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Who are the 5 greatest football players of the last 60 years?
thenavarro
Posts: 7,497 ✭✭✭
in Sports Talk
In y'alls opinions, who are the 5 greatest football players of the last 60 years? I'm looking to add them to my signed HOF rookie card collection. I've already got a Joe Montana PSA/DNA signed rookie. As a Notre Dame guy, I consider him pure greatness. I also just bought a Jim Brown rookie that I'll be getting signed November 1.
Who would you say are the 5 greatest football players of the last 60 years?
Mike
Who would you say are the 5 greatest football players of the last 60 years?
Mike
Buying US Presidential autographs
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Comments
Steve
Peace
45% complete.
Was the MVP of three straight National Championship games.
Was never done before, and will never be done again.
Jerry Rice
Joe Montana
Lawrence Taylor
Walter Payton
J Brown
W Payton
J Montana
E Smith
B Sanders
T Brady
P Manning
Trust me, you'll want all of them, but you know what, this is a really hard question. You should have linemen and defensive players on there. And if that's the case, get:
Lineman: John Hannah
Defense: Butkis, L Taylor, Joe Greene
My Podcast - Now FEATURED on iTunes
HOF SIGNED FOOTBALL RCS
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
<< <i>5 best of the last 60 years is wayyy too tough. >>
Expand it to 25 players and that might be easier.
It is certainly tough to choose, there must be fine players cut back or eliminated, to save the question, but we must be able to make some tough choices if we want to be Prez., and help solve this economic crisis.
1. Jim Brown, 2. Joe Montana, 3. Deacon Jones, 4. Johnny Unitas, 5. Dick Butkus
Taylor was able to drop back into coverage, he could rush the quarterback, play the run and the guy was a tackling machine.
His speed from sideline to sideline and ability to get to the qb is what seperates them imo .
1. Jim Brown
2. Jerry Rice
3. Joe Montana
4. Lawrence Taylor
5. Johnny Unitas
6. Don Hutson
7. Otto Graham
8. Walter Payton
9. Dick Butkus
10. Bob Lilly
I don't know who they polled or if its just the editor's opinion, but it is arguably a pretty good list. Thanks to those who have replied with opinions so far. I went ahead and picked up a Jerry Rice signed rookie and swung a deal for LT as well, so once I get my Jim Brown back from the signing, I'll have the top 4. Unitas will be a little pricey though so I may cut it at 4.
Mike
60's - J. Unitas
70's - W Payton
80's - J. Montana
90's - B Sanders
Rob
"Those guys weren't Fathers they were...Mothers."
John
HOF SIGNED FOOTBALL RCS
1. Emmit Smith
2. Emit Smith
3. Emmitt Smith
4. Emitt Smoot
5. Emmit Schmidt.
<< <i>sigh.
1. Emmit Smith
2. Emit Smith
3. Emmitt Smith
4. Emitt Smoot
5. Emmit Schmidt. >>
I like this guy
1994 Pro Line Live
TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Bo Jackson
I have never seen a player dominate and control a game like he did before he was permanently injured
Rob
"Those guys weren't Fathers they were...Mothers."
50's - C. Bednarik, S Huff,
60's - D. Butkis, D. Jones, M Olsen
70's - J. Greene, M. Haynes, J. Lambert
80's - L. Taylor, R. Lott, H. Long
90's - R, White, D Thomas, D Sanders
Rob
"Those guys weren't Fathers they were...Mothers."
