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Greatest Quarterbacks in History, 10-6
This entry was posted on 2/3/2008 10:57 AM and is filed under NFL.
Ah yes, Super Bowl Sunday. It's an American holiday matched only by Christmas and Easter, as it gives us a reason not only to be with family and friends but to stuff our faces until we knock back the belt a few notches as well. If nothing else, it's a reason for us to watch dozens of new commercials each year, but no matter what the reason for celebrating the joyus day, it all comes down to football. Everyone has their favorite Super Bowl memory, be it Joe Montana leading the 49ers to a last-minute victory over the Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII or the time that Don Beebe knocked the ball out of Leon Lett's hand, momentarily taking the embarrassment off of the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVII, and while nobody's favorite moment can be debated, one thing can. Who is the greatest quarterback in NFL history? Many things must be taken into consideration while deciding such a list, there's always going to be the numbers freaks, who look solely at statistics when deciding who is the best ever, but others will look at who won the big game and how may times did they win it as their criteria, or maybe even who was their supporting cast? Luckily, some of us listen to all of those arguments and have put out a list, like mine, which will be debated and no doubt criticized. Here it is... "Touchdown" Tom Ando's Greatest Quaterbacks in NFL History, Numbers 10-6
10. Roger Staubach, Dallas Cowboys 1969-1979, Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1985
Staubach's numbers may not have been as stunning as the other gun-slingers on this list (22,700 yards and 153 touchdowns) but neither would theirs had they decided to serve their country before entering the NFL, which by the way would explain the 10th round selection in the 1964 NFL Draft. One number you can take into consideration however is his quarterback rating of 83.4, which was the highest in league history at the time of his retirement, a number that has since been passed and is currently held by Steve Young, who grew up idolizing Staubach and modeling his game after. As the stud quarterback at the Naval Acadamy, Staubach would bring home the Heisman during the 1963 season, the last Midshipmen to do so, not to mention the only quarterback on this list with such an honor. He would leave his mark on the game even more so as a Dallas Cowboy, leading "America's Team" to four Super Bowl berths and two victories (VI, XII). In fact, had it not been for the "Steel Curtain" of Pittsburgh's defense, Staubach may have been at the top of this list, but then again, how many tours of duty did Bradshaw serve in Vietnam?
9. Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins 1983-1999, Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2005
With the tools he showcased during his collegiate career at Pittsburgh, it's near impossible to comprehend why the great Marino dropped until the 27th pick in the 1983 NFL Draft, not to mention the sixth among quarterbacks. The knock on Marino will forever be his inability to win the big game, making just one appearance and losing to Joe Montana and the 'Niners 38-16. The Pennsylvania native, who by the way shares the same middle name, Constantine, as the great Johnny Unitas, made a mockery of previous records, launching an (aerial) assault on them starting in his second season when he threw for 5,084 yards, a record that still stands, and 48 touchdowns, a record that stood until Peyton Manning broke it in 2004. In all, Marino would throw for 61,361 yards and 420 touchdowns (against 252 interceptions), all of which were records until 2007, when Brett Favre broke them. It's fair to say that other quarterbacks will follow Favre in surpassing Marino in the books, but number 13's strong arm and quick release may never be matched.
8. Brett Favre, Atlanta Falcons 1991, Green Bay Packers 1992-current
The numbers will jump out at you, 5,377 of 8,758 for 61,655 yards with 442 touchdowns and 288 interceptions. Heck they might even come over, smack you in the face and wake you up a bit, not to mention the fact that the league's ironman (253 consecutive starts) is also it's only three time MVP. Favre led the Packers to a victory in Super Bowl XXXI by defeating the New England Patriots 35-21 before losing the following year to John Elway's Denver Broncos. The only thing holding Favre from the Montana's and Brady's of the world is his knack of throwing costly interceptions at the wrong time.
7. Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh Steelers 1970-1983, Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1989
The numbers won't jump out at you, 2,025 of 3,901 for 27,989 yards with 212 touchdowns and 210 interceptions, but it would be almost impossible to leave the "Blonde Bomber" off of the list. After overcoming both the pressure of being the first selection of the 1970 NFL draft and going to a franchise that earned said selection by suffering a dismal 1-13 season, Bradshaw became a legend by leading Steelers to eight AFC central division titles and four Super Bowl Championships (IX,X,XIII,XIV) becoming the first such signal caller to do so. It might be true that the Louisiana Tech alum, who also ran for 32 touchdowns in hios pro career, was surrounded by incredible talent on both sides of the ball (seven other Steelers from the 70's also were also enshrined in Canton), but at the end of the day, you're only as good as the man throwing the ball, and in Bradshaw's case, calling the plays.
6. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts 1998-current
If the NFL were ever to allow robots into the league, chances are they would look like Manning does on the field. His fine-tuned mechanics and businessman like approach to the game are such that have never been seen in the league, and hey, he even has a ring to shut up the critics, that coming from a 29-17 victory over the Bears in Super Bowl XLI, a game in which he was MVP. The former number one pick of the 1998 NFL Draft has numbers (currently at 41,626 yards and 306 touchdowns) that are downright disturbing, and will one day pass those of Dan Marino and Brett Favre. He hasn't missed a game and has been the starter for the Colts since day one, that's 160 games, but who's counting and the two time league MVP may be the only quarterback to ever have a children's hospital named after him (St. Vincent's in Indianapolis). Oh yeah, let's not forget hosting SNL and those great commercials, love that one with the mustache.
Check back next week for numbers 5-1.
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