The Quarterback argument never gets old...

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Only because of the endless spin people put on their favorites. This is from the pages of NFL.com. You may notice a few important names are missing from this argument! I always like seeing the angles people find to defend their guy.

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Quarterback feedback favors Brady, Favre


By Vic Carucci
National Editor, NFL.com




-- Nothing does more to stoke the fire of football debate than to voice a strong opinion or two about quarterbacks.

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I dared to walk that "treacherous" path, in my June 25 "Ask Vic" column, by responding to the following question: "Who do you think is the best active quarterback in the NFL?"

My pick was Peyton Manning.

The mere listing of his, or any quarterback's, name would have been enough to prompt heavy reader feedback. But I managed to further agitate the masses by mentioning that on my elite short list of quarterbacks, Manning was a notch above Tom Brady and Steve McNair, and that based on present-day skills, all three ranked ahead of Brett Favre.

That broke the floodgates of disagreement wide open.

Here's a sampling of what readers, most of whom favor Brady or Favre in the top spot, had to say about my point of view:


Colts QB Peyton Manning might produce better numbers ...
Will Tom Brady ever get the respect he deserves? His accomplishments far outweigh those of Peyton Manning or Steve McNair, but he always seems to fall short of No. 1. It could be because he's not flashy, doesn't have the cannon arm and isn't all over the TV doing commercials and endorsing products. Being out of the limelight (except hoisting a trophy on the main stage of two of the last three Super Bowls) is probably hurting his stock some. It's my opinion that if I were putting together a team, I want the guy that wins, not the guys like Manning or Dan Marino who have careers full of big numbers but were never good enough to get the job done.
-- Jason

Are you out of your mind saying that Brett Favre is one notch below McNair and Brady? If you are saying that Brady or McNair is better than Favre, then you'd better start watching a lot more Packer games. We will see who gets a first-time ballot to the Hall of Fame when the time comes. Until then, I suggest that you get a good pair of glasses.
-- Knights

I'm sorry to differ with your pick of the best quarterback. Right now, Tom Brady is the best. Manning lost to the Pats in the AFC title game. Tom will keep collecting those Super Bowl MVPs instead.
-- Frantheman

Will you correct your quarterback analysis and post it around 6 p.m. ET on Sept. 26 (when the Packers face the Colts at 4:15 p.m. ET) or will you hope that we have forgotten where you placed Mr. Favre?
-- Tim

How is Manning any better than Brady? Because of his family name? Since Brady entered the league, he is, hands down, the best quarterback. Bill Belichick has made Manning look like a second-string high schooler, game after game, against the Pats. No coach, not one, does that to Brady. Until Manning wins the big one -- or at least gets them to the big one -- he rides in Brady's back seat.
-- Michael

As far as gunslingers go, I still think Brett Favre is a better gunslinger than all of the other quarterbacks in the league. Favre led the league in touchdown passes and his completion percentage was only two percent lower than Manning's. Also, none of Favre's receivers played consistently. I think it's unfair to compare pocket quarterbacks to scrambling quarterbacks. But as far as pocket gunslingers go, there is no way Favre is not the best at that position.
-- Ricky

I have to disagree with you on your top quarterback. Manning is a great quarterback, no question. But look at Tom Brady. He can throw the long ball when called upon. He is the best at throwing down the middle 10 to 20 yards. And as you wrote, he has great instincts and can manage a game as good as, if not better than, Peyton. I was at the Patriots' divisional and championship games, and Brady seemed more poised and calm than both McNair and Manning -- not to mention better in the poor weather conditions. Brady also loves to occasionally surprise with a sneak or run, and he's taken off as a receiver once, too. And as much as I'm a Brady fan, I think in a few years you may have a Byron Leftwich or Michael Vick up there (when and if Vick decides to stay in the pocket a bit more). They both have cannons for arms.
-- Rob

I think that Peyton benefits mostly from a stud wide receiver like Marvin Harrison. McNair, Brady and Favre never really had such a playmaker and still have accomplished the ultimate feat, going to the Super Bowl. I'll be convinced that Peyton is the best only when he makes it to the big show.
-- Tim, Wisconsin


... but Patriots QB Tom Brady has the wins and the rings.
In your recent "opinion," you said that Manning, Brady and McNair are better quarterbacks than Brett Favre, who if he plays for a few more years, will undeniably be the best quarterback to ever play the game. None of these three quarterbacks could ever dream of becoming half of what Favre is today. And don't tell me he's too old. Might I remind you of that amazing Monday Night Football game against Oakland (after Favre learned of his father's death). It was perfect. He has been able to step up his game throughout his career. Most quarterbacks would have lost their skills by now and would have been tired of the game, but not Brett. I have agreed with you many times in the past, but you don't know it all.
-- Derek, Atlanta

Stats are for fantasy and that's the world most sportswriters -- and unfortunately most fans -- live in. But in the real world, it only matters who comes out on top. The Patriots and Tom Brady have given Pats fans a run of a lifetime that will continue for two more years. Tom is the best and will surpass all quarterbacks in NFL history. All he does is WIN. Isn't that what it's all about?
-- Jack, Andover, Mass.

Your analysis is probably correct except as far as guts and will to win, you have to agree that Brett Favre has no equal. The others on this list are far below Brett when it comes to playing through pain and their desire to do what it takes to win.
-- Greg, South Dakota

I have to strongly disagree with your assessment that the best quarterback in football is Peyton Manning. I think Tom Brady deserves that honor and here's why: Manning is surrounded by All-Pros on offense. How good would Manning be if the Patriots and Colts swapped running backs and wide receivers from last year? Tom Brady does more with a lot less. He is a natural leader who makes great on-field decisions. Manning pouts when the Colts lose. He may put up better numbers, but all Brady does is win. I would not trade Tom Brady for Peyton Manning even if the Colts gave up their first-round pick for the next three years.
-- Rick


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I have to differ with you. The best and most durable quarterback of this era is, by far, Brett Favre. His love and commitment for his team and his fans, and the art of professional football he displays every week are unheard of. Just keep in mind his game against Oakland last year, under a lot of pain and suffering. Who else could have done it? Brett Favre is No. 1. Period.
-- Fay

If your reader had asked which quarterback is the biggest baby, I would agree with your choice of Peyton Manning. Take a look at films. He flaps his arms, shakes his head, and walks off the field with his head down. And when he makes a mistake, he stomps his feet and cries interference. He'll choke in 2004, just as he did in 2003 and 2002!
-- Nancy (no fan of Peyton Manning)

I wonder if you'll still have Manning on the top of your list when he retires with nothing on his fingers. And how is it that your "top quarterback" throws three interceptions in an AFC Championship Game? Jake Delhomme showed me more in the Super Bowl than Manning did against the Pats last January. Yeah, I know Manning just secured a huge contract, but that's just a reflection of questionable ownership in my book. Indianapolis can have Peyton and all those "under-center seizures" he does. Maybe you'll want to revise your quarterback standings after opening night.
-- Deano

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