Blocking and tackling might be the two most important skills, but a football team needs many players to be able to do those to be effective overall. They only need one guy to be able to throw the ball well. That disproportaion means quarterbacks will dominate these sort of lists
Taylor was the best defensive player. I consider him to be somewhat average among Pro-Bowl lineman when it comes to run support and coverage. But pass rush is the ultimate defensive weapon and LT was the ultimate pass rusher. The best defensive back in the world can only take out half the field on a pass attempt. A good pass rush takes out the entire field (and a couple good knockdowns can really slow down the passer)
Top five in order: Montana, Sanders, Unitas, Favre, Taylor
Brown and Rice so amazingly close, the above reasons knock them out of the top five. Brady has a decent chance. Always like to hear reasons why I might be wrong
Heck, he isn't even a Top 5 Qb off all time let alone top 5 player of all time
Clarke Hinkle
Kenny Stabler
Wahoo McDaniel
Billy "White Shoes" Johnson
Mike Curtis
Chuck Cecil
Doug Plank
Jethro Pugh
<< <i>Tom, I like your analogy. However being a Pats fan I will respectfully give Brady a nod over Montana and expect to get blown up for saying it but that is my choice. Montana had Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, Brent Jones and a phenominal head coach behind him along with great defense. Brady won his Super Bowls with much less talent around him. >>
Rob
"Those guys weren't Fathers they were...Mothers."
<< <i>Tom, I like your analogy. However being a Pats fan I will respectfully give Brady a nod over Montana and expect to get blown up for saying it but that is my choice. Montana had Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, Brent Jones and a phenominal head coach behind him along with great defense. Brady won his Super Bowls with much less talent around him. >>
I would give Brady the nod over Montana, however it is hard to really say Brady had less talent. You can point to a couple players that were better, but the Pats were not short on Pro Bowlers, and if anyone watched them the last couple years, that line could give Brady time to read a newspaper before making the play.
But let's be honest, people have some strange crush on Montana, who should barely be in the top 10 in QBs. Steve Young pretty much erased Montana in all the record books except comebacks. You do understand to make a comeback in the 4th quarter, pretty much means you screwed up the first three quarters. Granted Young had most of the same players with him, but at 5-10 years older. Age does matter in this very physical game.
Young also did better then Montana in the 80s when he replaced an injured Montana and to really top the hat in his favor, Young ran for 4,239 yards and scored 43 rushing touchdowns. That's better then many RBs.
Favre doesn't deserve a spot on the top 10 QBs, unless that is a list of the most overrated or a list of the most interceptions. He does belong on a list of the best QB seasons...however in the last 10 years one could possibly say Favre hurt his team as much as he helped...and more at times.
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
<< <i>Tom, I like your analogy. However being a Pats fan I will respectfully give Brady a nod over Montana and expect to get blown up for saying it but that is my choice. Montana had Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, Brent Jones and a phenominal head coach behind him along with great defense. Brady won his Super Bowls with much less talent around him. >>
Except last year.
<< <i>
<< <i>Tom, I like your analogy. However being a Pats fan I will respectfully give Brady a nod over Montana and expect to get blown up for saying it but that is my choice. Montana had Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, Brent Jones and a phenominal head coach behind him along with great defense. Brady won his Super Bowls with much less talent around him. >>
Dont hurt yourself!
<< <i>
<< <i>Tom, I like your analogy. However being a Pats fan I will respectfully give Brady a nod over Montana and expect to get blown up for saying it but that is my choice. Montana had Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, Brent Jones and a phenominal head coach behind him along with great defense. Brady won his Super Bowls with much less talent around him. >>
I would give Brady the nod over Montana, however it is hard to really say Brady had less talent. You can point to a couple players that were better, but the Pats were not short on Pro Bowlers, and if anyone watched them the last couple years, that line could give Brady time to read a newspaper before making the play.
But let's be honest, people have some strange crush on Montana, who should barely be in the top 10 in QBs. Steve Young pretty much erased Montana in all the record books except comebacks. You do understand to make a comeback in the 4th quarter, pretty much means you screwed up the first three quarters. Granted Young had most of the same players with him, but at 5-10 years older. Age does matter in this very physical game.
Young also did better then Montana in the 80s when he replaced an injured Montana and to really top the hat in his favor, Young ran for 4,239 yards and scored 43 rushing touchdowns. That's better then many RBs.
Favre doesn't deserve a spot on the top 10 QBs, unless that is a list of the most overrated or a list of the most interceptions. He does belong on a list of the best QB seasons...however in the last 10 years one could possibly say Favre hurt his team as much as he helped...and more at times. >>
Wow, I would like to thank Steve Young's wife for the above post. I had no idea Mrs Young had a previous relationship with Brett Farve that ended so poorly before marrying Steve.
