Quote:
Originally Posted by Mile High Mania
I am not suggesting they throw out any stats. Simply put, he is one of the greatest QBs of all time. I’m not getting into a debate on it, people are welcome to their opinions.
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That statement in itself can mean a lot of different things. Top 5 all time? Top 25? And are we talking perceived talent level or what they actually accomplished on a game to game basis?
I don't think many would disagree that Elway was up there in terms of talent/arm strength. But in terms of production? He just wasn't consistently there with the other top QBs. And if he wasn't as productive/efficient as several others in his era, I don't think it makes sense to automatically rank him higher than greats from other eras, including the thousands of QBs you've never even seen play.
There are a ton of wildly talented QBs who aren't high on a lot of people's all-time lists for one reason or another. Vick was insanely talented, but various circumstances kept him from having a long and productive career. Same w/ Randall Cunningham. Marino probably had top 5 all time talent but few rank him there because he didn't win a SB. Otto Graham isn't high on a lot of people's lists because they didn't see him play, but he dominated his era like no QB ever has. Unitas was putting up better numbers than Elway in the 50s and won several championships. Elway had more physical talent than Tom Brady or Montana, but not near the production. How do you sort sit it all out?
Elway's not the only QB who wasn't always in the perfect situation. And on the flipside, few QBs in history have had it as good as Elway in his last several seasons. A lot of QBs could have won SBs on those teams. And having a conservative coach shouldn't cause a QB to throw way more INTs than his peers.