auburnphan 6,050 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/45694/ranking-the-sec-quarterbacks-3 Earlier, we ranked all 14 quarterback groups in the SEC. Now, it's time to rank the top 10 SEC quarterbacks heading into the 2012 season. Again, we are looking at overall talent, game-changing ability and experience. We also looked at past performances and projections for 2012. Here are our top 10 SEC quarterbacks: 1. Tyler Wilson, Sr., Arkansas: He could have easily left for the NFL after passing for more than 3,600 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. His big-time arm and incredible toughness weren't too shabby either. While his decision-making came into question sometimes last season, Wilson made tremendous strides this spring and should be an even smarter passer this fall. 2. Aaron Murray, RJr., Georgia: Murray has a chance to own a few more school and SEC records before his time at Georgia is up, but he does have to get over his turnover issues. Murray has some of the best technique and mechanics around, and when he's on and focused, he is one of the most talented passers out there. 3. Tyler Bray, Jr., Tennessee: Bray might have the strongest arm in the SEC, and has the ability to make some of the toughest throws in traffic. If he's healthy, he could go for 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. His focus hasn't always been great, but he made sure to correct that this spring and appears to finally be transforming into the real leader he's wanted to be. 4. AJ McCarron, Jr., Alabama: He has the tools and the moxy to be a real star. As last season progressed, he looked better and better, and capped things off with a marvelous performance in the BCS title game. If coach Nick Saban is really going to let him loose, McCarron has to improve some of his on-field decisions. 5. James Franklin, Jr., Missouri: If he's healthy, Franklin will be the SEC's top dual-threat quarterback. During a breakout season last fall, he passed for 2,865 yards and 21 touchdowns, and rushed for 981 yards and 15 more scores. Franklin wants to be a pass-first quarterback in his new league, but his shoulder injury is a concern. 6. Connor Shaw, Jr., South Carolina: Shaw showed his inexperience when he was first thrown into the starting spot last season, but seemed to improve and calm down every week after. Coach Steve Spurrier wants him to be more of a pass-first quarterback, and that seemed to be the case at the end of last season and this spring. 7. Zach Mettenberger, Jr., LSU: Mettenberger was a top quarterback prospect coming out of high school, but has very little experience outside of a stint at the junior college level after leaving Georgia. Still, he's certainly an upgrade for the Tigers, and showed this spring that he should make LSU's passing game stronger and more explosive. 8. Jordan Rodgers, RSr., Vanderbilt: Rodgers was an instant playmaker for the Commodores when he replaced the struggling Larry Smith last year, but he struggled with turnovers. This spring was all about him improving his leadership skills and his game management. Vandy's coaches left spring more confident in Rodgers' play. 9. Tyler Russell, Jr., Mississippi State: He bided his time during his first two years, but is now the guy in Starkville. The hope is that he'll be more consistent and more comfortable now that he knows he's the starter. It looks like the Bulldogs will have a more downfield passing game with Russell taking over. 10. Maxwell Smith, So., Kentucky: Smith played in eight games last season, but proved to be a much more effective player than former starter Morgan Newton. Despite averaging just 102.4 passing yards per game, Smith earned SEC All-Freshmen honors last fall. Smith looked even better this spring, and it appears the Wildcats' starting quarterback spot is his to lose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperNova 0 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 no surprises, ESPN will get some death threats from the updyke fan club ranking AJ at #4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilstein211345162940 0 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 based on the criteria, why is mettenberg so high? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDob06 444 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 based on the criteria, why is mettenberg so high? Agreed. He may end up being good, but why include him over some other guys with very little to no game experience? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripe 5 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 It's ESPN, do you really need more explanation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUTUmike 79 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I really don't have much of a problem with the top 6. After that, its realistically a bit of a crap shoot anyway until we see some of these guys like Frazier and Mettenberger play more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rednilla 5,439 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Meh, I don't think it's that bad. I don't think Mettenberger belongs on the list because he's yet to even field a snap in the SEC, but it's whatever. I do think Kiehl will be at or near the top of that list come the end of the year, but at this point I think it's fairly accurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjenkins 0 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 It's the end of the year standings that matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnphan 6,050 Posted July 10, 2012 Author Share Posted July 10, 2012 I thought AJ was overrated, he is kinda the Trent Dilfer of Super Bowl QB's. In the same short statement they talk about all his mental mistakes and still rank him behind 3 likely 1st round picks. Felt Franklin deserved a better ranking than AJ. The article clearly states talented QB's not game managers. When AJ needed to do things, he made poor decisions, IMO. The LSU game was one where they made it easy for him to beat him because they showed him no respect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuburnEngineer 0 Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Top 6 QB's are legit. KF needs to be anywhere from 5 to 8 by the end of season for us to have been successful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AU64 10,122 Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 AJ is in the perfect offense for him....they do not depend on him to win ballgames....just don't want him to lose them. As I look at the list, it's pretty obvious that the QB talent pool in the SEC is pretty shallow. From a known-performance standpoint there are only a few nationally rated QBs and maybe only Wilson in the top 5 or so. The recruiting this season may change that with many good QBs being distributed around the conference but it could be a few years before they show up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weegle777 78 Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 At this point, AJ should be #1 on that list. After all, he is the only one with a title ring on his finger. Hate to say it but it is true. Now I go yack my guts out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUTUmike 79 Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 At this point, AJ should be #1 on that list. After all, he is the only one with a title ring on his finger. Hate to say it but it is true. Now I go yack my guts out. I know what you mean but by the same token we would rank UAT's kicker as the #1 in the conference--and that certainly isn't true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rednilla 5,439 Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 At this point, AJ should be #1 on that list. After all, he is the only one with a title ring on his finger. Hate to say it but it is true. Now I go yack my guts out. If you're ranking accomplishment, sure. If you're ranking talent, not even. