Is Peyton Manning the greatest QB of all-time?

[Carolina Speed]

I was going to wait, but I have enough confidence in Peyton Manning that he will win a second Super Bowl in 2 weeks over either San Francisco or Seattle, so I wanted to go ahead and start this thread. Is Manning the best QB of all-time? My top 5.

1. Joe Montana
2. Peyton Manning
3. Tom Brady
4. Johnny Unitas
5. Roger Staubach

 

[Pie]

I think he is, and by a lot.

I believe he is the best among his modern peers by such a wide margin that any team you put him on this season would have been a serious contender.

The only other QB's I can think of right now that could maybe put any team in the playoffs is Aaron Rogers and Drew Brees.

Jags, Browns, Redskins, Texans? I think Manning is the only one that could surely put them all in the playoffs.

 

[Don Wassall]

Peyton Manning is a football genius. I would compare him to Wayne Gretzky and Larry Bird, in that both were masters at seeing the entire field of play and how plays would unfold. Manning is the best of all time at understanding and reading defenses, which combined with his talent, hard work and desire, makes him stand above all the rest.

He's also the heavy favorite to win the MVP this year for the fifth time, which would be the most of any player in NFL history. Super Bowl victories are nice, but with 12 teams in the playoffs every year, it takes more than just a great quarterback to win several. Ideally Peyton will win his second in two weeks, and another one next year then ride into the sunset the same way John Elway did before him.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Peyton Manning is a football genius. I would compare him to Wayne Gretzky and Larry Bird, in that both were masters at seeing the entire field of play and how plays would unfold. Manning is the best of all time at understanding and reading defenses, which combined with his talent, hard work and desire, makes him stand above all the rest.

He's also the heavy favorite to win the MVP this year for the fifth time, which would be the most of any player in NFL history. Super Bowl victories are nice, but with 12 teams in the playoffs every year, it takes more than just a great quarterback to win several. Ideally Peyton will win his second in two weeks, and another one next year then ride into the sunset the same way John Elway did before him.

This is a tough call for me Don. What Montana did in about 10 years was amazing. Four SB wins/3 MVP's and over 40,000 yards passing and over 2,000 yards rushing.

Manning has started in 60 more games than Montana and has attempted over 3,000 more passes than Montana, and played for 14 years, so his stats will be better.

Yes, Manning is a genius, but he was given his brains by God. While Montana not as brilliant as Manning was just an amazing QB period, relying on his natural instincts to win games.

I think Unitas is in the conversation also. Over 40,000 yards passing in a run type era of football! Unitas 3 NFL Championships and a Super Bowl!

Then Staubach, who everyone overlooks! Basically, played only 8 years and went to 5 Super Bowls, won 2 and was Jackie Smith dropped pass from winning 3 in 8 years. Staubach really didn't get started until he was 30-31 years old! The only QB on this list who won the Heisman!

What would Staubach have accomplished from age 22-29, we'll never know!

 

[white lightning]

Good list. I would take Manning first and then Montana. What about Bret Favre and Dan Marino? Favre should be there in my honest opinon as one of the top 5.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Good list. I would take Manning first and then Montana. What about Bret Favre and Dan Marino? Favre should be there in my honest opinon as one of the top 5.

Yes WL, Marino and Favre great QB's, but for me no SB's for Marino and 1 for Favre. Brady, Unitas and Staubach lots more Championships and Super Bowls. Staubach the only QB to win the Heisman of these QB's listed.

 

[sport historian]

I would rank Peyton Manning number one, for both peak performance and longevity.

 

[Average American]

Then Staubach, who everyone overlooks! Basically, played only 8 years and went to 5 Super Bowls, won 2 and was Jackie Smith dropped pass from winning 3 in 8 years...

CS,
You've initiated some good commentary, and threads lately; I appreciate it.

Personally, I don't really feel Staubach has been overlooked (?), he's a household name for football fans & historians. A guy I think is suffering from neglect, is Otto Graham. We talk about the standard of QBs getting championships.. Graham took the Browns to like 10 in a row (between the AAFC & NFL).. winning 7 of 'em. I play around on profootballreference, and they list season rankings (compared to positional peers) next to the players' stats. And all thru the late 40s- early 50s, Graham was typically 1st or 2nd in the meaningful passing stats. A decade straight of championship appearances, plus being on top statistically during all those years, that won't be recreated. He was long before my time, but looks legit as overlooked for top tier /?/

 

[Carolina Speed]

CS,
You've initiated some good commentary, and threads lately; I appreciate it.

