most underated QB of all-time

[Pariah]

I don't believe Elway is underated at all. Do you think the Broncos really do much of anything at the end of his career if it wasn't for TD? Very debatable.

He wouldn't have won those superbowls, but there's plenty of reason to believe he could have gotten there...just like he did a number of times early in his career all by himself (well, and the immortal Sammy Winder and Steve Watson).

Do you think those superbowls shouldn't count in his favor because he had a running game? The man took his team to the championship, what 4 times? (or was it 5? I honestly forget).

 

[Arizona's Finest]

He wouldn't have won those superbowls, but there's plenty of reason to believe he could have gotten there...just like he did a number of times early in his career all by himself (well, and the immortal Sammy Winder and Steve Watson).

Do you think those superbowls shouldn't count in his favor because he had a running game? The man took his team to the championship, what 4 times? (or was it 5? I honestly forget).

I think Elway is in the top 5, don't think he is underated in ANY fashion, and don't think his Super Bowl titles should be any less significant because of Davis.

But there is no way in hell he takes the Broncos on his shoulders to the Super Bowl that late in his career with out TD. No way. Elway was a clutch game manager at that point in his career. Davis was unstoppable.

 

[Duckjake]

I think Elway is in the top 5, don't think he is underated in ANY fashion, and don't think his Super Bowl titles should be any less significant because of Davis.

But there is no way in hell he takes the Broncos on his shoulders to the Super Bowl that late in his career with out TD. No way. Elway was a clutch game manager at that point in his career. Davis was unstoppable.

I don't know how you can say that after last season. We had a 37 year old QB take the Cardinals to the Super Bowl with almost no running game whatsoever and a defense that was mediocre at best.

 

[IAWarnerFan]

He wouldn't have won those superbowls, but there's plenty of reason to believe he could have gotten there...just like he did a number of times early in his career all by himself (well, and the immortal Sammy Winder and Steve Watson).

Do you think those superbowls shouldn't count in his favor because he had a running game? The man took his team to the championship, what 4 times? (or was it 5? I honestly forget).

He is one of the great QBs all time and there's no doubt about that and my point was just that he isn't underated. Many of the great QBs had special RBs helping them out and he did too. He's thought highly of as he should be, but his career QB rating is 79.9 and at the end of his career(with TD) he had 101 TDs-49 Ints and a QB rating around 90. Admitttedly tho, one of his best years was 1993 (before TD). It is 5 and each of the first 3 times (without TD) the Broncos were blown out each time.

 

[IAWarnerFan]

I don't know how you can say that after last season. We had a 37 year old QB take the Cardinals to the Super Bowl with almost no running game whatsoever and a defense that was mediocre at best.

And we have one of the best playoff QBs all time next to Joe Montana. As far as playoff QBs go it's very posssible that Warner is a bit better than John Elway.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I don't know how you can say that after last season. We had a 37 year old QB take the Cardinals to the Super Bowl with almost no running game whatsoever and a defense that was mediocre at best.

Kurt Warner at 37 >>>> John Elway at 37

I watched the games from that run and look at the box scores. Elway was not exactly Trent Dilfer or Brad Johnson but he wasn't taking that team by himself either. That I don't have any doubt about.

You'd be suprised how much a stellar defense and 2000 yard rusher makes a QB's life easier.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Fran Tarkington, Little guy could scramble forever in order to find somebody to throw to. Piled up huge yards and big wins back in the day.

Again... Hall of Fame players are not underrated.

 

[Duckjake]

Kurt Warner at 37 >>>> John Elway at 37

I watched the games from that run and look at the box scores. Elway was not exactly Trent Dilfer or Brad Johnson but he wasn't taking that team by himself either. That I don't have any doubt about.

You'd be suprised how much a stellar defense and 2000 yard rusher makes a QB's life easier.

Elway at 37 was on the winning team in the SuperBowl. For good measure he was the winning QB again the next season at 38. Warner has a ways to go to top that. If a stellar D and strong running game make a QBs life easier why have the Bears QBs been terrible for most of the last 50 years?

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Elway at 37 was on the winning team in the SuperBowl. For good measure he was the winning QB again the next season at 38. Warner has a ways to go to top that. If a stellar D and strong running game make a QBs life easier why have the Bears QBs been terrible for most of the last 50 years?

I think your missing my point. If we would have won last year Kurt would hae been near the top of the reasons we won. Elway was a Top 10 QB in the league at the team but he wasn't carrying that team by any strectc of the imagination.

As I mentioned before - Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson won Super Bowls too. Does that mean they were one of the PRIMARY reasons they won?

Again I am not comparing Elway to those guys. But in his youth he was a beast. At 37 and 38 - despite finally winning it all - he was a shell of himself.

Just look at the numbers those years of his career comparatively.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Easy one. Doug Floutie, hands down. Next.

Any relation to Doug and Darren FLUTIE?

