Brett Favre

[ShinyHubCaps]

Saying that Favre isn't among the Top 10 QBs of all time is the only remotely laughable thing about any of these posts.

... and yet, I'm sure someone can argue that there really are 10 QBs that were better than Favre.

Otto Graham

Roger Staubach

Joe Montana

Tom Brady

John Elway

Dan Marino

Bart Starr

Johnny Unitas

Fran Tarkenton

Dan Fouts

That's not to say these 10 really are better than Favre and Favre doesn't belong in the top 10, but I think people can make good arguments about any past QB that can be considered better than Favre and the list is longer than 9 QBs

Analysis of individual stats has Favre ahead of all of these guys, and while I don't believe team success should dictate one's legacy, I think there is a barrier with winning at least one championship (sorry, Marino).

So while I accept that there may be better QBs, I myself look at statistics that may be relevant. There are intangibles, which only go so far, and I know everyone's criteria are different. I just have a hard time believing that, objectively speaking, Favre is out of anyone's Top 10.

He'd be my #1, but that's a hometown discount. Objectively speaking, I'd have him in at least the Top 5 and maybe the Top 3 with Elway and Montana.

[infrared41]

Saying that Favre isn't among the Top 10 QBs of all time is the only remotely laughable thing about any of these posts.

... and yet, I'm sure someone can argue that there really are 10 QBs that were better than Favre.

Otto Graham

Roger Staubach

Joe Montana

Tom Brady

John Elway

Dan Marino

Bart Starr

Johnny Unitas

Fran Tarkenton

Dan Fouts

That's not to say these 10 really are better than Favre and Favre doesn't belong in the top 10, but I think people can make good arguments about any past QB that can be considered better than Favre and the list is longer than 9 QBs

Analysis of individual stats has Favre ahead of all of these guys, and while I don't believe team success should dictate one's legacy, I think there is a barrier with winning at least one championship (sorry, Marino).

So while I accept that there may be better QBs, I myself look at statistics that may be relevant. There are intangibles, which only go so far, and I know everyone's criteria are different. I just have a hard time believing that, objectively speaking, Favre is out of anyone's Top 10.

He'd be my #1, but that's a hometown discount. Objectively speaking, I'd have him in at least the Top 5 and maybe the Top 3 with Elway and Montana.

OK let's see... here are 10 off the top of my head. I am a big Favre fan so I am not biased at all. I'm just not sure I'd rank him in the top 10. This is not based on rings or stats. It's just the guys I've seen who I think were the best at the position. Brett is certainly among the best but I don't know if I'd put him in the same elite category as Montana, Elway, or Marino

After number one these are in no particular order.

1. Joe Montana

2. John Elway

3. Terry Bradshaw

4. Dan Marino

5. Dan Fouts

6. Roger Staubach

7. Tom Brady

8. Fran Tarkenton

9. Johnny Unitas

10 Len Dawson

I think I can make a solid argument that every one of those QBs was better than Favre. And I am a Favre fan.

And you make the "championship" argument. I guess that means that Trent Dilfer, Mark Rypien, and Brad Johnson are all better than Marino? Just saying...

[rams80]

Scalpers' ticket prices for the Jets' 9/14 home opener against the Patriots were probably already into the stratosphere for obvious reasons. Now they have to be going into low Earth orbit at least.

Brady vs Farve...That should be a good one...but Brady has the better arm!

But Brady is not nearly the GUNSLINGER!!!!!1111oneone that Favre is, so the advantage lies with Favre.

[ShinyHubCaps]

After number one these are in no particular order.

1. Joe Montana

2. John Elway

3. Terry Bradshaw

4. Dan Marino

5. Dan Fouts

6. Roger Staubach

7. Tom Brady

8. Fran Tarkenton

9. Johnny Unitas

10 Len Dawson

I think I can make a solid argument that every one of those QBs was better than Favre. And I am a Favre fan.

And you make the "championship" argument. I guess that means that Trent Dilfer, Mark Rypien, and Brad Johnson are all better than Marino? Just saying...

