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Steelers Report Card/Week 12: Headaches Extend Beyond Final Score

Published: November 30, 2009

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Here’s my take on the Steelers’ 20-17 overtime defeat against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night:

1. In terms of chemistry and leadership, this team isn’t in the same zip code as the one of a year ago. But who would have thunk that team captain Hines Ward would be part of the problem?

In an NBC television interview, Ward claimed that the locker room was divided about whether Ben Roethlisberger should play one week after the quarterback had suffered the third known concussion of his career. According to the report, Roethlisberger wanted to play despite exercise-induced headaches late in the week, but on the recommendation of medical personnel, head coach Mike Tomlin wisely decided against it. The inference was that Roethlisberger should have kept his mouth shut and played the game, which Ward likened to a playoff encounter.

Look, I admire Ward and his old-school approach, but if I made a list of players in the league most likely to wimp out in a big game, Roethlisberger might be the last one on it. That Ward of all people would throw the QB under the team bus kind of makes me wonder if he has taken too many blows to the head himself.

2. No head coach talks a better game than Tomlin, who promised that his team would “unleash hell in December” after the game.

What Steelers World wants to know is, why didn’t the defending champions unleash hell in October and November? Even purgatory would have been nice.

3. Linebackers Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley combined for 12 tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble, but one monster game doesn’t atone for so many forgettable ones at the start of the season. It only makes them worse, in fact.

4. The inability of offensive coordinator Bruce Arians to make the necessary adjustments reared its ugly head again. Emergency fill-in Dennis Dixon played a solid first half, but the Ravens defense read him like a book in the final two-plus periods.

Dixon is not a drop-back passer, so why make him into one? His legs are his greatest asset at this point, but he wasn’t allowed to use them on draws, bootlegs and the like. Dixon and feature back Rashard Mendenhall excelled at the option play in college and the Ravens would have been hard-pressed to defend against it.

5. Because there was no proven back-up available, it was important to keep Dixon in one piece. But given the choice between a healthy back-up quarterback or a 7-4 record, I’ll take the 7-4 record and worry about who plays quarterback later.

6. Before the season, there was a concern that the d-line had grown a bit long in the tooth. Sure enough, the Ravens ran the ball down its throat for 132 yards on only 29 carries. That’s 4.6 yard per attempt.

Nosetackle Casey Hampton and ends Brent Keisel and Travis Kirschke played like they were 30-something years old, probably because they were 30-something years old.

7. Farrior and nickelback Deshea Townsend have been frequent targets on third-and-medium situations this season, so it came as no surprise that the Ravens would pick on one of them on the biggest play of the game. Required to cover Ravens feature back Ray Rice by himself on fourth-and-5 late in the fourth quarter, Farrior was toasted for 44 big ones.

James Farrior versus Ray Rice? I’ll be the last guy to tell defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau what to do, but he may want to rethink that one.

8. Want another bad matchup? How about cornerback William Gay versus wide receiver Mark Clayton? Clayton caught so many balls (a dozen for 129 yards), I thought Lenny Moore had made a comeback.

9. Halfback Willie Parker was born 40 years too late. If he had played at a time when guards weren’t the size of tackles, his 4.4 speed would have been hell on sweeps and pitchouts, which have been phased out of professional football practically.

10. Oh, to be a fly in the mind of Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt when he looks at the standings and sees his former team in third place with a lousy 6-5 record.

You know, the guy who was the most qualified candidate to become Steelers head coach three years ago.

The grades:

Offense regulars

WR Hines Ward: C

Weekly grades: B/B/C/B/A/A/D/A/C/B/C

Season average: B

LT Max Starks: B

Weekly grades: B/F/C/B/C/C/C/A/C/D/B

Season average: C

LG Chris Komoeatu: DNP

Weekly grades: D/C/B/A/B/B/B/C/D/B/DNP

Season average: C+

C Justin Hartwig: B

Weekly grades: F/C/B/A/B/B/B/A/D/B/C

Season average: C+

RG Trai Essex: C

Weekly grades: C/B/C/B/D/D/C/C/F/C/C

Season average: C

RT Willie Colon: B

Weekly grades: D/B/C/A/C/C/A/A/F/D/B

Season average: C+

TE Heath Miller: C

Weekly grades: A/B/B/A/A/A/A/C/C/D/C

Season average: B

WR Santonio Holmes: A

Weekly grades: A/D/F/C/B/A/C/A/B/B/A

Season average: C+

WR Mike Wallace: D

Weekly grades: B/C/A/B/B/B/A/A/D/D/D

Season average: C+

QB Ben Roethlisberger: DNP

Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/B/B/B/B/D/A/DNP

Season average: B

RB Rashard Mendenhall: B

Weekly grades: C/B/INC/A/A/D/D/A/C/A/B

Season average: B

RB Mewelde Moore: D

Weekly grades: B/C/C/A/B/B/B/B/B/C/D

Season average: C+

RB Willie Parker: C

Weekly grades: D/C/B/DNP/DNP/D/INC/INC/INC/B/C

Season average: C

Defense regulars

LE Travis Kirschke: B

Weekly grades: C/B/C/C/B/B/B/DNP/DNP/DNP/B

Season average: C+

NT Casey Hampton: D

Weekly grades: B/B/B/C/B/A/C/A/B/A/D

Season average: B

RE Brett Keisel: C

Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/A/A/A/B/B/C

Season average: B

LOLB LaMarr Woodley: A

Weekly grades: D/D/D/D/C/B/B/B/B/A/A

Season average: C+

LILB James Farrior: B

Weekly grades: B/A/C/B/C/A/A/B/B/B/B

Season average: B

LILB Keyaron Fox: B

Weekly grades: A/A/C/C/B/D/A/A/F/C/B

Season average: C+

RILB Lawrence Timmons: A

Weekly grades: DNP/B/B/D/B/A/B/DNP/B/A/A

Season average: B

ROLB James Harrison: B

Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/A/B/A/A/C/A/B

Season average: B+

LCB William Gay: F

Weekly grades: C/C/B/B/B/C/D/C/B/D/F

Season average: C

RCB Ike Taylor: C

Weekly grades: C/B/A/A/B/D/B/C/A/A/C

Season average: B

SS Troy Polamalu: INC

Weekly grades: A/DNP/DNP/DNP/DNP/A/A/A/INC/DNP/DNP

Season average: A

FS Ryan Clark: C

Weekly grades: B/B/A/B/A/B/B/DNP/A/D/C

Season average: B

Special teams regulars

PK Jeff Reed: A

Weekly grades: B/F/C/A/B/B/D/B/C/B/A

Season average: C+

P Daniel Sepulveda: B

Weekly grades: A/A/A/A/B/B/B/A/A/B/B

Season average: B+

KR Stefan Logan: C

Weekly grades: B/D/A/C/B/B/B/C/C/B/C

Season average: C+

PR Stefan Logan: B

Weekly grades: C/C/C/F/C/INC/C/B/B/B

Season average: C

Coaches

HC Mike Tomlin: C

Weekly grades: B/C/D/A/C/B/B/A/D/F/C

Season average: C+

OC Bruce Arians: C

Weekly grades: C/D/C/A/B/A/C/B/F/C/C

Season average: C+

DC Dick LeBeau: B

Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/A/B/A/A/A/B

Season average: B+

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

QBER/Week 11: Numbers Say MVP Award Is Favre-Fetched Idea

Published: November 25, 2009

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(QBER is short for Quarterback Efficiency Rating, a more comprehensive, easily understood rating system that I devised to place the emphasis where it belongs—on the ability of a quarterback to advance the ball, avoid negative plays, and score touchdowns in comparison to his peers. A rating of 100.0 is the league average.)

It’s too a bit too early for apologies, but the critics who wrote off Brett Favre months ago should be advised to have their speeches ready.

Not only is Favre the top-ranked quarterback in the league, according to the most recent QBER calculations, but the longer the season progresses, the better he has been. At a time when 40-year-olds are supposed to slow down, his QBER has improved from 125.1 to 138.1 to 138.5 to 141.6 to 148.2 in the last four weeks.

Can you say Most Valuable Player, boys and girls?

There are several worthy candidates for MVP honors, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning also among them, but Favre should rate as the early favorite for the award. Even though feature Adrian Peterson has been fairly average by his standards, the Vikings own a 9-1 record largely because Favre has stepped up as a highly efficient quarterback and unquestioned team leader.

What stands out about Favre is his ability to avoid negative plays, which is in stark contrast to the later stages of his Green Bay Packers career. In 334 pass plays, he has been guilty of only four turnovers, the best rate in the league. He also accounts for one touchdown per 15.9 pass attempts, which is 75 percent above the league average.

It was in Week 14 of a year ago that Favre began his free-fall because of shoulder problems. His detractors may not like it, but a rerun doesn’t appear to be likely this time around.

The QBER Leaders Through Week Eleven of the Regular Season:

1. Brett Favre 148.2

2. Peyton Manning 134.6

3. Donovan McNabb 130.0

4. Aaron Rodgers 129.3

5. Drew Brees 128.3

6. Tom Brady 127.6

7. Philip Rivers 127.5

8. Matt Schaub 125.3

9. Eli Manning 119.0

10. Kurt Warner 114.5

11. Kyle Orton 114.2

12. Tony Romo 112.4

13. Joe Flacco 110.5

14. Carson Palmer 109.7

15. Ben Roethlisberger 106.6

16. Matt Hasselbeck 104.0

17. Matt Ryan 101.5

18. Matt Cassel 101.4

19. David Garrard 90.0

20. Chad Henne 87.2

21. Jay Cutler 85.8

22. Marc Bulger 82.3

23. Jason Campbell 81.6

24. Matthew Stafford 80.5

25. Trent Edwards 79.3

26. Kerry Collins 78.4

27. Mark Sanchez 59.6

28. Jake Delhomme 57.2

29. JaMarcus Russell 50.1

A Few Observations

If Vince Young isn’t a big fan of the QBER system, then he should be. According the NFL passer rating formula, the Tennessee Titans signal-caller would rank 17th overall if he had the required number of pass attempts—two spots worse than he would on be on the QBER list. The QBER formula credits Young for the 147 yards that he gained on runs off pass plays, while the NFL system ignores them. The Titans haven’t lost since Young regained his starter role, and his improved play has been a primary reason for the turnaround.
Maybe Pete Carroll was right, after all. The Southern California head coach said Mark Sanchez would have been better suited to remain in college one more year, and the numbers support his contention. The New York Jets’ rookie has been plagued by turnovers—19 of them. Only Jay Cutler has as many in the league.
While Sanchez has regressed, Detroit Lions rookie Matthew Stafford has headed the other way. His QBER jumped from 58.7 (28th overall) to a semi-respectable 80.5 (24th) in that span. It should be noted that he played against the Cleveland Browns last week.
The play of Philadelphia Eagles veteran Donovan McNabb may be as consistent as any point in his career. His QBER ranking in each of the last six weeks: fourth, fourth, second, third, third, and third.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers earned the Mr. Clean Award last week. In 22 pass plays, he did not have a scramble, sack, fumble, or interception.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Steelers Report Card/Week 11: It’s Buh-Bye Week for Sad New Steelers

Published: November 22, 2009

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Here’s my take on the Steelers’ 27-24 overtime defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday afternoon:

1. My analysis caught a lot of flack last week, when I dismissed the Steelers as pretenders, but it was spot on, wasn’t it?

Ever since Week Two, when they somehow lost to an inferior Chicago Bears team, the Steelers have had the look of the biggest underachievers in professional football. You mean they can’t beat the Kansas City friggin’ Chiefs, a crummy 2-and-7 team that hadn’t won a home game in more than one year? Based on talent and experience, this one should have been over at halftime.

Look, no team wins every game, but it should be prepared and focused and play to its potential. From penalties to dropped passes, blown assignments to missed tackles, it’s crystal clear that the Steelers are content to be one-year wonders, not repeat champions.

Meanwhile, send your apologies to me at this site.

2. So head coach Mike Tomlin axed linebacker Arnold Harrison to send a message to the special teams, huh? Well, it sunk in for about 16 seconds—or the time it took rookie Jamaal Charles to run 97 big ones on the first kickoff. C’mon, how pathetic is that?

Get this: The guy who replaced Harrison (rookie linebacker Donovan Woods) was guilty of a penalty that cost his team 33 yards on a punt return.

What I want to know is, what has to happen for a coach to get fired? Not that I would ever name names, special teams coach Bob Ligashesky.

3. One more time: Boot the ball out of bounds on kickoffs already.

If the Steelers had done so the last two weeks, they would have gained 19 yards in field position and 13 points on the scoreboard. Plus, the risk of injury would have been taken out of the equation.

I know, it’s the sissy way out. So what? As Herman Edwards would say, “Helloooo, you play to win the game.”

