The worst QB to win a Super Bowl?

.

Being in a Super Bowl as I have successfully blocked that nightmare out of my memory.

Brad Johnson?

Dilfer wasn't even close to Johnson. And that's saying more about how much Dilfer sucked than how good Johnson was.

And I don't think it is particularly close. I don't even think you could put Eli in the top 10 worst.

Johnson, Dilfer, Flacco, Doug Williams, Namath, Hostetler, Simms, McMahon, Theismann, Rypien, Stabler are all worse QBs then Eli.

From a pure career statistics view.

He was anything but ordinary or average. Just because he didn't shred the colts defense in that Super Bowl doesn't take away what Namath accomplished. He was a great player but his knees didn't last...

It has to be dilfer but I think the guy gets a little too much heat and not enough credit. He was good enough to win a Super Bowl. That's all that counts.

to move me off of Trent Dilfer. The guy was a borderline starting QB at his BEST.

Until he threw that Pennzoil can into the case from 50 yards, after that he couldn't hit the ground with his hat in 3 tries.

just to set yourself up for the "I don't remember this Trent Dilfer" joke?

Plunkett sucked but he was part of two SB wins

in that discussion has the brain capacity and memory of a fruit fly.

Bob Griese was pretty pedestrian too.

Eli Manning does not belong in the conversation in any way, shape or form.

Off the top of my head, Eli has had a more productive, better career than Len Dawson, Namath, Earl Morral, Craig Morton, Ken Stabler, Jim Plunkett, Joe Thiesmann, Jim McMahon, Jeff Hostetler, Doug Williams, Dilfer, Brad Johnson - verdict is still out on Flacco and Russell Wilson.

I'd argue that it's Dilfer or Brad Johnson.

had the worst game.

In comment 11827241 Peter in Atlanta said:

Quote:

had the worst game.

He was BRUTAL..Could very well have been the worst performance ever by a "winning" QB

No, I like Trent Dilfer and it wasn't a joke, after years of therapy I no longer wake up screaming that Jim Fassel and Kerry Collins were Giants.

Because he played in an era of dominant defenses, and also because he played for a team that had Larry Csonka, Mercury Morris and Jim Kiick. He's in the Hall of Fame.

Don't get me wrong, Bob belongs in the HOF, did exactly what he was supposed to do. Win.

you should find another sport to watch because you clearly don't understand the game. Johnson (arguably 2nd worst) was an average to above average starting QB when he played with a 4000 yard season (and a few high 3000s) under his belt. Dilfer never threw for more than 2900 yards in a season.

don't win multiple Super Bowls. I've heard people try and talk trash about Bradshaw. Sorry, you win four or even two, you aren't shitty.

What? He was an excellent QB. Dolphins just ran the ball a lot with Csonka, Kiick and Morris.

In comment 11827205 Rocky Thompson said:

Quote:

Being in a Super Bowl as I have successfully blocked that nightmare out of my memory.

This gave me a good early morning giggle.

Dilfer and/or Johnson. In a dead heat. Both had nasty defenses.

surrounded with talent, he'll make some plays and give you a respectable offense.

Dilfer = Jason Garrett
Great guy to have as a backup that could step in and manage the game (i.e. not turn the ball over) if needed.

Eli

I have heard this Eli superbowl worst QB crap many times... you may make a case for 2007 but 2011 ???

Dood willed us to the playoffs and we had NO running game at all... the SF NFC Championship game was one of the best performances I have ever seen from a QB... and the superbowl was statistically better.

Love to see 2011 Eli come back !

is because of his success at a very pivotal moment in the history of the league

Brad Johnson was a damn fine QB for many years. That Tampa team was led by defense but he is not anywhere close to the "worst qb tow in a Super Bowl." There's Dilfer, there's Plunkett who won two after a quite pedestrian career, there's Williams who was also merely average, and there's McMahon, another good QB who won with an all run/all defense team. Johnson does not crack the top 5.

you can't compare stats of qb's from different eras who played under different, and much less favorable to the passing game, rules and were responsible for calling their own plays. Back then, you could construct a team with a dominant running game and defense and keep the passing game under raps unless it was needed. Griese and Dawson both led teams like that.

When you read that Bob Griese was "pedestrian", the thread is over.

I can't believe that there are people on earth who don't think Bradshaw was a great qb. Guy had a rifle for an arm and could run like a deer. Unfortunately, people take his buffoon character literally.

