Eras

[Bengalsrocket]

Elway is just one of those guys that numbers are never going to tell his story. If you ever watched him play, you would think of him in the same way you think of Manning or Brady.

[njx9]

the only reason denver was ever competitive, the only reason they ever made a super bowl (since we're talking his early career), was because of elway. the offense he played on was pathetic. in most of the early years, denver boasted no pro bowl players on offense (only 1 (winder, twice) prior to 1990, coincidentally the only years john played with a good running back), had completely mediocre to bad skill position players and a subpar offensive line. it wasn't until the 90's, post-reeves, that the team finally had some other talent. reeves offense was never conducive to stat-whoring, and was downright pathetic in most years. he spent several years actively trying to replace elway (e.g. tommy maddox) at a cost to the team itself. it wasn't until shannon sharpe in 1992 that elway had a receiver who would've started for any other team in the league.

then again, the only people who call elway overrated are terry bradshaw (the most overrated qb in nfl history... ok, maybe second to namath) and people who never saw elway play in the 80's and early 90's and assume that he only played from 1995 on.

[Saints-Tigers]

He was just too much of a gunslinger for my taste. Not that he wasn't elite, but I liked Young and Marino better at their best.

Is that 100% unfair?

Montana
Young
Marino
Manning
Brady
Brees
Favre?

I think they all peaked higher, and I think you can say that Aaron Rodgers last two seasons are better than any two Elway put together. That's of the guys I watched.

I don't feel like I'm underrating him, I just feel like he's not a lock top 5 etc.

[Denver Bronco56]

what everyone has said is true Elway played on arguably some of the WORST superbowl teams and he was the ONLY reason they were there...

I think stats are sometime VERY overrated... i mean watch brady pre-moss he never put up CRAZY stats but that is also before the ty law rules were in effect, but he was still an elite QB...

i think people place WAY to much on stats rather than impact of the QB...


my point is If the NFL stopped right now... Favre would hands down be the better QB in history than rodgers... rodgers needs to play another 5 good years before we anoint him one of the best ever...

That would be like saying that Patrick Willis or Calvin Johnson are some of the best ever because they have had a couple GREAT years...

[njx9]

Originally Posted by Saints-Tigers

He was just too much of a gunslinger for my taste. Not that he wasn't elite, but I liked Young and Marino better at their best.

Is that 100% unfair?

Montana
Young
Marino
Manning
Brady
Brees
Favre?

I think they all peaked higher, and I think you can say that Aaron Rodgers last two seasons are better than any two Elway put together. That's of the guys I watched.

I don't feel like I'm underrating him, I just feel like he's not a lock top 5 etc.

meh. i think marino was a far better passer. but i think elway was a better quarterback. i'm open to the argument that other guys are better, but elway really, like bengalsrocket said, you had to see to know why people think he's that good. his numbers... they'll never look that good in comparison to top guys. but that 1997 team doesn't win the super bowl without john. and aaron rodgers wouldn't have led any of the previous 3 teams to the super bowl. imo.