Rob
"Those guys weren't Fathers they were...Mothers."
5. “I did not have sexual relations with the woman, Miss Lewinksy” - President Bill Clinton
4. “Read my lips: no new taxes!” – George H. W. Bush, while candidate for US President
3. While American Soldiers Are Showering in Saddam's Bathroom in a Nearby Presidential Palace: "We have killed most of the [coalition] infidels, and I think we will finish off the rest soon." – Baghdad Bob, Iraqi’s Minister of Information
2. “We found the weapons of mass destruction.” – George W. Bush, May 29, 2003
1. “But let's be honest, people have some strange crush on Montana, who should barely be in the top 10 in QBs.”- Meteorite Guy
All in fun,
Mike
<< <i> “But let's be honest, people have some strange crush on Montana, who should barely be in the top 10 in QBs.”- Meteorite Guy
>>
Wow! I agree that this is about the most ridiculous statement Ive heard in quite awhile.
As well as the foolish statements comparing Steve Young with Montana.
Montana not a top 10 QB? Absolutely Incredible that ANY serious Football person could ever say that with a straight face.
Cool Joe is quite possibly Single THE GREATEST Playoff and Super Bowl QB of ALL-TIME! Whith out Question he is the GREATEST of the
modern day (Past 30 years)
The only rational explanation I can think of for these kinds of incredibly retarted statements is your loyality to Steve Young(As per your tagline). Steve was a fine QB, But Joe Montana he was not.
<< <i>
<< <i> “But let's be honest, people have some strange crush on Montana, who should barely be in the top 10 in QBs.”- Meteorite Guy
>>
Wow! I agree that this is about the most ridiculous statement Ive heard in quite awhile.
As well as the foolish statements comparing Steve Young with Montana.
Montana not a top 10 QB? Absolutely Incredible that ANY serious Football person could ever say that with a straight face.
Cool Joe is quite possibly Single THE GREATEST Playoff and Super Bowl QB of ALL-TIME! Whith out Question he is the GREATEST of the
modern day (Past 30 years)
The only rational explanation I can think of for these kinds of incredibly retarted statements is your loyality to Steve Young(As per your tagline). Steve was a fine QB, But Joe Montana he was not. >>
We can pretend I am the first to compare Steve Young and Joe Montana if you want. They actually look very comparable in my opinion, but Young had legs that Montana did not.
Steve Young 7-time Pro Bowl selection
Joe Montana 7-time Pro Bowl selection
Steve Young 7-time All-Pro selection
Joe Montana 8-time All-Pro selection
Steve Young 2-time NFL MVP
Joe Montana 0-time NFL MVP
Steve Young 2-time NEA NFL MVP
Joe Montana 1-time NEA NFL MVP
Steve Young 2-time Bert Bell Award
Joe Montana 1-time Bert Bell Award
Steve Young 2-time UPI NFC Player of the Year
Joe Montana 1-time UPI NFC Player of the Year
Steve Young 1-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year
Joe Montana 1-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year
Steve Young 1-time Super Bowl MVP
Joe Montana 3-time Super Bowl MVP
Both are HOF'ers
When Montana retired, his career passer rating was 92.3, the highest all time; he has since been surpassed by Steve Young (96.8), Peyton Manning (94.8), and Kurt Warner (94.3).
