My Favorite QBs of the last Decade

Peyton Manning

First and foremost, Peyton Manning. Not just because he is dominant, not just because he has the single-season touchdown record and is slated to crush almost every other quarterback record in the NFL if he stays healthy. It is because he is an intelligent player. He is the only QB in the NFL that calls his own play. I love watching him change the play again and again at the line of scrimmage and watching the defenders try to keep track of what is happening. He has started every game of his NFL career and is on the Brett Favre toughness track.

People have loved to doubt Peyton. And he’s a big target to pick on. He’s the son of former NFL QB Archie Manning and big brother to NY Giants QB Eli Manning. He’s not known for his mobility in the pocket. And he failed to win a Superbowl in his first nine years of NFL service. And then, in 2007 he won his first Superbowl, and the doubters, temporarily, fell silent.

Brett Favre

For some reason, I am a Packers fan. I think it has to do with the fact that Brett Favre has been their starting QB for the past 15 years, starting every game. That’s impressive for a QB and speaks to his toughness. He was a second-round draft pick out of the University of Southern Mississippi, taken by the Atlanta Falcons. In 1992 he was traded to the Packers and never looked back.

Brett’s passion for the game sets him apart from other quarterbacks. His passion paired with his skill and longevity set him apart from other QBs. And he still plays like a kid. He celebrates every touchdown as if its his first and executed his first Lambo Leap last year. This also is a man that isn’t afraid to take risks. One sportscaster said that he is the only man in the NFL that could be happy to set the career touchdown passing record and career interception record. That’s because he will throw into traffic without fear. He has a strong arm and an even stronger heart. It’s easy to imagine him playing for years to come.

Doug Flutie

All 5 foot 10 of him, pound for pound, he is my favorite. Doug didn’t know when to hang ‘em up, but that is part of his charm. There must have been no less than 100 times in his career when people told him that he wouldn’t make the NFL, he was too old to play, he was too small to play. He never listened. He came out of Boston College, picked up in the 11th round of the 1985, played for a couple years in the NFL. Then he was off to the Canadian Football league for seven years. There he broke virtually ever QB record Canada had to offer. Finally in 1998, when he was 35 years old, he was called back to the Buffalo Bills, where he was sent to the Probowl and named Comeback Player of the Year. Oh, yeah, then he played for another four years with San Diego and New England and finally retired at 42. While with the Patriots, Doug did something that hadn’t been done since 1941. He drop kicked the ball for an extra point.

On May 8, 2007, Doug became the first non-Canadian elected into the CFL Hall of Fame. A day later, he elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Jeff Garcia

Another product of the CFL, Garcia took the helm of the San Francisco 49ers in 1999, filling in for an injured Steve Young. Young never took the field again (due to numerous concussions) and Garcia went on to finish the season. The next year he made the first of three Pro Bowl appearances while setting a franchise record with 4,278 passing yards that year. You know your good when you are breaking records set by Young and Joe Montana.

Garcia then suffered through some rough times, including a year with each the Lions and the Browns, team that would have made the Payton Manning look bad. What I like about Jeff Garcia is, as John Madden would say, his “sticktuitiveness”. This year he beat out three other quarterbacks and is leading surprising Tampa Bay Buccaneer team.

Rex Grossman

Rexy, you are pure entertainment. Even though I live in Chicago, I wasn’t raised here, so I have very little allegiance to the Bears. Rex Grossman has kept us talking for hours at the bars and during the games. I love the way Chicago turns on him and then embraces him moments later. Forget his record or interceptions. Forget that he led the Bears to the Superbowl last year. He is fun to watch. You want him to do well. You want him to throw the interception. Even though he is now benched, I would be he’ll be back to start and keep the fun going.