Who would you say is the absolute best QB in the past 20 yrs?

[cboy4]

Not talking who is your favorite quarterback -- especially the person on your favorite team.

Try to be objective.

Who is the most unbelievably amazing QB you've ever seen since the early 1980's?

[trotsky]

1. I say Marino, and here's why.

Favre and Montana both played in WCO. Offensive systems specifically designed to use high-percentage passes to draw corners up. Both did well in such systems, no doubt, but probably wouldn't have done as well elsewhere.

Elway only really broke through when he had a legit running game and solid D behind him.

Brady and Manning are benefiting from the modern rules (5-yard contact zone, etc.) and have great teams around them.

On edit: Forgot Aikman - he also OBVIOUSLY had a stellar running game and great D to help.

Marino dominated the record books despite having little to no running game to keep opposing defenses honest, and a questionable defense trying to keep other teams from scoring. He benefited from some of the new passing rules but not all. Teams sold out to stop him, and he STILL had amazing games.

[JCMach1]

12. Without a doubt Marino...

There was no better pure pocket quarterback...

Keep in mind that Marino had only ONE (Mark Clayton) above average receiver his entire career...

Where was Montana without Rice and Clark?

or Elway with the train of great receivers he threw to? Don't even get me started on Aikman, or Manning. Favre is the only QB to come close.

[hughee99]

17. A few issues...

First of all, Elway only broke through when he had a legit running game and a sold D behind him? Elway went to THREE superbowls in the 80's(with Sammy Winder and Bobby Humphrey as RB's), won a league MVP in 1987, and went to as many pro bowls as Marino. If by "break through" you mean win a superbowl, then yes, Elway didn't break through until the last two years of his career, but if that's your standard then Marino never broke through.

Favre and Montana play(ed) in an offense that's well suited to their strengths, just like Marino. They probably wouldn't have been as successful as Marino as a straight pocket passers, but then Marino probably wouldn't have been as successful with the WCO if he had to do the same amount of running around that Farve and Montana did.

Brady and Manning are both good QB's, though you can argue about the quality of Brady's receivers until this year, neither has a long enough history yet to really be in this discussion.

Marino's dominance in the statistical categories are not in question, with the exception of Favre, Marino has a lot more yards, and TD's than anyone else. He also has a lot more attempts than anyone else because of his team's inability to run the ball. IMHO, Marino's dominance in the record books and his inability to win a superbowl (or even get to another one after his rookie season) are directly linked. With a solid running game, Marino's number probably look roughly similar to Montana's and Elway's, fewer attempts, passing yards, TD's and more SB rings.

[trotsky]

18. Good points.

But compare year-by-year Marino (http://www.danmarino.com/careerstats.htm) and Elway (http://www.johnelway.com/career.aspx).

Marino's passer rating - in a system where he HAD to pass more, and defenses game-planned to stop him - far exceeded Elway's, at least until Elway got that running back and defense that eluded Dan.

Honestly, I don't think Super Bowl wins (or even appearances) should really enter into these kinds of comparisons. Go back in time and put Tom Brady on the Detroit Lions' roster. Would he have any SB wins? Football is just too much of a team game.

Or course Super Bowl wins are why another of the all-time great QBs never gets mentioned in these comparisons: Fran Tarkenton. The guy practically revolutionized the QB position with his mobility and escapability. I say this as a biased Vikings fan of course but Fran the Man doesn't get nearly the amount of credit he deserves.

[joeybee12]

2. Joe Montana...

...I don't think the others come close.

[ticapnews]

3. Math is hard.

Last 20 years /= "the early 80's"

Last 20 years = 1989-2008. That excludes Joe from the discussion and pretty much eliminates Marino.

That leaves Favre, Elway, Manning, Brady and Aikman.

At the moment it is between Brady and Favre. Favre has the records, but Brady is about to win Super Bowl #4.

Brady.

[cboy4]

4. Yea, I meant 30 years dumbass

Everyone else seemed to be able to figure it out but you.

[El Supremo]

5. If it's 30 years then I'd say Roger Staubach.

Better add him to the poll!

Or go back 36 years and I'd say Johnny U.

Come on, make up your mind.

[cboy4]

6. Staubach retired in 1979. That's not 30 years Einstein.

The QB's I listed are the top QB's from 1980 on.

I understand Bradshaw retired in the '80's but he wasn't in his prime.

If you want to vote for someone not listed, that's what the "other" choice is for. DUH

All you're trying to do is push my buttons, and I'm in a bad mood enough as it is today.