Steve Young 169 games played, 4149 attempts, 2667 completions, 232 passing TD's,
Joe Montana 192 games played, 5391 attempts, 3409 completions, 273 passing TD's
On the ground
Steve Young 722 attempts, 4239 yards, 43 TDs
Joe Montana 457 attempts, 1676 yards, 20 TDs
Steve Young 169 games, 275 TDS
Joe Montana 192 games, 293 TDS
Off the field
Steve Young Married Once
Joe Montana Married Three Times
Steve Young 1-time Man of the Year
Joe Montana 0-time Man of the Year
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
<< <i>Top 5 most way out there statements I’ve seen:
5. “I did not have sexual relations with the woman, Miss Lewinksy” - President Bill Clinton
4. “Read my lips: no new taxes!” – George H. W. Bush, while candidate for US President
3. While American Soldiers Are Showering in Saddam's Bathroom in a Nearby Presidential Palace: "We have killed most of the [coalition] infidels, and I think we will finish off the rest soon." – Baghdad Bob, Iraqi’s Minister of Information
2. “We found the weapons of mass destruction.” – George W. Bush, May 29, 2003
1. “But let's be honest, people have some strange crush on Montana, who should barely be in the top 10 in QBs.”- Meteorite Guy
All in fun,
Mike >>
Not a bad list, but I don't think anything I could say could beat #2. But don't worry, Bush has undeniable evidence....he said so multiple times.
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i> “But let's be honest, people have some strange crush on Montana, who should barely be in the top 10 in QBs.”- Meteorite Guy
>>
Wow! I agree that this is about the most ridiculous statement Ive heard in quite awhile.
As well as the foolish statements comparing Steve Young with Montana.
Montana not a top 10 QB? Absolutely Incredible that ANY serious Football person could ever say that with a straight face.
Cool Joe is quite possibly Single THE GREATEST Playoff and Super Bowl QB of ALL-TIME! Whith out Question he is the GREATEST of the
modern day (Past 30 years)
The only rational explanation I can think of for these kinds of incredibly retarted statements is your loyality to Steve Young(As per your tagline). Steve was a fine QB, But Joe Montana he was not. >>
We can pretend I am the first to compare Steve Young and Joe Montana if you want. They actually look very comparable in my opinion, but Young had legs that Montana did not.
Steve Young 7-time Pro Bowl selection
Joe Montana 7-time Pro Bowl selection
Steve Young 7-time All-Pro selection
Joe Montana 8-time All-Pro selection
Steve Young 2-time NFL MVP
Joe Montana 0-time NFL MVP
Steve Young 2-time NEA NFL MVP
Joe Montana 1-time NEA NFL MVP
Steve Young 2-time Bert Bell Award
Joe Montana 1-time Bert Bell Award
Steve Young 2-time UPI NFC Player of the Year
Joe Montana 1-time UPI NFC Player of the Year
Steve Young 1-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year
Joe Montana 1-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year
Steve Young 1-time Super Bowl MVP
Joe Montana 3-time Super Bowl MVP
Both are HOF'ers
When Montana retired, his career passer rating was 92.3, the highest all time; he has since been surpassed by Steve Young (96.8), Peyton Manning (94.8), and Kurt Warner (94.3).
Steve Young 169 games played, 4149 attempts, 2667 completions, 232 passing TD's,
Joe Montana 192 games played, 5391 attempts, 3409 completions, 273 passing TD's
On the ground
Steve Young 722 attempts, 4239 yards, 43 TDs
Joe Montana 457 attempts, 1676 yards, 20 TDs
Steve Young 169 games, 275 TDS
Joe Montana 192 games, 293 TDS
Off the field
Steve Young Married Once
Joe Montana Married Three Times
Steve Young 1-time Man of the Year
Joe Montana 0-time Man of the Year >>
You forgot the most important stat of all:
Joe Montana - 4 SB Rings
Steve Young - 1 SB Ring
The question I have though doesn't involve a stat:
There is a 1:37 left on the clock you are down by 4 and on your own 20 with 1 timeout. Now, who do you want for quarterback your game winning drive?
Perkdog, given your regional ties, I'll give you Brady (IMHO, you're pulling the trigger too early, his career is only half baked but...). Just like I will give Bronco fans Elway. By the way, I am a die-hard RAIDER fan! So I have no ties to Denver, New England or SF as I sit here in football hell until Al Davis dies or becomes incapacitated. As a matter of fact, unlike Steve Young's wife and sig line, I would throw a party if these 3 franchises were banned from the NFL.