Super Bowl 1. Bart Starr (MVP), 2 TDs
Super Bowl 2. Bart Starr (MVP), 1 TD
Super Bowl 3. Joe Namath (MVP), 0 TDs
Super Bowl 4. Len Dawson (MVP), 1 TD
Super Bowl 5. John Unitas (Chuck Howley), 1 TD
Super Bowl 6. Roger Staubach (MVP), 2 TDs
Super Bowl 7. Bob Griese (Jake Scott), 1 TD
Super Bowl 8. Bob Griese (Larry Csonka), 0 TDs
Super Bowl 9. Terry Bradshaw (Franco Harris), 1 TD
Super Bowl 10. Terry Bradshaw (Lynn Swann), 2 TDs
Super Bowl 11. Ken Stabler (Fred Biletnikoff), 1 TD
Super Bowl 12. Roger Staubach (Harvey Martin & Randy White), 0 TDs
Super Bowl 13. Terry Bradshaw (MVP), 4 TDs
Super Bowl 14. Terry Bradshaw (MVP), 2 TDs
Super Bowl 15. Jim Plunkett (MVP), 3 TDs
Super Bowl 16. Joe Montana (MVP), 1 TD
Super Bowl 17. Joe Theismann (John Riggins), 2 TDs,
Super Bowl 18. Jim Plunkett (Marcus Allen), 1 TD
Super Bowl 19. Joe Montana (MVP), 3 TDs
Super Bowl 20. Jim McMahon (Richard Dent), 0 TDs
Super Bowl 21. Phil Simms (MVP), 3 TDs
Super Bowl 22. Doug Williams (MVP), 4 TDs
Super Bowl 23. Joe Montana (Jerry Rice), 2 TDs
Super Bowl 24. Joe Montana (MVP), 5 TDs
Super Bowl 25. Jeff Hostetler (Ottis Anderson), 1 TD
Super Bowl 26. Mark Rypien (MVP), 2 TDs
Super Bowl 27. Troy Aikman (MVP), 4 TDs
Super Bowl 28. Troy Aikman (Emmitt Smith), O TDs
Super Bowl 29. Steve Young (MVP), 6 TDs
Super Bowl 30. Troy Aikman (Larry Brown), 1 TD
Super Bowl 31. Brett Favre (Desmond Howard), 2 TDs
Super Bowl 32. John Elway (Terrell Davis), 0 TDs
Super Bowl 33. John Elway (MVP), 1 TD
Super Bowl 34. Kurt Warner (MVP), 2 TDs
Super Bowl 35. Trent Dilfer (Ray Lewis), 1 TD
Super Bowl 36. Tom Brady (MVP), 1 TD
Super Bowl 37. Brad Johnson (Dexter Jackson), 2 TDs
Super Bowl 38. Tom Brady (MVP), 3 TDs
Super Bowl 39. Tom Brady (Deion Branch), 2 TDs
Super Bowl 40. Ben Roethlisberger (Hines Ward), 0 TDs
Super Bowl 41. Peyton Manning (MVP), 1 TD
Super Bowl 42. Eli Manning (MVP), 2 TDs
Super Bowl 43: Ben Roethlisberger (Santonio Holmes), 1 TD
Super Bowl 44: Drew Brees (MVP), 2 TDs
Super Bowl 45: Aaron Rogers (MVP), 3TDs
Super Bowl 46: Eli Manning (MVP), 1 TD
Super Bowl 47: Joe Flacco (MVP), 3TDs
Super Bowl 48: Russell Wilson, 2TDs
Link - ( New Window )

In comment 11827303 Chef said:

Quote:

is because of his success at a very pivotal moment in the history of the league

One should not be in the HOF for one game or a couple of seasons ... especially if he was merely average in that one game - just didn't screw up (hmmm Trent Dilfer anyone ??)

Namath had barely 50 % completions ... many more Int's than TDs ... and a career record of below 0.500 won/loss record ...

He had Bachelor's 3 and a way with ladies - definitely HOF credentials ...

Don't be a hater because he was a Redskin.

Its Trent Dilfer by a very wide margin.

Had a great Super Bowl, but I never thought he was a consistently good QB. Folks forget that he didn't start that year until the playoffs.

