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  • Backyard Banter Podcast
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 54: Kyle Crabbs - Build my own chair at the table
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 53: James Koh - Divorce the information from emotion
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 52: Will Brinson - That's how it'll have to be
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 51: Charles McDonald - Not an escape from reality
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 50: What you've learned - For you, by you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 49: Jourdan Rodrigue - Let's see what you think then
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 48: Justin Twell - Long process to come back
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 47: Justin Lonero - It's time to relearn life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 46: Scott Bischoff - Life presented the greatest challenge possible
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 45: Al Zeidenfeld - Little steps along the way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 44: Jason Romano - Just a different dream
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 43: Matt Harmon - But here we are (Season 1 finale)
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 42: Gregg Rosenthal - I have to make it work or else
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 41: Jon Moore - Determiner of what I want
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 40: Uncle Chaps - Just have fun with it
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 39: Bob Harris - The best addiction I've ever had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 38: Scott Fish - Everybody working together to make this big
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 37: Jene Bramel - Ask the questions you want answered
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 36: Mike Tagliere - Never going to leave this candy store
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 35: Ben Cummins - Starting at ground zero
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 34: Field Yates - It's the nature of what we do
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 33: Chris Heil - I gave it everything I had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 32: Sal Stefanile - Just make them notice you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 31: Adam Levitan - Accept an alternate lifestyle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 30: Matthew Freedman - It's not built for everyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 29: George Kritikos - If your heart's not in it people notice
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 28: Marcas Grant - Certainly never expected this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 27: Steve Palazzolo - I understand the questions that come
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 26: Matt Miller - To build bridges not burn them
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 25: Graham Barfield - A human game played by humans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 24: Pat Daugherty - I just said yes to everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 23: Eric Galko - There's always work to be done
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 22: TJ Hernandez - In some roundabout way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 21: Alex Gelhar - Homework for the rest of your life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 20: The Fantasy Footballers - Because we were fans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 19: Jessica Kleinschmidt - The scariest person you deal with is yourself
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 18: Evan Silva - A willingness to work hard
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 17: Jeff Risdon - It's hard to be in the middle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 16: Cecil Lammey - Because I didn't ask for anything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 15: Patrick Claybon - If you shine people will see you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 14: Denny Carter - People want to know you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 13: Adam Rank - Honestly just don't go away
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 12: Adam Pfeifer - Being happy is doing this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 11: Mark Schofield - You get one drive in this life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 10: Liz Loza - Ride the horse in the direction it's going
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 9: Matthew Berry - I've done it without being negative to anyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 8: Matt Franciscovich - Persistence is a huge deal
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 7: Matt Williamson - I got lucky, but I made my own luck
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 6: Eric Stoner - Passions are best left as hobbies
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 5: Josh Norris - You don't have to have an opinion on everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 4: Rumford Johnny - Elevate somebody or get out of their way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 3: JJ Zachariason - No one cares because you're not established
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 2: Matt Waldman - Popular doesn't necessarily make it good
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 1 - Sigmund Bloom
  • Fantasy Hipsters
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 28: We''l see you in a bit.
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 27: "Ehhh how about you people relax with that one"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 26: Mail Satchel - Davante Adams debate & "friends of the show"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 25: NFL Network's Top 100 Players This or That
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 24: Mail Satchel - Surviving without Charlie and Tight Ends to Watch
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 23: Jeremy Maclin reaction, news recap and did Harmon pull off that hat?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 22: Mail satchel - WE ARE THE PODCAST OF THE PEOPLE
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 21: Reception Perception review of sleepers, breakouts and surprises
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 20: Evan Silva destroys our MFL10 hopes and dreams
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 19: Mail satchel - Will Brandon Marshall thrive with the Giants in 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 18: We Are Pretty Mad
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 17: Mail satchel - Rompers, clean eating and the 2007 NFL Draft class
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 16: NFL depth chart breakdowns and being sick of bad Eddie Lacy jokes
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 15: Mail satchel - Drafting too many rookies, breakouts and bell-cow RBs
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 14: French press vs. pour over coffee & mock draft review with James Koh
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 13: Mail satchel - Los Angeles Chargers the hipster's team of 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 12: NFL Draft rookie fits and a cast iron running back with Matt Waldman
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 11: NFL Draft preview and drumset vomit with Josh Norris of Rotoworld
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 10: Mail satchel - Dynasty debate, bad impressions and hipster bands
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 9: Perfect Prospect Parings — identifying NFL fits for draft prospects
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 8: Corey Davis, DeVante Parker and what to drink at your draft
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 7: Carlos Hyde, Laquon Treadwell and NFL Draft rookie big board part 3
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 6: Valuing Jordan Howard for 2017 and NFL Draft rookie big board part 2
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 5: NFL Draft rookie top-12 big board and in-depth beer interview
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 4: Kaepernick saga, Harmon shaves his beard and Franchise gets roasted
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 3: Eddie Lacy, Free Agency, music & beer and picking best QB roommate
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 2: Early Free Agency Fallout, Combine Standouts & Mailbag
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 1: NFL Scouting Combine preview and washed vets
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast: Teaser episode introduction
  • Reception Perception: 2017
    • Reception Perception: Investigating any correlation between the results and draft prospect age
  • The 2016 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception: 11 flags planted for the 2016 season
    • Reception Perception: Nelson Agholor can bounce-back in Doug Pederson's offense
    • Reception Perception: Improved technician Donte Moncrief is set to explode in 2016
    • Reception Perception: Only one concern can hold Sammy Watkins back from his ceiling
    • Reception Perception: Bruce Ellington has a chance to flash this season with the 49ers
    • Reception Perception: Albert Wilson and the Diary of a Truther
    • Reception Perception: Willie Snead built an impressive resume we must not ignore
    • Reception Perception: Welcome the ascending Tyler Lockett to rarified status
    • Reception Perception: Kamar Aiken is the answer to the Ravens receiver riddle
    • Reception Perception: DeSean Jackson and Josh Doctson make the Washington wide receivers a strength
    • Reception Perception: Browns make a refreshing first pick in Corey Coleman
    • Reception Perception: The fruitless search for fatal flaws with Laquon Treadwell
    • Reception Perception: Why there will never be a cumulative or overall grade
    • Reception Perception: The changing variables for Torrey Smith point to a rebound
    • Reception Perception: 2016 media appearances
    • Reception Perception: Rashard Higgins - never tell me the odds
    • Reception Perception: Keyarris Garrett is a unicorn in this draft class
    • Reception Perception: Malcolm Mitchell is a top-10 receiver in the 2016 NFL Draft
    • Reception Perception: 2016 NFL draft prospects results
    • Reception Perception: Golden Tate won't be able to replace Calvin Johnson
    • Reception Perception: Jeff Janis, trump cards and sorting through the noise
    • Reception Perception: Top-four college receiver primer
  • The 2015 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception Based Media Appearances
    • Reception Perception: Steve Johnson is the Surest Sleeper Around
    • Reception Perception: Target and Contested Catch Data for Sophomore WRs
    • Reception Perception: Success Rate vs. Coverage Scores for the Sophomore Wide Receivers
    • Reception Perception: Why we Must Consider the Entire Range of Outcomes for Sammy Watkins
    • Reception Perception: Data Results from Year 1
    • Reception Perception: Scanning Through the Dolphins Receiving Corps for Fantasy Answers
    • Reception Perception: Allen Robinson is Quietly on the Precipice of a Massive Breakout
    • Reception Perception: Michael Crabtree is Exactly What the Raiders’ Passing Game Needs
    • Reception Perception: Justin Hunter and Wisely Shopping the Clearance Bins
    • Reception Perception: How Kevin White Began His Ascension to the Top
    • Reception Perception: Sammie Coates Falls Along a Dangerous Archetype
    • Reception Perception: A Video Rundown of the Data
    • Reception Perception: New Browns Receiver Dwayne Bowe Bring Value to a Depleted Pass Game
    • Reception Perception: Expectations and an Odd Coupling Doomed Mike Wallace in Miami
    • Reception Perception: Andre Johnson Still has Plenty Left to Offer the Colts
    • Reception Perception: Randall Cobb Made the Right Call Sticking With the Packers
    • Reception Perception: Where Do We Go From Here, Percy Harvin?
    • Reception Perception: Devin Smith and The Value of a Trump Card (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: The Siren Song of Dorial Green-Beckham (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Impending Free Agent Michael Crabtree
    • Reception Perception: Amari Cooper Under the Microscope (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Sammy Watkins and Cordarrelle Patterson
  • Matt Harmon's in-season film review blog
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    • Reception Perception: Cordarrelle Patterson and a Developing Story
    • Reception Perception: Jordy Nelson and Mastering the Little Things
  • Ramblings
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    • Fighting through negativity bias and a wide receiver's drops
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    • Steve Smith: A Lesson in the Dangers of Emotional Football
    • The Arizona Cardinals Will Make the Playoffs
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    • The Commodification of NFL Players
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    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Mike Brown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Brandon Bostick
    • The Eye in the Sky: E.J. Manuel's Improvement All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why Defending the Colts Offense is too Easy All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Picking Apart the Jets Defense All-22 Breakdown
    • Eye in the Sky: Texans vs. Chiefs (Week Seven) All-22 Breakdown
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  • 2014 NFL Draft Content
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    • 2014 NFL Draft Top 10 Quarterback Ranking
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  • Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down
    • April 27th Sunday Morning Coming Down
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  • 2013 NFL Power Rankings
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    • 2013 Season Preview Edition/Week One
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Top 10 NFL Quarterback Rankings (2013)