As a Raider fan let me put this a different way; Having a career of Steve Young, I would equate to having Rich Gannon for his MVP season over and over again. Gannon was a stat monster that year. On paper the man was unbelievable. But he is not the guy I would want guiding my team if I had a choice. With that said: I have been fortunate enough to see live QBs such as Montana, Marino, Young, Gannon, Stabler, Brady, Fouts, Farve, and Elway just to name a few.
If I had to start with QB for the 2009 season it would be Brady.
As for the all-time best I want a guy who can win a big pressure game. I want comeback wins on MNF, Playoff games and SBs. If I could pick any QB from the past I would look at players such as Montana, Bradshaw, Staubach, Stabler, Plunkett, Elway and possibly Brady if he is able to redeem himself from the stalled drive at the end of last year’s SB
Guys like Young and Gannon are good but if you think Young was a better QB than Montana you must also think that Bill Walsh was a poor judge of talent.
Just because I guy is a stat hound on paper doesn’t make him a clutch QB.
Rob
"Those guys weren't Fathers they were...Mothers."
Joe Montana - 4 SB Rings
Steve Young - 1 SB Ring"
A Super Bowl win is a complete team effort by 52(?) people, but I will give you those numbers. Also technically, Young has three rings, and did win 3 games and finish 2 games for Montana during one of Montana's, but I will get you the 1. I did however credit Montana with 3 SB MVP's. And I left off Montana's Comeback Player of the Year award to be kind to Montana. Young could never win the award....since a yearly top 3 QB has no place to comeback from.
Here are some more numbers....
Young 1.6 TDs a game.
Montana 1.5 TDs a game.
Career passing rating
Young 96.8
Montana 92.3
Career passing percentage
Young %64.28
Montana %63.23
Young 25.08 yards a game rushing
Montana 8.72 yards a game rushing
So lets see, Young had a better passing rating, better TD%, was MUCH better with his feet, better passing percentage and won more major awards. So yes, I guess I have to agree with you Montana lovers, Montana was obviously better (if you ignore all numbers and go with the California media).
"There is a 1:37 left on the clock you are down by 4 and on your own 20 with 1 timeout. Now, who do you want for quarterback your game winning drive?"
In the case of these two, the QB that has the best passing and TD % of course, and the best chance to connect with Jerry Rice.....Steve Young. Which by the way, Young completed more Rice TD's then Montana.
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
Best Quarterback-Joe Montana
Best Linebacker- Lawrence Taylor
Best Receiver-Jerry Rice
Best O Linemen- Anthony Munoz
Honorable Mentions
Best Defensive Back-Ronnie Lott, Deon Sanders
Best D Linemen-Merlin Olson, Reggie White
Although my collecting passion is pre-60's football, i cannot put any of them in the top 5 list with modern day athletes..although Baugh, Graham, Hutson,Nagurski, Bednarik and a few other were very tempting!
View Vintage Football Cards For Sale
1. Jim Brown
2. Jerry Rice
3. Otto Graham
4. Walter Payton
5. Sammy Baugh
Defensive players, since it's tough to include them in the Top 5 All-time:
1. Lawrence Taylor
2. Dick Butkus
3. Bruce Smith
4. Chuck Bednarik
5. Deacon Jones
<< <i>"You forgot the most important stat of all:
Joe Montana - 4 SB Rings
Steve Young - 1 SB Ring"
A Super Bowl win is a complete team effort by 52(?) people, but I will give you those numbers. Also technically, Young has three rings, and did win 3 games and finish 2 games for Montana during one of Montana's, but I will get you the 1. I did however credit Montana with 3 SB MVP's. And I left off Montana's Comeback Player of the Year award to be kind to Montana. Young could never win the award....since a yearly top 3 QB has no place to comeback from.
Here are some more numbers....
Young 1.6 TDs a game.
Montana 1.5 TDs a game.
Career passing rating
Young 96.8
Montana 92.3
Career passing percentage
Young %64.28
Montana %63.23
Young 25.08 yards a game rushing
Montana 8.72 yards a game rushing
So lets see, Young had a better passing rating, better TD%, was MUCH better with his feet, better passing percentage and won more major awards. So yes, I guess I have to agree with you Montana lovers, Montana was obviously better (if you ignore all numbers and go with the California media).