In comment 11827246 Big Blue '56 said:

Quote:

In comment 11827241 Peter in Atlanta said: Quote: had the worst game. He was BRUTAL..Could very well have been the worst performance ever by a "winning" QB

It was.

Btw, it always seems like the consensus is that Trent Dilfer was the worst quarterback to win a SB, and he is often the reference point non-Giants fans always point to when there is any attempt to give Eli credit for the 2 SB wins. But I never felt like Dilfer was that bad.

As a matter of fact he was a pretty decent QB (I think he made the Pro-Bowl once) and did what he needed to do to keep the Ravens in a good position to win games. Without that defense and Jamal Lewis they likely don't get very far in the playoffs, but I don't think the Ravens won games "in spite of" Trent Dilfer. He's gotten a bad rap over the years.

I only have 21 to rank because I won't attempt to rank anyone that I didn't watch play. (Plunkett is boarderline, I saw him but it was the end of his career and I more knew of him than really watched him)

This eliminates:
Bart Starr
Joe Namath
Len Dawson
Johnny Unitas
Roger Staubach
Bob Griese
Terry Bradshaw
Ken Stabler
Jim Plunkett

I also won't rank Russell Wilson because it is to early in his career IMO to be fair to him or others on the list.

So of the 21 remaining I would rank them as such:

1 Joe Montana
2 Peyton Manning
3 John Elway
4 Tom Brady
5 Brett Favre
6 Steve Young
7 Kurt Warner
8 Troy Aikman
9 Aaron Rogers
10 Drew Brees
11 Eli Manning
12 Ben Rothlisberger
13 Phil Simms
14 Joe Theismann
15 Joe Flacco
16 Jeff Hostetler
17 Jim McMahon
18 Doug Williams-these three were too hard for me to
18 Brad Johnson--separate so I didn't.
18 Mark Rypien
21 Trent Dilfer

In comment 11827328 snumber6 said:

Quote:

In comment 11827303 Chef said: Quote: is because of his success at a very pivotal moment in the history of the league One should not be in the HOF for one game or a couple of seasons ... especially if he was merely average in that one game - just didn't screw up (hmmm Trent Dilfer anyone ??) Namath had barely 50 % completions ... many more Int's than TDs ... and a career record of below 0.500 won/loss record ... He had Bachelor's 3 and a way with ladies - definitely HOF credentials ...

You forgot to add that he's a drunk. He's the most over rated QB in the history of the NFL. Just because he "guaranteed" a win and the team did he was put on a pedestal. Since when does having a big mouth get you in Canton?

In comment 11827352 Gman11 said:

Quote:

In comment 11827328 snumber6 said: Quote: In comment 11827303 Chef said: Quote: is because of his success at a very pivotal moment in the history of the league One should not be in the HOF for one game or a couple of seasons ... especially if he was merely average in that one game - just didn't screw up (hmmm Trent Dilfer anyone ??) Namath had barely 50 % completions ... many more Int's than TDs ... and a career record of below 0.500 won/loss record ... He had Bachelor's 3 and a way with ladies - definitely HOF credentials ... You forgot to add that he's a drunk. He's the most over rated QB in the history of the NFL. Just because he "guaranteed" a win and the team did he was put on a pedestal. Since when does having a big mouth get you in Canton?

Apparently since the year Namath was elected.

Supports the general idea that its extremely difficult to win without an "elite"

Obviously, Dilfer is by far the worst.

Looking at the list, the name that stands out that hasn't been mentioned is Joe Theisman. He had a reputation, but was he really any good? All the others I remember well. But I really don't remember Theisman doing much other than getting LT'd.

I ever saw was Ben Roethlisberger and peyton manning...

At least ben made up for it in his second go with a stellar performance. Peyton not so much...

Id be surprised if either of them ever win one again honestly.

In comment 11827341 eclipz928 said:

Quote:

In comment 11827246 Big Blue '56 said: Quote: In comment 11827241 Peter in Atlanta said: Quote: had the worst game. He was BRUTAL..Could very well have been the worst performance ever by a "winning" QB It was. Btw, it always seems like the consensus is that Trent Dilfer was the worst quarterback to win a SB, and he is often the reference point non-Giants fans always point to when there is any attempt to give Eli credit for the 2 SB wins. But I never felt like Dilfer was that bad. As a matter of fact he was a pretty decent QB (I think he made the Pro-Bowl once) and did what he needed to do to keep the Ravens in a good position to win games. Without that defense and Jamal Lewis they likely don't get very far in the playoffs, but I don't think the Ravens won games "in spite of" Trent Dilfer. He's gotten a bad rap over the years.