I said there was a certain barrier, as in one's push to become the elite. I wouldn't say Trent Dilfer was better than Marino, but the barrier of a single championship is more of a tie-breaker between like players (in my mind, anyway).

And while you have a good list, Terry Bradshaw is VASTLY over-rated. I like the stats myself, and I'd be interested in hearing your defense for him (maybe we shouldn't hog the thread, lest it goes back and forth), but there is really no reason to believe that he is a Top 3 QB. He was a serviceable, utility-style QB whose main job was to anchor an already Super Bowl-bound Pittsburgh team. Favre throwing 442 touchdowns and having 16 straight seasons with 3000+ yards is more notable for me, especially since he never had the greatest receiving core. His 171 wins, as well, came on teams with unspectacular players and certainly unspectacular coaching, as evidenced by the "w/ Favre" vs. "w/o Favre" splits of said individuals.

[JQK]

Numbers don't lie.

When the number next to all your stats is "1", well, then it is what it is.

Argument completed.

P.S. Dan Fouts? Be serious, people...

[TFoA]

I'm really surprised people are readily admitting that Tom Brady is one of the greatest of all time at QB. I mean, what with people not wanting to throw that around with players that are still in their prime and not on the tail end of their career.

But I guess you can't argue with prolific numbers and 3 SB rings. So I agree with that.

As far as Brett being in the top 10 of all time...you gotta put him up there. JQK summed it up: When you are #1 in all stats, you gotta be one of the GOATs.

[The_Admiral]

Haha, Dan Fouts > Brett Favre? Honestly?

[Lee.]

Haha, Dan Fouts > Brett Favre? Honestly?

Fouts' beard >>> Farva's stubble, easily.

[infrared41]

I'm really surprised people are readily admitting that Tom Brady is one of the greatest of all time at QB. I mean, what with people not wanting to throw that around with players that are still in their prime and not on the tail end of their career.

But I guess you can't argue with prolific numbers and 3 SB rings. So I agree with that.

As far as Brett being in the top 10 of all time...you gotta put him up there. JQK summed it up: When you are #1 in all stats, you gotta be one of the GOATs.

Good points all around. I stand corrected.

[NEW.ERA]

Haha, Dan Fouts > Brett Favre? Honestly?

Favre has the one thing that really matters a Super Bowl ring

[oddball]

Grant you I think it's a little early to rank Tom Brady and honestly when talking top 10 quarterbacks and you're going to use stats, realize that Brett Favre has one stat that is horrible and that he has close to 300 interceptions! If you're going to criticize the greatness of Marino and Fouts for not having a Super Bowl Ring, then you better criticize Favre for his horrible choices as a gunslinger.

[Island_Style]

I just heard this on Conan. He just did an "In the Year 2000."

"Brett Favre will take his new team, the New York Jets, to the Super Bowl. They will be sitting in section 165, row B."

[infrared41]

Grant you I think it's a little early to rank Tom Brady and honestly when talking top 10 quarterbacks and you're going to use stats, realize that Brett Favre has one stat that is horrible and that he has close to 300 interceptions! If you're going to criticize the greatness of Marino and Fouts for not having a Super Bowl Ring, then you better criticize Favre for his horrible choices as a gunslinger.

I don't. I've been watching NFL football for about 35 years. Brady is one of the all-time greats. He reminds me of Joe Montana. And that coming from someone who hates Boston sports. It's not all about stats or rings. It's also about will this QB rip my team's heart out if he's behind by 5 with 1:15 on the clock? And how often? Montana seemed to be able to do it about whenever he wanted to. Elway too. Brady falls into that category as well.

My previously listed greatest QBs based on the who is most likely to kill you late criteria.

You're dead, you just don't know it yet.

1. Joe Montana

2. John Elway

3. Tom Brady

4. Roger Staubach

You're on life support but with a break or two you might live just don't be making any long term plans. (in no particular order)

Dan Marino

Peyton Manning

Fran Tarkenton

Dan Fouts

Johnny Unitas

Odds aren't great but you have a decent chance he'll miss.

