Who is the greatest QB of all-time and why?

SPC Patrick Caldwell — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 14:35:25 -0400

I understand it's difficult to compare quarterbacks over different times with different rules and regulations, but I'm going to make my case regardless. I believe Tom Brady is the greatest QB of all time (not the greatest player, that's a silly argument), and here's why.

1. Brady's done more with less, more than anyone else (if that makes sense).

The receivers Tom Brady has won Super Bowls with as a QB aren't going into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot, but it's safe to say he hasn't been surrounded with much talent of that caliber throughout his career. The two exceptions; Randy Moss in 2007 (Brady connected with him for 23 TDs) and Rob Gronkowski (2011-present). Other than those two, his receiving cast has been composed of players who few knew before their stints at New England. Prime examples: David Patten, Troy Brown, David Givens, Donte' Stallworth, Jabar Gaffney, Deion Branch, Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, Kenbrell Thompkins and Julian Edelman (to some extent). Now I'm not trying to take away from their respective skill sets; these receivers worked amazingly in the New England offensive scheme and could probably have been successful with many other QBs, but it's hard to deny how quickly these receivers became known after catching passes from Brady. I have to give Edelman a lot of credit though because he's not only transitioned from a college QB to NFL WR (after going in the 7th round), but he fights hard for every yard he gains. He's an excellent punt returner, and to top it off he's not afraid of getting hit across the middle (that 3rd and 14 in the 4th quarter of Super Bowl XLIX comes to mind).

2. His journey from Michigan to the NFL wasn't easy, but very rewarding.

He was buried on the depth chart at Michigan for his freshman and sophomore years of college, with Brian Griese starting at the time. He grew so frustrated he sought advice from assistant athletic director Greg Harden, who helped him build his confidence both on and off the field. Brady battled Drew Henson for the Wolverines' starting job and got it, starting his junior and senior years. Michigan won 20 of 25 games that Brady started and he won the 200 Orange Bowl over Alabama, throwing for 369 yards and 4 TDs.

Success at Michigan led to a less-than-favorable combine performance for Brady. The New England Patriots ultimately selected him with the 199th overall pick in the sixth round (a compensatory pick). Many call this the greatest draft pick in NFL history, considering his career.

3. He's engineered 35 4th QTR comebacks, and 46 game-winning drives.

Four of those GWDs were the 4 Super Bowl games Brady played in. Two of them (XXXVIII and XLIX) were 4th-quarter comebacks. Brady's last 10 game-winning drives have all been 4th-quarter comebacks, dating back to the October 21, 2012 game against the New York Jets (Pats won 29-26). One of the comebacks was the 34-31 thriller against the Denver Broncos in Foxborough (the Patriots, down 24-0 scored 31 unanswered points before overtime). The fact that Brady has been able to face adversity and overcome it so many times is a tribute to his legacy in my opinion.

4. Postseason Legacy

He and the Patriots have won 6 AFC Championships, appearing in 9 of them. He's obviously been part of 6 Super Bowl teams and won 4 of them, earning 3 Super Bowl MVP awards. He's won more playoff games than any other QB, with a playoff record of 21-8. I could go on his Wikipedia page and quote more stats, but I think this gets the message across.

5. His set of intangibles is virtually unparalleled.

I've seen few QBs manage a game the way Brady does or negotiate the pocket the way Brady does. How about Super Bowl XLIX, in the 4th quarter when pressure was coming at Brady from all sides so he shuffled forward and fired down the middle to Edelman on that first 3rd-and-14. The second one was similar, except he fooled Demarcus Dobbs and fired the ball past him for another 21-yard completion to Edelman. Also, while he doesn't do it often, Brady's not afraid to run the ball if he's out of options. He's scored 14 rushing TDs over the course of his career in the regular season, rushing for a total of 823 yards (on 470 attempts, a 1.8 YPC average). It's amazing that he's been able to be so dominant despite his being sacked 364 times in his career. Ben Roethlisberger is the only active QB who's been sacked more (419). Keep in mind that Peyton Manning has played two more years than Brady has, and he's been sacked 284 times.

6. 4-2 is better than 4-0.