Despite his 1 PB, he was an awful starting QB. His PB season he threw for 2500 yards (well outside the top 10). His 21 TDs was good enough to be tied for 6th in the league that year (with the great Kordell Stewart), but aside from that his stats were utterly unimpressive.

Had a very impressive late-career run in the early Gibbs years, was a Pro Bowler in 1982 and 1983.

In comment 11827376 WideRight said:

Quote:

Supports the general idea that its extremely difficult to win without an "elite" Obviously, Dilfer is by far the worst. Looking at the list, the name that stands out that hasn't been mentioned is Joe Theisman. He had a reputation, but was he really any good? All the others I remember well. But I really don't remember Theisman doing much other than getting LT'd.

Theisman was a good QB.

There's no sustainable basis for putting Warner ahead of him. I would also put him above Aikman, who was very good but had ridiculous talent around him during the Cowboys' championship years. Rodgers has often carried the Packers, behind a porous line.

into the HOF. But when he was inducted there really wasn't a large sampling of QB's before him that were inducted that would set the standard of what kind of statistics would be sufficient. As far as the other QB's that were playing in his generation, Namath did stand out quite a bit. His timing was good and that's why he made it in.

Conversely, Eli's timing may be very bad depending on when he retires. There's a lot of QB's in his generation that have or will put up big time numbers. Because of that he may end up being squeezed out of the hall of fame unless he has a huge turn around (statistically) in his career.

In comment 11827376 WideRight said:

Quote:

Supports the general idea that its extremely difficult to win without an "elite" Obviously, Dilfer is by far the worst. Looking at the list, the name that stands out that hasn't been mentioned is Joe Theisman. He had a reputation, but was he really any good? All the others I remember well. But I really don't remember Theisman doing much other than getting LT'd.

Only these 11 did it more than once:

Bart Starr
Roger Staubach
Terry Bradshaw
Bob Griese
Joe Montana
Jim Plunkett
Troy Aikman
John Elway
Tom Brady
Ben Rothlisberger
Eli Manning

Was really awful in the win against Seattle. He did win another one where he was great. But does that awful performance count? Or are we looking at a body of work?

Was really awful in the win against Seattle. He did win another one where he was great. But does that awful performance count? Or are we looking at a body of work?

...

In comment 11827395 Big Blue Blogger said:

Quote:

There's no sustainable basis for putting Warner ahead of him. I would also put him above Aikman, who was very good but had ridiculous talent around him during the Cowboys' championship years. Rodgers has often carried the Packers, behind a porous line.

Funny, I was just looking at my list and thinking the same thing, changing it to Rogers-Warner-Aikman. They were hard for me to separate initially. Making a list like this on such a subjective basis is very hard. The top 4 was also difficult.

OK. Maybe 'Pedestrian' was a poor choice of words for an 8-time Pro Bowler & 2-time First-Team All-Pro.

That said, his numbers were NEVER impressive. He could NOT carry a team on his own, the way that Bradshaw, Stabler, Tarkenton and Staubach could. Hell, even guys like Morton, Fouts and Bert Jones were better at that than Greise. But the Dolphins weren't about the passing game. Greise did the job - support the run game without too many mistakes. But in comparing him to other Super Bowl quarterbacks, he doesn't crack the top 5. And he doesn't rank over Eli.

Career Playoff Record, 6-5. Regular season, 100W, 95L.

Averaged about 2,000 yds per season, completion rate only crossed 60% twice. TD to INT ratio was almost never impressive, (192 TD -172 INT career)

Yes, playing QB was tougher in Namath's era. Yes, he had some terrible injuries. Yes, he played on some woeful Jets teams. Even accepting all of that, Namath's TD/INT ratio is still awful when compared to his peers. The man threw 47 more interceptions than touchdowns (173/220). Look at some other prominent QBs around his era:

Len Dawson: 239/183
Roman Gabriel: 201/149
Daryle Lamonica: 164/138
Terry Bradshaw: 212/210
Bob Griese: 192/172
Sonny Jurgensen: 255/189
Roger Staubach: 153/109