“This freakin’ guy.”
One of my favorite exercises, particularly when it comes to ranking quarterbacks, is placing them into tiers. Rather than just a straight numerical order of players, tiers allow you to group players in categories of your choosing. So much of quarterback play is dependent on context and external factors, and tiers help account for that.
I’ve often looked at that top tier, with the best of the best, this way: Who are the quarterbacks I would want in a game where my life is on the line? Gruesome and macabre to be sure, but it makes the point.
Lately, however, I’m thinking of a different idea. The “this freakin’ guy” tier.
Sometimes there are quarterbacks – or athletes in any sport – that make you just shake your head and say “this freakin’ guy” or “this freakin’ woman.” Tiger Woods at his peak. Serena Williams over her entire career. Jordan. Gretzky. Athletes that leave you speechless and in awe.
For quarterbacks, you can think of Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers and from time to time, Tom Brady. Players that leave you amazed. Russell Wilson can also get into that group with some of what he does. Lamar Jackson from time to time.
We have another name to add, and we’ll see him as part of this week’s QB Camp. Plus, another debut!
