Best quarterback in football

Is this thread limited to the best QB's in football only?

 

I still think Peyton is the best. Give that man Eli's defense and he's got 3 or 4 rings. The only year he had a decent defense they destroyed the world.

 

Give Peyton a decent coach and I think he'd have three rings.

 

I think people don't stop to think about how difficult it is to win NFL games, let alone playoff games. Just think about all that had to happen yesterday for the two teams to win. Billy Cundiff misses a 32-yard field goal right after a receiver drops the winning touchdown pass that was about a fraction of a second away from counting as a catch. Kyle Williams muffs one punt by an eye lash, then fumbles another one. Otherwise, maybe we're talking about Alex Smith today. The back-up punt returner, instead, altered Alex Smith's legacy.

Quarterbacks are judged way too harshly (or benevolently) on Super Bowl victories, much like college basketball coaches are judged too much on NCAA Tournament championships or Final Four appearances. That shit is hard, and luck plays a not insignificant role.

 

Guilty as charged.

But I do think when you look at these three - and with Peyton, four - elite QBs, you are splitting hairs, so something like winning these close and at times seemingly randomly decided NFL playoff games might be what separates one from the other.

 

Right now? I'd take Rodgers.

Based on careers of the active guys, it's Peyton.

Right now
1. Rodgers
2. Brady
3. Brees
4. Roethlisberger
5. Eli
6. Rivers

Obviously Peyton makes that list if he's healthy and I don't think we can put Newton there yet based on one season.

 

I didn't mean this to be a lifetime achievement award. I meant it to be for what they are right now.

 

Yeah but with a legit backup QB, the Colts couldn't have gutlessly tanked the season.

 

Where's Alex? Did I miss him in your list?

 

He's throwing the ball out of bounds.

 

My list, giving everyone full health but leaving off Peyton Manning because we have no idea what condition he's in:

1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Drew Brees
3. Tom Brady
4. Ben Roethlisberger
5. Eli Manning
6. Matthew Stafford
7. Michael Vick
8. Matt Ryan
9. Philip Rivers
10. Tony Romo / Jay Cutler tie

Based on career accomplishments:

1. Peyton Manning
2. Tom Brady
3. Drew Brees
4. Ben Roethlisberger
5. Donovan McNabb
6. Eli Manning
7. Aaron Rodgers
8. Matt Hasselbeck
9. Michael Vick
10. Philip Rivers

Eli Manning and Rodgers will surely pass McNabb barring injuries. I think McNabb should get Hall of Fame consideration, but I don't think he'll ultimately make it.

 

Schaub is better than at least three of the people on your current list (Vick, Ryan and Romo) and is less mistake-prone for the time being which makes him better than Stafford too. With him they were fighting for a first-round bye.