Top 10 Quarterbacks

Everyone always likes to debate who the best quarterback the NFL is. Then people say, who is the greatest quarterback of all time? Well since today kicks off the NFL season (with the exception of Thursday night's game), what better time than now? Of course I've only been watching for about 20 years so I didn't see the great quarterbacks from the 50s, 60s, & 70s. But I do know they didn't pass as much, and were not involved in nearly as difficult of a game as players are today. With that said, here is my Top 10.

10. Troy Aikman - Aikman is known for leading the Dallas Cowboys to 3 Superbowl victories in the 1990s. He never won an MVP award, but he was a Superbowl MVP. Aikman's career was cut short due to concussions after 12 seasons, but he made the Cowboys a winner throughout his career.

9. Roger Staubach - Like Troy Aikman, Staubach had a relatively short career for the Cowboys (his shortened by military service). And like Aikman he never won an MVP, but did win a Superbowl MVP. He also won 2 Superbowls and went to 5 of them.

8. Terry Bradshaw - Bradshaw is one of the most successful quarterbacks in history having won 4 Superbowls with the Steelers in the 1970s. He won the MVP award in 1978. Bradshaw was one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL for many years during the 70s.

7. Tom Brady - Before the 2007 season, Brady was already considered to be one of the best quarterbacks in the game because he had won 3 Superbowls. During his '07 season he set a record by throwing for 50 touchdown passes, lead his team to an undefeated regular season and won the MVP award. Although he lost the Superbowl, he proved to be a prolific passer and cement his name among the all-time greats. Some may say I'm not giving him enough credit, but I think they overshoot his greatness because he is playing now...he is Troy Aikman with one all-time great year; obviously he can continue to move up the list.

6. Dan Marino - He is one of the greatest passers in NFL history. Marino was at the top of his game for 15 years and kept the Miami Dolphins competitive throughout, however, he never won a Superbowl, having only played in one. He won the 1984 MVP.

5. Johnny Unitas - Widely considered the greatest ever, he won one Superbowl and two NFL championships. He also won 3 MVP awards and went to 10 Pro Bowls. He might deserve to be higher, but I'm just basing this on awards, rings, and longevity....I've only seen him in highlights.

4. John Elway - Elway is long considered to be one of the best ever because of his great athletic skills. He was an accomplished passer, runner, and a winner. He made it to the Superbowl 5 times, losing the first three but winning back to back in his final two years. He won the MVP award in 1987.

3. Joe Montana - He won 4 Superbowls in the 1980s with the 49ers. The 49ers were among the best teams in the NFL under his leadership all the way into the 1990s until he lost his job due to injury before the 1991 season. He still managed to come back with the Chiefs and lead them to the AFC Championship his first year, and a playoff appearance in his 2nd season before retirement. He won 2 MVP awards.

2. Brett Favre - Favre is the ageless one. No other quarterback has shown his durability other than Payton Manning, and he has yet to be matched in production into his late 30s. His "prime" has lasted his entire career. He is the toughest quarterback to ever play the game. He throws a ton of interceptions but he also makes a lot of plays with his gunslinger mentality. He has only had one losing record in 19 years and has been to 2 Superbowls, winning one. He's won 3 MVP awards.

1. Peyton Manning - Manning took a mediocre franchise and made them one of the best teams year in and year out. He has not missed a game in his entire career and he's won a record 4 MVP awards. He is on pace to break every major passing record in history. Manning as been to 2 Superbowls, winning one of them. I think he will continue to be great for several more years and everyone will rank him as the top QB in history.

QB's that just missed it:
Steve Young
Bob Griese
Kurt Warner

My top 15 current NFL QB's are like this:

1. Peyton Manning
2. Drew Brees
3. Tom Brady
4. Brett Favre
5. Philip Rivers
6. Ben Rothlisberger
7. Carson Palmer
8. Donavon McNabb
9. Aaron Rodgers
10. Eli Manning
11. Matt Ryan
12. Joe Flacco
13. Jay Cutler
14. Tony Romo
15. Matt Schaab


Here's who I'm picking for Week 1:

Atlanta over Pittsburgh

NY Giants over Carolina

New England over Cincinnati

Denver over Jacksonville

Tennessee over Oakland

Miami over Buffalo

Cleveland over Tampa Bay

Houston over Indianapolis

Chicago over Detroit

Arizona over St. Louis

Philadelphia over Green Bay

San Francisco over Seattle

Washington over Dallas

Baltimore over NY Jets

San Diego over Kansas City


JB