Love the respect for Len Dawson, I personally wouldn't put him in the discussion of GOAT...but definitely a great, and one many fail to recognize!
There are so many that are arguable, it's a matter of opinion anyway. I've heard most of the best at one time or another mention their admiration for Dawson. It would be easy to make a top 20 list that has barely a hairs breadth of room from one to the next.
I don't rank players I never really saw play which is why you won't see me mention Dawson even though I was alive. I didn't really start paying attention to professional football until the 80's. some of the questions I have to ask people is how much weight to they give to the team around the QB, the Coach and management. for me Montana is 3rd for why the 49ers won those SB. First would be Bill Walsh and second would be Management that paid for those teams. If they had to play under the salary cap and free agency of today, they don't win all of those. Same goes with the Cowboys, they bought those SB titles of the 90's. The patriots owe more to Belicheck than Brady by far. Far to many great QBs get underrated because of the team they ended up on. Quarterback I would probably take over any of the normal goat conversations. Marino, Fouts, Kelly, Stabler
They're all great QB's in their own right. I'm a Niner fan so I have to take Montana. I remember watching him back in the day and if we needed a score and there was at least 1:30 on the clock, I knew we were gonna win. Literally just knew he and the team would do it. Everything about the team back then was awesome. They just got the job done. Every good QB needs a good supporting cast though. They can't do it alone.
With Brady still an active player it's kinda unfair to rule him out as #1 but I would say Montana then Brady ...as far as deflate gate goes I don't hold it against Brady. I don't think .5 lb of pressure in a football over rides the accomplishments he has made. Hell bill nye the science guy came out and said that it had absolutely no affect on anything.
I don't judge a QB by how many rings they have. Statistically, if you're in the SB, more often than not, you have a great defense. As the old saying goes is "Defense wins championships". A legendary QB, if the defense keeps them in a game, can find ways to move the ball and win. This last SB was a perfect example. Two very good defenses squared off and shut down the offenses. Manning just found enough plays to get the job done. He did nothing in that game that will be remembered IMO. If I were to pick, I'd say Montana for one reason, his "moxie". The guy was cool as a cucumber and was a great leader on the field. I feel thats something that Manning lacked more than the other QB's. Manning will no doubt go down as one of the best to ever play the position and rightfully so. From a numbers standpoint you can't argue that. I always wondered how many SB's he would have won if he played on great defensive teams his whole career like in Pittsburgh or New England, etc.
There have been some great ones and there will be some great ones to come. The team they are on definitely plays a huge role too and the name that I saw mentioned that probably has to be at the top of the "what would he have done if he had played with any kind of a defense" would have to be Dan Fouts. Of the three names on the list.......... Montana - Brady - Manning.
Ya'll forgetting Drew Brees.. Tops the stat chart every year with a **** team. Guy is as elite as they come, yet always over shadowed by Brady ang Manning.
Montana - Was successful on every team he played with and made them better. 4 rings all in 1 Decade!! Manning - Was successful on every level as well and a coach on the field. Not as many rings, but I would take him 1st with no doubt when building a team. Brady - Too much baggage with him and he is a cheat in my book. Yeah he has 4 rings, but 1 of them has an * next to it for me. (Famous Tuck Rule)
AMEN BROTHER!! Im in Texas can't stand the cowgirls. Love my Dolphins and have stuck with them all because of Marino. Even though they may never see the lights under a SB for a good while. They are the only team to hold the undefeated record. Sorry to get off the subject there, had to give props. lol I would go with Montana of the 3. I hated to see him go.
Well said!! Plus Brady and manning did it in the salary cap era....... Brady Manning Montana Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The salary cap era Not sure if you watched Joe play but he played back in the day when it was still legal to hit the QB. And Joe got hit he didn't whine and complain to the refs.
About a deadlock for #1 for me between Montana and Brady. The ultimate competitor and winner in Montana. The surgeon no matter who he is throwing it too and seemingly in at least the AFC championship game every year for the past 20 years. Much respect for Manning. Role model for how it's supposed to be done. Top 5 for sure, but I'll always remember him for his great regulars seasons. And this last ring? Ehhhhh good job Broncos defense.