Personally, I don't really feel Staubach has been overlooked (?), he's a household name for football fans & historians. A guy I think is suffering from neglect, is Otto Graham. We talk about the standard of QBs getting championships.. Graham took the Browns to like 10 in a row (between the AAFC & NFL).. winning 7 of 'em. I play around on profootballreference, and they list season rankings (compared to positional peers) next to the players' stats. And all thru the late 40s- early 50s, Graham was typically 1st or 2nd in the meaningful passing stats. A decade straight of championship appearances, plus being on top statistically during all those years, that won't be recreated. He was long before my time, but looks legit as overlooked for top tier /?/

You're right AA. I knew there was someone I was forgetting. Graham probably does get neglected more than anyone else. What a great QB!

You have to ignore me sometimes, I just like to whine about Staubach and my old Cowboys of the 70's.

The primary reason I wanted to get this thread started was to get everyone's opinion. I like to read CF's reason's and debate on who they think was the best!

Again, good call on Graham, thanks.

 

[whiteathlete33]

I have to go with Manning. Usually when someone calls greatest players ever it's some years after they have retired. Manning is a living legend. He's come back from a devastating injury and set records. THat takes real talent.

 

[Westside]

Over at BSPN, they are already ramping up the black black quarterback in the SB angle. A long feature story on the 1st starting negro in the NFL, James "shack" Harris. Some good replies at the end of the long story. Sounds like CFers.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Ok, I guess the consensus at CF is that Peyton Manning is the greatest QB of all-time! I thought we'd have a few more opinions, however, I think of the CFers that posted, they covered the top 10, except for maybe Elway. I don't think anyone mentioned him. I would put him in the top 10. I'm going to post my top 10, because several of you mentioned other QB's they would put in their top 5.

1. Peyton Manning, I still like Montana, but I'll go with our astute panel of experts
2. Montana
3. Brady
4. Unitas
5. Staubach
6. Elway
7. Favre
8. Marino
9. Bradshaw
10.Graham
10.A. Rodgers

I'm probably missing somebody, so please feel free to add or change someone. Maybe even some honorable mentions like Troy Aikman, Jim Kelly, Fran Tarkenton, etc. I'd be interested to know. A pretty good top 10.

 

[jaxvid]

Ok, I guess the consensus at CF is that Peyton Manning is the greatest QB of all-time! I thought we'd have a few more opinions, however, I think of the CFers that posted, they covered the top 10, except for maybe Elway. I don't think anyone mentioned him. I would put him in the top 10. I'm going to post my top 10, because several of you mentioned other QB's they would put in their top 5.

1. Peyton Manning, I still like Montana, but I'll go with our astute panel of experts
2. Montana
3. Brady
4. Unitas
5. Staubach
6. Elway
7. Favre
8. Marino
9. Bradshaw
10.Graham
10.A. Rodgers

I'm probably missing somebody, so please feel free to add or change someone. Maybe even some honorable mentions like Troy Aikman, Jim Kelly, Fran Tarkenton, etc. I'd be interested to know. A pretty good top 10.

Sammy Baugh was better then all those guys on your list!! This is a guy who led the league in throwing for TD's and grabbing interceptions.

By the time he retired, Baugh set 13 NFL records in three player positions: quarterback, punter, and defensive back. He was the first to play the position of quarterback as it is played today, the first to make of the forward pass an effective weapon rather than an "act of desperation".

Two of his records as quarterback still stand: most seasons leading the league in passing (six; tied with Steve Young) and most seasons leading the league with the lowest interception percentage (five). He is also fourth in highest single-season completion percentage (70.33), most seasons leading the league in yards gained (four) and most seasons leading the league in completion percentage (seven).

