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I can only vote on and compare QBs I've actually watched for any length of time, which start from the 1980s. And even then, the game has certainly changed.
I'd take Brady over Manning, Montana just barely over Elway, and probably Favre barely over Young. Brady's probably the best I've ever seen. For the longest time, I had always thought that Montana was the best, but what Brady's done year-in and year-out has been unequaled, in my view.
As far as the brackets go, I would pick Brady, Young, Montana, and Bradshaw. The order for those would be:
1.) Montana
2.) Brady
3.) Bradshaw
4.) Young
Now, that's not saying that there aren't certain QB's in other brackets that I think are better than Brady, Bradshaw, or Young. This is just based off of having to pick one from each bracket and then one from the final four. Montana would be my top choice regardless.
I can only vote on and compare QBs I've actually watched for any length of time, which start from the 1980s. And even then, the game has certainly changed.
I'd take Brady over Manning, Montana just barely over Elway, and probably Favre barely over Young. Brady's probably the best I've ever seen. For the longest time, I had always thought that Montana was the best, but what Brady's done year-in and year-out has been unequaled, in my view.
Out of curiosity, why Favre over Young? Favre was tough as nails and had a rocket of an arm, but was too much of a gunslinger imo, thus the very high rate of ints. Young was very accurate and still holds the third or fourth highest rating of all time (might still be the highest if not for all the rule changes). He was also an unbelievably mobile qb. He is imo the most underrated qb ever
Honestly, I don't think Brady would have done well in past generations. He is a statue and absolutely hates contact. He is fortunate that a guy with his style and attitude plays in this era. Of course he can only play in the time he is given. In that sense, he is one of the best today....behind Rogers. I think Rogers could have played in any era. He can move, he takes hits, and he can throw.
A lot of QB's today put up big numbers because of the rules....no contact after 5 yards, can't hit the QB, can't hit a defenseless receiver, etc. Everything geared toward helping receivers get open quickly and a protective bubble around the QB.
So I don't put much stock in QB comparisons of different eras. Compared to their own era, yes. To that end, Brady is one of the best of his day. But probably only average in past eras. I also do not put a lot of stock in rings. For example, if Elway would have played on those Steelers teams of the 70's, they probably would have won more than 4. Same with QB's that played in the 90's. Put a lot of them on those Cowboy teams and they would have 3 rings as well. Put Aikeman on some of those other teams and he wouldn't have any rings. Bradshaw and Aikeman were both really good QB's, but they got their rings by being surrounded by overall great teams. Put Barry Sanders on those Dallas teams and he would be the rushing leader and not Emmit. Put Emmit on those Lion teams and nobody would even know who Emmit Smith is.
Out of curiosity, why Favre over Young? Favre was tough as nails and had a rocket of an arm, but was too much of a gunslinger imo, thus the very high rate of ints. Young was very accurate and still holds the third or fourth highest rating of all time (might still be the highest if not for all the rule changes). He was also an unbelievably mobile qb. He is imo the most underrated qb ever
Young is my favorite/grew up on him
He's the greatest left armed QB and most likely is the most underrated. If I were to pick a QB to copy for 2014 NFL, it would be Steve Young. The combination of accuracy and scrambling ability would make him unstoppable
But tough luck and finishing on the short stick against 90's Cowboys & Packers costs him. Going into the playoffs with Derek Loville & Terry Kirby as the starting RBs. Packers defense was a higher class than 49ers aging defense in the late 90's.
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