 

[Lorenzo]

How can any player in the HOF be considered "underrated"?

that's what I'm saying. the guy was a good QB and he's in the HOF. what else do you want? a playoff victory beyond the second round could have helped him some. but he's still a good qb that is not underrated IMO. I think donavon mcnabb is probably more underrated than moon. if moon's in the hall I think mcnabb should be one day too when you look at what he's done in philly.

 

[CaptTurbo]

On this board: Fran Tarkenton. Top 2 or 3 QB's ever.
In the NFL imo: Anderson

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Any relation to Doug and Darren FLUTIE?

Have you always had this rough edge to your commentary or am I just noticing it lately?

 

[Ronin]

Jeff Garcia

 

[cardsfanmd]

Have you always had this rough edge to your commentary or am I just noticing it lately?

Nope, she's always been like that.

 

[Skkorpion]

I can only judge the ones I've watched so I ignore everyone before 1970.

Grossly underrated:

1. Bert Jones. Ruined his career by playing with a shredded arm, trying to carry his team into the playoffs. Maybe the single most talented QB I have ever watched. He had no weaknesses. None. Well, just one -- a coach and owner without the sense and compassion to yank him, sit him and fix him for a long ride to the Hall of Fame.

2. Fran Tarkenton.
2a. Jim Plunkett.
3. Jim Kelly

Underappreciated:
1. Joe Capp
2. Bob Greise
3. Joe Theismann
4. Steve Grogan
5. James Harris (First rate pocket QB who was black. Not a runner. Played 10 years too early to be appreciated)
6. Joe Ferguson
7. Randall Cunningham. I always wonder if he might have become great with better coaching early.

Overrated:
1. John Elway. Broncos finally won the SB in spite of his decline, not because he played very well.
2. Warren Moon. Lots of yards, TDs and stats. Rarely played big under pressure when it mattered.
3. Dan Marino.
4. Eli Manning (so far)
5. Lovable losers Dan Pastorini and Archie Manning. They both contributed greatly to their teams miseries.
6. Brett Favre.

Got more overrateds but those are the ones I thought of right away.

 

[Savage58]

The rules nowadays are so skewed in favor of the offense it's comparing apples to oranges, when comparing Peyton Manning to Fran Tarkenton.

Best physical qualities in a QB I ever saw was John Elway, the guy has a rocket and the mobility to escape serious pressure. He was captain comeback, performed when it counted most, he could've won those superbowls with a less stunning RB than Davis, TD was great, but that OL was cutting fools to pieces, the RBs who preceded him just weren't even in his ballpark, let alone league in Denver imho. FYI I hated the Broncos, and Elway for many years, I'm over it now and can appreciate him a little bit more.

Montana had the most accurate pass ever either on the run or in the pocket, he was a great leader, but had an owner with a massive payroll and great supporting cast, I don't hold it against him, he still had to lead them to the promised land and he did it exceptionally well.

Marino was a great leader, cursing out his players when not putting for the effort or screwing up a pattern was awesome to watch. His release was quicker than Warners, better than Jeff Georges imho. He has way above avg arm strength, and RIDICULOUS toughness.

Those 3 mentioned above all had great qualities, leadership and toughness being off the chart qualities I hold in high regards.

IMO,

1. Montana
2. Elway
3. Distant 3rd Marino
4. Fran
5. Favre

I second the Kenny Anderson Cincy QB as "most underrated", he was dang good for a few years, on a junk team, and came up just short against imho, the best QB ever on a far superior team.

 

[Lorenzo]

The rules nowadays are so skewed in favor of the offense it's comparing apples to oranges, when comparing Peyton Manning to Fran Tarkenton.

Best physical qualities in a QB I ever saw was John Elway, the guy has a rocket and the mobility to escape serious pressure. He was captain comeback, performed when it counted most, he could've won those superbowls with a less stunning RB than Davis, TD was great, but that OL was cutting fools to pieces, the RBs who preceded him just weren't even in his ballpark, let alone league in Denver imho. FYI I hated the Broncos, and Elway for many years, I'm over it now and can appreciate him a little bit more.

Montana had the most accurate pass ever either on the run or in the pocket, he was a great leader, but had an owner with a massive payroll and great supporting cast, I don't hold it against him, he still had to lead them to the promised land and he did it exceptionally well.

Marino was a great leader, cursing out his players when not putting for the effort or screwing up a pattern was awesome to watch. His release was quicker than Warners, better than Jeff Georges imho. He has way above avg arm strength, and RIDICULOUS toughness.

Those 3 mentioned above all had great qualities, leadership and toughness being off the chart qualities I hold in high regards.

IMO,

1. Montana
2. Elway
3. Distant 3rd Marino
4. Fran
5. Favre

I second the Kenny Anderson Cincy QB as "most underrated", he was dang good for a few years, on a junk team, and came up just short against imho, the best QB ever on a far superior team.

aikman is the most accurate QB I've ever seen.....but he's neither overrated nor underrated. his accuracy was his forte. how else can you explain all of the brilliant run after the catch with irvin being as slow as he was. then harper too....

