15 Greatest NFL QB's

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 25, 2010 5:39 PM EDT

PressBox, a local group from Baltimore, which not only has a newspaper, but is online and has a late night weekend sports show on TV, did an article, listing the 15 greats quarterbacks of all-time. There must be a little bit of nostalgic loyalty involved as they had Baltimore Colts great Johnny Unitas at the top of the list. I'm not saying that he doesn't belong, but outside of Baltimore, there might be a bit more debate on this ranking.

To see the entire story, the rankings with a short synopsis of the reasoning behind them, click here.

The opinions posted here are those of the administrator of this blog and his loyal readers. They are in no way official comments from the team, and should not be misconstued as such, even though he thinks he could do just as well or even a better job!

Tweet Comment 17 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Johnny Unitas

Number 1 in the hearts of most in this area for sure. But the game has changed so dramatically and significantly over the years that trying to rank the best QBs in history is totally subjective. I will say though in his era, bar none, Johnny U. was the man! Long live Number 19!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Smiley4660 on Sep 25, 2010 8:37 PM EDT reply actions

…..47 consecutive games with at least one TD pass will probably never be equaled…..

Thats just an amazing stat. It really gives some perspective on just exactly how good he actually was.

The Orioles are going to open a can of Buck-Wieser on your ass......

by Zachary Beard on Sep 26, 2010 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

All-Time Greats

1. Unitas—-the quintessential field general of his era.
2. Montana—— the quintenssential field general of his era and 5 time Super Bowl Champion.
3. Bradshaw—— a freakish athlete and 4 time Super Bowl Champion. A beautiful passer.
4. Norm Van Brocklin—-the Dutchman threw for 554 yards in a game in 51. 9 time Pro Bowler.
5. Otto Graham—- had great accuracy and led the Browns to 10 straight Championships—
“Auotomatic Otto” was a winner.
6. Sammy Baugh——-one of the first do-it-all players. Could do everthing on a football field.
7. Tom Brady——has done more with less than any QB in the modern era. 50 TD’s in a season and 3 Super Bowl rings. Nothing else needs to be said.
8. Jonh Elway——- was Fran Tarkenton with a better arm. Could strap a team on his back and carry it to Super Bowls early in his career. Finally won the big game in 98 and 99 with Terrel Davis.
9. Dan Marino——the greatest “pure” passer in NFL history. The only QB I remember being able to win without a running game. Now that’s greatness!
10. Troy Aikmen—-the 2nd best “pure” passer behind Marino in the modern era. Aikman was overshadowed by Micheal Irvin and Emmitt Smith. Aikman was baller. Make no mistake about it!
11. Roger Staubach——A terrific player to watch. Once Dorsett arrived…. so did Staubach…on the national scene in NFL circles.
12. Sid Luckman———The greatest QB in Chicago Bears storied history. In the 1940 NFL Champioship led the Bears to a route of the Redskins 73-0.
13. Payton Manning——- the modern day Jonhnny U. Can dissect a defense. A one- time SB Champion.
14. Dan Fouts——-The QB who helped to usher in the modern NFL passing game along with his coach Don Coryell. Did not throw the prettiest pass and never won a Champioship…. but it was not his fault. A tough, gritty, passionate performer.
15. Waren Moon—— The 3rd greatest “pure” passer in NFL history. Moon had to go Canada to prove to NFL scouts and GM’s that he could play. Moon made all the throws but came up short in some big games. Moon threw some of the prettiest passes I ever saw. Moon also has thrown for more yards ( 70,553) than any player in professional football history (23 season). 2008 HOF Inductee.

by Ravens One on Sep 26, 2010 12:41 PM EDT reply actions

Montana only won 4

2. Montana—— the quintenssential field general of his era and 5 time Super Bowl Champion.

"Cam, we're not going to have any issues because we're going to be winning."
--Joe Flacco

"Just win baby. Yeah, I stole that."
--Jon Gruden

by jackmca on Sep 26, 2010 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Gotcha Jackma

I was rushing a little. Appreciate the correction.

by Ravens One on Sep 26, 2010 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Bradshaw is nowhere near that high. I know rings are important but nobody would ever think of Bradshaw as a great passer. When we’re talking about top 15 NFL QB’s, Bradshaw is definitely on the list but he shouldn’t be 3. That spot should be for either Marino or Favre.

Tom Brady might have more rings but Peyton Manning has clearly been the superior QB in all but one of the seasons that both players have played in.

I think Moon should round out the top ten, not the top 15.

Just my take.

"Cam, we're not going to have any issues because we're going to be winning."
--Joe Flacco

"Just win baby. Yeah, I stole that."
--Jon Gruden

by jackmca on Sep 26, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Top 15

Bradshaw was phenomenal. A power thrower. Sure he played with brilliant talent all around him. Still, he made the plays that had to be made……when the Steelers needed him to make them. The stuff he had to go thru mentally under Chuck Knoll was riduculous. There are only a few QB’s now that have any idea of what Bradshaw went thru from the fan base and the press.

Were sharing a brain on some level about Moon. Moon just never played in the Super Bowl. He played on a few teams that were good enough to be in the big game.

by Ravens One on Sep 26, 2010 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions

The one thing that a lot of people forget

when discounting Unitas as a great QB is that he was indeed a field general, in that he called all his own plays – every game, every down. Not in the “Hey Peyton, here’s 3 plays, pick the one you want to use”, but in the “Hey, I’m the OC, and I have no idea what play we’re running next.”

It was that ability to pick the right plays (and then implement them) that made Unitas as special as he was. There is NO QB in the last 20 years I’d even think about wanting to allow to call his own plays.

So yeah – Unitas We Stand!

by GrumpyOldBird on Sep 27, 2010 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

Montana

He often called his own plays. In fact, they say he had over 200 audible codes that he could call at the line of scrimmage on any given play. He could operate a MASSIVE portion of the playbook from the line of scrimmage. The Offensive Coordinator was mostly a game-planner, but once Montana got into the flow of the game, he called the shots.

"Cam, we're not going to have any issues because we're going to be winning."
--Joe Flacco

"Just win baby. Yeah, I stole that."
--Jon Gruden

by jackmca on Sep 27, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

I had actually intended to say “except maybe Montana” in the original post, but no editing, so… I knew someone would point it out.

You have to understand though, that for those of us who grew up with the Colts, when they left, a lot of us just stopped following football. Or, if you were a traitor, followed the Skins. So I “missed” almost all of Montana’s career.

by GrumpyOldBird on Sep 27, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Here is the statement that defines this list:

So here is one man’s evaluation of the 15 finest quarterbacks ever to take a snap in the NFL. Few will agree, but debate is part of pro football’s enduring allure.

Because he missed a few (Troy Aikman for one) and some may even disagree with the rankings but it’s a nice list if you ask me.

Originally from Baltimore, now unfortunately lives in the shadow of FedEx field but more than proud to represent the PURPLE AND BLACK!!

by Ultimate Ravens Fan 52 on Sep 27, 2010 11:17 AM EDT reply actions

Basically

It boils down to a Unitas vs. Montana argument. A valid and legitimate argument can be made for either. There are about a dozen or so guys who fall behind them -place really in any order you want and I think you have most of not all of the usual suspects in that regard.

I think Peyton and Brady could rise up and make it a four-way argument for “The Greatest” of all time; if they win a few more rings and keep going at their current pace. Peyton probably has a better shot, especially if he adds an additional ring or two.

by vlad755 on Sep 27, 2010 1:23 PM EDT reply actions