FOX Sports recently came out with a ranking of the quarterback groups of all 32 NFL teams. FOX has listed the New York Giants group of Eli Manning, David Carr, Andre Woodson and Rhett Bomar 17th.
All I can say to this, are you serious? Or, how about, are you out of your friggin' mind?
Here is what FOX said about the Giants' quartet.
If former Super Bowl champion Eli Manning gets hurt for an extended period, watch the Giants' offense go into "three yards and a cloud of dust" mode. Somehow, former mega-draft bust David Carr has found a home as New York's backup — despite being scarred seemingly beyond repair from being a pinata in Houston for five seasons. Behind Carr are two youngsters sans snaps at this level, meaning Big Blue fans should offer armed escorts and bubble-wrap any time Eli steps outside his door.
I can shoot so many holes in the arguments for placing 16 groups ahead of the Giants' quarterbacks that it isn't even funny.
I'm going to enjoy this, so let's get started. I will give FOX the first five (Saints, Steelers, Chargers, Cowboys, Cardinals) based on the talent of the second-team quarterbacks. After that, though, the gloves are coming off.
At No. 6, FOX has Carolina (Jake Delhomme, Josh McCown, Matt Moore, Hunter Cantwell). No. 6? You're killing me, here. Is there a quality NFL quarterback in that group? If you think Delhomme is one, maybe, but I would disagree with you.
At No. 7 is Philadelphia (Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, A.J. Feeley). Is Feeley clearly better than Carr? That's arguable. and the only thing Kolb has done to be considered better than Woodson or Bomar is get drafted higher.
At No. 8 is New England (Tom Brady, Kevin O'Connell, Matt Gutierrez, Brian Hoyer). The argument here is that if Bill Belicheck could turn Matt Cassel into a quality quarterback he can do it with O'Connell. I don't think you can rank O'Connell ahead of Carr until he proves it.
At No. 9 is Indianapolis (Peyton Manning, Jim Sorgi, Curtis Painter, Chris Crane). Same deal here. How do we know Sorgi is any better than the dearly departed Jared Lorenzen. Say what you want about Carr, but I am taking my chances with a guy who has played meaningful football. As for the other two, who knows and who cares?
At No. 11 is Atlanta (Matt Ryan, Chris Redman, D.J. Shockley, John Parker Wilson). Here again, we have to argue about the second-team QB. Exactly what has Redman done to push the Falcons six slots ahead of the Giants in this ranking? I can't find anything.
At No. 13 is Houston (Matt Schaub, Dan Orlovsky, Rex Grossman, Alex Brink). This is a joke, right? I have been sleeping, woke up and it's April Fool's Day? Orlovsky? Mr. 'Step out of the back of the end zone because I'm clueless?' Yikes!
At. No. 15 is Baltimore (Joe Flacco, Troy Smith, John Beck, Drew Willy). Smith was supposed to be the Ravens' starter last season before losing the job to Flacco. So what? He has thrown 80 career passes. You trust him more than Carr? I don't. As for Beck, same argument as with Kolb. He was drafted higher than Woodson or Bomar, that's all.
Mind you none of this is based on where Eli stands in relation to the other No. 1s. It is about the depth. I just can't believe the Giants group is only 17th-best in the league.
Your thoughts?
(-- 'Kudos to Windy City Gridiron for the find).