[El Supremo]

8. No shit you're in a bad mood.

And I will treat you accordingly. Does it make you feel better that I voted for Joe Montana? Wanna cookie?

[trumad]

9. You're the dumb ass for saying 20 years....

but as usual, you're wrong with your er facts.

[cboy4]

11. And you better keep your fucking Patriots avatar up

UNTIL THE VERY FIRST NFL PRESEASON GAME.

None of this pussy, oh, I'll keep it for a whole 10 days.

Thats bullshit

[ticapnews]

13. LOL

:wtf:

I'm the dumbass because you can't tell the difference between 20 and 30? OK, that makes sense.

[rep the dems]

19. I think someone owes someone else an apology...nt

[cboy4]

21. I do to. But I doubt ticapnews will say

he's sorry.

[ticapnews]

26. I'm sorry

that you're an idiot who can't tell the difference between a 2 and a 3.

[IndianaJones]

27. lmao. nt.

[RL3AO]

7. I said Joe.

But if you went since 1989, I would say Brady because he has 3 rings.

[CatWoman]

10. MARINO ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just look at those baby blues :)

[madfloridian]

14. Marino gets my vote.

:hi:

[Awsi Dooger]

15. Montana

Just the right blend of passing ability and running threat when it was needed. Good enough arm and very catchable ball, with excellent variety of pace and loft.

Plus, I appreciated that he did it in an era with the rules not yet so lopsided in favor of the passing game. Fans don't seem to grasp how much the game has changed, and for the worse, IMO. Brady just drops back and picks out one receiver among many who can't be hassled by the defense. It's pantyhose football these days, and a far less varied and interesting game than it used to be.

There was a good related article in the Miami Herald on Sunday, asking the members of the '72 Dolphins how they would fare vs. the '07 Pats. Many said they would be swamped based on size and athletic ability, but the focus was on the rules changes from then to now, and that's absolutely the proper variable. I used to love '70s NFL football, when the defense was on equal terms and WRs could be eliminated at the line of scrimmage. It forced so much more creativity, and obvious adjustments during the course of a game. You could really see it, especially if attending a game in person. Now it's mostly playground pitch and catch, a typical change toward finesse, the same crap college basketball turned to with the 3 point shot. I love collisions and strategy, line of scrimmage dominance and boxing out under the boards. Contemporary sports tilt toward the unsophisticated fan who wants dainty easy-to-understand finesse. Pathetic.

http://www.miamiherald.com/616/story/386358.html

[madinmaryland]

16. How about a poll for owner with most convictions.

:hide:

[trotsky]

20. Or the owner with the most facelifts?

;-)

[DaveinMD]

22. Great question

Right now, I'd have to say Brady. I think Montana was more a product of a system. Marino played poorly the one time he made the big game.

[frylock]

23. steve young..

it's a shame I despised the Niners all those years (nothing personal, cboy) and was unable to truly appreciate how awesome he was.

[leeman67]

24. it pains me to say it, but...

Joe Montana, without a doubt. To me, he proved it after he left the 49ers and almost took KC to the Super Bowl.

Now, go back 30 years and I'll take Staubach or Bradshaw. ;-)

[MrSlayer]

25. Montana. But Brady is catching up.

He's deadly accurate and has an assassin's cool. He wins. I believe he'll retire as the GOAT.

[IndianaJones]

28. Boomer Esiason. nt.

[DaveinMD]

37. now

that's funny.

[Jack Rabbit]

29. Nobody could make something out of a broken play like Joe Montana

There was no better two-minute quarterback. Montana was better than Staubach, Bradshaw or Stabler with two minutes left and the game on the line.

[bigwillq]

30. Montana

But Brady is getting there.

[El Supremo]

31. ESPN says, as far as Super Bowls, Montana is the man.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/news/story?id=3204599

1. Joe Montana, 49ers, XXIV (1990)
2. Steve Young, 49ers, XXIX (1995)
3. Doug Williams, Redskins, XXII (1988)
4. Terry Bradshaw, Steelers, XIII (1979)
5. Joe Montana, 49ers, XIX (1985)

6. Phil Simms, Giants, XXI (1987)
7. Troy Aikman, Cowboys, XXVII (1993)
8. Kurt Warner, Rams, XXXIV (2000)
9. Joe Montana, 49ers, XXIII (1989)
10. Tom Brady, Patriots, XXXVIII (2004)