Just wanted to put this in here because I'm sure there will be those who believe Joe Montana is the GOAT. It's a solid argument, but let's put this in perspective; Montana may have gotten injured before his chance to get to his 5th, 6th etc. was possible, but that could have also happened to Tom Brady. Montana had chances to win more NFC Championships to get to the big stage, but didn't. It's just how it is. One can argue that Montana threw 11 TDs, 0 INTs in his Super Bowls, which is fine and dandy.. but how much better would Tom Brady's stats be if he had Jerry Rice for two of his Super Bowls, or if he had Randy Moss for two Super Bowls? Montana was surrounded with elite talent in Jerry Rice, Dwight Clark, Freddie Solomon and John Taylor at WR; Roger Craig, Earl Cooper, Ricky Patton and Wendell Tyler at RB. On defense, Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright, Carlton Williamson and Dwight Hicks were some of the best defensive players in the league at that time.

I'm not trying to say Brady's never had a talented team around him because he always has, but his accomplishments in the salary cap era where one can't stack a team with prolific talent across the board is telling of his poise and game-management skills. These are the reasons why I believe Brady to be the best of all-time; he's better than Dan Marino, Johnny Unitas, Peyton Manning, and anyone else, and I'm open to debate on the matter.

Invite others to respond by typing @name

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2015 3:01 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 15:01:05 -0400

Joe Montana

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2015 3:08 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 15:08:49 -0400

If you're talking 2K quarterbacks, Tom Brady.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2015 3:13 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 15:13:10 -0400

wow. good question, with so many capable responses. you have to look at each era. Montana, Brady, Manning. those are the ones that i remember watching, but i am SURE i'm leaving greats out.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Apr 14 at 2015 3:17 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 15:17:16 -0400

I am sorry, this is a subject that has been beaten death. It is a subjective question. I could channel my inner John Madden and say Brett Favre (he does hold a ton of records) or Manning (the good one not the whiny bitch in New York). I could go with Montana who seemed larger than life. I could go with a guy like Fran Tarkenton who created the scrambling quarterback (mostly out of survival instinct), but ultimately, a better question is who is your favorite quarterback of all time as that embraces the subjective nature of the question. I would answer that with Tarkenton. Watching his highlights is hilarious because he does seem to run about seventy yards on every third play or so.

Response by TSgt Tim (lj) Littlejohn made Apr 14 at 2015 5:24 PM

TSgt Tim (lj) Littlejohn — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 17:24:14 -0400

Fran Tarkenton

Response by PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole made Apr 14 at 2015 6:54 PM

PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 18:54:14 -0400

Dan Fouts!!! Power of the beard!!!! hahaha

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2015 9:52 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 21:52:03 -0400

Montana. GOAT.
Marino: Best QB to not win a ring.
I get Brady and Manning. But with Brady's Spygate and deflate gate and any other gates, and Manning managing to win only one. It's difficult to say. One thing is for sure. They will ALL wear Yellow jackets regardless.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2015 10:57 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 22:57:19 -0400

Jonny Unitas would be the greatest Quarterback in my opinion.

Pittsburgh Steelers 1955
Baltimore Colts 1956-1972
San Diego Chargers 1973

10x Pro Bowl Selection
5x AP First-Team All-Pro
2x AP Second-Team All-Pro
MVP 1957, 1959, 1964, 1967
3x Pro Bowl MVP 1959, 1960, 1963
NFL Man of the Year 1970
Super Bowl V Champion 1970
3x NFL Champion 1958, 1959, 1968
NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
NFL 1960's All-Decade Team

Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts #19 Retired
Louisville Cardinals #16 Retired
Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee 1979

Modern day I would say Peyton Manning and would diffidently be in the running for all time.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2015 12:16 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 12:16:36 -0400

Mark Wahlberg! Wait, I got distracted by the picture.. What was the question? :D

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Apr 16 at 2015 11:03 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 11:03:33 -0400

Way too many great Quarter Backs to choose just one. Tarkington, Namath, Bradshaw, Montana, Star, Aikman, Staubach, Plunkett, Moreno I know there are more. How can you choose just one?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2015 11:06 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 11:06:35 -0400

Brett Favre

Response by Sgt Fred Lawley made Apr 16 at 2015 11:07 AM

Sgt Fred Lawley — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 11:07:44 -0400

My opinion is Tom Brady

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2015 11:12 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 11:12:21 -0400

I would have to say Joe Montana. Tom Brady is great for sure, but throwing to WR's in this time compared to Joe's time is night and day different. In the name of player safety, a defender is helpless defending the ball, and don't even mention trying to get the league's top QB's on the ground to get them dirty! I think in all it comes down to preference on the team and the era.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2015 3:17 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 15:17:58 -0400

Roger Staubach because he was a veteran, served and then played. And then Warren Moon because he was great in the CFL too.