As a punter, Baugh retired with the NFL record for highest punting average in a career (45.1 yards), and is still second all-time (Shane Lechler 46.5 yards), and has the best (51.4 in 1940) and fourth best (48.7 in 1941) season marks. As a defensive back, he was the first player in league history to intercept four passes in a game, and is the only player to lead the league in passing, punting, and interceptions in the same season. Baugh also led the league in punting from 1940 through 1943.

When comparing Baugh's athletic achievements with modern football greats, consider the actual football he threw then was rounder at the ends and fatter in the middle than the one used today, making it far more difficult to pass well (or even to create a proper spiral).

 

[Leonardfan]

I think Manning is the best ever. Montana is up there but he always had a good team and the George Walsh WCO. Manning has basically been his own coach his entire career and his mastery and guidance of an offense cannot be touched. I think he has also been an advocate for white players (although not overt way).

 

[DixieDestroyer]

Jaxvid, good call on "Slingin" Sammy Baugh...one of the best athletes to play QB.

My top 5 is kinda variable. Mannng may move up depending on his SB performance...,

1) Montana
2) Manning
3) Unitas
4) Brady
5) Staubach

 

[Kaptain]

Quickly -I don't see Steve Young mentioned. Peyton Manning in number one on my list of modern qbs. SB wins I think are often over-emphasized. Fran Tarkenton never ends up on anyone's top ten, but he made it to three SBs and nearly 4-straight ruined by the controversial hail-mary pass and spent his prime years playing for an expansion team and a terrible Giants team that he made competitive. How many sbs would have Steve Young won if the Cowboys weren't there, or if he wasn't sitting behind Montana for years?

 

[Carolina Speed]

Quickly -I don't see Steve Young mentioned. Peyton Manning in number one on my list of modern qbs. SB wins I think are often over-emphasized. Fran Tarkenton never ends up on anyone's top ten, but he made it to three SBs and nearly 4-straight ruined by the controversial hail-mary pass and spent his prime years playing for an expansion team and a terrible Giants team that he made competitive. How many sbs would have Steve Young won if the Cowboys weren't there, or if he wasn't sitting behind Montana for years?

Yep Kaptain! This is what I wanted to get out of this thread. From Baugh to Graham to Unitas, Young and now Manning. So many great QB's and Steve Young is there. I should've had him in my top 10 between 7-10. Maybe even up there with Staubach. Like Staubach, Young missed some years playing behind Montana, however, he did have some years with the awful Buccaneers. Also, Young is the NFL's second all-time leading rushing QB! The only reason I wouldn't put him above Staubach is because Staubach did win 2 SB's and was in 4 in only 8 years and was a dropped Jackie Smith pass from winning 3 SB's in 8 years. As I always mention, Staubach the only QB on this list to win the Heisman!

Love Tarkenton. Just difficult to get him the top 10 without a SB win. You could argue him with Marino though. Jim Kelly 4 consecutive SB's without a win. Has any QB went to 4 SB's in a row? Kelly a pretty good QB also!

 

[Borussia]

What's the criteria???

Difficult question to answer. Many great choices and one would need to honestly take into account time period that they played in (rules favor the passing game big time in the last 10,20 years).
Also, in what specific aspect/criteria??

Winning (overall team talent would come into play here)
Pure passing
Accuracy
Leadership
Ability to handle pressure/come backs
Field generalship
Elevate others around him
Records

Tough question and one could make compelling cases for all combinations of top 10 lists

Back in the day, QBs such as Graham, Baugh, Van Brocklin, Unitas were insane talented.

Not too long ago players such as Staubach, Bradshaw, Tarkenton, A. Manning were elite.

Then a new crop of (imho) some of the all time best played and took the position to even further skill levels - Montana, Marino, Elway, Kelly, Favre.

And in this general age, Brady, Manning, Rodgers rule the roost.

So it's kind of dependent on many factors.
Not to get too deep, yet I always though in these top 10 type of lists that Bradshaw seems a bit overrated and players such as Tarkenton and Marino are somewhat under appreciated in the big picture sense.



that damn super bowl game thingy and all.....:icon_sad:

So yes, Manning winning this year would perfectly end a most impressive and superb perhaps all time best QB career.

 

[PHillisFan]

Manning is definitely in the top 3. The fact that right now leading up to the sb that the media is trying to include midget wilson in the same sentence as manning is an insult.