4. Why, oh, why didn’t Tomlin throw the red flag after Ike Taylor appeared to intercept a pass in overtime, except to say that he and his staff are slow when it comes to that sort of thing?

Taylor had control of the ball after he hit the ground. The cornerback didn’t lose control of it until after he rolled over with it. The sequence was too iffy, too crucial to be ignored completely.

On the next play, wide receiver Chris Chambers caught the defense with its pants down, and the Steelers were losers again.

5. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger went down with another head injury, this one in overtime, and you have to wonder how many more of those he can take in his career.

More good news: The next game is against a desperate Baltimore Ravens team that is bent on payback for last season.

6. This is all you need to know about the Bruce Arians, offensive genius: On 3rd-and-2, one first down short of field-goal range, he calls on fullback Mewelde Moore to run a sweep to the right side.

Of course, why would you want Willie Parker or Rashard Mendenhall to run wide when you can have the slowest back available do it, right?

7. The defense doesn’t get off the hook either.

After the Steelers took a 24-17 lead midway through the fourth period, the Chiefs drove 91 yards in eight plays. Heck, they made it look so easy, I thought Len Dawson had made a comeback or something.

8. Of all the players on the Steelers roster, tight end Heath Miller would have been one of the last ones I thought would get spoiled by a fat contract.

Did Miller fool a lot of people or what?

His dropped pass-turned-interception set the wheels in motion for the upset, and it wasn’t the first time that we saw him scissor-hands an easy one this season.

The only thing worse than a lack of focus is a lack of focus and discipline. That’s what Miller was guilty of in the second quarter, when he committed a dumb personal foul that wiped out a 14-yard gain.

9. Now that the Steelers’ season is kaput, it’s not too early to discuss the 2010 draft.

The early want list: defensive tackle, guard, offensive tackle, cornerback and placekicker.

10. Hey, look, the Ravens took the opening kickoff to the house already! (Borrowed from last week.)

The Grades

Offense regulars

WR Hines Ward: B

Weekly grades: B/B/C/B/A/A/D/A/C/B

Season average: B

LT Max Starks: D

Weekly grades: B/F/C/B/C/C/C/A/C/D

Season average: C

LG Chris Komoeatu: B

Weekly grades: D/C/B/A/B/B/B/C/D/B

Season average: C+

C Justin Hartwig: C

Weekly grades: F/C/B/A/B/B/B/A/D/C

Season average: C+

RG Trai Essex: C

Weekly grades: C/B/C/B/D/D/C/C/F/C

Season average: C

RT Willie Colon: D

Weekly grades: D/B/C/A/C/C/A/A/F/D

Season average: C+

TE Heath Miller: D

Weekly grades: A/B/B/A/A/A/A/C/C/D

Season average: B

WR Santonio Holmes: B

Weekly grades: A/D/F/C/B/A/C/A/B/B

Season average: C+

WR Mike Wallace: D

Weekly grades: B/C/A/B/B/B/A/A/D/D

Season average: B

QB Ben Roethlisberger: A

Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/B/B/B/B/D/A

Season average: B

RB Rashard Mendenhall: A

Weekly grades: C/B/INC/A/A/D/D/A/C/A

Season average: C+

RB Mewelde Moore: C

Weekly grades: B/C/C/A/B/B/B/B/B/C

Season average: B

RB Willie Parker: B

Weekly grades: D/C/B/DNP/DNP/D/INC/INC/INC/B

Season average: C

Defense regulars

LE Travis Kirschke: DNP

Weekly grades: C/B/C/C/B/B/B/DNP/DNP/DNP

Season average: C+

NT Casey Hampton: A

Weekly grades: B/B/B/C/B/A/C/A/B/A

Season average: B

RE Brett Keisel: B

Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/A/A/A/B/B

Season average: B+

LOLB Lamarr Woodley: A

Weekly grades: D/D/D/D/C/B/B/B/B/A

Season average: C

LILB James Farrior: B

Weekly grades: B/A/C/B/C/A/A/B/B/B

Season average: B

LILB Keyaron Fox: C

Weekly grades: A/A/C/C/B/D/A/A/F/C

Season average: C+

RILB Lawrence Timmons: A

Weekly grades: DNP/B/B/D/B/A/B/DNP/B/A

Season average: B

ROLB James Harrison: A

Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/A/B/A/A/C/A

Season average: B+

LCB William Gay: D

Weekly grades: C/C/B/B/B/C/D/C/B/D

Season average: C

RCB Ike Taylor: A

Weekly grades: C/B/A/A/B/D/B/C/A/A

Season average: B

SS Troy Polamalu: INC

Weekly grades: A/DNP/DNP/DNP/DNP/A/A/A/INC/DNP

Season average: A

FS Ryan Clark: C

Weekly grades: B/B/A/B/A/B/B/DNP/A/C

Season average: B

Special teams regulars

PK Jeff Reed: B

Weekly grades: B/F/C/A/B/B/D/B/C/B

Season average: C+

P Daniel Sepulveda: B

Weekly grades: A/A/A/A/B/B/B/A/A/B

Season average: B+

KR Stefan Logan: B

Weekly grades: B/D/A/C/B/B/B/C/C/B

Season average: C+

PR Stefan Logan: B

Weekly grades: C/C/C/F/C/INC/C/B/B/B

Season average: C

Coaches

HC Mike Tomlin: F

Weekly grades: B/C/D/A/C/B/B/A/D/F

Season average: C+

OC Bruce Arians: C

Weekly grades: C/D/C/A/B/A/C/B/F/C

Season average: C+

DC Dick LeBeau: B

Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/A/B/A/A/B

Season average: B+

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QBER/Week 10: Quinn? Anderson? LeBron? Doesn’t Matter in Browns Town

Published: November 18, 2009

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(QBER is short for Quarterback Efficiency Rating, a more comprehensive, easily understood rating system that I devised to place the emphasis where it belongs—the ability of a quarterback to advance the ball, avoid negative plays, and score touchdowns in comparison to his peers. A rating of 100.0 is the league average.)

The Cleveland Browns rank 32nd and dead last in points and total yards in the league, and some longtime observers consider theirs to be the worst offense in decades. For that, quarterbacks Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn have shouldered a lot of the blame.

Yet the QBER of Quinn (29.7) and Anderson (29.5) are so similar and ridiculously below the league norm, there’s reason to believe that not even Otto Graham in prime could work miracles here. Or even LeBron James, for that matter. Rather, the problem appears to have as much to do with the scheme or the talent around them or both perhaps.

