I told you in my last article I would give you 20 quarterbacks I consider better than Brett Favre. I must admit it was more difficult than I thought. Whittling 100 names down to 20 wasn’t easy. So while Brett weaves his magic with the Vikings, let’s look at real QB’S, not media made heroes. These are in no particular order. And if you are a “stats only” guy, read up on football before you read this.
John Elway – Carried a franchise on his back most of his career with no help whatsoever. Just wanted to win. Finally got a coach and help and bang, 2 rings, 1 beating Mr. green jeans(aka Brett Favre). Probably the stongest arm ever, but also had touch. Great runner. Reading defense his specialty.
Joe Montana – Yes, he had weapons to work with, but so have alot of other guys that never did anything. Master of knowing who to throw to and when. Rarely made mistakes. Led the greatest super bowl drive ever. Not an egomaniac, just a winner.
Steve Young – When finally given a chance, showcased an amazing ability for a touchdown possibilty everytime he touched the ball. Not afraid to take a hit. Known for his running, but was an exceptional pocket passer and knew when to stay and when to bolt.
Jim Kelly – Led a very complicated offense to perfection. That offense required a QB who thinks on his feet. Was always clutch and could take a hit. Team player. Threw very accurately and read defense. Was a 47yd field goal away from a ring. Deserved better.
Dan Fouts – A yardage machine. Great pocket presence. Needed that because he couldn’t run faster than me. Led the Chargers to playoffs despite the fact the Chargers had the worst defense in the history of football. A class act.
Fran Tarkenton – Made everyone re-think the QB position. He started scrambling and showed a QB could do harm without throwing the ball. Threw for a ton of yards and TD’s. Brought a spark to a game because of his electrifying style. A player who changed football. ran into juggernauts in superbowls. Deserved better.
Terry Bradshaw – Yes, had a ton of talent on his team. He was part of that talent. Great arm. Tough as nails. Read defenses well. Threw deep ball exceptionally. Always came through in clutch. Team player. No ego, except when he came a horrible analyst. 4 rings. A winner.
Joe Namath – Any guy that can wear panty hose and still have woman drooling over him, has got it going on. Also, trying to kiss a reporter while drunk during an interview makes him ok with me. Besides that, a football icon. Couldn’t run at all, and still shredded defenses. Great deep ball thrower. Great leader, never panicked. Helped make the jets be the team that brought the AFC to fruition. Finally, when you’re league is considered a joke and you’re a 17pt underdog to a dynasty in the superbowl, then you guarantee a win in the game, THEN, proceed to lead your team to a beatdown win, you’re a legend.
Roger Staubach – Played on guts and heart. Had good arm, touch, and excellent runner. Great reader of defenses. Great leader. This all coming from the navy. Pinpoint accuracy.had to deal with vikings, rams and skins in NFC. Tough luck against the juggernaut Steelers in superbowls. They held their own and weren’t very fortunate. Remember Lynn Swann laying on top of # 46 – (Washington) of Dallas while the ball was is up in the air, and still catching it? Remember Jackie Smith, who was a good tight end, dropping a sure touchdown. I think the Cowboys played well enouch to win either game, and Staubach played well.
Dan Marino – Now hold onto your hats, but i think Marino is almost as overrated as gomer pyle, but that’s another topic I find it hard to say good things about him, but i believe he blows Mr. green jeans away. I’ll leave it at that.
Ken Stabler – Yup, that’s right. Just because someone doesn’t call a press conference every other day doesn’t mean they weren’t great. He was a good old boy who was very humble. One of the most underrated QB’s in NFL history. Saying he was clutch is an understatement. Always found a way to win. Pinpoint accuracy. Not a rocket arm, but threw a great deep ball to Cliff Branch. also, Stabler and Casper were unstoppable. Managed the game. got a ring. Would have had more but getting by the Steelers and the Broncos was a tall order. Remember those games? That was football.
Troy Aikman – Don’t need to say much here. consimate professional. Humble. Great arm and accuracy. Didn’t crumble after 1st year. Despite all the stars, he was the leader. A quiet leader. Everyone of his teammates admired him and were inspired by him. This is a no brainer. He’s also the best TV analyst in a longtime. Even he spoke out about Childress and Brett Fraud.