By: Matt Harmon
June 30, 2013

Administrator’s note: Despite the fact that this year’s rookie class was amazing and introduced us to four new exciting talents, there will be no rookie quarterbacks in my top ten list. There is just too much good talent at the position right now who are more established than the three rookies. Don’t worry Redskins, Colts, and Seahawks fans, I bet you will see your signal callers on these lists for many years to come.


1)    Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
  • Rodgers is still the best football on the player on the planet. Rodgers had one of the best seasons we have ever seen from a quarterback in 2011 and his 2012 season was a nice follow up. He signed a new contract this offseason making him the highest paid player in the NFL. It is a well-deserved reward because he is not only the best passer in the league, but also an adept runner. He does not pick up tons of yardage like the younger quarterbacks, but he can move the chains with his legs. Rodgers needs to work on how many sacks he takes, but the additions of Eddie Lacy and Jonathan Franklin in the draft should help balance out the offense. Another otherworldly type 2011 performance is a stretch, but not impossible for Rodgers.

2)    Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
  • Tom Brady’s stats may fall a bit this year, due to questions about his supporting cast, but that should in no way change our opinion about him. Brady is an extremely cerebral passer who has excelled in a wide variety of offensive attacks in his career. Whether it be the run based offenses in the Super Bowl years, the bombs away Brady/Moss show of 2007-2009, or the mismatch based two-tight end attack of the past few years. What type of offense will Brady run this year? Your guess is as good as mine, but I am quite confident he will be tremendous as always.

3)    Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos
  • It is amazing to think that just about over a year ago we were all wondering if we were going to ever see this legend take another snap in the NFL again. Manning came back with a vengeance this year as he looked every bit the player we knew and loved back in Indianapolis. It is no small feat to transition to a new team after thirteen years with the same franchise. The only worry is that Manning looked pretty old and worn down in the Broncos’ lone playoff game. If Manning is fully healthy, we could see an even better version of the player we saw last year. 