Quinn (62.6) and Anderson (61.3) move the ball at almost an identical rate. If there’s a difference, then it’s that Quinn protects the ball better, while Anderson finds the end zone more often. Anderson has been guilty of 11 turnovers in 164 pass calls. In 125 pass plays, Quinn has a zero touchdown differential (TDs scored on runs and passes minus TDs allowed via fumbles and interceptions).

Quinn and Anderson lack the minimum number of pass plays (166) to qualify for the QBER list, and perhaps it’s just as well. They would rank next-to-last and last, respectively.

Pssst, LeBron, better keep your night job.

The QBER leaders through Week 10 of the regular season:

1. Brett Favre 141.6

2. Peyton Manning 140.9

3. Donovan McNabb 132.4

4. Tom Brady 129.4

5. Aaron Rodgers 129.1

6. Philip Rivers 128.0

7. Matt Schaub 124.3

8. Drew Brees 123.7

9. Kyle Orton 120.2

10. Joe Flacco 115.6

11. Tony Romo 115.4

12. Eli Manning 115.0

13. Carson Palmer 114.9

14. Kurt Warner 110.8

15. Matt Hasselbeck 108.1

16. Ben Roethlisberger 106.0

17. Shaun Hill 105.1

18. Matt Ryan 101.4

19. Matt Cassel 100.0

20. David Garrard 93.5

21. Jay Cutler 87.3

22. Marc Bulger 85.6

23. Jason Campbell 83.4

24. Chad Henne 81.6

25. Trent Edwards 80.2

26. Kerry Collins 79.6

27. Mark Sanchez 77.0

28. Matthew Stafford 67.9

29. Jake Delhomme 52.5

30. JaMarcus Russell 50.7

A few observations:

• Drew Brees is a healthy eighth on the QBER charts, but his recent 2-to-1 turnover-to-touchdown ratio may be cause for concern. In the last four weeks, the New Orleans Saints quarterback was the victim of six interceptions and four lost fumbles.

• Kyle Orton for Most Valuable Player? Probably not, but the Denver Broncos quarterback deserves more than token consideration. His QBER has ranked ninth or higher in all except Week Nine thus far. As for his supposed inability to throw the ball downfield, he ranks ahead of Jay Cutler, Brett Favre, Carson Palmer, and Ben Roethlisberger in net yards per pass attempt.

• Speaking of Roethlisberger, like his team, he can’t get over the hump, it seems. Where Big Ben ranked in QBER the last seven weeks: 15th, 15th, 14th, 15th, 13th, 15th, and 16th.

• Which quarterback gives up the ball at the lowest rate? Surprise, surprise, he’s Brett Favre, who has only four turnovers in 307 pass plays. Orton owns a share of the lead with identical numbers.

• The average NFL quarterback? He’s Matt Cassel, whose 100.0 rating is the league norm.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Steelers Report Card/Week 10: Lame Effort Has Stupor Steelers on Brink

Published: November 16, 2009

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Here’s my take on the Steelers’ 18-12 defeat against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon:

1. Let’s get real here. The Steelers season is over and done with for all intents and purposes. So long. Buh-bye. Nice knowin’ ya.

At 6-3, the Steelers trail the Bengals by two games in the AFC North race because they lose the head-to-head tiebreaker. Have you seen the cupcakes on the Bengals schedule? If they don’t finish with a 12-4 record—minimum—then I’ll kiss Chad Ochocinco on the cheek.

OK, I won’t kiss Chad Ochocinco on the cheek.

The Steelers almost can’t help but win 10 or 11 games, which should be enough for a wild-card invitation, but that won’t cut it this time. This team isn’t good enough to beat the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots on the road, and that’s probably what it will take to be Super again. What I’m sayin’ is, go ahead and book that Caribbean cruise in mid-January.

2. What has to peeve off Steelers World as much as the final score was the way its heroes went about their most important game of the year thus far. The home team was blah from the get-go, and it makes zero sense given what was at stake here.

Where was the fire? The attitude? The intensity?

Ryan Clark, Santonio Holmes, Brett Keisel and a couple or three others brought it, as they say. Everyone else wimped out pretty much.

3. The key matchup paired Bengals d-coordinator Larry Zimmer against Steelers o-coordinator Bruce Arians, and I don’t have to tell you how that turned out, do I?

Zimmer and his bunch had two priorities: First, keep quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the pocket, and second, keep Big Ben in the pocket. Rather than make adjustments, Arians turned and said, “OK, Larry, hit me here now!”

Then again, Arians has been chewed up and spit out so many times, his nickname should be Gerber right now.

4. This season the no-huddle offense has been the Steelers most productive scheme by far, and it was obvious that they needed to change the tempo as early as the second quarter.

So where was it, may I ask?

The Steelers took a slingshot into the biggest game of the season, not a hammer and drill.

5. In fairness, Arians is handcuffed by an ordinary o-line that limits the game plan. But unless he screamed to personnel chief Kevin Colbert before the draft, “Get me a kick-butt o-lineman, dammit!” I don’t feel sorry for him one bit.

6. What is it that third-round draft pick Craig Urbik does for a living, anyway?

7. Does anyone do less to get more publicity than Ochocinco these days? Other than Terrell Owens, I mean? Ochostinko finished with two pass receptions—two fewer than his number of illegitimate kids—and I barely recall him being on the field.

8. Is it as obvious to you as it is to me that placekicker Jeff Reed is intent to avoid contact because of his free-agent status? His feeble attempt to tackle some rookie named Bernard Scott wasn’t as pathetic as his whiff on Minnesota Vikings rookie Percy Harvin a few weeks ago, but it was darn close.

Then there’s safety Troy Polamalu, who refuses to avoid contact at all costs.

I hope that I’m wrong here, but I don’t expect Polamalu to play more than another one or two seasons. His kamikaze style won’t allow it. Plus, the guy has too much mileage on him already.

9. Head coach Mike Tomlin wants possible solutions for the lamer-than-lame kickoff team, and here’s mine: Kick the ball out of bounds every time. Better to give the ball to an opponent at its 40-yard line than your 2.5-yard line for the extra point, ya think?

10. Hey, look, the Kansas City Chiefs already took the opening kickoff to the house on Sunday!

The grades:

Offense regulars

WR Hines Ward: C

Weekly grades: B/B/C/B/A/A/D/A/C

Season average: B

LT Max Starks: C

Weekly grades: B/F/C/B/C/C/C/A/C

Season average: C

LG Chris Komoeatu: D

Weekly grades: D/C/B/A/B/B/B/C/D

Season average: C+

C Justin Hartwig: D

Weekly grades: F/C/B/A/B/B/B/A/D

Season average: C+

RG Trai Essex: F

Weekly grades: C/B/C/B/D/D/C/C/F

Season average: C

RT Willie Colon: F

Weekly grades: D/B/C/A/C/C/A/A/F

Season average: C+

TE Heath Miller: D

Weekly grades: A/B/B/A/A/A/A/C/D

Season average: B

WR Santonio Holmes: B

Weekly grades: A/D/F/C/B/A/C/A/B

Season average: C+

WR Mike Wallace: D

Weekly grades: B/C/A/B/B/B/A/A/D

Season average: B

QB Ben Roethlisberger: D

Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/B/B/B/B/D

Season average: B

RB Rashard Mendenhall: C

Weekly grades: C/B/INC/A/A/D/D/A/C

Season average: C+

RB Mewelde Moore: B

Weekly grades: B/C/C/A/B/B/B/B/B

Season average: B

Defense regulars

LE Travis Kirschke: DNP

Weekly grades: C/B/C/C/B/B/B/DNP/DNP

Season average: C+

NT Casey Hampton: B

Weekly grades: B/B/B/C/B/A/C/A/B

Season average: B

RE Brett Keisel: B

Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/A/A/A/B

Season average: B+

LOLB Lamarr Woodley: B

Weekly grades: D/D/D/D/C/B/B/B/B

Season average: C

LILB James Farrior: B

Weekly grades: B/A/C/B/C/A/A/B/B

Season average: B

LILB Keyaron Fox: F

Weekly grades: A/A/C/C/B/D/A/A/F

Season average: C+

RILB Lawrence Timmons: B

Weekly grades: DNP/B/B/D/B/A/B/DNP/B

Season average: B

ROLB James Harrison: C

Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/A/B/A/A/C

Season average: B+

LCB William Gay: B

Weekly grades: C/C/B/B/B/C/D/C/B

Season average: C+

RCB Ike Taylor: A

Weekly grades: C/B/A/A/B/D/B/C/A

Season average: B

SS Troy Polamalu: INC

Weekly grades: A/DNP/DNP/DNP/DNP/A/A/A/INC

Season average: A

FS Ryan Clark: A

Weekly grades: B/B/A/B/A/B/B/DNP/A

Season average: B+

Special teams regulars

PK Jeff Reed: C

Weekly grades: B/F/C/A/B/B/D/B/C

Season average: C+

P Daniel Sepulveda: A

Weekly grades: A/A/A/A/B/B/B/A/A

Season average: B+

KR Stefan Logan: C

Weekly grades: B/D/A/C/B/B/B/C/C

Season average: C+

PR Stefan Logan: B

Weekly grades: C/C/C/F/C/INC/C/B/B

Season average: C

Coaches

HC Mike Tomlin: D

Weekly grades: B/C/D/A/C/B/B/A/D

Season average: C+

OC Bruce Arians: F

Weekly grades: C/D/C/A/B/A/C/B/F

Season average: C+

DC Dick LeBeau: A

Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/A/B/A/A

Season average: B+

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QBER/Week 9: Wheeze Kids Refuse to Act Their Age, Raise Bar

Published: November 12, 2009

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For years, we heard criticism about the lack of quality play at the quarterback position. Well, consider the complaint department to be closed these days, largely because a bunch of geezers won’t have it any other way.

Of the top six in QBER this week, Peyton Manning (33), Brett Favre (40), McNabb (32), Tom Brady (32), and Drew Brees (30) have reached the Big Three-oh. Manning, Favre, and Brady are locks for Hall of Fame induction, while McNabb and Brees have yet to be mentioned in any such discussion.

If there’s a common trait among the vet set, then it’s the ability to play smart and avoid mistakes on a consistent basis. Manning, Favre, McNabb, Brady, and Brees have turnover rates that are at least 25 percent better than the league average of one for every 30.8 pass calls.

At 25, Aaron Rodgers is the baby of the bunch. Suffice it to say, he’s in pretty good company right now.

The QBER leaders through Week Nine of the regular season

1. Peyton Manning 138.7

2. Brett Favre 138.5

3. Donovan McNabb 133.7

4. Aaron Rodgers 130.2

5. Tom Brady 125.1

6. Drew Brees 124.5

7. Matt Schaub 123.6

8. Philip Rivers 122.5

9. Tony Romo 122.1

10. Carson Palmer 116.7

11. Matt Hasselbeck 116.2

12. Joe Flacco 115.9

13. Eli Manning 114.2

14. Kyle Orton 112.9

15. Ben Roethlisberger 112.6

16. Matt Cassel 106.4

17. Matt Ryan 105.4

18. Shaun Hill 104.7

19. Kurt Warner 104.0

20. Jay Cutler 102.0

21. David Garrard 85.9

22. Trent Edwards 83.2

23. Kerry Collins 79.3

24. Chad Henne 79.2

25. Mark Sanchez 78.1

26. Jason Campbell 77.8

27. Marc Bulger 76.3

28. Matthew Stafford 58.7

29. Josh Johnson 51.3

30. JaMarcus Russell 47.7

31. Jake Delhomme 38.5

32. Derek Anderson 29.7

A few observations

Has any quarterback in NFL history performed a Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde act quite like Kurt Warner in the last two games? In Week Eight, Warner had a net of one touchdown and six interceptions, and his QBER plunged from 105.6 (17th) to 87.0 (21st) as a result. Last week the veteran responded with five TD passes and zero turnovers, and his QBER climbed to 104.0 (19th) again.

The NFL passer formula lists Ben Roethlisberger at fourth overall, 11 spots higher than his QBER rank. What’s the difference? Negative plays mostly. Roethlisberger has been the victim of three touchdowns via fumbles and interceptions, which the NFL system chooses to ignore. Furthermore, the QBER formula also takes into account his 266 yards lost in sacks and turnovers. Only David Garrard (minus 291 yards) and Brett Favre (minus 266) have lost as much or more this season.

So far, so good for Vince Young and the Tennessee Titans. Young has a 113.8 QBER, which is nearly 35 percent better than that of Kerry Collins, who started the first seven games of the season. The Texas product would rank No. 13 overall if he had the minimum of 18 pass plays per game necessary to qualify for the list.

In 68 fewer attempts, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith has as many touchdowns and three more turnovers than Shaun Hill, whom he replaced two weeks ago. Smith may be Mr. Excitement, but Hill is the most productive of the two candidates. His 104.7 rating is nearly 21 percent better than Smith’s 84.0 mark thus far.