Phil Simms – Another underrated player. Was hated by fans for years and fought through it to become a 2 ring guy. This pick is based leadership mental and physical toughness. Obviously, LT and the defense didn’t hurt, but even LT and the rest of the Giants D have said they were inspired by Simms. He never gave up. Think about how many QB’s would have lasted through what simms did. booed on draft day and his 1st 3 yrs, he still grinded and won the respect of all Giant fans. Although the Giants ran the ball, Simms could bail them out if they got stuffed. Great arm and Accuracy. One of the greatest superbowl performances, against the Broncos, in history. He can be my QB anyday. Remember who was next to Phil when he was honored on the field after retiring? LT, THE GREATEST football player of all time. That should tell you something about Simms. Who’s gonna be on some field with Brett Fraud if he’s honored. He’ll be lucky if he can book the San Diego chicken.
Bob Griese – I hope by now you realize the being a QB doesn’t mean throwing the ball anywhere and creating an aerial circus. It’s about leadership, managing a game, not making mistakes and clutch play. That fits everyone i’ve named, including Bob Griese. I know Earl Morrall finished the perfect season, but do you really believe Bob Griese wasn’t a part of that? His years before and after that season were mangaged beautifully. He threw strikes to Warfield and knew when to check down to Jim kKck. Brett Fraud doesn’t know what checkdown means. A pro’s pro. No brainer.
Jim Hart – Could you imagine what jim hart could have done if he ever got out of the pit that was St Louis? The notorious cheapskates gave him nothing to work with, yet he was a productive and respected QB around the league. No consistent running game, wide receivers, decent tight end, no coach and no defense. Also, he almost got decapitated every pass play. That’s guts. When he was given time, he was effective. He is still admired today by his ex-opponents who rave about him. I’ll take him anyday.
John Brodie – Plain and simple, a winning football player. consistent, a word Mr.green jeans doesn’t understand. Not athletic. He was a guy who somehow, someway completed passes. Not alot of flash, just results. Known as one of the best of his day. Like i said, get it done anyway you have too. And he did.
NOTE: The last 4 guys are currently playing. I already consider these guys far superior to the fake.
Tom Brady – If he avoids injury, he will jump ahead of Montana and Elway as the best ever. What can i say. He does nothing wrong and every thing right. The best leader in the game. Oh, he’s got a howitzer, has touch, and reads defenses like nobody else. This one is so easy, I won’t waste anymore of your time. Besides, Brady is handsome and Brett Fraud looks like he lives under a bridge. We all know good looking people are inheriently better than ugly people. That’s common knowledge. More rings to come.
Peyton Manning – A tad bit overrated, but still blows away the hobo. Great arm, touch and accuracy. Still, occasionally makes some bad reads, but is perfect compared to the media hog. A person with a blind fold on could read defenses better than Brett. But hey, give him a chance. He’s only had 18 yrs to figure it out. Manning is team player, humble, and can laugh at himself. Once again, no brainer.
Ben Roethlisberger – This guy is amazing. He doesn’t always look great, but always get’s it done. Great runner and great thrower on the run. Has it all. Strength of arm, accuracy and touch. Team player. Toughest QB in football. Humble. 2 rings. This guy is just a winner, period. I expect more rings in his future. Never seeks the limelight. And he is not a rapist. He’s one of the good guys.
Kurt Warner – Warner and fraud do share one thing. They are turnover machines. That being said, Warner has the arm and accuracy and his ring. He’s lead 2 teams to the suberbowl. He has never had a secure QB job. He’s had to compete to start everywhere, unlike the chosen one. he is a team player, humble and an inspiration. Bagging groceries to superbowl champion and league MVP. Did you see his face all over TV? Did they make a movie about him? Did he become arrogant? Nope. He’s a football player. He’s not a celebrity like Brett, although the people that made him one think a tour of a cheese factory is a night out on the town.
So remember “deliverance” fans. Quarterbacking is not about stats, throwing for worthless yards, throwing into triple coverage, thinking you are the franchise, not being a team player, and not knowing when your overrated career is over.
It’s about performance, clutch play, consistency, team unity, not caring if you win ugly, leadership, inspiring your team, winning consistenly, reading defenses, and not disracing the game of football by betraying every team you infect. I had more names for the list, but i didn’t have room for Ryan Leaf, Heath Shuler, or Garo Yepremian. Sorry.