Roethlisberger eighth among active quarterbacks on former GM's list

Another day, another list.

That seems to be the trend thus far in this young NFL offseason. Ranking bests of all-time or just active players has become trendy and has sparked spirited (and hopefully lighthearted) discussions.

On Wednesday, former Bears General Manager Jerry Angelo ranked every active NFL quarterback using his nine-point scale on thesidelineview.com. To no one's surprise, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady respectively topped the list. Manning received the perfect score of "9" while Brady scored an 8.9. Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton, Drew Brees, Phillip Rivers and Andrew Luck rounded out the top-tier of quarterbacks described by Angelo as "the upper class quarterbacks. They can elevate the play of their team. Has an extraordinary make-up physically and has intangibles. An elite player."

Ben Roethlisbger didn't make the top-tier cut, but he tied Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick as the top quarterbacks in the second tier grading between 8.4-8.0. Angelo described this tier as the quarterbacks that play "at a high level. Was one of the reasons-but not the reason-for his team's success...not elite."

Angelo said of Big Ben, who scored an 8.4: "Still has the power in his arm and the 'hang in' toughness to move an offense." Roethlisberger, the older quarterback in this tier at 31-years-old, is the only one in the group with two Super Bowl victories. Alex Smith and Nick Foles round out the second tier.

Matt Ryan, Tony Romo, Jay Cutler and Matt Stafford pace the third tier of quarterbacks that  are "talented, has a good history of play, but had a subpar year. Lack or durability, deficiency in an intangible area, poor cast around him or coaching. Any of these reasons may have kept him from playing to his potential. May be a descending player." Angelo said of his former quarterback Cutler: "Has all the physical tools, but inconsistent in the clutch. Mostly due to a lack of poise."

Current Bengal Andy Dalton topped the list of fourth tier passer that Angelo described as "solid traits but limited. Can 'win with him' but need a good supporting cast and quality coaching." Interestingly, former Super Bowl champions Joe Flacco and Eli Manning grade behind Dalton and Carson Palmer in this tier.

Former Heisman Trophy winners Robert Griffin III and Sam Bradford make up the fifth tier of quarterbacks that "has strong traits but hasn't done it." Matt Schaub, Geno Smith and Jake Locker are among the 10 quarterbacks in the sixth tier that "can start and complete with him with a good supporting cast with quality coaching, but lacks something."

The seventh tier consisting of 22 quarterbacks that "can be an emergency starter" include Michael Vick, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Matt Cassell, Mark Sanchez, and Josh Freeman. The final tier, quarterbacks that are a "band aid-can get you through a game", include Colt McCoy and the last quarterback ranked on this list, Jimmy Clausen.

With another list in the books, it's time for debate again. My top five in no particular order would include Peyton Manning, Brady, Roethlisberger, Rodgers, and Brees, with Wilson leading the next tier.