So, here's my top five all-time list... Not everyone's gonna agree, so hopefully that'll spark some debate:
1 - John Unitas
2 - Joe Montana
3 - Peyton Manning
4 - Brett Favre
5 - Otto Graham
Explanations:
Johnny U "The Golden Arm" - He called his own plays, he drew plays up in the dirt, he was a leader of men. He also led the original "Drive" against the Giants in the 1958 championship, known colloquially as "The Greatest Game Ever Played". He was also three-time MVP for the AP and UPI and two-time for the NEA.
Joe Cool - Four rings. The only time he wasn't MVP in those Super Bowls was the time Jerry won it. Jerry Rice would've been great without him, yes, but he wouldn't have had quite the same career. Two-time AP MVP, once each for PFWA and NEA. Comeback player of the year, etcetera, etcetera.
Peyton Manning - I'm extremely underwhelmed by his .500 postseason record. That said, he's got one ring and it's not too late for more. Colts career leader in passing yards, attempts, touchdowns, wins. NFL record holder for consecutive 4000-yard seasons. He makes players around him great. Four-time AP MVP. Made a Pro Bowl every year except 1998 (rookie season) and 2001. Eight consecutive from 2002 to 2009.
Brett Favre - I really don't actually like him. Too much offseason bullshit. That said, he's got all the records, and a ring on his finger. Only a matter of time before Peyton breaks those records, though. Eleven pro bowls, three AP MVPs, 70000 yards this season.
Otto Graham - Ten consecutive titles. I don't care if it was the AAFC. You can count them as national titles, world championships, division titles... That's impressive. It was really a crap shoot (moreso even than the other spots) for this spot and I didn't want to give it to Brady out of personal vendetta.
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Honorable mention: Tom Brady (three championships in four years), Bart Starr (GBP fans tell me - is he the greatest Packer QB of all time?), Dan Marino (the numbers man), John Elway (hate the Broncos, love this guy), lots of other guys.
1 - John Unitas
2 - Joe Montana
3 - Peyton Manning
4 - Brett Favre
5 - Otto Graham
Explanations:
Johnny U "The Golden Arm" - He called his own plays, he drew plays up in the dirt, he was a leader of men. He also led the original "Drive" against the Giants in the 1958 championship, known colloquially as "The Greatest Game Ever Played". He was also three-time MVP for the AP and UPI and two-time for the NEA.
Joe Cool - Four rings. The only time he wasn't MVP in those Super Bowls was the time Jerry won it. Jerry Rice would've been great without him, yes, but he wouldn't have had quite the same career. Two-time AP MVP, once each for PFWA and NEA. Comeback player of the year, etcetera, etcetera.
Peyton Manning - I'm extremely underwhelmed by his .500 postseason record. That said, he's got one ring and it's not too late for more. Colts career leader in passing yards, attempts, touchdowns, wins. NFL record holder for consecutive 4000-yard seasons. He makes players around him great. Four-time AP MVP. Made a Pro Bowl every year except 1998 (rookie season) and 2001. Eight consecutive from 2002 to 2009.
Brett Favre - I really don't actually like him. Too much offseason bullshit. That said, he's got all the records, and a ring on his finger. Only a matter of time before Peyton breaks those records, though. Eleven pro bowls, three AP MVPs, 70000 yards this season.
Otto Graham - Ten consecutive titles. I don't care if it was the AAFC. You can count them as national titles, world championships, division titles... That's impressive. It was really a crap shoot (moreso even than the other spots) for this spot and I didn't want to give it to Brady out of personal vendetta.
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Honorable mention: Tom Brady (three championships in four years), Bart Starr (GBP fans tell me - is he the greatest Packer QB of all time?), Dan Marino (the numbers man), John Elway (hate the Broncos, love this guy), lots of other guys.
