Greatest QBs of All Time List

[Dade]

With Favre riding off into the sunset where do you rank him on your greatest QB of all time list. With all his record and his "comeback" season I've got to put him in the top 5. My top five goes:

Johnny Unitas
Joe Montana
Brett Favre
Steve Young
Terry Bradshaw

[purplepoe]

With Favre riding off into the sunset where do you rank him on your greatest QB of all time list. With all his record and his "comeback" season I've got to put him in the top 5. My top five goes:

Johnny Unitas
Joe Montana
Brett Favre
Steve Young
Terry Bradshaw

Brady not in top 5?

Here's my 5 in no order because just getting it narrowed to 5 is hard enough.

Elway
Brady
Montana
Johnny Unitas
Young

It's really hard to compare eras etc.....

Manning almost cracked my list.

PP

[HoustonRaven]

Pretty fair list.

I think one could argue that Bradshaw should not be under Farve, but thats debatable.

[ravenjoe]

My Top Five:

1 - Johnny Unitas ( unquestionably, the Best of the Best! );
2 - Joe Montana;
3 - Otto Graham;
4 - Tom Brady;
5 - John Elway;

[Dade]

Brady not in top 5?

Here's my 5 in no order because just getting it narrowed to 5 is hard enough.

Elway
Brady
Montana
Johnny Unitas
Young

It's really hard to compare eras etc.....

Manning almost cracked my list.

PP

Yeah the eras have changed so much you can't really compare those QBs. They're all great IMO.

As far as Brady not making my list, I typically don't rank active players, I wait for them to retire to look at their entire body of work. Even more so with Brady because he just keeps getting better as the career goes on. By the time he retires I just might put him at number 1.

[Mista T]

Johnny Unitas
Joe Montana
Brett Favre
Steve Young
Terry Bradshaw

I agree with Unitas and Montana as the best two of all time, in that order.

Favre should not make the top 5 list list over Sammy Baugh, Marino and Staubach, and his contemporaries Elway, Jim Kelly and Manning.

I don't see Young and particularly the dumb-as-bricks Bradshaw as top 20 material. Bradshaw wasn't as good as several of his contemporaries: Bert Jones, Ken Stabler, Archie Manning, Fran Tarkenton.

[Rxdoxx]

As Dade says, how can we compare eras?
I'd love to have seen Unitas playing when you can't bump a receiver :)

Mista T has mentioned one, that I never have seen but have learned and read enough about that I may even consider putting him above Unitas :o ....
Sammy Baugh
http://www.hickoksports.com/biograph/baughsam.shtml

Perhaps his greatest season was 1943, when he became the only player ever to lead the NFL in passing, punting, and interceptions. Baugh was an All-Pro in 1937, 1940, 1943, 1945, 1947, and 1947. When he retired after the 1952 season, he held most of the NFL's passing records. His punting average of 51.4 yards a kick in 1940 and his passing completion mark of 70.3 percent in 1945 are still records.

Favre is one of the great ones, no question about that, his iron man streak at QB games I don't think is reachable by anyone, but top 5?? Definitely top 20, probably top 15, maybe top 10, but I can't slot him in top 5.

[Gabrosin]

Top ten, in order:

1. Joe Montana
2. Tom Brady
3. Johnny Unitas
4. John Elway
5. Brett Favre
6. Otto Graham
7. Terry Bradshaw
8. Peyton Manning
9. Steve Young
10. Dan Marino

Next few on the list would be Sammy Baugh, Troy Aikman, and Jim Kelly.

If their careers continue on their current courses, I expect Brady to climb to #1 on the list, and Manning to wind up at #3 or #4 or so.

[UKRavenStockers]

My Mount Rushmore of QBs (shamelessly stolen from PTI, but heck it was a good idea so why not):

- Otto Graham - The ultimate winner
- Johnny Unitas - The modern era QB ahead of his time
- Joe Montana - Anything more need to be said?
- Steve Young - Very subjective but possibly the most talented QB in terms of an all round package.

[purplepoe]

I agree with Unitas and Montana as the best two of all time, in that order.

Favre should not make the top 5 list list over Sammy Baugh, Marino and Staubach, and his contemporaries Elway, Jim Kelly and Manning.

I don't see Young and particularly the dumb-as-bricks Bradshaw as top 20 material. Bradshaw wasn't as good as several of his contemporaries: Bert Jones, Ken Stabler, Archie Manning, Fran Tarkenton.

