In terms of general accuracy and mobility, though, Ryan does well in these areas. His pocket movement is also excellent, and he at the very least cut down on the bad decisions in 2016.

Ryan offers reasons to be excited and be concerned in 2016, so we’ll have to wait and see what the future holds for Atlanta’s QB.

Pros

-Outstanding pocket movement

-Good mobility

-Strong accuracy

Cons

-Arm strength looks like it’s weakening

-Decision making more random than earlier in his career

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19. Jameis Winston: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jameis Winston’s ranking at #19 is interesting since he doesn’t have a laundry list of flaws. In fact, he does a lot of things right. His pocket movement is great, he’s patient when rolling out of the pocket, and his footwork is good.

The one issue holding him back from being a top 10 QB is a severe one; his accuracy. Despite playing with 6 ft 5 freak Mike Evans, Winston’s accuracy has been atrocious, often not being in the same area code as his receivers. Perhaps it’s the throwing motion being a bit too long, but this is a case where having one flaw makes or breaks a QB. He had the 3rd worst accuracy on throws of 20+ in 2016.

Winston’s strengths certainly don’t make him a terrible QB, but if he ever improved his accuracy, he’d be an elite starter.

Pros

-Great pocket movement

-Patient

-Good footwork

-Strong arm

Cons

-Horrible accuracy

What do you make of this?

[falconidae]

:...he at the very least cut down on the bad decisions in 2016."

Then two  paragraphs later

:-Decision making more random than earlier in his career...":

Both of those can't be true, what can be true is this guy likes really big arms and really doesn't like Ryan.

Sorry, it's just absurd to put Tanneyhill, Bradford, Prescott, Palmer [at this stage of his career], and  Mariota, ahead of Ryan. You want to put all the super bowl winning QBs ahead of him, fine. 

And Cam doesn't deserve to be 3rd over, Big Ben, Brady, Wilson and Brees.  He's obviously a big Cam fan, but no.

[JawnyBlaze]

 

Hah.  Ryan deserves to be that low. He's a middle of the pack QB. Cam deserves to be that high.  Cam is our offense. Ryan could be replaced by a dozen or more QBs with the system and tools he had last year and they would have won that Super Bowl. 

[Hogmolliesmaht]

I just want Cam to win football games, especially the biggest game of all at the end of the year. If that gets him ranked higher than other QB's, that's just gravy. Winning is what will make everybody remember him 20 years from now though, not stats.

[JawnyBlaze]

And both those statements can absolutely be true. Earlier in his career Ryan was coddled more and not allowed to make as many decisions. He was captain checkdown. Now he acts on his own more and makes more mistakes. This year was just fewer than last year (which was much more than the year's prior and a little more than this past year).

Super Bowls aren't a QB stat, they're a team stat. People who try to say otherwise are narrow minded and either don't know football or are just trying to make numbers fit their narrative. 

[Ball4life]

1 minute ago, JawnyBlaze said:

 

Hah.  Ryan deserves to be that low. He's a middle of the pack QB. Cam deserves to be that high.  Cam is our offense. Ryan could be replaced by a dozen or more QBs with the system and tools he had last year and they would have won that Super Bowl. 

Led the Falcons to a 56-22 record in his first 5 seasons. 4 time pro bowler and MVP, ROY. Led them to one of the best offenses of all time. He is easily a top 10 QB. 

 

[rico6]

You'd have to be one stupid motherfuger if you honestly think Matt Ryan is better than Cam in any way.

[theDIRTYcode2]

This is the same board that calls Andrew Luck a poo QB, and then subsequently posts a QB list that has him #2.....yeah, no.

[Saca312]

1 minute ago, theDIRTYcode2 said:

This is the same board that calls Andrew Luck a poo QB, and then subsequently posts a QB list that has him #2.....yeah, no.

Your board talks about Matt Ryan making Shanahan look good and saying your defense will be top 5, so that's some funny stuff.

[theDIRTYcode2]

13 minutes ago, Saca312 said:

Your board talks about Matt Ryan making Shanahan look good and saying your defense will be top 5, so that's some funny stuff.

Homerism at its finest. Nobody knows yet if it was Ryan or KS. I think our defense will be better but top 5 is unlikely. I'd take top 15.

[ecu88]

42 minutes ago, falconidae said:

:...he at the very least cut down on the bad decisions in 2016."

Then two  paragraphs later

:-Decision making more random than earlier in his career...":

Both of those can't be true, what can be true is this guy likes really big arms and really doesn't like Ryan.

Sorry, it's just absurd to put Tanneyhill, Bradford, Prescott, Palmer [at this stage of his career], and  Mariota, ahead of Ryan. You want to put all the super bowl winning QBs ahead of him, fine. 

And Cam doesn't deserve to be 3rd over, Big Ben, Brady, Wilson and Brees.  He's obviously a big Cam fan, but no.

Cons

-Arm strength looks like it’s weakening

-Decision making more random than earlier in his career

 

 

Indeed

[Panthers8969]

1 hour ago, falconidae said:

:...he at the very least cut down on the bad decisions in 2016."

Then two  paragraphs later

:-Decision making more random than earlier in his career...":

Both of those can't be true, what can be true is this guy likes really big arms and really doesn't like Ryan.

Sorry, it's just absurd to put Tanneyhill, Bradford, Prescott, Palmer [at this stage of his career], and  Mariota, ahead of Ryan. You want to put all the super bowl winning QBs ahead of him, fine. 

And Cam doesn't deserve to be 3rd over, Big Ben, Brady, Wilson and Brees.  He's obviously a big Cam fan, but no.

before u get shat on a bunch(might be too late for that), I agree with u ryan is too low. Tan, bradford, palmer, and prescott  all have no business being that high. Palmer especially is going to be horrible this year in his old age (but hey atleast he was good in those like 2-3 non consecutive years) the rest of these guys are extremely young and dak is the only one i would have as better than average, but hey played behind the best oline in the league. Dallas was arguably the best landing spot for a rookie qb last year. 

 

And also agree with you about cams ranking. He should be above luck too, man that guy is overrated 

[Saca312]

15 minutes ago, theDIRTYcode2 said:

Homerism at its finest. Nobody knows yet if it was Ryan or KS. I think our defense will be better but top 5 is unlikely. I'd take top 15.

Fair enough.

[Ball4life]

Just now, Promethean Forerunner said:

I'm not being a homer here when I say I'd take Cam over Ryan. While Matt is a great precision passer, he folds like bitch when the pressure is on. 

All that prolific offense talk is a crap with not scoring once in the 4th quarter and in overtime of the Superbowl.

Falcons offense didn't even touch the ball in Overtime..and the Patriots offense had the ball most of the 4th quarter.