"Top Five QB’s of all Time"

Warning: the following post is certain to cause anger, incredulity, scoffing, name calling (probably aimed at me), blurry vision, heated debate, dry mouth, and maybe some cramping. You can consult your doctor if you want but it probably won’t help. I have decided to go ahead and dive into the dangerous rip tide that is making a "Top Five QB’s of all Time" list. This is based solely on my opinion, with some statistical help that..well supports my point of view. Off we go.

5. Johnny Unitas. Before the groaning and eye rolling begins, keep in mind the fact that this is the man that revolutionized the position of quarterback in the 50's and 60's( much the way Lawrence Taylor revolutionized the role of linebacker in the 80's) and helped turn it into the superstar position it is now. Over 18 yrs he amassed 40,239 yards passing (11th best of all time) and 290 TD passes (7th best of all time) and he never had the likes of Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, or God forbid I say this.. a T.O. to throw to. He was the guy that was responsible for turning offenses towards a throw first mentality. No more three yards and a cloud of dust. Also was the starting QB for the Baltimore Colts in what many call "The Greatest Game Ever Played".. The 1958 NFL Championship Game vs. the NY Giants. This game widely credited for planting the NFL’s flag on the national sports landscape. In that nationally televised game (a rare thing in those days plus there were only three channels to watch, not 800 and ppv porn like now) Unitas went 26-40 for 361yds 1 td and 1 int. Not a bad way to say "Hello America"

4. Dan Marino. Hurts me to put him this low but its only because he never was able to win a championship...through not fault of his own. Don Shula being the bumbling idiot that he was/is..never could seem to get his 20lb bowling ball of a head around the fact that the only thing Dan Marino needed to put him over the top was a decent running game. But nooooo..why do that when we can have Dan throw the ball 76 times a game and see what happens? Naturally he would always make some plays that would leave your jaw on the floor but by relying that much on the passing game inevitably an INT would be thrown or some other mistake. Shame..Dan was a hell of a quarterback..tough, great arm and vision. Sadly he may be best remembered for his role in "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective"... "Laces Out Dan!" I kid I kid... Marino’s case as a top five QB is strictly in the numbers and you can’t argue it. Passing Yards: 61,361 (2nd all time). TD Passes: 420 (2nd all time..not to mention the 32 post season TD’s). Completions: 4,967(2nd all time). And he didn’t do it in a West Coast offense. Enough said.

3. Tom Brady. Well if your not pissed yet..this should do the trick. The Patriot fans who read this (remember I am one of them) will say this is not high enough...the Patriot haters, which is everybody outside of New England, will say he doesn’t belong in the top 7 billion. To my fellow Patriots fans: try some knee bends and deep breaths. He is still in the prime of his career and barring injury (ugh.. just the thought of that almost caused a stroke) he easily has the opportunity to pass my number 1 and 2 picks before he retires. As long as the core of this team and especially the coaching staff (well lets just say Bill Belichick) stays in place..they have about another 3-4 year window for winning another Super Bowl or two. To the Patriot/Brady haters: Wake the F up. In eight years as a pro (7 as a starter) he has won 3 Super Bowl championships, 2 Super Bowl MVP’s, and 1 NFL MVP ok? This guy does not suck. Up until last year when he was finally surrounded with some serious receiving talent, he had spent his career making the most out of average to mediocre receivers. Anybody who thinks Deion Branch is pretty good need only to look at what he has done in Seattle...nothing. So with the exact opposite of what Peyton Manning has had for receivers for his entire career.. Brady has 3 championships, multiple mvp’s, etc. Now 2007 ended miserably in the Arizona desert but take a quick look at what Tom Brady did numbers wise this year with his first loaded receiving corps of his career: TD Passes: 50 (NFL single season record), Passing Yards: 4,806, Passer Rating: 117.2 (Really? 117.2 for the season? Really?? That’s insane). For his career he has a 63% completion percentage and a 92.9 QB rating. So anybody who thinks this guy is not worthy of Top 5 discussion needs to lay off of the peyote and recognize the guy for what he is: A winner, bottom line. Not bad for the 199th pick of the 2000 draft.

Coming tomorrow.... the top two picks.