Top five quarterbacks of all-time

Top five quarterbacks of all-time
By Eric Williams

When it came to selecting the top five quarterbacks of all-time, several names stuck out for me like a sore thumb. Compiling this list wasn’t nearly as hard as say, naming the top five running back or wide receivers of all-time.
Having said that, let me also add that whenever anyone starts to pick out a collective group as the best in their respective profession, it is purely an opinionated task. Asking ten different people who the top five quarterbacks of all-time are, would most likely bring ten different responses.
Having said that, here is my list of the top five quarterbacks of all-time.
Dan Marino
Anyone that knows me knows that I have been a lifelong Miami fan since the days of Bob Griese and the “No Name Defense.” However, I strictly chose Marino for his accomplishments on the field – no matter what color jersey he was wearing.
I know a lot of people prefer either John Elway or Joe Montana as the greatest of all-time, however, I firmly believe that Marino was the best ever.
Why?
Let me explain.
As Marino, the 27th pick of the 1983 draft, is quick to point out – the most important job of an NFL quarterback is to get his team in the end zone. In other words, to put points up on the board. Well, to put it mildly, Marino led the Dolphins to more points than any other quarterback in NFL history.
If you’ll recall correctly, the Dolphins lost a ton of games throughout the 80s by scores of 38-35 and 49-42. Marino more than did his job. It’s not his fault the Dolphins couldn’t stop a sleepwalking octogenarian.
Some of Marino’s passing statistics may never be broken. The man with the quickest release in NFL history threw 420 touchdown passes and passed for an astronomical 61,361 passing yards with 4,967 pass completions, all good for first in the NFL record books. All in all, Marino has established 20 NFL records.
Oh. There is one more thing I forgot to mention. Marino did all of this while having absolutely no running game throughout his 17-year career to compliment him whatsoever. Teams game-planned all week with the specific purpose of stopping Marino in mind – and still couldn’t. That speaks volumes to me – and that’s why I think Marino is the greatest signal caller of all-time.
John Elway
Okay, I’ll admit it. Elway was just as good as Marino. I mean, I really couldn’t argue with someone who said Elway was the number one QB of all-time. The No. 1 pick of the 1983 draft was, like Marino, never out of any game. As a matter of fact, he was better than anyone in bringing his team back from the brink of defeat. Elway retired with an NFL record, 40 come from behind victories in the fourth quarter for wins. Elway is also second in all-time total offense leaders in NFL history with 59,006 total yards, third in touchdowns with 417.
Throughout his 15-year career, the thing that impressed me most about Elway however, was not the fact that he won consecutive Super Bowls to end his career – it was the fact that he absolutely carried several unimposing – and under talented - Broncos teams to the playoffs and title game earlier in his career.
However, for those who like to rate greatness on championships won, let’s not forget that Terrell Davis, not Elway, was the driving force in leading the Broncos to their consecutive titles in ’97 and ’98. Had Marino had a back like Davis – and a little defensive help – who know how many rings the Dolphins would have won.
Super Bowls or not, Elway is still one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game – and one of my very favorites also.
Joe Montana
I know there are millions of Montana fans out there that will go to their respective graves believing that Montana was the greatest quarterback ever – and that’s okay. Not to take anything away from him, but I firmly believe that much of Montana’s success was predicated on being in the right system with one of the greatest coaches of all-time (Bill Walsh) and some of the best teammates to ever play the game – including, several Hall of Famers.
I always say that if Marino – or Elway for that matter – were the quarterback on those same Super Bowl winning San Francisco teams, they would have still won each title. Heck, Marino and Elway may have won even more.
All hypothetical speculation aside, there is no doubt that Montana was a great player – and, being a third-round draft pick - is also the greatest NFL draft pick of all-time. Four Super Bowl victories and three Super Bowl MVP’s validate Montana’s supporters who say he is the best postseason performer of all-time. Personal preferences aside, there is no denying Montana’s greatness. He is clearly one of the game’s greatest leaders and clutch performers of all-time.
Johnny Unitas
Like Montana, Unitas was one of the greatest draft selections of all-time (although the team that drafted him threw him away like yesterday’s garbage). What was the New York Giant’s trash instantly became the Baltimore Colts’ treasure.
Picked up as a free agent by the Colts in 1956, Unitas’ legend – and reverence - surpasses that of every other quarterback to ever play the game. I mean, when you mention to guys like Marino, Elway and Montana, even they get shivers talking about Unitas. The man is viewed by fans of all ages with a respect reserved for dignitaries and luminaries.
Unitas led the Colts to the 1958 and 1959 NFL championships and was named All-NFL for five seasons including three Player of the Year awards.Unitas also won three MVP trophies and was selected to play in 10 Pro Bowls.
Unitas also had 26 games of passing for over 300 yards and a 47-game streak of at least one touchdown pass per game – mind-boggling numbers when you consider that Unitas played in an era when there was much more of a premium put on running the ball. Overall, Unitas finished his career with 40,239 passing yards, 290 touchdown passes, and 2,830 competitions.
I had the honor of interviewing Unitas during a stop in Philadelphia in 1996 and I can unequivocally say speaking with him that day for nearly 20 minutes was one of the greatest life lessons I have ever undergone. The impact that Unitas made on myself, as well as an infinite number of others, was awe-inspiring. Unitas may be number four on my all-time list of quarterbacks, but he is certainly number one in my heart and the hearts of millions.
Terry Bradshaw
I am still amazed how little respect Bradshaw gets when it comes to mentioning the greatest quarterbacks of all-time. People are always quick to mention the fact that Montana won four Super Bowls rings, but, ahem, so did Bradshaw.
Like Montana, Bradshaw also had the benefit of playing alongside several Hall of Fame players (more than Montana actually). However, I believe Bradshaw was as good a leader as any quarterback to ever play the game. He was big and strong and could make any throw he needed at any time.
The first player chosen in the 1970 draft, Bradshaw led the Steelers to eight AFC Central titles and those four Super Bowl titles. Bradshaw was selected Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowls XIII and XIV. His career stats of 27,879 passing yards and 212 touchdown passes cement his status as one of the game's great quarterbacks, but were also limited by the era in which he played. Nevertheless, I firmly believe Bradshaw is the fifth greatest quarterback of all-time.
So there you have it - the greatest passers in NFL history.
Eric Williams is a sports columnist for the Philadelphia Sunday Sun who can be heard every Wednesday at 3:15 eastern on BetUSsradio.com. Contact Eric at eklass66@yahoo.com.