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October 23, 2007
Who are your top 5 QBs of all time?
Scott Fowler writes about Peyton Manning making his first visit to Charlotte Sunday, bringing with him the reputation as arguably the league's best QB. But does he rank among the all-time best?
So we ask the question, who are your top 5 quarterbacks of all time? Write them in the comments section below and tell us why you picked them. -- Kelvin Hart
Posted by Observer Sports on October 23, 2007 at 10:06 PM | Permalink
Comments
Top 5 All-Time QB's?
Dan Marino - Ultimate Passing Machine
Joe Montana - Ultimate winner
Johnny Unitas - Best of prior to the passing era. Consistent TD machine.
Peyton Manning - Great Commercials
Tom Brady - Spectacular vision and a Wolverine!
Posted by: Albgoblue | Oct 23, 2007 10:51:21 PM
First, they have to be divided into two categories: 1) those who called their own plays and 2) those who have the coaches call the plays. It's a lot easier to play quarterback if someone else is calling the plays.
Those who called their own plays: Unitas, Starr, Staubach, Bradshaw, Staubach, Baugh.
Those who had coaches call the plays: Otto Graham, Montana, Manning, Brady, Aikman.
Posted by: Ben | Oct 23, 2007 10:54:37 PM
I just became a fan of football in 2004 when I came to UNCC. Ever since then I have been a football fanatic. So my opinion is that Tom Brady and Payton Manning should be considered top 5 all time. But I must admit that I don't know much about every other quarterback that existed besides seeing a few highlights on T.V.
I believe these two are in the top 5 b/c the level of competition, in my opinion, has increased over the decades (perhaps due to the increased exposure of the nfl and NCAA football to more people at a younger age and increase in technology (quarterbacks have helmets with radios in them, increase in technological materials that aid in preparation for an opponent).
For Peyton and Brady to do what they do with such consistency is remarkable. They are breaking incredible records. How does a guy have 27 TDs and 2 int while completing over 70% of the passes through the first half of an nfl season? I don't understand it. Its greatness. I'll put brady ahead of peyton b/c peyton has always had receivers. Peyton also haves a running game, whereas brady does not. But obviously brady only needed some recievers to become non-human.
Posted by: Tim | Oct 23, 2007 10:59:05 PM
Elway has to be numger 1 look at the wins +td's+yards+health unless your going by super bowl wins. which i think is the wrong way to grade a player by best ever. if you think super bowl rings proves who the best player is then charles haley (who?) must be the best linebacker of all time he has 5 rings but only 100 sacks. so when you say who is the best of all time you must compare super bowl wins or just stats.
Posted by: rutherford county res | Oct 23, 2007 11:48:47 PM
Brett Favre has to be in there somewhere.
Posted by: Ben Walton | Oct 24, 2007 2:40:39 AM
Top 5 QB's of All-Time
1.Frank Reich
2.Earl Morrall
3.Zeke Bratkowski
4.Jeff Hostetler
5. George Blanda
Posted by: Cameron Collins | Oct 24, 2007 3:25:12 AM
I have a hard time finding fault w/ Ben's picks, and he does know his football history, but I would substitute Bob Greise for one of the two Staubachs under "those who called their own plays" (yes, that makes six, but I'm going to take advantage of the "loophole" to avoid dissing any of Ben's five solid picks). Also,I like Cam C's tongue-in-cheek picks, but let's not forget that Earl Morrall led both the Colts and the 17-0-0 Dolphins to the Superbowl. My personal top five are:
1. John Unitas–Not even close.
2. John Elway–Who could ever forget “The Drive”? No one, except perhaps Marino, was better at the fourth-quarter comeback, and he has the Super Bowl creds.
3. Joe Montana-System and Jerry Rice made him better, but he's a bona fide champion, had great touch and accuracy on his passes and was a consistent winner who always delivered in the clutch. Who else could have kept Steve Young on the bench?
4. Brett Favre-a true “football player” who happens to be a QB, and always seems to find a way to win. A superb leader.
5. Dan Marino-Best pure passer I’ve ever seen. Possessed a singular ability to read defenses and to get the ball out quickly while putting the ball exactly where it needed to be.
Leaving out P. Manning, Brady, Starr, Norm Van Brocklin and "Slingin' Sammy" Baugh was tough.
Posted by: Jeff B. | Oct 24, 2007 4:44:32 AM
Staubach, Montana, Aikman, Marino, Kosar.
Posted by: P Helms Suches | Oct 24, 2007 7:00:32 AM
1: Marino
2: Dan Marino
3: Dan the Man
4: Otto Graham
5: Marino
Posted by: danny | Oct 24, 2007 7:14:55 AM
Slingin' Sammy Baugh...went vertical when the whole league was horizontal
Roger Staubach...arm like a cannon and the stubbornness to run over people on the way to the first down stick
George Blanda...made his own P A Ts
Ken the snake Stabler...could post 25 for 34 and 387 yards on a two day hangover
Broadway Joe Namath...best legs in pantyhose of all time, best fur coat collection, play called by telling his wide-outs to 'run your butt off"....on two"
Posted by: jimhat | Oct 24, 2007 7:52:27 AM
My top 5 is:
1) Joe Montana
2) Roger Staubach
3) John Unitas
4) John Elway
5) Bret Favre
Montana was so cool under pressure. The drive at the end of the 1981 NFC Championship game ending in the catch to Dwight Clark was an era changing event. Staubach is underrated. He was very mobile and was great at the end of a game. Unitas created the 2 minute drill and the Colt's win in the first overtime game was the beginning of the rise of the NFL as a popular TV driven sport. Elway was probably the greatest athelete at quarterback and like the other 3 great at the end of a game. Favre is just plain fun to watch.