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Steelers Report Card/Week 9: Glass Is Half Full in Denver Boot

Published: November 10, 2009

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Here’s my take on the Steelers’ 28-10 victory against the Denver Broncos on Monday night.

1. The defending champs showed flashes of their Super Bowl form in recent weeks, but they came at home. What their season has lacked was an impressive road victory against a quality opponent.

Consider it almost done.

The Steelers hemmed and hawed for awhile, then they put together their most impressive 30 minutes of the season. True, the Broncos aren’t as good as their 6-2 record, but they are a wild-card contender at the very least. And we know how difficult it is for the road team to win at 5,280 feet above sea level.

What has to encourage coordinator Dick LeBeau is that the defense put an opponent away for the second time in as many games. And it happened with safety Ryan Clark and linebacker Lawrence Timmons on the sidelines.

2. Head coach Mike Tomlin wisely instructs Clark to take a seat because of health concerns, and the guy who replaces him (Tyrone Carter) picks off a pass and scores the first touchdown of the game.

The dude is a genius, I tell ya. A certified genius.

3. All you need to know about the difference between Tomlin and predecessor Bill Cowher took place in the final two minutes.

On third-and-3 at the 3-yard line, with a 21-10 lead, Cowher would have played for a field goal. Tomlin went for the haymaker, and the result was a quick pass to Hines Ward for six points.

4. Clearly, the offense was out of sync in the first half, which begs this question: Was the no-huddle offense hidden under a rock in Boulder or what?

It’s obvious that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a lot of faith in the scheme and his teammates have a lot of faith in him to run it. When the O bogs down for a couple or three series in a row, the no-huddle should be a given.

Statistics indicate that the best way to contain Roethlisberger is to send everyone except the beer vendors after him. In the no-huddle scheme, however, opponents cannot make personnel changes and are less likely to blitz as a result.

When coordinator Bruce Arians finally called for the no-huddle in the second half – ta-da! – the offense moved the ball at will.

5. I don’t mean to nit-pick here, but Roethlisberger wasn’t quite as good as his numbers indicated.

Take away 31 yards in sacks, two turnovers and one fumble return for a touchdown, and Roethlisberger finished with a net of 202 yards, two turnovers and two touchdowns in 32 attempts. What I’m sayin’ is, he remains one bad play away from otherworldly.

6. Memo to the tube boobs who try to make Roethlisberger out to be a streetball player and little more: Stop it. Please.

Anyone who has watched the games knows that Roethlisberger has developed into a highly effective passer in the pocket this season. He doesn’t have to stray nearly as much as he did in the past, but he still can do that when necessary, which makes him a matchup nightmare.

7. The emergence of feature back Rashard Mendenhall and rookie wide receiver Mike Wallace has been the most positive developments on offense this season.

Now about that Limas Sweed guy . . .

8. By the way, I own the patent to Wallace’s nickname – Sixty Minutes – so don’t even think about it.

9. As well as Mendenhall has played recently, there’s something about free agent Larry Johnson that intriques me.

The jury is out on Mendenhall as a reliable closer near the goal line, a role that Johnson has handled capably for much of his career. The Penn State product wanted to be a Steeler years ago. If L.J. can convince the coaches that he will be a team guy – and that’s a big if – then he’s worth a dice roll, it says here. Otherwise, it may be took much to ask of Mendenhall to carry the brunt of the load this early in his career.

One other thing: Mendenhall has lost a fumble once every 65 ball touches the last two seasons, while Johnson coughs it up once every 174.5 tries.

10. Think James Harrison has a Super Bowl hangover? Fine. You tell him. Leave me out of it, OK?

The grades:

Offense regulars

WR Hines Ward: A

Weekly grades: B/B/C/B/A/A/D/A

Season average: B

LT Max Starks: A

Weekly grades: B/F/C/B/C/C/C/A

Season average: C+

LG Chris Komoeatu: C

Weekly grades: D/C/B/A/B/B/B/C

Season average: C+

C Justin Hartwig: A

Weekly grades: F/C/B/A/B/B/B/A

Season average: B-

RG Trai Essex: C

Weekly grades: C/B/C/B/D/D/C/C

Season average: C

RT Willie Colon: A

Weekly grades: D/B/C/A/C/C/A/A

Season average: B-

TE Heath Miller: C

Weekly grades: A/B/B/A/A/A/A/C

Season average: B+

WR Santonio Holmes: A

Weekly grades: A/D/F/C/B/A/C/A

Season average: C+

WR Mike Wallace: A

Weekly grades: B/C/A/B/B/B/A/A

Season average: B

QB Ben Roethlisberger: B

Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/B/B/B/B

Season average: B+

RB Rashard Mendenhall: A

Weekly grades: C/B/INC/A/A/D/D/A

Season average: C+

RB Mewelde Moore: B

Weekly grades: B/C/C/A/B/B/B/B

Season average: B

RB Willie Parker: INC

Weekly grades: D/C/B/DNP/DNP/D/INC/INC

Season average: C-

Defense regulars

LE Aaron Smith: DNP

Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/DNP/DNP/DNP

Season average: B

LE Travis Kirschke: DNP

Weekly grades: C/B/C/C/B/B/B/DNP

Season average: C+

NT Casey Hampton: A

Weekly grades: B/B/B/C/B/A/C/A

Season average: B

RE Brett Keisel: A

Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/A/A/A

Season average: B+

LOLB Lamarr Woodley: B

Weekly grades: D/D/D/D/C/B/B/B

Season average: C

LILB James Farrior: B

Weekly grades: B/A/C/B/C/A/A/B

Season average: B

LILB Keyaron Fox: B

Weekly grades: A/A/C/C/B/D/A/A

Season average: B

RILB Lawrence Timmons: DNP

Weekly grades: DNP/B/B/D/B/A/B/DNP

Season average: B

ROLB James Harrison: A

Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/A/B/A/A

Season average: A-

LCB William Gay: C

Weekly grades: C/C/B/B/B/C/D/C

Season average: C+

RCB Ike Taylor: C

Weekly grades: C/B/A/A/B/D/B/C

Season average: B-

SS Troy Polamalu: A

Weekly grades: A/DNP/DNP/DNP/DNP/A/A/A

Season average: A

FS Ryan Clark: DNP

Weekly grades: B/B/A/B/A/B/B/DNP

Season average: B+

Special teams regulars

PK Jeff Reed: B

Weekly grades: B/F/C/A/B/B/D/B

Season average: C+

P Daniel Sepulveda: A

Weekly grades: A/A/A/A/B/B/B/A

Season average: B+

KR Stefan Logan: C

Weekly grades: B/D/A/C/B/B/B/C

Season average: C+

PR Stefan Logan: B

Weekly grades: C/C/C/F/C/INC/C/B

Season average: C

Coaches

HC Mike Tomlin: A

Weekly grades: B/C/D/A/C/B/B/A

Season average: B

OC Bruce Arians: B

Weekly grades: C/D/C/A/B/A/C/B

Season average: C+

DC Dick LeBeau: A

Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/A/B/A

Season average: B+

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QBER/Week 7: Oh, to Be a Manning These Days

Published: October 28, 2009

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Death, taxes, Peyton Manning in an upright position.