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney 10 Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 If you're ranking talent, I think I would put Bray #1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weegle777 78 Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 If it was any other QB other than a turd QB, I would further argue my point. But I'll be dadgum if I will defend a turd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuburnNTexas 7,302 Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 AJ is in the perfect offense for him....they do not depend on him to win ballgames....just don't want him to lose them. As I look at the list, it's pretty obvious that the QB talent pool in the SEC is pretty shallow. From a known-performance standpoint there are only a few nationally rated QBs and maybe only Wilson in the top 5 or so. The recruiting this season may change that with many good QBs being distributed around the conference but it could be a few years before they show up. Is it that the QB;s are weak or is it the SEC plays runs first and tough defense which doesn't always allow the QB's to do more than manage a game. A lot of the high Flying Spread QB's in the gunslinger conferences look good get drafted into NFL and then don't do anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUwent 3,821 Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 ^^So you're saying Ted Roof was the best DC in the SEC in 2010? LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuburnNTexas 7,302 Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 ^^So you're saying Ted Roof was the best DC in the SEC in 2010? LOL. I totally understand your comment about Ted Roof and I totally agree with you. But the SEC as a whole usually plays tough Defense and as a whole we are a run first pass second league. That tends to make it more difficult to determine if a QB has the goods as the SEC doesn't normally try to win with the QB as much as other conferences. The NC was an exception for Auburn because of CAM but even with CAM a lot of people had questions about him because many thought it was his legs alone that carried the team. Last year CAM proofed he was the whole package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walleyau22 0 Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 ^^So you're saying Ted Roof was the best DC in the SEC in 2010? LOL. I totally understand your comment about Ted Roof and I totally agree with you. But the SEC as a whole usually plays tough Defense and as a whole we are a run first pass second league. That tends to make it more difficult to determine if a QB has the goods as the SEC doesn't normally try to win with the QB as much as other conferences. The NC was an exception for Auburn because of CAM but even with CAM a lot of people had questions about him because many thought it was his legs alone that carried the team. Last year CAM proofed he was the whole package. Not trying to be the spelling gestapo, but that is pretty funny right there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AU64 10,122 Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 Guess I'm suggesting that the SEC QBs are weak. Dozen to 14 teams over the past half dozen years and Cam and Tebow the only two that even got a serious look. I suspect the best QBs don't come to the SEC because they will generally not get to showcase their abilities with the SEC style offenses. Sure a few of the the SEC defenses are tough but IMO, the poor QBing in the conference makes most of them look better than they are. Other than Wilson at Ark, is there anyone in the SEC that looks to be a sure NFL prospect? Even as well as Murray has played, he will likely never make the NFL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LakeBum 187 Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 Guess I'm suggesting that the SEC QBs are weak. Dozen to 14 teams over the past half dozen years and Cam and Tebow the only two that even got a serious look. I suspect the best QBs don't come to the SEC because they will generally not get to showcase their abilities with the SEC style offenses. Sure a few of the the SEC defenses are tough but IMO, the poor QBing in the conference makes most of them look better than they are. Other than Wilson at Ark, is there anyone in the SEC that looks to be a sure NFL prospect? Even as well as Murray has played, he will likely never make the NFL. Seems like UGA had a pretty good QB go to the Lions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keesler 5,955 Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 Guess I'm suggesting that the SEC QBs are weak. Dozen to 14 teams over the past half dozen years and Cam and Tebow the only two that even got a serious look. I suspect the best QBs don't come to the SEC because they will generally not get to showcase their abilities with the SEC style offenses. Sure a few of the the SEC defenses are tough but IMO, the poor QBing in the conference makes most of them look better than they are. Other than Wilson at Ark, is there anyone in the SEC that looks to be a sure NFL prospect? Even as well as Murray has played, he will likely never make the NFL. Those tough SEC defenses have made a many QB outside of this conference look weak. High powered QB's have not been very successful against SEC defenses. Which IMO, is a greater testament to the SEC QB's that have been able to guide this conference to 6 straight BCSNC's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rednilla 5,439 Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 Guess I'm suggesting that the SEC QBs are weak. Dozen to 14 teams over the past half dozen years and Cam and Tebow the only two that even got a serious look. I suspect the best QBs don't come to the SEC because they will generally not get to showcase their abilities with the SEC style offenses. Sure a few of the the SEC defenses are tough but IMO, the poor QBing in the conference makes most of them look better than they are. Other than Wilson at Ark, is there anyone in the SEC that looks to be a sure NFL prospect? Even as well as Murray has played, he will likely never make the NFL. Seems like UGA had a pretty good QB go to the Lions. Yeah, Matthew Stafford came to my mind as well. Ryan Mallett wasn't too shabby, either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AU64 10,122 Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 Yep you are right on Stafford...Mallette is still a question mark. But think about it...that makes 3 or 4 or 5 in perhaps 8-10 years. ...ooops, and Eli of course....and go back far enough there is Peyton and a few others. There is pretty good correlation between performance in the SEC and making it to the NFL...the very best make it to the NFL and rest don't. There are something like 125 QBs on NFL teams and the SEC is waaay under-represented considering the success and strength of the conference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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