"There is a 1:37 left on the clock you are down by 4 and on your own 20 with 1 timeout. Now, who do you want for quarterback your game winning drive?"
In the case of these two, the QB that has the best passing and TD % of course, and the best chance to connect with Jerry Rice.....Steve Young. Which by the way, Young completed more Rice TD's then Montana. >>
Wrong answer but congratulations, you and Al Davis show the same eye for intangible talent!
I have had the same discussion with many a Rich Gannon fan. They all thought he was great until they saw him live. Since you have not been able to make the jump from what's on a stat sheet to what it takes to win there is no reason for us to continue this conversation.
By the way, while you're at it, why don't you argue that Marc Wilson was a great QB also. On paper he put up some monster numbers, so did Drew Bledsoe and Danny White let's throw them in the mix as well.
Rob
"Those guys weren't Fathers they were...Mothers."
<< <i>Otto Graham deserves as much mention, if not more, than Montana. Forget the stats, although he has them, too. Graham may have been the greatest winner in history. And when the day is done, isn't that what counts?
1. Jim Brown
2. Jerry Rice
3. Otto Graham
4. Walter Payton
5. Sammy Baugh
Defensive players, since it's tough to include them in the Top 5 All-time:
1. Lawrence Taylor
2. Dick Butkus
3. Bruce Smith
4. Chuck Bednarik
5. Deacon Jones >>
Otto Graham as the best QB ever? I don't know but you have a legitimate argument. The man QBed a team for 10 years and won 7 titles. By the way, I read this in and am often manipulated by the California Media so my opinion may not be worth much.
Rob
"Those guys weren't Fathers they were...Mothers."
Perhaps it was just a matter of the chips falling in the right place and the stars aligning, that we think of Montana as #1? Perhaps Clark drops the pass. Then he is top 10 but not necessarily #1... right?
I would think a number of QB's could have won 3 super bowls on those Montana led teams. Same with the 7 of Graham.
Am I talkin' crazy?
John
HOF SIGNED FOOTBALL RCS
Let's not forget San Francisco gave Super "I might play half the season" Montana the door to make room for Young, which improved their win-loss record. Leonard Marshall was the best thing to happen to San Fran.
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
<< <i>Montana and Brown are greats but I dont think they necessarily should always go straight to the top of the list.
Perhaps it was just a matter of the chips falling in the right place and the stars aligning, that we think of Montana as #1? Perhaps Clark drops the pass. Then he is top 10 but not necessarily #1... right?
I would think a number of QB's could have won 3 super bowls on those Montana led teams. Same with the 7 of Graham.
Am I talkin' crazy?
John >>
Graham really revolutionized the game, so I will not agrue there. Remove "The Catch" and Montana loses his biggest spot in football folklore, so it surely would have some effect.
IF SB wins, which again is a TEAM effort, is everything when judging a QB....how come Bradshaw isn't on anyone's list.
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
<< <i>
The question I have though doesn't involve a stat:
There is a 1:37 left on the clock you are down by 4 and on your own 20 with 1 timeout. Now, who do you want for quarterback your game winning drive?
q]
Roger Staubach..is there anyone else?
Dallas Cowboys
SuperBowl MVPs
Heisman Trophy Winers
And perhaps the biggest problem is... how many remember seeing Graham play?
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
<< <i>
<< <i>
The question I have though doesn't involve a stat:
There is a 1:37 left on the clock you are down by 4 and on your own 20 with 1 timeout. Now, who do you want for quarterback your game winning drive?
q]
Roger Staubach..is there anyone else?
IMHO Great choice. I was not fortunate enough to see him play live but he would be on my short list of top QBs. A winner, intelligent, read the field well, he knew how and when to get rid of the ball. One of the all-time best at last minute comebacks.
Rob
"Those guys weren't Fathers they were...Mothers."
<< <i>Montana and Brown are greats but I dont think they necessarily should always go straight to the top of the list.
Perhaps it was just a matter of the chips falling in the right place and the stars aligning, that we think of Montana as #1? Perhaps Clark drops the pass. Then he is top 10 but not necessarily #1... right?