Peyton Manning is atop the QBER charts for the first time since Week Three, but his gaudy 156.5 mark doesn’t tell the entire story.

Even more remarkable is the fact that, every time Manning drops back to pass, there’s a 98.6 percent chance that he’ll throw the ball. The Indianapolis Colts veteran carried the ball on sacks and scrambles only three times in 218 pass plays this season. The Pope doesn’t get that kind that of protection at the Vatican these days.

In fact, Manning hasn’t been taken down with the ball in his hands since Week Two, a four-game span in which he attempted 154 passes.

Can that be why Manning has time to do all those television commercials?

As for baby brother Eli, don’t feel bad for him, either. In 210 pass plays, the New York Giants signal-caller has been sacked only a half-dozen times, nearly 50 percent better than the league average.

The QBER leaders through the Week Seven of the regular season:

1. P. Manning 156.5

2. Orton 140.1

3. Schaub 139.3

4. McNabb 138.7

5. Brees 137.2

6. Rodgers 134.5

7. Favre 125.14

8. Brady 125.13

9. Rivers 122.89

10. Flacco 122.87

11. Ryan 122.8

12. Romo 118.9

13. E. Manning 116.3

14. Roethlisberger 114.9

15. Hasselbeck 114.85

16. Palmer 113.4

17. Warner 105.6

18. Hill 103.7

19. Cassel 99.1

20. Cutler 96.4

21. Wallace 89.1

22. Garrard 86.2

23. Edwards 82.1

24. Campbell 78.7

25. Bulger 78.0

26. K. Collins 77.8

27. Henne 64.82

28. Stafford 64.8

29. Sanchez 62.2

30. Johnson 49.7

31. Russell 46.5

32. Anderson 41.9

32. Delhomme 22.4

A few observations

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre went down and went down hard last weekend. His ranking plunged from third to seventh, largely because of two turnovers that resulted in minus-158 yards and two touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Green Bay Packers counterpart Aaron Rodgers shot up from 11th to sixth overall. It marked the first time since Week Three that his QBER was higher than the legend he replaced last season.

Favre and Rodgers will meet for the second time this season on Sunday afternoon, this time in Green Bay.

The other big gainers of the week: Carson Palmer (21st to 16th), Philip Rivers (15th to ninth), and Tony Romo (19th to 12th).

What do to with Jake Delhomme? Simple. Sit him for awhile.

Delhomme has been responsible for a league-high 15 turnovers in 194 pass plays, by far the worst rate among qualifiers.

More evidence: Delhomme has ranked last in QBER every week this season.

Maybe Chicago Bears management should have waited awhile before it extended the contract of Jay Cutler for two more seasons.

Turnovers have blind-sided Cutler much like they had earlier in his career. His rate of one per 20.7 pass plays ranks ahead of only Delhomme and Derek Anderson among veteran players.

As for the improved vertical game that we heard so much about last summer, Cutler has moved the ball at a rate that’s about four percent less than the league average.

Overall, Cutler ranks 21st on the QBER list behind journeymen Shaun Hill and Matt Cassel, among others.

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Steelers Report Card/Week 7: Champs Flex Muscles, Pass Muster

Published: October 25, 2009

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Here’s my take on the Steelers’ 27-17 victory against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon.

1. I’m not ready to concede the champs are back to their Super form, but they needed this one badly for a number of reasons.

At 5-2, the Steelers kept pace with the Cincinnati Bengals, who appear to be their biggest obstacle in the AFC North race. They also proved that they can stand toe-to-toe with a legit contender.

Better yet, for the first time this season, the defense displayed the grit, determination, and big-play ability that was its trademark a year ago. Raise your hand if you had a James Harrison flashback when linebacker LaMarr Woodley zigged and zagged his way to the end zone in the fourth quarter.

Uh-huh, thought so.

2. The defense took away the Vikings best player, Adrian Peterson, who was limited to 69 yards in 18 carries. That put the outcome in the hands of Brett Favre, who threw 51 passes. Teams rarely win when they throw that many times, especially ones with 40-year-old quarterbacks.

Take a bow, coach Dick LeBeau.

3. Whether you like Favre or not, it’s hard not to admit that the league is a whole lot more interesting when he’s a part of it.

4. The Steelers’ most difficult opponent this season? The Steelers themselves. Once again, they were guilty of a mental meltdown that allowed an opponent to stay close late in the game.

This time feature back Rashard Mendenhall lost his grip in the red zone, not that it came as a surprise, really. The guy has been known to handle the ball like it’s a live grenade before.

But hurdle 6’3″, 317-pound tackle Pat Williams at the four-yard line? What was Mendenhall thinkin’, anyway?

5. Clone Mendenhall’s agility, Willie Parker’s speed, and Mewelde Moore’s strength and discipline, and the Steelers have their perfect back.

6. The defense continues to take its share of hits on the health front. Two weeks after end Aaron Smith was sidelined for the remainder of the season, linebacker Lawrence Timmons limped off the field with another ankle problem.

Keyaron Fox is more than capable as a replacement—it’s only a matter of time before he starts for this team. But if Timmons is lost for any amount if time, it further weakens team depth, which has been a strength of the unit for years.

7. If I’m placekicker Jeff Reed, then I’d begin to update my resume already.

The kickoff team was torched for a touchdown for the second time in as many weeks, and Reed was largely to blame for this one. His attempt to tackle Percy Harvin near the sideline was weak.

8. Should Reed have been suspended for his run-in with Pittsburgh police last week? No. But should he have been stripped of his special teams captain role? Absolutely.

If I’m head coach Mike Tomlin, then that’s on my to-do list this week.

9. Safety Ryan Clark has been as consistent as any Steelers’ player this season, and the soon-to-be free agent should be a top priority for the team after the season.

At 30, Clark should be good for a couple, or three more years.

