When comparing some of the greatest signal callers to ever play the game, I am much more conventional than most. I do not use formulas based on statistics or equations that would rival a calculus professors wildest dreams. I use something far less complicated and much more selection 101. Simply stated, I utilize the eye test. Based on film study that I have broken down over the years to real time game action, I have compiled my all-time quarterback list. Although much of my personal opinion on the subject can be debated, and placement in ranking can be rearranged by preference, I am sticking to my story on this one gentleman.
10) Dan Marino- Great pure passer with excellent foot work in the pocket. Could not win the big one, but could sure make every throw imaginable. Quickest release I have ever seen, and can beat a blitz as well as anyone.
9) Steve Young- Best combo runner/passer ever. Getting a Super Bowl ring solidified his place on this list. Sitting behind Joe Montana cost him some of his playing years, but once he took over, he more than made up for lost time. 2-time MVP and Super Bowl MVP add to his resume.
8) Brett Favre- Strongest arm I have ever seen. Longevity and toughness were his biggest assets. Would not trust him in a huge spot though. Does have one Super Bowl ring thanks to Desmond Howard, but his 3 MVP awards more than secures his spot on this list.
7) Troy Aikman- Had all the tools and intangibles to boot. Career ended a little premature or would have made it higher on the list. 3 Super Bowl rings and a Super Bowl MVP add to his greatness. As accurate a passer as I have ever seen, and came up big when it mattered most.
6) Peyton Manning- One of the smartest if not the smartest to play the position. Unfortunately tends to out think himself in big moments. Has full command of the offense he runs and can dissect a defense as well as any on this list. 4 MVP awards, Super Bowl ring and MVP honors to go along with that title. Threw the game changing interception that cost his team a second Super Bowl title, and made some questionable audibles during that game that may have changed the complexion of the outcome. Borderline top 5 QB.
5) Bart Starr- The orchestrator for the greatest dynasty in NFL history. Clutch, called his own plays and made all the throws. 5 NFL titles and 2 Super Bowl rings. Often overlooked because of the depth of talent the Green Bay Packers possessed. The man was a winner and played at that level in every big game. Starr was the undisputed leader of the Packers and helped in lending to Green Bay the moniker of ‘’Title town.’’
4) John Elway- Played virtually his entire career with no supporting cast, yet willed them to 3 Super Bowl appearances, all loses. Could beat you with his rocket arm or sturdy feet and led some of the most memorable comebacks in NFL history. If the game was close and he had a chance to win it, Elway almost always won those games. When he was reaching the end of his career and was finally surrounded with talent, Elway would make two more Super Bowl appearances, this time he won both times. 2 Super Bowl rings and a Super Bowl MVP highlight one of the great careers of any QB in history.
3) Johnny Unitas- The original signal caller, won NFL titles, added a Super Bowl ring and was a multi recipient of the MVP award well before Manning started stock piling his collection. Known for his ability to lead comebacks as well as calling his own plays, Unitas changed the way the position was played. The first NFL quarterback record breaker, when Unitas retired, he owned nearly every passing record.
2) Tom Brady- If I needed to win one game, and Joe Montana was out of town on vacation, this is my guy. 3 Super Bowl rings and should have had a fourth if not for the vaunted Patriots defense not wrapping up Peyton’s little brother just before he hail married a pass to stickum Tyree. Had the greatest season of any quarterback ever and has the much debatable clutch gene. MVP award winner and 2 Super Bowl MVP awards. Also is the only player to throw 50 touchdowns in a season, and the only QB to lead his team to an undefeated record in a 16 game season.
1) Joe Montana- Every sport has one. That transcended player that sets the bar so high, everyone compares the flavor of the month to him. 4 Super Bowl rings, 2 MVP awards, 3 Super Bowl MVP awards and the nerviest man with a football that I ever saw. If the game is on the line, Montana was winning it. And in the biggest games, he was always its biggest star. Known for his ‘’Joe cool’’ persona and the ice water that always seemed to run through his veins, Montana was and is clearly the greatest ever.
While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I believe that maybe, just maybe you were a little biased as a 49er fan. All of these QB's have had or are still having Hall of Fame careers but NO WAY in hell should Peyton Manning wind up at #6! I'd also like to ask you, what kind of numbers would Montana put up if it weren't for Jerry Rice?
ReplyDeleteOK, good call on my love for the 49ers and could be a little bias there on my part. I will say though, that Montana won 2 Super Bowls before the Niners drafted Jerry Rice and was an MVP quarterback before his arrival as well. I am not sure if you meant that Manning was to high or to low on the list, but either as as you stated, he is still having a hall of fame career. His place is secure as one of the great regular season QB's ever, but post season (when it counts the most), he has been average at best. Thanks for the comment!
ReplyDeleteI meant that Peyton should be "closer" to #1! I'd also like to point out that your rankings for Dan Marino & Brett Farve seem a little unfair as well. Yes, I know that Marino never won a SB & I think too many people set that as their measuring stick. If QB's played defense, I might buy into that. Also, you didn't show Brett enough love since he holds many records. Most of these are due to longivity, but that's the POINT! How many games did he start in a row???
ReplyDeleteBTW Since you seem to base greatness on SB victories, Why no mention of Terry Bradshaw? The man led the Steelers to 4 SB victories! Again, ALL these guys are legends & one could debate their order of greatness forever. I'd like to point out that although Bart Starr did lead the Packers to 5 NFL Championships, those SB victories that you mention were EXIBITION games against the AFL & should not be considered as additional championships.
ReplyDeleteManning closer to one....eh probably not. Super Bowl victories is a big part, but overall wins to loses, come from behind victories and how they performed on the biggest stage. Marino was really awesome, I loved watching and rooting for him. But when the post season rolled around he was average. Didn't come through the way an all-time great should. Even if he had the greatest defense, do not know if that would magically make him...I don't know.. Montana all of a sudden.LOL.
ReplyDeleteBradshaw was one dimensional. Deep ball was his forte and that was it. Very inaccurate with a 51% career completion rate and threw 212 TD's to 210 interceptions. Had arguably the best running back at the time and perhaps the greatest defense ever. I would take Roger Staubach over Bradshaw anyday of the week and Bradshaw's steelers beat Roger's Cowboys twice in Super Bowl play. Like I said for me it's the eye test. If my life was on the line and I had to choose a QB to win a game in my favor, would not choose Favre (neither would you or anyone else) or Maning or Marino. I would choose Joe Montana, bias or not it makes the most sense.
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ReplyDeleteWell maybe someday after we've all gone to that sports arena up in the sky, I'll grab my #1 QB in Johnny Unitas & we'll challenge you And your beloved Joe Montana to friendly game. :) But I'm warning you, I've got my eye on a few RB's that I'm bringing with me!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Sounds like a plan. You have inspired me to put out my top ten running backs! That will be on my to do list.
ReplyDeleteI just heard an interesting stat on Brett. His last pass as a Falcon was an int., his last pass as a Packer int., with the Jets it was incomplete. And his last pass thrown as a Viking, you got it .... int.
ReplyDeleteLol. Now that is a great stat. Maybe he will pull a Dan Marino, and after his hall of fame speech throw one more pass...an int!
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