ESPN’s Palmer delivers unfavorable quarterback evaluations

Former Florida quarterback and current ESPN analyst Jesse Palmer shared strong opinions on two quarterbacks last week — one from the SEC and one who remains a nemesis to the conference.

Both opinions inspired fiery reactions from fans across the country.

On the ESPN broadcast of the Florida State-Louisville game Thursday night, Palmer called FSU quarterback Jameis Winston “the best big-game quarterback I have ever seen.” Needless to say, there were more than a few fans who disagreed with Palmer’s assessment, especially fans of the SEC.

"The best big-game QB I have ever seen"- Jesse Palmer on Jameis. hahahahahaha he said this after playing Louisville. hahahahahhahaha

— Chris Vernon (@ChrisVernonShow) October 31, 2014

I would rather listen to a drenched filled tirade from Lou Holtz over listening to Jesse Palmer basically say he wants to sleep w/ Winston.

— Johnny Detroit (@Johnny_Detroit) October 31, 2014

https://twitter.com/rj_seymour15/status/528020043968552961

Jesse Palmer:
"Jameis Winston is the best big game QB I've ever seen".
He's played like 4 ranked teams in his entire career, Jesse.

— Mike Jelline (@MikeJelline) October 31, 2014

"Jameis Winston is the greatest big-game QB of all time.” ~Jesse Palmer. Winston completed 50% of his passes and threw 3 picks.

— Pacific Talks (@PacificTalks) October 31, 2014

Palmer also indirectly compared Winston to NBA legend Michael Jordan’s, which caused quite a stir in its own right.

Ugh Jessie Palmer please just stop. Saying Jameis and Michael Jordan in the same sentence is just stupid.

— Andrew Spivey (@AndrewSpiveyGC) October 31, 2014

Somewhere, Michael Jordan is shaking his head at Jesse Palmer.

— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) October 31, 2014

Fast forward from Thursday to last Saturday, when Palmer joined Brent Musburger for the SEC Network’s broadcast of the showdown between Kentucky and Missouri. Palmer shared some high praise for Kentucky starting quarterback Patrick Towles, who had thrown for 390 yards a week earlier against No. 1 Mississippi State but threw for just 158 yards in an ugly loss to Mizzou.

Wow Jesse Palmer: “When all said and done, I believe Patrick Towles will be best QB Kentucky has ever had. Better than Tim Couch."

— Vaughts' Views (@vaughtsviews) November 1, 2014

It’s fair to say Kentucky fans did not agree with Palmer on this one either.

https://twitter.com/KingTylerD/status/528686038957699072

https://twitter.com/KentuckyShaunT/status/528707764127027200

https://twitter.com/ukandrew/status/528664870409863168

Jesse Palmer must be smoking on some good crack if he says towles will be better than couch

— Jordan Lohr (@Dirtyhandz1) November 1, 2014

The people have spoken, and they are not keen on Palmer’s quarterback evaluations. This clip, taken out of context from a Dr. Pepper commercial (one of the ones with the stadium drink vendor) says it all.

Ethan Levine

A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.