I would think a number of QB's could have won 3 super bowls on those Montana led teams. Same with the 7 of Graham.
Am I talkin' crazy?
John >>
John,
I don't think you're talking crazy at all. Those are legitimate questions to raise in a discussion like this IMHO. I never saw Graham play at all so I am unable to comment on who would fit into the Cleveland system and replace Graham seamlessly.
As for Montana, I am able to think of a few that would potentially fit into the 80's and 90's SF System and be successful:
But in the SF system with Bill Walsh and George Seifort, I truly believe Roger Staubach was the only QB that could have won the same 4 superbowl rings Montana did.
Here are a few other QBs and why I do not think they could have been as successful:
1 - Steve Young - See previous posts (Young might have won the Denver SB no others)
2 - Terry Bradshaw - good but too erratic early in his career to win early (Montana's first SB against the Bengals).
3 - Ken Stabler - Wouldn't fit into the system (If he can't smoke two packs of cigarettes and drink a bottle of whiskey the night before the game....)
4 - Dan Fouts - Good QB with a great team in SD. I don't see how SF would have been different (IMHO very similar to Young).
5 - Tom Brady - Not sure Jury still out. Before this last SB I would have leaned yes, now I am in the I don't know category.
6 - Brett Farve - Excellent QB but different tools would not have won the Bengal SBs.
7 - John Elway - see Brett Farve post
My guess is Bart Starr would have been very successful in the SF system also but again, I never saw him play.
Herb Brooks said it best when placing together the US Hockey team "We're not looking for the best players we are looking for the right ones."
If you ever hear the great Deacon Jones speak he will tell you that the 60's Packers were far from the most talented team in the NFL but he will also tell you they were the BEST TEAM.
Rob
"Those guys weren't Fathers they were...Mothers."
<< <i>
<< <i>Montana and Brown are greats but I dont think they necessarily should always go straight to the top of the list.
Perhaps it was just a matter of the chips falling in the right place and the stars aligning, that we think of Montana as #1? Perhaps Clark drops the pass. Then he is top 10 but not necessarily #1... right?
I would think a number of QB's could have won 3 super bowls on those Montana led teams. Same with the 7 of Graham.
Am I talkin' crazy?
John >>
John,
I don't think you're talking crazy at all. Those are legitimate questions to raise in a discussion like this IMHO. I never saw Graham play at all so I am unable to comment on who would fit into the Cleveland system and replace Graham seamlessly.
As for Montana, I am able to think of a few that would potentially fit into the 80's and 90's SF System and be successful:
But in the SF system with Bill Walsh and George Seifort, I truly believe Roger Staubach was the only QB that could have won the same 4 superbowl rings Montana did.
Here are a few other QBs and why I do not think they could have been as successful:
1 - Steve Young - See previous posts (Young might have won the Denver SB no others)
2 - Terry Bradshaw - good but too erratic early in his career to win early (Montana's first SB against the Bengals).
3 - Ken Stabler - Wouldn't fit into the system (If he can't smoke two packs of cigarettes and drink a bottle of whiskey the night before the game....)
4 - Dan Fouts - Good QB with a great team in SD. I don't see how SF would have been different (IMHO very similar to Young).
5 - Tom Brady - Not sure Jury still out. Before this last SB I would have leaned yes, now I am in the I don't know category.
6 - Brett Farve - Excellent QB but different tools would not have won the Bengal SBs.
7 - John Elway - see Brett Farve post
My guess is Bart Starr would have been very successful in the SF system also but again, I never saw him play.
Herb Brooks said it best when placing together the US Hockey team "We're not looking for the best players we are looking for the right ones."
If you ever hear the great Deacon Jones speak he will tell you that the 60's Packers were far from the most talented team in the NFL but he will also tell you they were the BEST TEAM. >>
So you are saying Montana was more successful then Young with the 49ers in the 90s and that Young does not fit the 49ers system.....interesting theories. Could you tell me what Montana did for the 49ers in the 90s?
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.