I missed seeing Otto Graham, but have seen every other “great” QB since. While there’s no right answer and some QBs excel in certain systems compared to others, I’d have to say, for me,
(When Dan Reeves wasn’t hamstringing him), I’d put John Elway at the top.
I think Elway had the best combination of arm strength, mobility and smarts. Others exceed Elway in the aforementioned areas individually, but not collectively IMHO.
Bert Jones had more raw talent than anyone I have seen play. If he was drafted in Oakland, Terry Bradshaw may never have won a Super Bowl. Baltimore ruined him. I know most will scoff at what I say but Bill B. agrees with me. Dan Marino is very close. His release was insane. Bert had a better arm and was much more athletic until he was injured. I also like Brady, Rodgers and Steve Young. I think Young was more talented by significant amount over Montana.
If you imagine all QBs being available in a draft class and Bill Walsh is picking, whom would he take?
I think Elway.
I saw Elway's home games his last year in college. The student section would do the "we are not worthy" bow about once a game.
It's funny that people say Elway and yet ELI has passed him in every statistical category and has the same number of rings. I just find that comical that people debate Eli as a HOF.
Guy could play and even at the end he almost had the Vikings in the Super Bowl if Peterson didn't cough it up over and over. Just thought I would throw him out as in his prime I liked watching him play.
Couldn't outlast Eli in the frozen title game though. Favre also had the best ability, availability, it is crazy he never missed a start.
Montana was poetry playing the position. Fluid, poised, smart and one of the great long ball throwers ever. Obviously not a big arm, but it seemed he always hit Rice, Taylor, Clark, etc perfectly in stride.
One of the great clutch players the game has ever seen. His numbers in that era - where football was still football - are brilliant.
Marino was the best thrower of the ball I had ever seen...until Rodgers arrived. There is nothing Rodgers can't do. He is the perfect blend of every attribute you want in a QB. And he delivers with great production and in big moments. So I submit Rodgers.
It just so happened that the prime of the BB-Brady era was taking place during his career. Very similar to the careers of Barkley/Stockton/Malone/Ewing during the Jordan era.
Those Colts teams were placed firmly on his back as he went against the great head coach-QB combo of all time, the greatest defensive mind of all time, and probably the 2nd or 3rd greatest QB of all time.
I believe much of the Colts postseason failures had to do with the culture of taking it easy before the playoffs that Polian seemed to believe in as well Jim Caldwell being a terrible HC.
I've been a Giants fan since 1986, and out of all the QB's I'd have to go with Joe Montana, he was at his best in the most pressure situations. He's the only QB to play in four super bowls, win them, and not throw one interception.
I remember this story about Lawrence Taylor. They asked him who is the greatest QB of all time, and he said Montana. They said why? He said because Montana literally changed the game.
Just as LT changed the game from the defensive side of the ball, Montana changed the game from the offensive side. No comparison.
Anyway, Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. Montana did not have the arm of either of those (and Tom's is stronger than Peyton's). Elway has the arm, but not sure he could read defenses as well as Tom or Peyton. Not sure anyone could read a defense and make adjustments like Peyton.
After Eli, of course?
As in person and/or TV
also of note, with one more win, Eli ties Joe Montana
Link - ( New Window )
Bart Starr won 5 Titles. Nobody mentions him.
I think Elway had the best combination of arm strength, mobility and smarts. Others exceed Elway in the aforementioned areas individually, but not collectively IMHO.
I brushed past him on Bourbon Street in New Orleans a few years back, and I still felt like climbing a tree.
I think Elway.
I saw Elway's home games his last year in college. The student section would do the "we are not worthy" bow about once a game.
He just didn't have the career to match
Ernie, is that you???
Apparently, all the Marino fans showed up here at the same time.
I think Elway.
I saw Elway's home games his last year in college. The student section would do the "we are not worthy" bow about once a game.
It's funny that people say Elway and yet ELI has passed him in every statistical category and has the same number of rings. I just find that comical that people debate Eli as a HOF.
Guy could play and even at the end he almost had the Vikings in the Super Bowl if Peterson didn't cough it up over and over. Just thought I would throw him out as in his prime I liked watching him play.
Couldn't outlast Eli in the frozen title game though. Favre also had the best ability, availability, it is crazy he never missed a start.
Quote:
The point is to win games and championships and no one has come close to doing that on the level he has.
Bart Starr won 5 Titles. Nobody mentions him.
Brady’s greatness speaks for itself, but the best 2 CLUTCH QBs I ever saw, were Starr and Montana
Montana was poetry playing the position. Fluid, poised, smart and one of the great long ball throwers ever. Obviously not a big arm, but it seemed he always hit Rice, Taylor, Clark, etc perfectly in stride.
One of the great clutch players the game has ever seen. His numbers in that era - where football was still football - are brilliant.
Marino was the best thrower of the ball I had ever seen...until Rodgers arrived. There is nothing Rodgers can't do. He is the perfect blend of every attribute you want in a QB. And he delivers with great production and in big moments. So I submit Rodgers.
Those Colts teams were placed firmly on his back as he went against the great head coach-QB combo of all time, the greatest defensive mind of all time, and probably the 2nd or 3rd greatest QB of all time.
I believe much of the Colts postseason failures had to do with the culture of taking it easy before the playoffs that Polian seemed to believe in as well Jim Caldwell being a terrible HC.
I remember this story about Lawrence Taylor. They asked him who is the greatest QB of all time, and he said Montana. They said why? He said because Montana literally changed the game.
Just as LT changed the game from the defensive side of the ball, Montana changed the game from the offensive side. No comparison.
Anyway, Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. Montana did not have the arm of either of those (and Tom's is stronger than Peyton's). Elway has the arm, but not sure he could read defenses as well as Tom or Peyton. Not sure anyone could read a defense and make adjustments like Peyton.
Cannot chose between P. Manning or Brady.
I wish we could see how Brady is without little Bill. We could really get a clear picture if one begets the other
Most jaw-dropping - Elway
Best ball - Marino
If I had to choose though I'd say Brady. He's an absolute machine. He hits the "routine" plays at an absurd percentage.