 

[DixieDestroyer]

Manning is definitely in the top 3. The fact that right now leading up to the sb that the media is trying to include midget wilson in the same sentence as manning is an insult.

Wilson, Krapernick. sCam & RG Flea couldn't lace Phillip Rivers' cleats on their best day....or Manning's on his worst day!

 

[Carolina Speed]

I was going to wait, but I have enough confidence in Peyton Manning that he will win a second Super Bowl in 2 weeks over either San Francisco or Seattle, so I wanted to go ahead and start this thread. Is Manning the best QB of all-time? My top 5.

1. Joe Montana
2. Peyton Manning
3. Tom Brady
4. Johnny Unitas
5. Roger Staubach

Guys, I really hate I was wrong, I'm actually kind of sick, that Manning would get his second SB win! Does this loss change anyone's mind who had Manning number 1. I hate to say this, but I had him number 2 based on him winning another SB, but now I'm not sure he's above Roger Staubach IMHO. I hate to move him all the way down to number 5, but dangit, Roger was a part of 5 SB's and won 2, should've won 3 and a Heisman!

What do ya'll think?

 

[FootballDad]

Guys, I really hate I was wrong, I'm actually kind of sick, that Manning would get his second SB win! Does this loss change anyone's mind who had Manning number 1. I hate to say this, but I had him number 2 based on him winning another SB, but now I'm not sure he's above Roger Staubach IMHO. I hate to move him all the way down to number 5, but dangit, Roger was a part of 5 SB's and won 2, should've won 3 and a Heisman!

What do ya'll think?

Peyton's accomplishments will still get him a unanimous first-ballot HOF induction, and he IS one of the best to ever play the game. But this entire debate about who is the greatest ever is difficult to objectify. All of the great QBs had their own particular style and their own strengths, which makes the comparisons ultimately subjective.

This one bad game doesn't ruin his entire career. I did find it really odd that for a player who prepares constantly for the next game he seemed like a deer in the headlights for much of the game. They seemed completely unprepared for the crowd noise, for one thing. Maybe they thought it would be a neutral field with roughly equal fan numbers rather than Quest Field East.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Peyton's accomplishments will still get him a unanimous first-ballot HOF induction, and he IS one of the best to ever play the game. But this entire debate about who is the greatest ever is difficult to objectify. All of the great QBs had their own particular style and their own strengths, which makes the comparisons ultimately subjective.

This one bad game doesn't ruin his entire career. I did find it really odd that for a player who prepares constantly for the next game he seemed like a deer in the headlights for much of the game. They seemed completely unprepared for the crowd noise, for one thing. Maybe they thought it would be a neutral field with roughly equal fan numbers rather than Quest Field East.

Nice assessment FootballDad, I agree.

 

[Don Wassall]

Five regular season MVPs and likely every meaningful career record before he's done make his case. With 32 teams in a league that fine-tunes itself to have "parity," including 12 teams in the playoffs every year, very few QBs are going to win multiple Super Bowls. Dan Marino was an all-time great but didn't win a ring. If the heavy emphasis is going to be on Super Bowl victories, then Terry Bradshaw is tied with Joe Montana as the greatest QB ever but I wouldn't put Bradshaw in the top 25. Peyton Manning is still the best to ever play the position but that won't be a widely shared position after the Broncos imploded yesterday.

 

[FootballDad]

Five regular season MVPs and likely every meaningful career record before he's done make his case. With 32 teams in a league that fine-tunes itself to have "parity," including 12 teams in the playoffs every year, very few QBs are going to win multiple Super Bowls. Dan Marino was an all-time great but didn't win a ring. If the heavy emphasis is going to be on Super Bowl victories, then Terry Bradshaw is tied with Joe Montana as the greatest QB ever but I wouldn't put Bradshaw in the top 25. Peyton Manning is still the best to ever play the position but that won't be a widely shared position after the Broncos imploded yesterday.

Fortunately for all of us, we still will be able to watch this master at his craft for at least one more year. Enjoy it while you can. I just hope that the Broncos get him some additional help. His sumo/mestizo O-line absolutely didn't show up yesterday.