2012 NFL Player Ranks - Quarterbacks

No writing on my part here. I'm simply going to rank the top players at each of the fantasy skill positions. Not by fantasy value, but by who I think is the best. Because I feel like it.

Some of you may think Andy Dalton is too high on this list, and he might be. But I feel he's going to prove me right this season.

Russell Wilson is a guy who I hope proves me wrong. I haven't seen much of his ability in the NFL yet, but there is definitely a chance he can be a top twenty signal caller this season. I like how he doesn't possess the ego of fellow newcomers Cam Newton (2nd year) and Robert Griffin III. His work ethic rivals anyone in the league, he doesn't complain about other teams "playing dirty" (RGIII) or charge fans cash for autographs (Newton).

Anyway, here's the list:

1) Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
2) Tom Brady, New England Patriots
3) Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
4) Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
5) Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
6) Eli Manning, New York Giants
7) Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
8) Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
9) Matt Schaub, Houston Texans
10) Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
11) Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens
12) Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals
13) Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins
14) Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers
15) Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles
16) Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
17) Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
18) Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears
19) Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans
20) Carson Palmer, Oakland Raiders
21) Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
22) Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo Bills
23) Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs
24) Kevin Kolb, Arizona Cardinals
25) Christian Ponder, Minnesota Vikings
26) Mark Sanchez, New York Jets
27) Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams
28) Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
29) Blaine Gabbert, Jacksonville Jaguars
30) Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins
31) Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
32) Brandon Weeden, Cleveland Browns

The Great Unknown: Matt Flynn Signs With Seahawks

Matt Flynn could be the next Aaron Rodgers -- stuck behind a franchise QB for a few years until he gets his own chance to shine and breaks out into stardom. Oddly enough, Flynn held the clipboard for Rodgers in Green Bay, and as you know, Rodgers did the same for Brett Favre.

Or Flynn could just as easily become the next Kevin Kolb or Matt Cassel -- signed for big money because of a sample size of a few games. Cassel had a full season under his belt before Kansas City broke the bank to make him what they hoped would be their franchise quarterback, but was handicapped by playing in Bill Belichick's offense. And Kolb was signed for $63,000,000 by the Cardinals based on a few 300-yard starts in Philadelphia, in which he still threw an alarming amount of picks. But potential was there.

The thing is, while Rodgers is obviously an All-Pro, Kolb and Cassel haven't yet lived up to their billing.

Kolb's sample size of seven starts, and Cassel's of a full season, however small they are, are reassuring when you see that Flynn was just inked for $26 million based on a mainly a single game (he had two other starts in 2010, one of them impressive, but would not have been enough to get him a payday).

You might remember Week 17 of last season when Aaron Rodgers' unknown backup came in for the Packers' meaningless game against the Lions, and went on to throw for six touchdowns and 480 yards. That was Flynn.

Sure, that was just one game, but many are saying Seattle got a bargain with the potential franchise QB: "only" ten million guaranteed on the three-year deal.

Flynn comes into 2012 as a giant question mark with a ton of upside. Aiding him will be a top five running back in Marshawn Lynch, and an excited receiver Doug Baldwin.

"Just got off the phone with Matt Flynn. And he's ready to WIN!!," the excited wideout tweeted.

We'll see if he can.

Super Bowl XLV and Its Aftermath

Greg Jennings was able to "put the team on his back" once again in Super Bowl XLV yesterday (from the YouTube video, if you haven't seen it). The veteran receiver had two touchdown receptions from Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers while helping to write Green Bay into the history books, with the storied franchise's fourth Super Bowl victory. Jordy Nelson caught nine passes for 140 yards and a touchdown as well for the Cheeseheads.

The veteran star cornerback Charles Woodson finally will receive the ring he's relished, after breaking down in tears, being so upset that he broke his collarbone in the second quarter and wouldn't be able to return. But his team won the game for him, the man who's been the leader of this defense for years. Green Bay also lost receiver Donald Driver in the second quarter, though this was offset by Jordy Nelson's huge day on the most important one of his career.

Safety Nick Collins made the most vital play of his life twelve minutes into the game, when he intercepted an underthrown pass by Ben Roethlisberger and took it 37 yards to the house to give Green Bay the 14-0 lead. Fifteen minutes later Green Bay would make the score 21-3 on Jennings' first TD reception, and Daniel Tosh's 49-6 Packers prediction looked like a possible reality.

But the always resilient Steelers would work their way back into the ballgame, and came within three points with seven minutes left on Mike Wallace's 30-yard TD reception from Roethlisberger, to make the score 28-25. However, in their final drive, the Steelers  turned the ball over on downs with 50 seconds left, and the celebration began in Title Town.

Schools in Green Bay let out early for today's celebration, and seemingly half of the city was there to greet their team as they arrived home. Green Bay has just over 103,000 residents, and 73,000 will pack Lambeau tomorrow for the official celebration, tickets running at just $5. For the city of Green Bay, Vince Lombardi's trophy is in its rightful place.

While Green Bay is ecstatic, the NFL lockout looms over the rest of the league. Yesterday's Super Bowl is possibly the last game we will see for the next year and a half or so.  Fans may not be able to cheer on their team next season for a Super Bowl victory, a quest for a repeat in Title Town may have to wait.