Steve Young isn't top 20?

I'm beginning to think we'll never agree on anything.

Wow.

PP

[Mista T]

Steve Young isn't top 20?

I'm beginning to think we'll never agree on anything.

Wow.

PP

I don't place Steve Young in the top echelon for one reason: he was playing in a great offensive system - perhaps the best overall in any era. The Walsh system helped make Young, not vice versa. Many other really good QBs may have had equivalent success had they been in Steve's shoes. What sways my thinking is that Young came right after Montana, who is top 5 IMHO. But two QBs from the same team in the top 5? Someone has got to go, and I think it's Young.

As to disagreeing on anything: don't we both want to see the Ravens back as a contender, and very soon?

[jonboy79]

I think it's silly to consider anyoen before Unitas. The position is simply different since his arrival, when it became the most important position on the field, and it's significance amplifies significantly.
IMO, only Bradshaw and Unitas belong in the conversation with the modern guys(Montana to present).

If I may...

Unitas
Montana
Brady
Manning
Elway
Young
Favre
Bradshaw
Marino
Aikman

[Rochardrik]

Brady not in top 5?

Here's my 5 in no order because just getting it narrowed to 5 is hard enough.

Elway
Brady
Montana
Johnny Unitas
Young

It's really hard to compare eras etc.....

Manning almost cracked my list.

PP
You CANNOT have Elway in this list! Not if you are a Baltimorian!!!!! Besides he is NOT as great as many perceive him!

[Rochardrik]

I agree with Unitas and Montana as the best two of all time, in that order.

Favre should not make the top 5 list list over Sammy Baugh, Marino and Staubach, and his contemporaries Elway, Jim Kelly and Manning.

I don't see Young and particularly the dumb-as-bricks Bradshaw as top 20 material. Bradshaw wasn't as good as several of his contemporaries: Bert Jones, Ken Stabler, Archie Manning, Fran Tarkenton.

Thanks, Bradshaw does not belong in this list!

[crazyraven]

Dont get me wrong, Young is great but he shouldnt be anywhere in the top 5
1. Montana
2. Johnny Unitas
3. John Elway
4. Marino
5. Brady
--------
6. Farve

[Raveninwoodlawn]

Young didn't blow up with Walsh.

In fact, with Walsh, Young was pretty bad.

Now he did have guys like Shanahan and Holmgren in his heyday, as well as ok guys like Mooch and I remember a couple years he had an awful OC..I can't remember his name though.

How can you prop up Montana when he played in great system and knock someone else for it.

Dude was MVP of the league 2 times wasn't he...highest rated passer of all time (I think Peyton may have actually just passed him though)...he is a definate top 15-10 QB IMHO.

[crazyraven]

How can you prop up Montana when he played in great system and knock someone else for it.
Simple, Montana helped lead KC to a AFC championship in a different system while Steve did not.

[purplepoe]

Simple, Montana helped lead KC to a AFC championship in a different system while Steve did not.

Young didn't play for another team after the Niners.

How is that point?

PP

[crazyraven]

Excuse me PP. I meant to say that the system that Young was in was in TB (before he got to SF). He did nothing there...I mean he was really bad.

[Dade]

Simple, Montana helped lead KC to a AFC championship in a different system while Steve did not.

Let me see if I understand your point, Steve played in a good system so he can't be in the top 20.

If thats the case your can say that about alot of QB's. I dont believe you can fault a QB for having a good coaching staff that implements a system that allows them to be great.

[purplepoe]

Excuse me PP. I meant to say that the system that Young was in was in TB (before he got to SF). He did nothing there...I mean he was really bad.

He played in 19 games in TB.

Do you think any QB would've done well with that team?

You are also pointing to Young before SF as a rookie and 2nd year playing with Montana after SF as a savvy veteran in KC.

I just think it's a bad analogy that doesn't hold any weight.

Of course Young was in a much better situation in SF. I don't see how that's a strike against him.

When he played for the Niners he was absolutely awesome. His run from 91 to 98 was unreal.

Led the league in passing 4 years in a row which is an NFL record.

Led the league in passing 6 times which is tied for the NFL record.

Before last season, he was the all-time leader in passer rating. I dunno if Manning caught him or not.

He led the league 5 times in complete % (4 consecutive which is the 2nd longest streak ever) which is tied with Montana for 3rd in the NFL.

His 70.28 completion % in 94 is the 3rd highest ever for season and less than .3 of a % point away from the best ever.

