Because I’m bored I thought I would compile I list of Dr. Masse’s Top 25 NFL Quarterbacks of All-Time. Let me first say that it’s not easy comparing the quarterbacks of today with the ones pre 1980s and 90s before the West Coast offense came into vogue and drove up completion percentages. Also, it was a little easier winning championships back then since they played just the championship game and there were about 12 or 14 teams in the entire league. Let me also preface this by saying that these are just my opinions and everybody has their own opinion so please refrain from calling me an idiot or a moron if you disagree since everybody is entitled to their opinion and there numerous reasons why what one person think makes somebody the best only makes them in their eyes something like 10th best. But if somebody asked me to list my top 25 this is what I would put...

1. Joe Montana (40,551 yards, 273 Touchdowns, 139 Interceptions, 63.2 completion percentage, 20 rushing touchdowns, 8-time Pro Bowler): All the guy did was win. That’s what it’s all about. The bigger the game, the better Joe played. Not only does he have one of the greatest winning percentages in NFL history, but he also was 16-7 in the playoffs. He was 4-0 in the super bowl, threw 11 touchdowns in those games and NO interceptions in 122 pass attempts. That’s the stuff of legends. He was one of the masters of the fourth-quarter comeback and he orchestrated the greatest drive in Super Bowl history when he took the 49ERS 92 yards in the last 3 minutes to beat the Bengals 20-16 in Super Bowl XXIII. He threw five touchdowns a year later in Super Bowl XXIV and also completed a super bowl record 13 straight passes in that game. When he went to Kansas City in 1993 he led them to their first division title and AFC title game appearance since 1969. He’s among the highest-rated quarterbacks ever and in 1989 had a then record 112.4 rating. He also is among the top 10 all-time in yards and touchdowns while leading his team to a winning record in every year since after he was the full-time starter with the exception of the strike-shortened, nine-game 1982 season. From 1983 to 1990, Montana led the Niners to 10 or more wins every year, six division titles, 3 Super Bowls and four NFC title games.

2. Johnny Unitas (40,239 yards, 290 touchdowns, 253 interceptions, 54.6 completion percentage, 10-time Pro Bowler): Talk about winners. This guy is another quarterback that simply made his team better. As tough as nails and always cool under fire, Unitas led the Colts to three world championships during his career. He also was great because he doubled as offensive coordinator, calling all the plays out there. He still holds the record for most games in a row with a touchdown pass which is remarkable since the rules made it harder to pass in Johnny U’s day. In a way he revolutionized the passing game. He held on to long but when you talk about quarterback legends this guy is always near the top of the list.

3. Otto Graham (23,584 yards, 174 touchdowns, 135 interceptions, 5-time Pro Bowler): Graham split his nine years playing in the All-America Football Conference (4 years) and the NFL (six years). All he did in that time was lead the Browns to seven championships and make them the NFL’s Team of the 50s. Graham was 2-3 in title games in the NFL while he was 5-0 in the AAFC. He led the Browns to the championship in their first year in the NFL in 1950. During his career he never missed a game and compiled an astounding 105-17-4 record). Graham was one of the ultimate winners and I considered putting him at the top of the list but because Montana was 4-0 in title games and Graham was 2-3 in the NFL title game I went with Montana.

4. John Elway (51,475 yards, 300 touchdowns, 226 interceptions, 56.9 completion percentage, 33 rushing touchdowns, 9-time Pro Bowler): Maybe the most talented quarterback ever, Elway could beat you with his arms and his legs. Like Montana, he was a master of the fourth-quarter comeback and his 98-yard drive in Cleveland in the 86 title game is the stuff of legends. Elway may have had the best ending to a career, winning two super bowls in his last two seasons, while winning the MVP in his last game. However, that game was really the only time he played great in the Super Bowl. He had three bad performances in three super bowl losses and Terrell Davis carried Denver to their first super bowl while Elway threw for only 123 yards. Still, the fact that Elway took his team to the super bowl five times, alone tells you how good he was. He wasn’t the most accurate passer in the world and he sometimes hurt his team with interceptions but when the chips are down there’s not many quarterbacks in NFL history who are better than Elway.

5. Dan Marino (61,361 yards, 420 touchdowns, 252 interceptions, 59.4 completion percentage, 9-time Pro Bowler): Marino is the best passer ever but not the best quarterback ever. Granted, Marino didn’t play with the best teams but the AFC was pretty watered down from 1984 through 1994 and the Dolphins went to the title game just once during that time while missing the playoffs from 1986 through 1989. Marino’s Dolphins also lost two title games in 1985 and 1992 to wild card Patriots and Bills teams on their home field which takes some luster from Marino. Still, what he did in his career was remarkable. His yards and touchdowns records could last forever and he also is the only player to ever throw for over 5,000 yards. Peyton Manning eclipsed his 1984 record for 48 touchdown passes by one but unlike Manning, Marino didn’t dink and dunk for most of his touchdowns that year. He was a great pocket thrower and had he helped the Dolphins climb even the AFC mountain more than just one time he might have been regarded as the best ever at his position.

6. Brett Favre (53,615 yards, 396 touchdowns, 255 interceptions, 61.5 completion percentage, 8-time Pro Bowler): One of this generation’s most respected quarterbacks, Favre is second to only Marino in career touchdowns and yards. He has a good chance of breaking the touchdown record and an outside chance at getting the yards record. Favre also has a super bowl ring and took the Packers to two straight super bowls in 96 and 97, although he has never taken the Packers past the divisional playoffs since 97. Favre’s most impressive streak may be that he has never missed a start since becoming the Packers starter in 1992. He is one of the toughest quarterbacks to ever play and is beloved in Green Bay after reviving a floundering franchise. The knock on Favre, though, is that he has had a knack for making scattered-brained decisions over his career. As great as he is, Favre also has hurt the Packers with mistakes at times. Five times Favre has thrown 21 or more interceptions in a season. Granted, the Packers would have been lost without him, but that questionable decision making is what keeps him out of the Mount Rushmore of quarterbacks. Still, Favre seems to will the Packers to win sometimes and that says a lot about how good he has been.

7. Fran Tarkenton (47,003 yards, 342 touchdowns, 266 interceptions, 57 completion percentage, 9-time Pro Bowler, 3,674 rushing yards, 32 touchdowns): If only Tarkenton could have one of the three super bowls he played in history almost assuredly would look more fondly on him. However, he played poorly in those games and that takes away from what was an amazing career. Tarkenton was the greatest scrambling quarterback to ever play but also was a whiz as a passer, throwing for the third-most touchdowns in NFL history and the fifth-most yards. Tarkenton helped the Vikings become one of the NFC’s best teams in the 70s and had them in the super bowl hunt every year. With his ability to run and throw so well, Tarkenton always was tough to game plan for and that made the Vikings tough to beat any time he was on the field. Tarkenton took a pounding but played for 18 seasons.

8. Roger Staubach (22,700 yards, 153 touchdowns, 109 interceptions, 57 completion percentage, 20 rushing touchdowns, 6-time Pro Bowler): It would have been interesting to see what Staubach had done had he not had to go into the Navy following his 1965 draft selection and missed his first four seasons. Staubach was one of the great winners, leading the Cowboys to two Super Bowl wins and four NFC championship wins. Staubach also was a big-game player who did some of his best work under pressure and his comeback magic rivals that of Montana and Elway. Staubach’s career numbers appear modest since he only had eight full seasons as the starter but he was a winner and was the driving force behind Dallas’s success in the 70s. Had the Cowboys won and not lost two super bowls to the Steelers Staubach might have been talked about as one of the top three quarterbacks of all-time. Ironically, he had his best statistical year in his final campaign in 1979 reaching career highs in yards and touchdowns.

9. Norm Van Brocklin (23,611 yards, 173 touchdowns, 178 interceptions, 53.6 completion percentage, 9-time Pro Bowler): VanBrocklin was a born leader and like Favre had the ability to will his team to victory. He led the Rams to the 1951 title, throwing a game-winning 71-yard touchdown pass and he guided an underdog Eagles team to the 1960 championship while winning player of the year that season. VanBrocklin threw for a NFL record 554 yards in 1951. He threw a career-high 24 touchdown passes in 1960 and was the only quarterback to beat the Packers in the playoffs while Vince Lombardi was coach.

10. Bart Starr (24,718 yards, 152 touchdowns, 138 interceptions, 57.4 completion percentage, four-time Pro Bowler): Starr quarterbacked one of the greatest NFL dynasties and helped the Packers become the only team to ever win three straight world championships since they won the 1965 championship before winning the first two super bowls. He helped the Packers win five titles in seven years during the 60s and orchestrated one of NFL’s most memorable drives when he helped the Packers rally for a 21-17 NFL title win in the 1967 Ice Bowl.

11. Terry Bradshaw (27,989 yards, 212 touchdowns, 210 interceptions, 51.9 completion percentage, 3-time Pro Bowler): Bradshaw is kind of the polar opposite of Marino. His statistics do not wow you but he was 4-0 in the Super Bowl and often displayed a knack for making the clutch throw at the biggest time in the biggest games. Bradshaw could drive the Steelers batty with some of his mistakes but he was the kind of guy that they could lose with, but not win without. He was 10-3 in the playoffs and threw nine touchdowns in the super bowls, including four in a 35-31 win over Dallas in Super Bowl XIII. Bradshaw made the pro bowl just three times but while there may have been better passers few were better winners and leaders and that makes Bradshaw one of the all-time greats.

12. Dan Fouts (43,040 yards, 254 touchdowns, 242 interceptions, 58.8 completion percentage, 6-time Pro Bowler): The leader of Air Coryell, Fouts was the premier passer of the late 70s and early 80s. He made a run at 5,000 yards in 1980 and led the Chargers, a team with a suspect defense at best, to two straight AFC championship game appearances in 1980 and 81. He also led the Chargers to three straight division titles and had an all-time great performance in a 41-38 1981 Divisional Playoff win over the Dolphins. Fouts was like Marino in that he didn’t have the greatest teams around him but at the same time the Chargers had home field advantage in 1979 and 1980 and both times were upset by wild card teams on their home field, including the 79 Oilers who intercepted Fouts five times.

13. Bobby Layne (26,768 yards, 196 touchdowns, 243 interceptions, 49 completion percentage, 25 rushing touchdowns, 2-time All NFL): Here is a perfect example of someone who cannot be measured by statistics. Layne was a fierce competitor and the ultimate leader, fearlessly leading the Lions to three world championships during the 1950s. He also helped the Lions win four division championships during that decade. Layne had one of the great championship game-winning drives when he took the Lions 80 yards with less than four minutes remaining to help them rally past the Browns, 17-16 in the 1953 championship. Layne was beloved by his teammates and seemed to elevate the play of those around him, the hallmark of a legendary quarterback.

14. Len Dawson (28,711 yards, 239 touchdowns, 183 interceptions, 57.1 completion percentage, 7-time Pro Bowler): One of the AFL's best quarterbacks, Dawson also made a big impact in the NFL, leading the Chiefs to Super Bowl I and then winning MVP when the Chiefs upset the Vikings in Super Bowl IV. Dawson led the Chiefs to three AFL titles, including a double overtime win in the 1963 title game. He was one of his era's most efficient passers and was a clam leader who helped make the Chiefs one of the most innovative offensive teams of the 60s.

15. Sid Luckman: Statistics don't tell the story with arguably the greatest quarterback of the 1940s. Football was more ground-oriented in those days but Luckman threw for 443 yards and seven touchdowns in a 1943 win over the Giants. He was the first successful T-Formation quarterback and led the Bears to four championships in his 12 seasons. The Bears were the team of the 40s and Luckman was a big reason why. He was the MVP in 1943 and was first or second team all league every year from 1940 through 1948.

16. Steve Young (33,124 yards, 232 touchdowns, 107 interceptions, 64.3 completion percentage, 43 rushing touchdowns, 4,239 rushing yards, 7-time Pro Bowler): Young had an amazing seven-year run after taking over for Montana. Young made the Pro Bowl every year from 1992 through 98, became the first player in league history to win four straight passing titles and retired as the league’s highest rated passer ever. Oh yeah, he also led the 49ERS to the 1994 world championship and threw a super bowl record six touchdowns in a 49-26 win over the Chargers. His 35 touchdowns in 94 helped Young have the highest rated season ever at that time. He also led the Niners to five division titles and four NFC title games. Young was one of the greatest running quarterbacks ever and had the ability to run people over as he showed when he broke seven tackles while scoring a game-winning 49-yard touchdown in a 1988 win over the Vikings.

17. Y.A. Title (28,339 yards, 212 touchdowns, 221 interceptions, 55.5 completion percentage, 7-time Pro Bowler): Title is one of those quarterbacks that did just about everything except win a championship. He came close, though, losing in three straight title games while with the Giants from 1961 through 63. In 1962 and 63 he threw for 69 touchdowns, including 36 in 62, which was quite astounding for that era. His 36-touchdown campaign came while playing in just 13 games. He won NFL MVP in both 1962 and 1963.

18. Sammy Baugh (21,866 yards, 187 touchdowns, 203 interceptions, 7-time All-NFL): Baugh helped revolutionize football, taking it from its more conservative approach to a more balanced game in his 16 seasons. To that degree, he has played a role in paving the way for the likes of the Montana’s and Elway’s. He was the NFL passing leader six times and in 1943 led the league in passing, punting and interceptions as he played both ways. Baugh helped the Redskins become a consistent winner and led them to the 1940 title game.

19. Bob Griese (25,092 yards, 192 touchdowns, 172 interceptions, 56.2 completion percentage, 8-time Pro Bowler): Quietly, this Hall of Famer put together a stellar career. His statistics were never eye-popping but he consistently won and was a calm and poised leader. Griese led the Dolphins to three straight super bowl appearances and championships in 1972 and 73. The Dolphins consistently won the rest of Griese's career although he never led them to a playoff win after Super Bowl VIII. Griese was the 1971 Player of the Year and threw just nine interceptions that season. During Griese's last 11 seasons, the Dolphins recorded winning records nine times.

