Understanding where Carson Palmer sits among current NFL quarterbacks

A couple of days ago we talked about Rotoworld’s ranking of the Arizona Cardinals quarterback room.

It drove some great conversation, but one thing that came about was a simple lack of background to Revenge of the Birds.

First, it is my fault, if you are new here, you may not understand this statement:

Most people know my stance on Carson Palmer. There are two quarterbacks who can come in right now and out perform him without a doubt in my mind, Ben Roethlisberger and Andrew Luck. There are a few quarterbacks who can likely replace him, but that may be only 3-5 if I really stretch it.

This statement refers to a straight swap of quarterbacks coming in and learning Bruce Arians system.

Arians system is... One that is predicated on vertical passing, being able to push the ball down the field and a quarterback being able to fit those attributes.

Arians doesn’t like to stray from his offense, it cost him a job in Pittsburgh because Ben Roethlisberger was simply pounded into the ground too often.

Luck had his worst statistical season as a rookie under Arians (outside of his seven game 2015).

Yet, both Big Ben and Luck have the ability to step in and not miss a beat in Arians offense, and in my mind, perform better than Palmer.

From there, you have maybe five quarterbacks that can come in and put the Cardinals in a similar position that Palmer has the Cardinals in. Why? Because we know it takes time and reps to understand and succeed in Arians offense. Doesn’t matter if it is Derek Carr, Cam Newton, or the two greatest, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, you still need time to get better. In 2018 would all of these players pass Palmer in the Cardinals offense? Yes, in my opinion, some may disagree.

However, if we are talking replacing Palmer from the now, in 2017, I stand behind my thought that only two can take the Cardinals further than Palmer, and neither are guaranteed, Andrew Luck and Ben Roethlisberger.

Now... If you want to know where I would rate Carson Palmer among his peers... Well, that is another fire burning thread for another day.