Terry Bradshaw

Len Dawson

I'd put Favre in the last category.

[TFoA]

Grant you I think it's a little early to rank Tom Brady and honestly when talking top 10 quarterbacks and you're going to use stats, realize that Brett Favre has one stat that is horrible and that he has close to 300 interceptions! If you're going to criticize the greatness of Marino and Fouts for not having a Super Bowl Ring, then you better criticize Favre for his horrible choices as a gunslinger.

I don't. I've been watching NFL football for about 35 years. Brady is one of the all-time greats. He reminds me of Joe Montana. And that coming from someone who hates Boston sports. It's not all about stats or rings. It's also about will this QB rip my team's heart out if he's behind by 5 with 1:15 on the clock? And how often? Montana seemed to be able to do it about whenever he wanted to. Elway too. Brady falls into that category as well.

My previously listed greatest QBs based on the who is most likely to kill you late criteria.

You're dead, you just don't know it yet.

1. Joe Montana

2. John Elway

3. Tom Brady

4. Roger Staubach

You're on life support but with a break or two you might live just don't be making any long term plans. (in no particular order)

Dan Marino

Peyton Manning

Fran Tarkenton

Dan Fouts

Johnny Unitas

Odds aren't great but you have a decent chance he'll miss.

Terry Bradshaw

Len Dawson

I'd put Favre in the last category.

Agreed 100%, even though I never saw Montana, Staubach, or Elway in their prime (unless it was NFL Films.)

But just by watching Tom Brady...you know that if his team is down with 2 minutes left, and Brady has the ball, Brady's going to win the game. It will happen.

The only two times it didn't happen, a Manning was involved. So honestly, if it weren't for Archie Manning deciding to procreate, Tom Brady would have at least 4, maybe 5 rings and undoubtedly be the G.O.A.T. already.

But he's up there. Especially because the man is too clutch.

[njmeadowlanders]

I just heard this on Conan. He just did an "In the Year 2000."

"Brett Favre will take his new team, the New York Jets, to the Super Bowl. They will be sitting in section 165, row B."

Incredible! I wish I saw that...I'll definitely try to catch it on nbc.com when its up...

[BucsBoy02]

Yup Brett will still be in Packers gear on the cover of Madden.

[Mac the Knife]

You're dead, you just don't know it yet.

1. Joe Montana

2. John Elway

3. Tom Brady

4. Roger Staubach

You're on life support but with a break or two you might live just don't be making any long term plans. (in no particular order)

Dan Marino

Peyton Manning

Fran Tarkenton

Dan Fouts

Johnny Unitas

Odds aren't great but you have a decent chance he'll miss.

Terry Bradshaw

Len Dawson

I'd put Favre in the last category.

I'd personally move Staubach and maybe Fouts to the Bradshaw/Dawson category (let's face it both lost more big games than they won), but otherwise, that's kinda how they stack up among those I've actually seen play live. I'd put Favre in that last category as well - he could put your lights out, but it was just as likely he wouldn't. Otto Graham was by far the biggest 'gamer' of them all (you don't lead a team to 10 straight title games otherwise), but being 60 years removed it's hard to make any kind of direct comparison.

[DEAD!]

The only two times it didn't happen, a Manning was involved. So honestly, if it weren't for Archie Manning deciding to procreate, Tom Brady would have at least 4, maybe 5 rings and undoubtedly be the G.O.A.T. already.

But he's up there. Especially because the man is too clutch.

When... Archie's little Saints come marching in?

[FiddySicks]

The only two times it didn't happen, a Manning was involved. So honestly, if it weren't for Archie Manning deciding to procreate, Tom Brady would have at least 4, maybe 5 rings and undoubtedly be the G.O.A.T. already.

But he's up there. Especially because the man is too clutch.

When... Archie's little Saints come marching in?

You should be banned for that one.

[BlueSky]

Haha, Dan Fouts > Brett Favre? Honestly?

Favre has the one thing that really matters a Super Bowl ring

So by your logic then, Terry Bradshaw is a much better QB than Brett Favre?