 

[Savage58]

I'll admit Aikman was above average with his accuracy, but I'd rather walk on broken glass than think of him as underrated or better than Montana in any manor, he was pretty good though, about as much praise as this Cowpuke hating fan can give ya.

 

[SunDevilDon]

Steve DeBerg

DeBerg passed for over 34,000 career yards, and ranks in the top 20 all-time for attempts, completions, and yards passing. DeBerg's best years were with the Chiefs, during which he led the team to two playoff berths and had his best year in 1990 with a 101.2 quarterback rating, passing for 3,444 yards, 23 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

put down the scotch rugby...

How about this. I have seen all these "all time rankings" in this thread with one startling admission.

How about the guy with 3 rings and the record for TD passes in a season?

He's #2 in my book and climbing. Only behind the aftermentioned Joe Cool.

Whatever.

I made my point and did it beyond a fifth grade level, so right away I have one upped your logic.

Brady and Montana where system QB's surrounded by great teams.

Steve Young was one of the most gifted QB's to ever take the field. Just because something is older doesn't make it better.

Young is better than Montana in my book, and always will be.

Montana is a name. Montana is San Fransisco's Anquan Boldin. Montana took a team that sucked for a LOOOOOOOOOOONG time and made them a winner. There is an emotional tie to Montana, and the fact he was the QB the ran Steve Walsh's magificiant offense that took the league by storm helps as well.

Nothing against Brady or Montana. They both are very good QB's who are insanely accurate. They know what they have in the team around them, and know how to use the weapons they have effectively.

But niether have the "will the team to victory", or lack of a better term "Jedi powers" that Young, Marino or Elway had.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Whatever.

I made my point and did it beyond a fifth grade level, so right away I have one upped your logic.

Brady and Montana where system QB's surrounded by great teams.

Steve Young was one of the most gifted QB's to ever take the field. Just because something is older doesn't make it better.

Young is better than Montana in my book, and always will be.

Montana is a name. Montana is San Fransisco's Anquan Boldin. Montana took a team that sucked for a LOOOOOOOOOOONG time and made them a winner. There is an emotional tie to Montana, and the fact he was the QB the ran Steve Walsh's magificiant offense that took the league by storm helps as well.

Nothing against Brady or Montana. They both are very good QB's who are insanely accurate. They know what they have in the team around them, and know how to use the weapons they have effectively.

But niether have the "will the team to victory", or lack of a better term "Jedi powers" that Young, Marino or Elway had.

My first statement and the rest of the post were mutually exclusive. I don't think Tom Brady is underatted either but i was wondering why people had mentioned Peyton on those lists and not him.

As for Young being better then Montana? I guess we will have to just agree to disagree. I mean just look at Montana's numbers in the biggest of games. That has to count for something. And Montana made alot of those "weapons" you speak of who they are.

Rice is good to be sure but Montana helped make him all time. Even more so with guys like John Taylor and Brent Jones.

It doesn't get any better then Montana. Or more of a winner then Montana.

Numbers are great but Clutch = Greatness IMO

And how you can state that Neither Brady or Montana "willed their team" to win is beyond my comprehension. That is the definition of their careers.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

My first statement and the rest of the post were mutually exclusive. I don't think Tom Brady is underatted either but i was wondering why people had mentioned Peyton on those lists and not him.

As for Young being better then Montana? I guess we will have to just agree to disagree. I mean just look at Montana's numbers in the biggest of games. That has to count for something. And Montana made alot of those "weapons" you speak of who they are.

Rice is good to be sure but Montana helped make him all time. Even more so with guys like John Taylor and Brent Jones.

It doesn't get any better then Montana. Or more of a winner then Montana.

Numbers are great but Clutch = Greatness IMO

And how you can state that Neither Brady or Montana "willed their team" to win is beyond my comprehension. That is the definition of their careers.

Fair enough.

As I said there is no denying they are both good QB's, I just think their teams gave them a lot of support. Thus why when I talk about QB's ability and talent the wins count for something but not everything.

For the Niners, I thought Montana was an important piece of the pie, but not THE peice. The will of the team went through Jerry Rice, and Ronnie Lott IMO.

 

[Buckybird]

Fair enough.

As I said there is no denying they are both good QB's, I just think their teams gave them a lot of support. Thus why when I talk about QB's ability and talent the wins count for something but not everything.

For the Niners, I thought Montana was an important piece of the pie, but not THE peice. The will of the team went through Jerry Rice, and Ronnie Lott IMO.

Valid points both ways guys. But didn't "Joe Cool" win a Super Bowl before he had Jerry Rice? I wouldn't call Earl Cooper, Mike Wilson, Dwight Clark and Freddie Soloman household names. In my opinion, the best ever was Montana hands down. Big time player in big time games. If he wouldn't have suffered a major injury to his back there is no telling how many rings he would have.

 

[Cardsmasochist]

Tom Tupa