The 2005 SFL regular season kickoff is just around the corner. Most of the teams are set with their 55-man roster. And most of them also have decided who is going to be under center for their team at the start of the season. Regarded as one of the key factors (if not the only one) for the success of a team, quality quarterbacks are always the hottest commodity during in every phase of the season. The battle inside the division is also heavily influenced by the starting quarterbacks in that division. A division is often considered as 'the division of hell' (the toughest division) due to the quarterbacks competition among teams inside the division. I have gathered some data related to the quarterbacks in SFL. In this article, I am going to use those data in order to rank all of the 8 divisions in the SFL based off the starting quarterbacks attributes.
To narrow down the impactful attributes for a good QB, I only use the data of AWR, THA, THP, STA, INJ and TGH for my calculation. The following is the explanation and reason for each attribute I have chosen to be included in the calculation.
1. AWR = This attribute is essential for a QB to read on-field situations and make quick decision where to throw the ball to as well as to make the QB able to execute the long bombs effectively.
2. THA = This attribute is important to hit the receivers accurately; able to throw through small windows and prevent the over-throws and under-throws.
3. THP = This attribute is important for QB to make quick throws and long bombs; the QB passes must be powerful enough to travel on the air smoothly to the receiver.
4. STA = This attribute is important for QB to play consistently with his maximum ability until the end of the game.
5. INJ = This attribute is important for QB to be present on the field as long as possible and strong enough to stand up again after getting hit (even though in some cases this attribute almost does not matter at all).
6. TGH = This attribute is important for QB to fight hard whether leading or trailing in the game and also to help recover from a sack or tackle.
You may have different opinions regarding the importance of those above attributes. If that's the case, you are welcome to leave your thoughts or comments under this thread. Back to the topic, here is the ranking of all 8 SFL divisions by the teams starting quarterbacks. Enjoy the read!
1st. AFC East | Age Average = 29.75 | Average Points = 93.15Buffalo Bills: Steve McNair
Miami Dolphins: Tim Couch
New York Jets: Jake Plummer
New England Patriots: Tom BradyWith 2 big names in this division, there is no wonder why this group ranked first in this list. In terms of achievement, all four starting QBs in this group reached the playoffs at least once during the past 3 seasons, with McNair and Couch making the Super Bowl appearance last season and McNair came out as the winner even though with another team. He and Brady even made the playoffs in 3 consecutive seasons. The other one, Plummer, looks to perform better from time to time, especially after committing to stay in the pocket much more as a passer moving forward. This division is for sure going to showcase interesting QB battles that may continue into the post-season.
2nd. AFC South | Age Average = 26.5 | Average Points = 92.45Indianapolis Colts: Peyton Manning
Jacksonville Jaguars: Eli Manning
Houston Texans: Brian Griese
Tennessee Titans: Philip RiversAs one of the younger groups of QBs, this division takes the second place with the help of one of the top 3 QBs in the league, Peyton Manning. The more interesting thing is that the 2 Mannings in the league have to face each other at least twice a season, with Eli under center for the Jaguars since last season. As a rookie QB in a struggling team last year, Eli showed that he still could perform well and led all rookie QBs in production. Brian Griese of the Texans also had a good season last year, taking the underrated Texans to the playoffs for the first time. He still needs to prove this season that it wasn't just a fluke though. The other young name in this group, Philip Rivers, could possibly make a leap this season in terms of performance after the Titans GM great offseason moves by gathering what looks like an all star team. Will that be enough to lift them up? Only time will tell.
3rd. NFC North | Age Average = 27.5 | Average Points = 90.55Chicago Bears: Alex Smith
Detroit Lions: Michael Vick
Green Bay Packers: Brett Favre
Minnesota Vikings: Daunte CulpepperAs the oldest QB in this group, Favre is still considered as the best and has the highest chance to take his team representing this division in the playoffs. Vick and Culpepper are 2 interesting QBs in the ideal age for athletes and could surprise this division or even the league, especially after Vick committing to be much more of a passer than a scrambler starting this season. Alex Smith is a good rookie but he may need time to be there with the previous two in terms of performance on the field.
4th. NFC South | Age Average = 31.5 | Average Points = 90Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marc Bulger
Atlanta Falcons: Trent Green
Carolina Panthers: Kerry Collins
New Orleans Saints: Jake DelhommeOne of the oldest 2 groups, the NFC South has 2 new names of the starting QB for this season in Kerry Collins and Marc Bulger. Collins may be sen as a far better one especially with the presence of LT that can take out a lot of pressure from him. Meanwhile, Bulger is like getting little help from his new team and probably cost the GM to lose his team for the next season. The other 2 QBs, Green and Delhomme, are already established QBs in the division. Both have taken their team to the playoffs by winning the division even still with subpar results in the post-season.
5th. AFC West | Age Average = 30.5 | Average Points = 89.6Denver Broncos: Drew Bledsoe
San Diego Chargers: Chad Pennington
Kansas City Chiefs: Byron Leftwich
Oakland Raiders: Jeff GarciaWith the sudden resignation of Broncos GM Tom Riddell due to health problem, Drew Bledsoe might be threatened with another disappointing season if they cannot find a capable GM to take the empty seat soon. This division could be left with only one insteresting QB battle in Pennington and Garcia. Both will push hard to go all out this season. The last QB in this division, young Byron Leftwich, might find this year as a learning but not competing ground, especially with a new GM.
6th. NFC West | Age Average = 25.75 | Average Points = 89.05San Francisco 49ers: Kyle Orton
Arizona Cardinals: Carson Palmer
St. Louis Rams: Drew Brees
Seattle Seahawks: Matt HasselbackPalmer is definitely the front runner in this group with possible challenge from Brees. Their battle will be interesting to watch but Palmer's casts are just too talented for Brees to counterbalance. Hasselback might see a better season from last year but it may be not enough to take over the division with Palmer and Brees there. Kyle Orton could be challenging the first 2 names but I don't think it will be anytime soon. He will still get a good learning ground though for this season.
7th. NFC East | Age Average = 25 | Average Points = 88.05Dallas Cowboys: Ben Rothlisberger
Philadelphia Eagles: Donovan McNabb
New York Giants: Matt Schaub
Washington Redskins: Rex GrossmanWelcome to the future of SFL. Yup, this division boasts as the youngest QB group in the league. They may not dominate the league now but in a few seasons, they surely will. McNabb is probably the most ready QB in this group but I don't think he got enough weapons to help him to succeed. Big Ben, Rex and Matt, I think will form interesting battles of young QBs in the league for years to come. And don't be surprised if we see 2 of them battle it out in NFC championship game in the future.
8th. AFC North | Age Average = 31.75 | Average Points = 87.4Cincinnati Bengals: Jon Kitna
Cleveland Browns: Kurt Warner
Baltimore Ravens: Jeff Blake
Pittsburgh Steelers: Tony RomoEven though ranked last, it does not mean that this division does not have quality QBs. In fact, 3 of the 4 starters in this division are playoff caliber QBs, and 2 of them were Super Bowl winners. Warner and Blake may see this season as the season to decide their future. They might still be able to take their team to the biggest stage and then retire for good. Kitna is probably still curious to return to the playoffs again and might be able to win this division again. I don't see Romo is anywhere near the other three now but maybe just maybe in the far future (sorry Bill, no offense though).
That is all about the SFL divisions rank by QB. Like I have stated earlier, if you have any thoughts or comments please kindly leave those on this thread below. Thank you for reading