11. Roger Staubach, XIII (1979)
12. Bart Starr, Packers, I (1967)
13. Jim Plunkett, Raiders, XV (1981)
14. Brett Favre, Packers, XXXI (1997)
15. Tom Brady, Patriots, XXXIX (2005)

16. Jake Delhomme, Panthers, XXXVIII (2004)
17. John Elway, Broncos, XXXIII (1999)
18. Kurt Warner, Rams, XXXVI (2002)
19. Terry Bradshaw, Steelers, XIV (1980)
20. Mark Rypien, Redskins, XXVI (1992)

21. Jim McMahon, Bears, XX (1986)
22. Joe Namath, Jets, III (1969)
23. Brett Favre, Packers, XXXII (1998)
24. Joe Montana, 49ers, XVI (1982)
25. Len Dawson, Chiefs, IV (1970)

26. Tom Brady, Patriots, XXXVI (2002)
27. Troy Aikman, Cowboys, XXX (1996)
28. Ken Anderson, Bengals, XVI (1982)
29. Roger Staubach, Cowboys, VI (1972)
30. Jeff Hostetler, Giants, XXV (1991)

31. Ken Stabler, Raiders, XI (1977)
32. John Elway, Broncos, XXI (1987)
33. Bart Starr, Packers, II (1968)
34. Peyton Manning, Colts, XLI (2007)
35. Steve McNair, Titans, XXXIV (2000)

36. Roger Staubach, Cowboys, XII (1978)
37. Terry Bradshaw, Steelers, X (1976)
38. Brad Johnson, Buccaneers, XXXVII (2003)
39. Donovan McNabb, Eagles, XXXIX (2005)
40. Vince Ferragamo, Rams, XIV (1980)

41. Troy Aikman, Cowboys, XXVIII (1994)
42. Len Dawson, Chiefs, I (1967)
43. Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks, XL (2006)
44. Joe Theismann, Redskins, XVII (1983)
45. Daryle Lamonica, Raiders, II (1968)

46. Fran Tarkenton, Vikings, VIII (1974)
47. Terry Bradshaw, Steelers, IX (1975)
48. Dan Marino, Dolphins, XIX (1985)
49. Roger Staubach, Cowboys, X (1976)
50. Trent Dilfer, Ravens, XXXV (2001)

51. Jim Kelly, Bills, XXV (1991)
52. Jim Plunkett, Raiders, XVIII (1984)
53. Stan Humphries, Chargers, XXIX (1995)
54. John Elway, Broncos, XXXII (1998)
55. Jim Kelly, Bills, XXVIII (1994)

56. Jim Kelly, Bills, XXVI (1992)
57. Drew Bledsoe, Patriots, XXXI (1997)
58. Bob Griese, Dolphins, VII (1973)
59. Bob Griese, Dolphins, VIII (1974)
60. Fran Tarkenton, Vikings, XI (1977)

61. Chris Chandler, Falcons, XXXIII (1999)
62. Rex Grossman, Bears, XLI (2007)
63. Joe Kapp, Vikings, IV (1970)
64. Joe Theismann, Redskins, XVIII (1984)
65. Bob Griese, Dolphins, VI (1972)

66. Boomer Esiason, Bengals, XXIII (1989)
67. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers, XL (2006)
68. David Woodley, Dolphins, XVII (1983)
69. John Elway, Broncos, XXIV (1990)
70. Ron Jaworski. Eagles, XV (1981)

71. Neil O'Donnell, Steelers, XXX (1996)
72. Jim Kelly, Bills, XXVII (1993)
73. John Elway, Broncos, XXII (1988)
74. Fran Tarkenton, Vikings, IX (1975)
75. Billy Kilmer, Redskins, VII (1973)

76. Johnny Unitas, Colts, V (1971)
77. Craig Morton, Cowboys, V (1971)
78. Kerry Collins, Giants, XXXV (2001)
79. Earl Morrall, Colts, III (1969)
80. Rich Gannon, Raiders, XXXVII (2003)
81. Craig Morton, Broncos, XII (1978)
82. Tony Eason, Patriots, (1986)

[terryg11]

32. Steve Young

He had a strong arm, was accurate and could run like a rb. He could make something out of a broken play better than anyone.

[cboy4]

33. What a good post! =)

[chimpymustgo]

34. Dan the MAN. For all the aforementioned reasons. And

He was just beautiful to watch.

[LiberalFighter]

35. MSNBC Poll with 234543 responses

Poll: Who is the greatest NFL quarterback of all time?

[bigwillq]

36. Favre in a runaway.

:wow: