Peyton Manning and Willie Mays

[t206trader]

True, but in virtually every other statistic Manning will finish first. He's light years ahead of Montana in almost every indicator. It's always hard to compare modern quarterbacks with the likes of Unitas or early quarterbacks so an argument can be made but to say that Joe Montana is better because he had more Super Bowl wins is hardly fair. As of today, Peyton Manning and Joe Montana would have the exact same career spans in terms of seasons. Compare the stats, the numbers speak for themselves. When Favre took over the touchdown record it was clear that he wasn't the greatest based on his total package, including QPR, fumbles, and time it took to complete the record. Manning will pass Favre next year for touchdowns a full three seasons earlier than Favre completed the record (19 versus 16 not including Favre's Falcon year or Peyton's injured year.)

[Runscott]

Brandon, there are plenty of people who have seen both Montana and Manning play. Being one of them, my vote goes to Montana over anyone. I would also take Favre over Manning. I say that based on watching them play, not on Manning's 11-12 playoff record. Plus, it's just my opinion and I admittedly like the aesthetics of Montana's delivery - it looked like perfection to me.

[t206trader]

That's a fair assessment Scott. However you look at it, Montana and Manning have changed the way the game is played. Nobody ran the 2 minute drill like Joe Cool.

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Plus, it's just my opinion and I admittedly like the aesthetics of Montana's delivery - it looked like perfection to me.

Couldn't agree with that comment more. Joe had a beautiful delivery, from the pocket or on the run.. He seemed to have a perfect efficiency in everything he did- smooth drop, great feet/pocket presence, underrated running ability and arm strength. Brady also has a beautiful, straight over the top delivery.. But nowhere near the overall physical fluidity of Joe. (conversely Manning and Marino motions always looked ugly yo me.. Clearly, this is no reflection on greatness, and with the uglier motions, they also both achieved lightning quickness.. IMO the ultimate combo of quick and pretty is Mike Vick's).

QB and football numbers are so tough to use as benchmarks... Especially yardage and TDs. So much is reliant on your team's philosophy, and so much of that philosophy is influenced by the era you played and what other teams did. The west coast offense in its early years had a great balance to it. For the era they threw a lot, but no one under Walsh or Seifert to follow through for 4000 yards.. Nor did they need to. They also huddled regularly and ran far fewer plays than these faster pace/call plays at the line type offenses today. In the context of a game though, either Montana or Young could pile up whatever numbers needed to win.. And they did with regularity.

Manning is an all time great, but I take Joe any time over him

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by itjclarke

Couldn't agree with that comment more. Joe had a beautiful delivery, from the pocket or on the run.. He seemed to have a perfect efficiency in everything he did- smooth drop, great feet/pocket presence, underrated running ability and arm strength. Brady also has a beautiful, straight over the top delivery.. But nowhere near the overall physical fluidity of Joe. (conversely Manning and Marino motions always looked ugly yo me.. Clearly, this is no reflection on greatness, and with the uglier motions, they also both achieved lightning quickness.. IMO the ultimate combo of quick and pretty is Mike Vick's).

As much as I hated when the Cowboys faced Montana, it was no better when Young took over. Young also had a great delivery, as does Kaepernick. I really think Kaepernick could evolve into a superb passer, but he has to get smarter and run less - if he did this regularly for a few years, I think you might eventually see comparisons to Staubach. I remember when Staubach first came up with Dallas - Landry was having a very hard time getting him to sacrifice a few yards by passing instead of running. I also remember the exact play when Staubach rolled to the right, could have run for a touchdown, and he passed instead. But Harbaugh is encouraging Kaepernick in a different direction.

[Runscott]

Assuming you saw all those guys play, I won't argue with you, but I did see Lilly and he was damned good.