With recent discussions centering on the greatness of QBs, I thought we should probably move that discussion into its own thread. To try and promote discussion, since I know many prefer to avoid discussing/arguing on the front page, I'll make this thread a TopX sidebar discussion, and keep it in the forums.
I'll separate this into 2 lists. First, I'll throw out the top 5 pre-Super Bowl era QBs, then the top 10 SB era QBs. It is tough to mix the two, but if I did, Graham would be my #1 overall, and Luckman and Baugh would both also make my top 10 list.
(SB era= career ended in 1966 or later)
Top 5 Pre-Super Bowl Era QBs-
1. Otto Graham
2. Sid Luckman
3. Sammy Baugh
4. Arnie Herber
5. Bobby Layne
-Graham is the greatest QB of all-time in my estimation. I get that he played inferior competition in the AAFC for a few years, but once the Browns reached the NFL, while his numbers regressed a bit, he was still the best QB in the league by a long-shot, making the championship in all 6 of his NFL seasons, winning 3 titles, and being named 1st team all-pro 4 times. Luckman over Baugh is a bit controversial, but considering the careers of Luckman and Baugh intertwined, it’s easy to compare within their era. Luckman won twice as many championships, was named 1st team all-pro 5 times, compared with 4 for Baugh, had 3 90+ rating seasons compared with 2 for Baugh, and finished with a higher career YPA, QB Rating, TD%, and TD/INT ratio. Baugh was the better overall player, but Luckman was the better QB.
Top 10 Super Bowl Era QBs-
1. Bart Starr
2. Johnny Unitas
3. Joe Montana
4. Peyton Manning
5. Steve Young
6. Tom Brady
7. Dan Marino
8. Terry Bradshaw
9. Roger Staubach
10. Brett Favre
-The most important role a QB plays is that of a leader. There has never been a more consummate leader and better extension of his head coach than Bart Starr. -The top 3 are razor thin, but I’ll put Unitas over Montana because he was the epitome of a field general. But really, Starr, Unitas, and Montana are about as close to a 3-way tie as is possible in my view. –Manning gets bonus points for his career resurgence this year. His significant production drop in road playoff games is the main reason he doesn’t crack the top 3. But he’s the ultimate grinder despite being a #1 overall pick, and his knowledge of the position is unmatched. –From 1991-1998, no one has ever played the QB position better than Steve Young. –Brady is another great extension of his coach, and another of the true grinders. –Marino is the toughest to judge, and I’ve softened my stance on him a bit. One of the great pure-passers ever, pre-injury Marino places in the top 5. –Bradshaw may be the most talented QB of all-time. His arm-strength was of Marino/Favre quality, and he was a surprisingly athletic, mobile QB, who grew into the perfect QB for that team. He gets docked for the 1st half of his career. It’s amazing to think that his 4 championships are almost a disappointment. –Fair or not fair, Bradshaw outplayed Staubach in the 2 SB victories that were the difference between the Steelers and Cowboys being named team of the decade. Even 1 win over Pittsburgh would have moved Staubach ahead of Bradshaw, Brady, and possibly Young on this list. –I tried not to include Favre, but other than an in-his-prime Steve Young and Peyton Manning, there has been no QB in my lifetime that I was more afraid to see on the other side of the field.
Others Worthy of Consideration-
Troy Aikman, Ken Anderson, Drew Brees, Len Dawson, Dan Fouts, Bob Griese, Sonny Jurgensen, Fran Tarkenton, Kurt Warner
There's my list. Please discuss, dissect, and present your own lists and arguments below.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by vancemeek
Bookmarks