4)    Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
  • Brees had a mixed bag of a season last year as he put up a record breaking 5,177 passing yards, but tossed 19 picks. Of course, he was without his head coach, Sean Payton, and perhaps this is the reason for some of his “struggles”. Nevertheless, Brees is an elite quarterback who operates this offense with incredible efficiency and uses the varying types of weapons in this offense to torment defenses. I am betting we see a better version of Brees in 2013. 

5)    Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
  • I feel like I am always defending Big Ben. This guy is a stud who has won two Super Bowls in a very young career. He has also developed from a caretaker of a run based offense to the gun-slinging star who takes complete advantage of a great skill set. While he still has a problem with missing games due to injury, he still should be regarded as an elite quarterback. I do not think Mike Wallace leaving will affect him all that much, and I bet he turns third round rookie Markus Wheaton into a Wallace type threat. If his young offensive line stays healthy and jells, I bet we see his best season yet.

6)    Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
  • Matt Ryan is about to hit his prime, which is pretty scary because he has been a great player already in his young career. Last year he once again outdid himself to the tune of 4,719 yards and 32 touchdowns. This year, Julio Jones will likely only be better, and Stephen Jackson will be in tow to both balance out the offense and catch passes out of the backfield. We have not yet seen the best Ryan has to offer us, and if he can win a playoff game, the positive public perception of him would only grow. 

7)    Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants
  • There was a ton of talk that Manning was an elite quarterback before last season. I was on board with that assessment, until his second half of the season collapse. Injuries derailed Hakeem Nicks and the offensive line collapsed. Manning went even 10 for 10 on touchdowns and interceptions in the second half of the year, until he and the Giants throttled the hapless Eagles in Week 17. I am beginning to worry that Eli is a quarterback who can only play at an elite level only when everything goes right. True elite quarterbacks elevate the performance of everyone around them. Despite all of that negativity, Eli is a proven two-time Super Bowl winner who is extremely clutch. I will not be in the slightest bit surprised if Manning rebounds strong this year.

8)    Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens
  • Am I being impulsive putting Flacco this high on my list? Maybe, but the last time we saw Flacco he was hoisting the Lombardi trophy and being MVP of the biggest game of the season. He had a rough stretch during a portion of last season, but overall his numbers are remarkably consistent over his career. If his playoff performance at the end of the year is any indicator Flacco could be ready to take the next step as a player in 2013. If Flacco becomes the reason the Ravens win, instead of just a piece of the puzzle, than he earns this ranking, and his fat new contract.

9)    Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys
  • Another controversial edition to the list, Romo had a good season last year, but as usual, collapsed in his most important game of the season. Why do I rank him as a top ten player? No team in the league relies on the pass more than the Cowboys, and without Romo they are probably a four win type of team. I bet that if the Cowboys actually developed a consistent running attack and a passable defense, then maybe Romo could shed the choker label and actually be recognized as an upper-echelon quarterback in this league. Until then, as much as a may be a somewhat Romo apologist, we have to regard him as a good player, but one who is, in fact, a choker. 

10) Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears
  • I am a fan of Jay Cutler. Yes, the guy seems like a jerk, and some of his pouty ways are flat out inexcusable for a leader of a team, and an adult in general. He also is always capable of going out and having a meltdown type of game. However, Cutler still has almost unrivaled arm talent and can make about any throw asked of him. He came to Chicago after his best season in Denver, and he has yet to consistently play to that level, but I am not sure if people realize just how bad some of the offenses he was playing in were. Whether he was getting pummeled thanks to his inept line, dealing with terrible receivers, or being forced into poor schemes designed by terrible offensive coordinators like Mike Martz or Mike Tice, Cutler has not had things easy in his Bears career. This year with Marc Trestman at the helm and a balanced supporting cast, I am going to bet on Cutler, which means this ranking will either blow up in my face, or I will look like a genius; there probably isn’t an in between. 



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