20. Tom Brady (18,035 yards, 123 touchdowns, 66 interceptions, 61.9 completion percentage, 3-time Pro Bowler): I debated this one a lot since Brady has only been a starter for five seasons. However, what he has done in that time is amazing. Brady led the Patriots to three super bowls in his first four seasons, while winning the game's MVP twice. His ability to excel when the pressure is highest and to almost always find a way to lead the Patritos from behind in the fourth quarter convinces me he is Joe Montana's clone. Brady has defined what makes him great in the Super Bowls, twice leading game-winning drives against the Rams and the Panthers in the last two minutes. Amazingly, he also went 10-0 in the playoffs before finally losing his first playoff game last January. With the exception of 2004 when Corey Dillon was on the team, Brady never had a dominant running back and he has never had dominant receivers, yet he has led the Patriots to an astournding 68-21 record. And his stats are solid too as Brady has topped 23 touchdowns and 3,600 yards in his last four seasons. If Brady continues to do what he's done early in his career then in 10 or 15 years he probably will be the new greatest quarterback ever.

21. Troy Aikman (32,942 yards, 165 touchdowns, 141 interceptions, 61.2 completion percentage, 6-time Pro Bowler): I thought Aikman was a bit overrated during his day. He was a great quarterback not just the quarterbacking god that some seemed to think he was in the mid 90s. Aikman, though, was a true winner and was a guy who didn't make a lost of mistakes. He only threw more than 20 touchdowns once but he managed the game well and never seemed to hurt Dallas. He also had a great performance in his first super bowl, throwing four touchdown passes. Aikman was an astounding 10-2 in his first 12 playoff games but won just one playoff game in his last five years and none after 1996. He also was unable to elevate Dallas from mediocrity after Emmitt Smith started wearing down and Dallas's line started crumbling. He never seemed to have that magic moment when he brought Dallas back from a near hopeless situation, ala Montana, Elway and Favre but he was a consistent winner.

22. Warren Moon (49,325 yards, 291 touchdowns, 233 interceptions, 58.4 completion percentage, 22 rushing touchdowns, 9-time Pro Bowler): Only three quarterbacks have thrown for more yards than this soon to be Hall of Famer and only four have thrown for more touchdowns. Moon was a consistent gun slinger for 17 seasons and helped the Oilers go from doormats to perennial playoff contenders. However, Moon was never able to get the Oilers over the hump and never led them or the Vikings who he played for for three seasons to a conference title game. His postseason record was just 3-7 despite playing with some very talented teams. Moon ran the Run and Shoot offense from 1990 through 93 as well as any quarterback ever has. He topped 4,000 yards four times and 20 touchdowns seven times. In 1990 he made a run at 5,000 yards and may have gotten that had he not missed the last game. He finished with 4,689 yards and 33 touchdowns. If Moon had been able to get to a Super Bowl or win a Super Bowl he might be regarded as one of the game's 10 best ever. Before coming to the NFL, Moon established himself as a CFL legend and may be that league's best quarterback ever.

23. Sonny Jurgensen (32,224 yards, 255 touchdowns, 159 interceptions, 57.1 completion percentage, 5-time Pro Bowler): Jurgensen was one of the 1960s most prolific passers and put up some remarkable numbers in that era. He won three passing titles and exceeded 3,000 yards five times. Jurgensen also threw 20 or more touchdowns seven times and is 10th all time in touchdown passes. The knock against Jurgensen, though, is that he led the Eagles and Redskins to just one winning season from 1962 through 1970 when he was in his prime. He put up the numbers but the wins were harder to come by. However, Vince Lombardi called him the best quarterback he has seen and that is high praise considering he coached Bart Starr.

24. Jim Kelly (35,467 yards, 237 touchdowns, 175 interceptions, 60.1 completion percentage, 4-time Pro Bowler): Like Tarkenton, the only thing missing from Kelly's resume is a world championship. Kelly led the Bills to an unprecedented four straight super bowls but lost each time and struggled mightily in his last three appearances, throwing seven interceptions and just two touchdowns. He also was held without a touchdown pass in three of those games. Still, Kelly was the third quickest quarterback to reach 30,000 yards and surpassed 3,000 yards eight times. During his 11 seasons, Kelly also won nine playoff games. He was a tough and strong-armed quarterback who seemed to play the game fearlessly. Kelly spent his first two years in the USFL and threw for 83 touchdown passes.

25. George Blanda (26,920 yards, 236 touchdowns, 277 interceptions, 47.7 completion percentage, 4-time Pro Bowler): Amazingly, Blanda played for 26 seasons and was still playing well in his 40s. At age 43, Blanda had won of the league's best five week runs when he led the Raiders to four fourth-quarter wins and a tie with either game-winning touchdown passes or field goals. Later that year he became the oldest quarterback to play in a title game when the Raiders met the Colts in the first AFC championship. Blanda led the Oilers to the first two AFL titles in 1961 and 62 and was the 1961 AFL Player of the Year.