10. I’m not ready to say the o-line is Canton-bound, but I’ve put away their Five Blocks of Putty nickname until further notice.

The grades:

Offense regulars

WR Hines Ward: D

Weekly grades: B/B/C/B/A/A/D

Season average: B

LT Max Starks: B

Weekly grades: B/F/C/B/C/C/B

Season average: C

LG Chris Komoeatu: B

Weekly grades: D/C/B/A/B/B/B

Season average: C+

C Justin Hartwig: B

Weekly grades: F/C/B/A/B/B/B

Season average: C+

RG Trai Essex: C

Weekly grades: C/B/C/B/D/D/C

Season average: C

RT Willie Colon: A

Weekly grades: D/B/C/A/C/C/A

Season average: C+

TE Heath Miller: B

Weekly grades: A/B/B/A/A/A/B

Season average: B+

WR Santonio Holmes: C

Weekly grades: A/D/F/C/B/A/C

Season average: C+

WR Mike Wallace: A

Weekly grades: B/C/A/B/B/B/A

Season average: B

QB Ben Roethlisberger: B

Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/B/B/B

Season average: B+

RB Rashard Mendenhall: D

Weekly grades: C/B/INC/A/A/D/D

Season average: C+

RB Mewelde Moore: B

Weekly grades: B/C/C/A/B/B/B

Season average: B

Defense regulars

LE Aaron Smith: DNP

Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/DNP/DNP

Season average: B

LE Travis Kirschke: B

Weekly grades: C/B/C/C/B/B/B

Season average: C+

NT Casey Hampton: C

Weekly grades: B/B/B/C/B/A/C

Season average: B

RE Brett Keisel: A

Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/A/A

Season average: B+

LOLB LaMarr Woodley: B

Weekly grades: D/D/D/D/C/B/B

Season average: D+

LILB James Farrior: A

Weekly grades: B/A/C/B/C/A/A

Season average: B

RILB Lawrence Timmons: B

Weekly grades: DNP/B/B/D/B/A/B

Season average: B

ROLB James Harrison: A

Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/A/B/A

Season average: B+

LCB William Gay: D

Weekly grades: C/C/B/B/B/C/D

Season average: C+

RCB Ike Taylor: B

Weekly grades: C/B/A/A/B/D/B

Season average: B

SS Troy Polamalu: A

Weekly grades: A/DNP/DNP/DNP/DNP/A/A

Season average: A

FS Ryan Clark: B

Weekly grades: B/B/A/B/A/B/B

Season average: B+

Special teams regulars

PK Jeff Reed: D

Weekly grades: B/F/C/A/B/B/D

Season average: C+

P Daniel Sepulveda: B

Weekly grades: A/A/A/A/B/B/B

Season average: B+

KR Stefan Logan: B

Weekly grades: B/D/A/C/B/B/B

Season average: C+

PR Stefan Logan: C

Weekly grades: C/C/C/F/C/INC/C

Season average: D+

Coaches

HC Mike Tomlin: B

Weekly grades: B/C/D/A/C/B/B

Season average: C+

OC Bruce Arians: C

Weekly grades: C/D/C/A/B/A/C

Season average: C+

DC Dick LeBeau: A

Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/A/A

Season average: B+

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QBER/Week 6: J.C. Superstar Who? All Kyle Orton Does Is Win Games

Published: October 21, 2009

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It was then Philadelphia Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan who once said of a wide receiver years ago, “Lemme tell you, all Cris Carter does is catch touchdown passes.” Much the same can be said of Kyle Orton, the Denver Broncos quarterback who doesn’t do much more than win football games.

That the Broncos are off to a 6-0 start rates as one of the surprises of the early season, but maybe it shouldn’t come as a complete and total shock. In three seasons with the Chicago Bears, Orton had a 21-12 record as a starter with fairly average talent around him.

Orton never had the support of team management, however, which was stuck on Rex Grossman from the start. When the Broncos made Jay Cutler available last summer, Orton was kicked to the curb.

Months later, the trade appears to be a steal— for the Broncos, not the Bears. Orton may have a low glitz factor, but his QBER ranks No. 5 overall, three places higher than NFL passer rating.

What separates Orton from the pack is his remarkable consistency, as his rating has never been lower than 132.0 in any week. And while Cutler continues to be a turnover machine— among qualifiers, only Kerry Collins, Jake Delhomme, and Mark Sanchez give up the ball at a higher rate— the man he replaced has been guilty of only one such mistake in 208 pass plays.

So lemme tell you, unlike a certain wide receiver, don’t expect Orton to be released any time soon.

The QBER leaders after Week Six of the regular season:

1. Brees 165.2 2. P. Manning 150.2 3. Favre 148.3 4. McNabb 142.6 5. Orton 139.8 6. Ryan 136.8
7. Schaub 135.4
8. E. Manning 131.0
9. Brady 122.6
10. Flacco 121.9
11. Rodgers 120.5
12. Hasselbeck 113.4
13. Cassel 113.0
14. Roethlisberger 112.1
15. Rivers 109.0
16. Cutler 106.2
17. Warner 106.1
18. Hill 104.8
19. Romo 102.0
20. Bulger 100.9
21. Palmer 90.4
22. Leftwich 88.2
23. Wallace 87.5
24. Garrard 84.9
25. Kolb 80.42
26. Edwards 80.38
27. Campbell 79.3
28. K. Collins 75.6
29. Stafford 62.5
30. Johnson 61.5
31. Russell 60.2
32. Sanchez 44.4 33. Anderson 37.7 34. Delhomme 13.5

A few observations:

A large part of the QBER system is tied to the ability to avoid negative plays, one of the most overlooked factors in performance at the position. David Garrard has lost a league-worst 230 yards in sacks, fumbles, and interceptions. On the flip side are JaMarcus Russell and Drew Brees, who have lost two and three yards, respectively.
At 165.2, Brews has the highest QBER since the first week of the season, when his 209.2 mark was off the charts.
If may be time for the Carolina Panthers to pull the plug on Jake Delhomme, whose QBER ranks last for the sixth consecutive week. In 148 pass plays, Delhomme committed no fewer than a dozen turnovers (10 interceptions, two fumbles), by far the worst rate in the league.
Is there a QBER jinx? One week after Matt Hasselbeck took over the top spot, he inexplicably had a 74-yard, two-turnover, no-touchdown performance. He tumbled to No. 12 as a result.
Tom Brady cracked the top 10 for the first time this season, as QBER doesn’t take into account the kind of passive resistance that the Tennessee Titans’ defense displayed last weekend.

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