Posted by: Dangerous Dan | Oct 24, 2007 7:53:09 AM
someone really should have told you that this conversation already took place, per a Stan Olsen blog.
Posted by: Mattdaddy | Oct 24, 2007 8:05:15 AM
1. Joe Montana
2. John Elway
3. Johnny Unitas
4. Bart Star
5. Dan Marino
Peyton Probably deserves honorable mention, as he will probably be considered the best QB ever by the time he retires. If you're going to put Tom Brady on this list, I think you have to put Terry Bradshaw on the list as well. 4 Super Bowls, called his own plays, and played in an era when the QB was treated like any other player on the field. Now, they might as well apply the same rules to field goal kickers that they do to QB's.
Posted by: PMK | Oct 24, 2007 10:44:48 AM
Top 5 QBs, all time:
1 - Marino, even without a ring
2 - Montana
3 - Elway
4 - P. Manning
5 - Fran Tarkington, original scrambling QB, put up great numbers with mediocre teams
Very Honorable Mention: Staubach, Brady, Steve Young, Farve, Dan Fouts
Posted by: the Derita Kid | Oct 24, 2007 11:00:52 AM
Dan Marino records may become extinct soon but still good!
Brett Favre...one of my favs
Peyton Manning...i agree he has the best commercials.
Tom Brady ....good with randy.
Joe Montana name says it all
Posted by: North Carolina Mortgage | Oct 24, 2007 11:02:34 AM
Top 5 QBs, all time:
1 - Marino, even without a ring
2 - Montana
3 - Elway
4 - P. Manning
5 - Fran Tarkington, original scrambling QB, put up great numbers with mediocre teams
Very Honorable Mention: Staubach, Brady, Steve Young, Farve, Dan Fouts
Posted by: the Derita Kid | Oct 24, 2007 11:02:41 AM
WARREN MOON
way underated qb. had he been drafted and not played in canada, manning and brady and favre would all be chasing his records!!
over 70,000 yards!
Posted by: vnhalen | Oct 24, 2007 12:25:54 PM
1. Bradshaw. Just because he acts the role of a buffoon now, don't forget how good he was. He could throw short and wayyy deep, and could run over you. He was tough.
2. Montana. Cool as ice, could run when he had to. Smart.
3. Unitas. One name says quarterback. Played through everything.
4. Elway. It was great to see him win SB's in the end.
5. Brady. He will end up being number one.
Aikman. If there were six he would be in.
Marino. One dimensional. Marino especially is the case of the guy who would rather throw for 400 yards than win. Him, Fouts, and to an extent Favre all in this group.
Manning. Good but not in the league with the top five by a long stretch. Baby when things don't go his way.
Favre. Great numbers, one ring. Too much from the hip.
Most entertaining QBs were Stabler and Joe Kapp.
Posted by: Willy | Oct 24, 2007 1:32:02 PM
1. Elway
2. Manning
3. Unitas
4. Young
5. Brady
For all I've heard and read Otto Graham could probably make this list, but I just have a hard time making the leap. Unitas is a little closer historically and I've seen a lot more film of him. Steve Young is often underrated on these lists, in my opinion. Elway did more with nothing than anyone else, then finally had a couple of great teams that he won with. Manning and Brady could go either way, but for the moment I give it to Manning.
Posted by: Matt | Oct 24, 2007 1:46:35 PM
I feel two QBs have been grossly overlooked!
1. P. Manning
2. D. Marino
3. J. Montana
4. T. Bradshaw
5. B. Favre
Who has more rings than Bradshaw? I mean we put Brady on a pedestal but he hasn't done anything that hasn't been done before. Favre is the toughest and most unique QB to ever play the game.
Posted by: Vernon | Oct 24, 2007 2:28:23 PM
1. Jake Delhomne
2. Chris Weinke
3. Rodney Pete
4. Kerry Collins
5. Steve Beuerlein
HANDS DOWN
Posted by: John Fox | Oct 24, 2007 3:15:41 PM
Are we talking Legal, or Illegal so far as the salary cap goes?
We know that the 49ers and the Broncos were disciplined for salary cap violations to build their championship teams... doesn't ANYbody wonder if the Colts and Patriots aren't doing it right now?
Posted by: John | Oct 24, 2007 4:27:22 PM
ok, I know he was in the same division as our beloved Panthers, and is currently in some legal trouble, however, Mike Vick has to be among the top somewhere. Would the Pats and Colts be competitive withouth Brady or Manning? maybe so more than likely yes. Look at the Falcons however, They were truely contenders and now they are amongs the bottome three int he League. This is the list
1) Dan Marino
2) Peyton Manning
3) Tom Brady
4) Mike Vick
5) Joe Montana
Honerable Mentions
any quarteback who got his team to a superbowl, including Jake Delhomme, excluding Kyle Boller.
Posted by: Jimmie Moore | Oct 24, 2007 4:28:32 PM
roman gabriel , roger dodger staubach,plunket,sonny jurgenson,favre,brady ,johnny "u" the list is endless
Posted by: rxgary | Oct 24, 2007 6:18:24 PM
my top 5 are 1. Joe Montana, 4 rings and the first man of the west coast system. 2. Terry Bradshaw, 4 rings, and the first man with 4 rings, and win back to back superbowls twiced. 3. Dan Marion, the stat man, and a true general of the feild. 4. Peyton Manning, Got the ring, and got the stats to got with it, first offensive coach on the feild. 5. Tom Brady, 3 rings, big man in big game.
Posted by: coltpower | Oct 24, 2007 6:20:00 PM
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