The Top 5 Quarterbacks in NFL History

[Jason]

No worries, we're one of the select few major football fans who recognize talent when it's put in front of us.

I've said this for a few years and it seems like one of my predictions is actually coming true for once! Haha. Drew Brees is going to be considered among the greatest quarterbacks in the sport. He's so calm and relaxed under pressure and when he's actually pressured, he can still gun it right on target! I think he may have already made my top 10. The second quarterback since Dan Marino to pass for over 5,000 passing yards and tied for the best completion percentage in Super Bowl history. I don't think he'll ever even finish with less than 4,000 yards passing. He's so versatile, making his entire receiving core superstars. He threw 5 touchdowns to 5 different receivers in one game last season!

Manning is a great quarterback, but I don't think he'll ever pass Marino or Elway any time soon. Although his Super Bowl performance didn't make me think any less of him, it did make me realize what Marino and Elway would've done with the team he has. But as for passing Elway or Marino? I think the only way, now, is to continuously win Super Bowls. Look at the team he has! I have no doubt in my mind that at this point in their careers, and with the team Manning has, that Elway and Marino would have more rings than Manning.

I completely understand what you mean about the ones who rank quarterbacks based on Super Bowl rings. It's why Montana is #1 on most of the lists I come across. I'll notice that Dan is either right behind him or at #3 a lot of the time, too! Guess what their little summary says about Marino. "He would've been higher, but he couldn't win the big one". What about Terry Bradshaw? I hardly ever see him on any rankings. Why shouldn't he be ahead of Marino, then? If that's what their rankings are based off of.

I've said it once, already, but when I rank quarterbacks, I rank every aspect of being a quarterback. Throwing, accuracy, Passing, statistics, team caliber, sportsmanship, leadership and tons of other aspects. The rings are just the icing on the cake. It's why Montana isn't at the #1 spot. Before the NFL Salary Cap came into play, Montana, and the entire 49ers offense, were all Pro Bowl caliber. I mean, even Elway wasn't considered to be the greatest passer of all the quarterbacks, yet he managed to throw MORE than 10,000 yards passing over Joe Montana.

[Man in Black]

That's the pure truth about Montana. He was truly great, but not nearly as great as Elway and Marino. That whole regime finally went down because of the blatant cheating that they did to put together that 49er team.

Dallas did the same thing (with even some of the same players D. Sanders, Ken Norton, Charles Haley) they were just smarter about it I guess. Both teams used sponsors like Reebok to bypass the salary cap to pay all their pro bowl players.

And I don't want to sound like a hypocrite with Manning, I was just so sure he would bring his greatest game in these playoffs and he didn't look that great through the whole thing. I was thinking the exact same thing about Marino and Elway destroying that awful Saints defense - heck they destroyed most of the great ones. Had N.O. been a defensive team it would have been different, they won with pure offense. My powerhouse of an offense in Miami (sarcasm) made them look like a juco team... Manning should have had a field day with the weapons and O-line he has.

You'll probably find out about me and my wishy washy lists. I have lists for everything. They are all adjustable lists that I'm constantly changing... it's actually kind of fun.

I recorded that Miami vs N.E. game we were talking about the other day. The one where Marino and Bledsoe went completely off for a million yards and touchdowns. I haven't watched it yet, I'm saving it. That is back when I actually liked the Patriots (they even had Parcells as coach). Bledsoe is one of my favorite players - that's the main reason I dislike Brady so much.

Poor old Bledsoe had a great arm similar to Marino, but he couldn't move in the pocket to save his life or he would be in our discussions I think. I will never forget Reggie White running him over - and that's what it was, it wasn't sacks it was running over - in the SB against the Packers.

And you are totally right Terry Bradshaw. He would have been a nobody on most other teams.

[Jason]

I used to have lists for everything. Then I became incredibly analytical and made it difficult to rank most things. I still think I can rank quarterbacks pretty well.

It seems like that's the only game they've been showing on the NFL Network. Maybe it's just Dolphin month? I noticed they were showing Marino's famous fake spike game against the Jets a few times, too.

[Man in Black]

I didn't see that they were playing that one, but I still have it on tape somewhere and I've watched it a million times. It wasn't a great game or anything.

I wish I had all of his games on DVD. The NFL should put up a list of old games for sale. I think they would go pretty well at about 10 bucks a piece. I know I'd give 50 for a good copy of the game where Dan destroyed the Bears for their only loss during their SB year. That was an awesome game.

[Jason]

There are so many ways that the NFL could make tons more money. It's the greatest sport in the history of SPORTS!

[Man in Black]

They could put us in charge of a new marketing campaign. I'd take free tickets to all the games and a bit of spending money as pay.

[Jason]

If I had the money, I'd be the next Barrel Man.
Is Manning still at #1 on your list?

[Man in Black]

Yeah, I guess so. Not based on what he's already done, but that combined with my projected numbers for his whole career. He could still throw 3 or 4 hundred more interceptions and catch up to Brett... then I'd have to drop him down to probably 4th

[Jason]

Haha. The interception king! He needs to just retire now. I thought he should've retired at 13-3 with Green Bay when he took them to the NFC Championship when nobody expected him to.

[Man in Black]

[Jason]

Who are your top running backs?

[Man in Black]

Well, again no disrespect to players before my era, but I'll just rank the guys I've watched.

5. Eric Dickerson
4. Earl Campbell
3. Bo Jackson
2. Walter Payton
1. Barry Sanders

Barry is in a league of his own. Bo Jackson could have been the greatest of all if he hadn't got hurt. Sweetness, to me is the greatest football player ever. Campbell was one of the most fun to watch and Dickerson is just ahead of Ricky Williams right now - If Ricky can put up another 1,000 yd season or 2... I'd move him in - talent wise he's top 3 material. Emitt Smith, Okoye and TD would be in my top 10.

There are guys playing right now like Peterson, DeAngelo Williams and Chris Johnson that could be in there someday.

[Jason]

I couldn't begin to make a list for running backs. When I do think of running backs, Barry Sanders is the first person that comes to mind. I've never seen anyone like him. His o-line was so horrible, he'd have to completely turn around just to avoid tacklers, and he'd turn a 6 yard loss into a 50 yard gain. The guy was one of the funnest runners to watch.

It kills me that Davis had that career ending injury. I can almost guarantee he'd easily slip into most top 5 runners lists, if not #1 some day. He was just a complete package runner. I feel the same about Bo Jackson, too. A shame they only played for so long.

[Jason]

I love this thread.

[Man in Black]

Yep... it combines 2 of my favorite things: Making lists and football


What would be your list of 5 or 10 running backs (active now) that could move into the list someday?



5. [[Peyton Hillis]] - He's a longshot for me because of his style. It isn't likely that his body will hold up to the pounding... but if it does for even a few more years, then look out!

4. [[Chris Johnson]] - Just the speed alone... nuff said.

3. [[DeAngelo Williams]] - He would have been up a notch if not for the injury last year. He still has ALL the skills.

2. [[Ricky Williams]] - A year or so ago, I would definitely had him at a solid number one on this list. But, as I've already said Ricky needs another pretty good year to get there because of all the time he missed by his own faults. Now it looks like his career could finally be winding down.

1. [[Adrian Peterson]] - I hate to be a band-wagon jumper, but AP IS the prototype RB in the NFL right now. He runs too physical at times and could get more yards by utilizing his speed and quickness. If he keeps running dudes over for the fun of it he'll lose years off his career. But the potential is still really high.