He led the league in YPC 5 times which is 2nd all time for 4 consecutive seasons.

He led the league in TD passes 4 times which is tied for the NFL record did it for 3 consecutive years. A feat only trumped by the great Johnny U.

I realize I just probably bored you but I think Young gets overlooked and undervalued WAY too often.

http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/indiv/passing

That's where I got all the numbers. I think alot of people will be stunned if they read it and see the numbers Young put up.

PP

[RAVENOUS52]

You Baltimore thugs got it all wrong man!

The top 5 QBs in NFL History have to be:

1) Joe Namath (his finger-wagging guarantee created the modern NFL!)

2) Stoney Case (who will ever forget that exhilarating 54-yard overtime bomb to beat Atlanta in 99'?! Also lead the Ravens to the first regular season win of the Billick era by spanking the Clowns!)

3) Ryan Leaf (Lead his HS team to a State Championship and finished third in Heisman voting in 97'!)

4) John Kitna (Carried Central Washington University to the 1995 NAIA National Championship and sparked the Wildcats by throwing 99 TDs in 43 games!)

5) Chris Redman (Just wait, you'll see!!)

[HoustonRaven]

What, no Boller on this list? The way some people defend him here you'd think he'd be in the top 10. :D

[crazyraven]

Let me see if I understand your point, Steve played in a good system so he can't be in the top 20.
top 20? no no no. I'm talking top 5 and to me Young just cant get in. He hasn't done enough. Top 10 or 15, no problem. Top 5 uh-uh.

I'm certainly not bored by the info that PP provided. I think its interesting and I am aware of his feats. However I don't think its enough to put him in with top 5 qbs.

As far as Monanta, having Success in another system is just another reason why you can elevate him to the top of the list. SF had a great system and I'm not taking anything away from Steve young but Joe had greater accomplishments within that system as far as team goals and accomplishments. Throw in KC and it legitimizes him.

I'm surprised, I thought most would scrutize Marino since he gets a lot of flax about not winning the big one, but not montana. Its usually a bickering match between Untias and Montana on who gets the top spot, not Young.

[otherside_of_tracks]

to say a QB should not be on the list because of his system, then that doesn't make Ray Lewis the best Line backer cuz he always has 300 lbs DT in frount of him. But No. It's still Ray making the hits, and it's still the QB throwing the football.

[RvnFanInIndy]

#1: Ty Detmer
#2: Gino Torretta
#3: Charlie Ward
#4: Danny Wuerffel
#5: Chris Weinke

I mean, c'mon, they all were Heisman Trophy winners, so that must make them great QB's...certainly better than any QB on our team right? What??? You mean just cause they win the 'Hypesman' that don't make 'em good Pros? What about Andre Ware? Eric Crouch? Aren't they headin for the HOF?..... Well, that's just depressing:(

[crazyraven]

I mean, c'mon, they all were Heisman Trophy winners, so that must make them great QB's

you forgot guys like Jim Plunkett, Roger Staubach

[jonboy79]

#1: Ty Detmer
#2: Gino Torretta
#3: Charlie Ward
#4: Danny Wuerffel
#5: Chris Weinke

I mean, c'mon, they all were Heisman Trophy winners, so that must make them great QB's...certainly better than any QB on our team right? What??? You mean just cause they win the 'Hypesman' that don't make 'em good Pros? What about Andre Ware? Eric Crouch? Aren't they headin for the HOF?..... Well, that's just depressing:(

Our Very own Troy Smith is the "Hypesman" winner, I wonder if he's gonna be good?

[UKRavenStockers]

Why the dig at the Heisman? It isn't an award for anything relating to pro potential, it's for the most outstanding college QB. :confused:

[RAVENOUS52]

TrINT Dilfer is definitely in my Top 10...

He won a Super Bowl, something that Jim Kelly and Dan Marino could never accomplish! :word

[RvnFanInIndy]

Why the dig at the Heisman? It isn't an award for anything relating to pro potential, it's for the most outstanding college QB. :confused:

Not a dig at the Heisman, but at the way some people look at the award. IMHO, it doesn't seem to always go to the player who had the best year, but to the player whose school has the better PR department. Sorry,guess my sarcasm got the best of me. I shall subject myself to 30 lashes with a wet noodle.


Our Very own Troy Smith is the "Hypesman" winner, I wonder if he's gonna be good?