Response by SPC Chelsea Fernandez made Apr 20 at 2015 7:48 PM

SPC Chelsea Fernandez — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 19:48:16 -0400

Hands down Drew Brees

Response by SGT John Wesley made Apr 29 at 2015 5:56 PM

SGT John Wesley — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 17:56:52 -0400

Best Overall Quarterback? Joe Montana!

Response by SSG John Erny made Apr 30 at 2015 11:19 AM

SSG John Erny — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 11:19:41 -0400

Game of the Century, need I say more: Jonny Rodgers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Rodgers

Johnny Rodgers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Johnny Steven Rodgers (born July 5, 1951) is an American former gridiron football player. He played college football at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1972. Rodgers played professionally in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Montreal Alouettes and in the National Football League (NFL) with the San Diego Chargers. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

Response by SPC Todd Hanson made Apr 30 at 2015 12:18 PM

SPC Todd Hanson — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 12:18:14 -0400

When it all said and done.
Aaron Rodgers:
Two time league MVP
Super Bowl MVP
Highest Career passer rating
Highest Season passer rating
Lowest interception rating at 1.7 percent
Handled the whole Brett Favre drama with class and better then anyone could ask for.
I am not from Wisconsin but New York

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made May 4 at 2015 10:16 AM

TSgt Kevin Buccola — Mon, 04 May 2015 10:16:40 -0400

You can look at stats, championships etc... times have changed when Johnny Unitas and Bart Starr were plying the pass was the turning point in football - now QB's pass attempt 50+ times per game. Even in the days of Staubach and Bradshaw defenses would pummel these guys and DB and CB would upend receivers.

Today's game is in protection mode for QB's and Receivers rules have changed. I think in todays game you have to look a loyalty and everything else.

Bradshaw, Montana, Elway, Brady, Staubach, Unitas, Starr, Kelley, Tarkenton, Marino. This is a very tough list to pick the best.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 2:00 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:00:21 -0400

Joe Montana is the greatest ever! Not only was he 4 for 4 with the Niners but took a bad team in Kansas City to the AFC championship game and only lost due to the fact of blizzard conditions in buffalo and an injury which prevented him from playing in the 2nd half of that game.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 2:17 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:17:38 -0400

Johnny Unitas would beat them all.

Can't believe he has not been mentioned.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2016 1:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 13:20:18 -0500

I'm gonna go old school on this one. Otto Graham played ten years of professional football and played in a championship game every year. That's impressive.

Response by Sgt Tammy Wallace made Jan 21 at 2016 1:59 PM

Sgt Tammy Wallace — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 13:59:34 -0500

Joe Montana

Response by LCpl Tad Cunningham made Aug 4 at 2016 12:15 AM

LCpl Tad Cunningham — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 00:15:01 -0400

Fran Tarkenton, big man doing big things. Super Bowl isn't everything when it comes down to the individual player.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Feb 9 at 2021 10:57 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 22:57:44 -0500

You wrote this question on April 14, 2015, SPC Patrick Caldwell! You postulated that Tom Brady was the greatest of all time.
Well, on February 7, 2021, the answer to that question came in definitive fashion as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers destroyed the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-9! Tom Brady is the GREATEST OF ALL TIME!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2021 11:07 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 23:07:06 -0500

Plenty of great names posted here but there = only one Broadway Joe Willie Namath! Go Jets! (and all the other QBs mentioned in this thread).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPw4upXBdxo

watch

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Feb 9 at 2021 11:19 PM

SGT Mark Halmrast — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 23:19:41 -0500

Brady
7 rings
Did more with less
GOAT

Have to start considering Brady in terms of athletes in any sport, not just football.

Jordan
Tiger
Federer
That sort of company