&

you forgot guys like Jim Plunkett, Roger Staubach


As for Mr.Smith, I'm hoping he turns out to be as good as Mr.Plunkett and Staubach, I'll even him being as good as Dilfer, as long as we get another ring. I also know there could be a Gino Torretta waiting to pop out at us.

[Ravenswarrior19]

For the record, the greatest quarterback I ever saw was "QB Eagles" circa 1991. Instant Hall of Famer. And I think I saw him wearing purple once.

[purplepoe]

For the record, the greatest quarterback I ever saw was "QB Eagles" circa 1991. Instant Hall of Famer. And I think I saw him wearing purple once.

Is that a Tecmo Super Bowl reference?

I believe it is!

Mr. Cunningham.

PP

[Rayvens52]

how can everyone forget about David Carr, and Joey Harrington.....maybe the two best QB's to ever play IMO :)

[factmeister]

If I had one Packer game to win,I would take Bart Starr.
I honestly do not remember him ever making a mistake.
Brett Favre was a great championship caliber QB,but for one game which Packer QB would you want?
Which QB do you think the Giants would have wanted to face,Brett Favre or the 1967 Bart Starr?
Steve Spagnoli would have had one tough time scheming against Bart Starr.

[HoustonRaven]

If I had one Packer game to win,I would take Bart Starr.
I honestly do not remember him ever making a mistake.
Brett Favre was a great championship caliber QB,but for one game which Packer QB would you want?
Which QB do you think the Giants would have wanted to face,Brett Favre or the 1967 Bart Starr?
Steve Spagnoli would have had one tough time scheming against Bart Starr.

Are you kidding me?

Bart Starr has a completion percentage of 57.4% Brett has a 61.4% and he's a manic with his career attempts! Starr had a little over 24k in yards while Brett had almost 3 times that with a little over 61k in yards. And what about TD's? Starr had 152, Brett has a mind-numbing 442! And INT's? Sorry, Starr has a full percentage point more per passing attempt then Brett (4.4% to 3.3% respectively). So yes, Starr made his fair share of gaffs.

Want me to get modern? Ok, Starr had a career rating of 80.5 ... Brett had a rating of 85 (assuming he stays gone).

Sorry, my friend but it isnt even a debate.

[RavenLisa]

It appears that everyone is forgetting about

BART STARR

man won first two (2) super bowls and was the MVP.

[Mista T]

Are you kidding me?

Bart Starr has a completion percentage of 57.4% Brett has a 61.4% and he's a manic with his career attempts! Starr had a little over 24k in yards while Brett had almost 3 times that with a little over 61k in yards. And what about TD's? Starr had 152, Brett has a mind-numbing 442! And INT's? Sorry, Starr has a full percentage point more per passing attempt then Brett (4.4% to 3.3% respectively). So yes, Starr made his fair share of gaffs.

Want me to get modern? Ok, Starr had a career rating of 80.5 ... Brett had a rating of 85 (assuming he stays gone).

Sorry, my friend but it isnt even a debate.

Sorry Houston, but there's no way that you can compare stats between Starr and Favre. The passing game in the 60s was much more vertical. Mostly mid range passing to the two WRs. Few flare passes and screens to the flanker backs. None of this West Cost dink stuff that we are forced to stomach today. Higher risk of incompletions and interceptions, but higher yards per catch.

I'm not saying that Starr was necessarily better than Favre. I thought Starr was somewhat over rated when his primary weapons were HB Hornung & FB Taylor. Neither guy IMHO should be considered for the list of greatest all-time.

[Mr OC]

Are you kidding me?

Bart Starr has a completion percentage of 57.4% Brett has a 61.4% and he's a manic with his career attempts! Starr had a little over 24k in yards while Brett had almost 3 times that with a little over 61k in yards. And what about TD's? Starr had 152, Brett has a mind-numbing 442! And INT's? Sorry, Starr has a full percentage point more per passing attempt then Brett (4.4% to 3.3% respectively). So yes, Starr made his fair share of gaffs.

Want me to get modern? Ok, Starr had a career rating of 80.5 ... Brett had a rating of 85 (assuming he stays gone).

Sorry, my friend but it isnt even a debate.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=paolantonio_sal&id=3281535

I guess Sal Pal doesn't agree with you.

[Fcowher]

1. Unitas the only debate is between him and Joe
1A. Montana
3. Staubach missed 5 seasons in military, beat ND, won Heisman, won Super Bowl.
4. Favre
5. Elway